The missing link: How is the phantom limb influenced by prosthesis wearing in people with lower-limb amputation?

Background: Recent therapeutic and technological solutions aim to improve the daily living of people with limb amputation by considering various aspects of the phantom limb, in particular painless phantom sensations (PS) and voluntary phantom movements (VPM).

Objective: Although previous research has explored these phenomena mostly without considering the prosthesis, this study investigates the influence of prosthesis wearing on painless PS, painful PS, and VPM, in people with lower-limb amputation.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study based on semi-directed interviews.

New insights into muscle activity associated with phantom hand movements in transhumeral amputees.

Introduction: Muscle activity patterns in the residual arm are systematically present during phantom hand movements (PHM) in transhumeral amputees. However, their characteristics have not been directly investigated yet, leaving their neurophysiological origin poorly understood. This study pioneers a neurophysiological perspective in examining PHM-related muscle activity patterns by characterizing and comparing them with those in the arm, forearm, and hand muscles of control participants executing intact hand movements (IHM) of similar types.

Neck muscle vibration and prism adaptation fail to improve balance disturbances after stroke: A multicentre randomised controlled study.

Background: Pilot studies suggest potential effects of neck muscle vibration (NMV) and prism adaptation (PA) on postural balance disturbances related to spatial cognition.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of 10 sessions of NMV and/or PA on ML deviation. We used the mediolateral centre of pressure position (ML deviation) as a biomarker for spatial cognition perturbation, hypothesising that PA and NMV would improve ML deviation, with a potential synergistic impact when used together.

Quantification of push-off and collision work during step-to-step transition in amputees walking at self-selected speed: Effect of amputation level.

Maintaining forward walking during human locomotion requires mechanical joint work, mainly provided by the ankle-foot in non-amputees. In lower-limb amputees, their metabolic overconsumption is generally attributed to reduced propulsion. However, it remains unclear how altered walking patterns resulting from amputation affect energy exchange.

Predictive factors of return-to-work trajectory after work-related rotator cuff syndrome: A prospective study of 96 workers.

Objective: Sustained return to work after surgery for work-related rotator cuff syndrome (WRRCS) remains quite difficult. The main purpose of the present study was to identify predictive factors of a return-to-work (RTW) trajectory.

Methods: A total of 96 workers with WRRCS were identified by 4 surgeons.