An iPad-based intervention to improve visual-motor, visual-attention, and visual-perceptual skills in children with surgically treated hydrocephalus: A pilot study.

Purpose: Develop and pilot an iPad-based intervention for improving visual-motor coordination, visual-spatial processing/reasoning, and visual attention in children with surgically treated hydrocephalus (HCP).

Methods: We developed an intervention protocol targeting visual-motor coordination, visual-spatial processing/reasoning, and visual attention. Fourteen participants with HCP completed 30 h of training over 6 weeks.

The Validity and Reliability of the Microsoft Kinect for Measuring Trunk Compensation during Reaching.

Compensatory movements at the trunk are commonly utilized during reaching by persons with motor impairments due to neurological injury such as stroke. Recent low-cost motion sensors may be able to measure trunk compensation, but their validity and reliability for this application are unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the first (K1) and second (K2) generations of the Microsoft Kinect to a video motion capture system (VMC) for measuring trunk compensation during reaching.

Combining Virtual Reality Motor Rehabilitation With Cognitive Strategy Use in Chronic Stroke.

Importance: Rehabilitation interventions for chronic stroke are largely impairment based, with results confined to the level of impairment instead of function. In contrast, cognitive strategy training interventions have demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in functional outcomes. Integration of these approaches has yet to be explored.

A virtual reality tool for measuring and shaping trunk compensation for persons with stroke: Design and initial feasibility testing.

Compensatory movement, such as flexing the trunk during reaching, may negatively affect motor improvement during task-based practice for persons with stroke. Shaping, or incrementally decreasing, the amount of compensation used during rehabilitation may be a viable strategy with methods using virtual reality. A virtual reality tool was designed to (1) monitor upper extremity movement kinematics with an off-the-shelf motion sensor (Microsoft Kinect V2), (2) convert movements into control of widely available computer games, and (3) provide real-time feedback to shape trunk compensation.

Reliability and validity of the Microsoft Kinect for assessment of manual wheelchair propulsion.

Concurrent validity and test-retest reliability of the Microsoft Kinect in quantification of manual wheelchair propulsion were examined. Data were collected from five manual wheelchair users on a roller system. Three Kinect sensors were used to assess test-retest reliability with a still pose.

Upper extremity movement reliability and validity of the Kinect version 2.

Purpose: Studies have shown that marker-less motion detection systems, such as the first generation Kinect (Kinect 1), have good reliability and potential for clinical application. Studies of the second generation Kinect (Kinect 2) have shown a large range of accuracy relative to balance and joint localization; however, few studies have investigated the validity and reliability of the Kinect 2 for upper extremity motion. This investigation compared reliability and validity among the Kinect 1, Kinect 2 and a video motion capture (VMC) system for upper extremity movements.

Development of a novel virtual reality gait intervention.

Introduction: Improving gait speed and kinematics can be a time consuming and tiresome process. We hypothesize that incorporating virtual reality videogame play into variable improvement goals will improve levels of enjoyment and motivation and lead to improved gait performance.

Purpose: To develop a feasible, engaging, VR gait intervention for improving gait variables.

A motor learning approach to training wheelchair propulsion biomechanics for new manual wheelchair users: A pilot study.

Context/objective: Developing an evidence-based approach to teaching wheelchair skills and proper propulsion for everyday wheelchair users with a spinal cord injury (SCI) is important to their rehabilitation. The purpose of this project was to pilot test manual wheelchair training based on motor learning and repetition-based approaches for new manual wheelchair users with an SCI.

Design: A repeated measures within-subject design was used with participants acting as their own controls.

Important wheelchair skills for new manual wheelchair users: health care professional and wheelchair user perspectives.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to identify wheelchair skills currently being taught to new manual wheelchair users, identify areas of importance for manual wheelchair skills' training during initial rehabilitation, identify similarities and differences between the perspectives of health care professionals and manual wheelchair users and use the ICF to organize themes related to rehabilitation and learning how to use a manual wheelchair.

Method: Focus groups were conducted with health care professionals and experienced manual wheelchair users. ICF codes were used to identify focus group themes.

Identification of three movement phases of the hand during lateral and pulp pinches using video motion capture.

Background: Hand injuries affect a person's ability to engage successfully in activities of daily living (ADLs). Video motion capture (VMC) facilitates measurement of dynamic movement. No study to date has used VMC as a means of quantifying the simultaneous movement patterns of all joints of all digits of the hand during active purposeful movement.

Developing Home-Based Virtual Reality Therapy Interventions.

Objective: Stroke is one of the leading causes of serious long-term disability. However, home exercise programs given at rehabilitation often lack in motivational aspects. The purposes of this pilot study were (1) create individualized virtual reality (VR) games and (2) determine the effectiveness of VR games for improving movement in upper extremities in a 6-week home therapy intervention for persons with stroke.

Computer Games as Therapy for Persons with Stroke.

Background: Stroke affects approximately 800,000 individuals each year, with 65% having residual impairments. Studies have demonstrated that mass practice leads to regaining motor function in affected extremities; however, traditional therapy does not include the repetitions needed for this recovery. Videogames have been shown to be good motivators to complete repetitions.

Cervical spine motion during extrication.

Background: It has been estimated that up to one-quarter of spinal cord injuries may be significantly worsened during extrication or early treatment after a motor vehicle accident.

Study Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the planar motions of the head relative to the torso during extrication from an automobile in a laboratory setting.

Methods: Video motion capture was used to quantify the range of motion of the head relative to the torso in 10 participants as they were extricated from a mock motor vehicle during four different extrication techniques: 1) Unassisted Unprotected, 2) Unassisted Protected with a cervical collar (CC), 3) Assisted and Protected with a CC, and 4) Assisted and Protected with a CC and Kendrick Extrication Device.

Changes in muscle activation following ankle strength training in children with spastic cerebral palsy: an electromyography feasibility case report.

ABSTRACT Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are likely to experience decreased participation in activities and less competence in activities of daily living. Studies of children with spastic CP have shown that strengthening programs produce positive results in strength, gait, and functional outcomes (measured by the Gross Motor Function Measure). No investigations have analyzed electromyography (EMG) activity before and after strength training to determine whether any changes occur in the GMFM.

Robotics and gaming to improve ankle strength, motor control, and function in children with cerebral palsy--a case study series.

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of game-based robotic training of the ankle in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The design was a case study, 12 weeks intervention, with no follow-up. The setting was a university research laboratory.

Comparison of 3 different methods to analyze ankle plantarflexor stiffness in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy.

Objective: To compare 3 different methods of measuring plantarflexor stiffness in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy (CP) and children without disability.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Human performance laboratory.

Use of computer games as an intervention for stroke.

Current rehabilitation for persons with hemiparesis after stroke requires high numbers of repetitions to be in accordance with contemporary motor learning principles. The motivational characteristics of computer games can be harnessed to create engaging interventions for persons with hemiparesis after stroke that incorporate this high number of repetitions. The purpose of this case report was to test the feasibility of using computer games as a 6-week home therapy intervention to improve upper extremity function for a person with stroke.

Effects of a supported speed treadmill training exercise program on impairment and function for children with cerebral palsy.

Aim: To compare the effects of a supported speed treadmill training exercise program (SSTTEP) with exercise on spasticity, strength, motor control, gait spatiotemporal parameters, gross motor skills, and physical function.

Method: Twenty-six children (14 males, 12 females; mean age 9y 6mo, SD 2y 2mo) with spastic cerebral palsy (CP; diplegia, n=12; triplegia, n=2; quadriplegia n=12; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II-IV) were randomly assigned to the SSTTEP or exercise (strengthening) group. After a twice daily, 2-week induction, children continued the intervention at home 5 days a week for 10 weeks.

Stroke Survivors' Gait Adaptations to a Powered Ankle Foot Orthosis.

Background And Purpose: Stroke is the leading cause of long term disability in the United States, and for many it causes loss of gait function. The purpose of this research is to examine stroke survivors' gait adaptations to training on the Powered Ankle Foot Orthosis (PAFO). Of particular interest is the stroke survivors' ability to learn how to store and release energy properly while using the device.

Elbow kinematics during overground manual wheelchair propulsion in individuals with tetraplegia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe horizontal and vertical translation of the elbow and elbow angle in two planes and three speeds during manual wheelchair overground propulsion in individuals with tetraplegia.

Methods: Seven individuals with tetraplegia who used manual wheelchairs wheeled overground at three different speeds were recruited for the study. Video motion capture methods quantified their movements.

Comparison of overground and treadmill propulsion patterns of manual wheelchair users with tetraplegia.

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to compare overground and treadmill propulsion patterns in persons with tetraplegia.

Methods: In this case series study, we recruited eight adult subjects with tetraplegia (5 men and 3 women, aged 32.5 ± 9.

Changes in trunk and head stability in children with cerebral palsy after hippotherapy: a pilot study.

Hippotherapy (HPOT) is a therapy that uses horse movement. This pilot investigation objectively evaluated the efficacy of HPOT in improving head/trunk stability in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The participants were six children with spastic diplegia and six children without disability.

Normalizing lower extremity strength data for children, adolescents, and young adults with cerebral palsy.

The traditional method for normalizing quantitative strength data is to divide force or torque by body mass. We have previously shown that this method is not appropriate for able-bodied children and young adults and that normalization using allometric scaling is more effective. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of applying existing normalization equations for lower extremity strength to children, adolescents, and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and, if appropriate, to develop CP-specific normalization equations using allometric scaling.

Changes in dynamic trunk/head stability and functional reach after hippotherapy.

Objectives: To determine if hippotherapy (therapy using a horse) improves head/trunk stability and upper extremity (UE) reaching/targeting in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy (SDCP).

Design: Pre-postoperative follow-up with a 12-week intervention and 12-week washout period after intervention.

Setting: A human performance laboratory with 6 camera video motion capture systems for testing.