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.

Using Free Internet Videogames in Upper Extremity Motor Training for Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Movement therapy is one type of upper extremity intervention for children with cerebral palsy (CP) to improve function. It requires high-intensity, repetitive and task-specific training. Tedium and lack of motivation are substantial barriers to completing the training.

Effect of hippotherapy on motor control, adaptive behaviors, and participation in children with autism spectrum disorder: a pilot study.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether hippotherapy increased function and participation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We hypothesized improvements in motor control, which might increase adaptive behaviors and participation in daily activities.

Method: Six children with ASD ages 5-12 participated in 12 weekly 45-min hippotherapy sessions.

Trunk and neck kinematics during overground manual wheelchair propulsion in persons with tetraplegia.

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that movement of the head and trunk increases as a consequence of speed during manual wheelchair propulsion over the ground in individuals with tetraplegia.

Methods: Seven adult participants with tetraplegia who used manual wheelchairs (5 men and 2 women, aged 33.0 ± 10.

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.

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.

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.

Pulmonary valve replacement: a comparison of three biological valves.

Background: We retrospectively reviewed the performance of the mosaic porcine, bovine pericardial, and homograft prostheses for pulmonary valve replacement to correct chronic pulmonary insufficiency.

Methods: From January 1995 to August 2006, 82 patients (mean age, 22.7 years) underwent valve replacement with porcine (49 patients), bovine pericardial (18 patients), or pulmonary homograft (15 patients) prosthesis at a mean of 15.

A comparison of artificial turf.

Background: In an attempt to decrease injuries, newer forms of artificial turf have been marketed. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a new shredded rubber-based turf improves impact attenuation.

Methods: An instrumented computerized impact recording device (IRD, Techmark, Lansing, MI) was dropped 20 times from a height of 48 inches onto five types of turf used by a professional football team.

Linear and angular head accelerations during heading of a soccer ball.

Purpose: Cognitive deficits observed in professional soccer players may be related to heading of a soccer ball. To assess the severity of a single instance of heading a soccer ball, this study experimentally and theoretically evaluated the linear and angular accelerations experienced by the human head during a frontal heading maneuver.

Methods: Accelerations were measured using a set of three triaxial accelerometers mounted to the head of each of four adult male subjects.

Does soccer headgear attenuate the impact when heading a soccer ball?

Unlabelled: There is increasing concern that repetitive blows to the head, such as those from heading a soccer ball, can cause measurable cognitive impairment. Reducing acceleration of impact could reduce neurologic sequelae.

Objective: To measure the effectiveness of four different types of soccer headgear in reducing the acceleration of impact.

Does the use of artificial turf contribute to head injuries?

Background: A number of high-profile professional football players have suffered career-ending concussions. The purpose of this article is to test the surfaces used by a professional team to determine their impact-attenuating properties.

Methods: An accelerometer was dropped from a height of 48 inches onto three different playing fields in the St.