Movement pattern and upper extremity muscle activation during fast and slow continuous steering movement.

Continuous steering movement (CSM) is an essential component of the upper extremity (UE) task during vehicle driving, and could be a suitable candidate for multi-joint rehabilitation programs for patients with UE disabilities. This study aims to evaluate the UE muscle activation during CSM and how the rotating speed and direction affect CSM's kinematic and kinetic performance. Surface electromyography (EMG), hand contact information, and steering torque were measured under fast (180°/s) and slow (60°/s) constant-velocity CSM to reveal the activation of shoulder and elbow muscles, temporal characteristics, and force exertion during the stance and swing phases of a CSM cycle.

Validation of the Brief Pain Inventory in Patients With Low Back Pain.

Study Design: Cross-sectional psychometric testing in a sample of patients with low back pain (LBP).

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the construct, convergent, and discriminative validity of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) in patients with LBP.

Summary Of Background Data: The BPI was originally developed to assess cancer pain.

Reliability and responsiveness of the activities of daily living computerized adaptive testing system in patients with stroke.

Objective: To examine the intrarater reliability, interrater reliability, and responsiveness of the Activities of Daily Living Computerized Adaptive Testing system (ADL CAT) in patients with stroke.

Design: One repeated-measures design (at an interval of 7d) was used to examine the intrarater reliability and interrater reliability of the ADL CAT. For the responsiveness study, participants were assessed with the ADL CAT at admission to the rehabilitation ward and at discharge from the hospital.

Effects of noxious versus innocuous thermal stimulation on lower extremity motor recovery 3 months after stroke.

Objective: To examine the effects of thermal stimulation (TS) on the lower extremity (LE) movement and function in patients with stroke.

Design: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Setting: A university hospital.

Development of a computerized adaptive testing system of the Fugl-Meyer motor scale in stroke patients.

Objective: To develop a computerized adaptive testing system of the Fugl-Meyer motor scale (CAT-FM) to efficiently and reliably assess motor function in patients with stroke.

Design: First, a simulation study was used to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the CAT-FM. Second, a field study was employed to determine the administration efficiency of the CAT-FM.

Effect of thermal stimulation on upper extremity motor recovery 3 months after stroke.

Background And Purpose: To examine the effect of thermal stimulation (TS) on upper extremity (UE) motor recovery in patients at least 3 months after stroke.

Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. In addition to regular rehabilitation programs, the experimental group received an UE-TS protocol for 30 minutes per day (3 days/week for 8 weeks); the control group received the same TS protocol on lower extremity.

Psychometric comparisons of 3 functional ambulation measures for patients with stroke.

Background And Purpose: We compared the test-retest reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Dynamic Gait Index, the 4-item Dynamic Gait Index, and the Functional Gait Assessment for assessment of walking in patients with stroke.

Methods: Forty-five outpatients participating in the validity and responsiveness study were tested using the 3 walking measures as well as the 10-m walk test, Barthel Index, and Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients. We tested them during the first week, then again after 2 months and 5 months of therapy.