Development of a Wearable Electromyographic Sensor with Aerosol Jet Printing Technology.

Electromyographic (EMG) sensors are essential tools for analyzing muscle activity, but traditional designs often face challenges such as motion artifacts, signal variability, and limited wearability. This study introduces a novel EMG sensor fabricated using Aerosol Jet Printing (AJP) technology that addresses these limitations with a focus on precision, flexibility, and stability. The innovative sensor design minimizes air interposition at the skin-electrode interface, thereby reducing variability and improving signal quality.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality for Pain Management in Musculoskeletal Disorders Across Anatomical Regions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The use of virtual reality (VR) in physiotherapy is expanding across various fields; however, while extensively researched in neurology, its application in musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders remains underexplored. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of VR in pain management across different anatomical regions.

Materials And Methods: The research was conducted using the MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases, including randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of VR interventions, encompassing immersive VR, specialised non-immersive VR, and gaming platforms.

Non-Sleep Deep Rest Relaxation and Virtual Reality Therapy for Psychological Outcomes in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

While cardiac rehabilitation (CR) primarily focuses on restoring physical strength, preventing relapse, and reducing rehospitalization rates, psychological interventions play a complementary role by supporting mental health, which is crucial for patients' long-term adherence and overall recovery. The effectiveness of psychological interventions in CR is debated, and while technologies like virtual reality (VR) therapy show promise, they have limitations for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, this study examines non-sleep deep rest (NSDR) relaxation, a novel and easily implementable technique, and compares its impact on depression, anxiety, and stress with VR therapy and standard care.

Health behaviours and work-related musculoskeletal pain among polish physiotherapists and nurses.

Background: Physiotherapists and nurses play crucial roles in healthcare, often requiring them to adopt physically demanding positions. However, these positions can lead to joint stress and an increased risk of injury, as well as work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). These disorders can significantly impact the performance of their duties, which can negatively affect patient recovery.

Psychologically-enhanced cardiac rehabilitation for psychological and functional improvement in patients with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review with meta-analysis and future research directions.

Objective: To systematically review the effectiveness of psychologically-enhanced cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in improving psychological and functional outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Data Sources: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science, up to January 31, 2024.

Study Selection: Two reviewers independently identified randomized clinical trials that evaluated the effectiveness of psychologically-enhanced CR in improving psychological and functional outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease.

A Systematic Review on the Application of Virtual Reality for Muscular Dystrophy Rehabilitation: Motor Learning Benefits.

Using virtual reality (VR) for Muscular Dystrophy (MD) rehabilitation promises to be a novel therapeutic approach, potentially enhancing motor learning, functional outcomes, and overall quality of life. This systematic review primarily aimed to provide a comprehensive summary of the current understanding regarding the application of VR in supporting MD rehabilitation. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify relevant articles.

High contextual interference improves retention in motor learning: systematic review and meta-analysis.

The effect of practice schedule on retention and transfer has been studied since the first publication on contextual interference (CI) in 1966. However, strongly advocated by scientists and practitioners, the CI effect also aroused some doubts. Therefore, our objective was to review the existing literature on CI and to determine how it affects retention in motor learning.

Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation in Dizziness: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Dizziness can be a debilitating condition with various causes, with at least one episode reported in 17% to 30% of the international adult population. Given the effectiveness of rehabilitation in treating dizziness and the recent advancements in telerehabilitation, this systematic review aims to investigate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation in the treatment of this disorder. The search, conducted across Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PEDro databases, included randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of telerehabilitation interventions, delivered synchronously, asynchronously, or via tele-support/monitoring.

Integration of Smart Home and Building Automation Systems in Virtual Reality and Robotics-Based Technological Environment for Neurorehabilitation: A Pilot Study Protocol.

Technological innovation has revolutionized healthcare, particularly in neurological rehabilitation, where it has been used to address chronic conditions. Smart home and building automation (SH&BA) technologies offer promising solutions for managing chronic disabilities associated with such conditions. This single group, pre-post longitudinal pilot study, part of the H2020 HosmartAI project, aims to explore the integration of smart home technologies into neurorehabilitation.

Telerehabilitation for Neurological Motor Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Quality of Life, Satisfaction, and Acceptance in Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson's Disease.

Telerehabilitation (TR) seems to be a viable and feasible solution to face the rehabilitative challenges posed by neurological impairments and to improve patients' quality of life (QoL). This review aims to synthesize and analyze the evidence on the impact of physiotherapy intervention through TR on QoL in patients with stroke, Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS), together with an evaluation of their satisfaction and technology acceptance levels. Through a systematic search of the literature and a screening process, treatment effects were assessed with meta-analyses using the standardized mean difference, setting the confidence interval at 95%.

Effects of Immersive Virtual Reality on Upper-Extremity Stroke Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative rehabilitation tool increasingly used in stroke rehabilitation. Fully immersive VR is a type of VR that closely simulates real-life scenarios, providing a high level of immersion, and has shown promising results in improving rehabilitation functions. This study aimed to assess the effect of immersive VR-based therapy for stroke patients on the upper extremities, activities of daily living (ADLs), and pain reduction and its acceptability and side effects.

Exploratory analysis of the effectiveness of virtual reality in cardiovascular rehabilitation.

Virtual reality therapy has been shown to be effective in coping with psychological disorders accompanied by cardiovascular disease. Age appears to be a factor that can affect the effectiveness of psychological therapy in a virtual environment. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore whether there are age-related differences in the effectiveness of reducing levels of depression and anxiety during a virtual reality psychological intervention implemented for rehabilitation.

A scoping review of scientific concepts concerning motor recovery after stroke as employed in clinical trials.

The scientific literature on poststroke rehabilitation is remarkably vast. Over the last decades, dozens of rehabilitation approaches have been investigated. However, sometimes it is challenging to trace new experimental interventions back to some of the known models of motor control and sensorimotor learning.

Telerehabilitation for Stroke: A Personalized Multi-Domain Approach in a Pilot Study.

Stroke, a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, manifests as motor, speech language, and cognitive impairments, necessitating customized rehabilitation strategies. In this context, telerehabilitation (TR) strategies have emerged as promising solutions. In a multi-center longitudinal pilot study, we explored the effects of a multi-domain TR program, comprising physiotherapy, speech therapy, and neuropsychological treatments.

How Lung Volume Recruitment Maneuvers Enhance Respiratory Function in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Quasi-Randomized Pilot Study.

: In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), a decrease in muscle strength can lead to limitations in pulmonary functions, potentially causing respiratory complications. To address these challenges, the lung volume recruitment (LVR) maneuver has emerged as a potential intervention. This study sought to evaluate the impact of a four-week LVR protocol on respiratory function in secondary progressive MS patients.

Language and gesture neural correlates: A meta-analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging studies.

Background: Humans often use co-speech gestures to promote effective communication. Attention has been paid to the cortical areas engaged in the processing of co-speech gestures.

Aims: To investigate the neural network underpinned in the processing of co-speech gestures and to observe whether there is a relationship between areas involved in language and gesture processing.

Factors associated with the effectiveness of immersive virtual therapy in alleviating depressive symptoms during sub-acute post-stroke rehabilitation: a gender comparison.

Background: The large-scale digitalization of healthcare has induced shifts in patient preferences, prompting the introduction of therapies utilizing novel technologies. In this context, the targeted application of these interventions is deemed as crucial as assessing their overall effectiveness. The aim of this study was to characterize the patient profile who benefited most from immersive virtual reality (VR) therapy.

Examining technology-assisted rehabilitation for older adults' functional mobility: a network meta-analysis on efficacy and acceptability.

Technological advancements facilitate feedback adaptation in rehabilitation through virtual reality (VR) exergaming, serious gaming, wearables, and telerehabilitation for older adults fall prevention. Although studies have evaluated these technologies, no comparisons of their effectiveness have been conducted to date. Thus, this study aims to assess the differences in effectiveness of these interventions on balance and functional mobility in the older adults.

Immersive virtual reality as support for the mental health of elderly women: a randomized controlled trial.

Several forms of virtual reality (VR) have shown promise in treating mental disorders. However, there is a lack of research investigating the use of multicomponent immersive VR. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an immersive virtual reality (IVR) intervention that incorporated Japanese garden aesthetics, relaxation, and elements of Erickson's psychotherapy in alleviating depression and anxiety symptoms among elderly women.