Effectiveness of Early Multimodal Non-pharmacological Interventions in Cognitive Preservation in the Elderly.

Introduction: Multimodal non-pharmacological interventions (MNPI) have been determined as effective in delaying cognitive deterioration. The effectiveness of timing of such interventions in elderly is less discussed. We compared the different effectiveness of MNPI in cognitive preservation in elderly subjects with and without dementia.

Trunk Muscle Function and Core Stability in Women Who Had Muscle-Sparing Pedicled Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Objective: The long-term effects of the unilateral muscle-sparing pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAMmsp) flap procedure on trunk muscle performances and core stability were investigated in women with breast cancer.

Methods: Forty women (mean age = 42.6 years) who had received breast reconstruction with the unilateral TRAMmsp flap procedure no less than 6 months earlier (mean = 10.

Characterizing the Validity of the Inverted Pendulum Model for Quiet Standing.

By assuming that the human body rotates primarily around the ankle joint in the sagittal plane, the human body has been modelled as a single inverted pendulum (IP) to simulate the human quiet stance. Despite its popularity, the validity of the IP model has been challenged in many studies. Rather than testing the validity of the IP model as a true or false question, this work proposes a feature to quantify the degree of validity of the IP model.

Gender differences and site-specific incident risks of musculoskeletal disorders among 224 506 workers in the food and beverage service industry in Taiwan: A 15-year Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objectives: Occupational characteristics in the food and beverage service industry (FBSI) have been found to be associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study aimed to examine gender and site-specific incident risks of MSDs among FBSI workers in Taiwan using a national population-based database.

Methods: We conducted a 15-year population-based cohort study among 224 506 FBSI workers in Taiwan using data from five large nationwide databases to estimate direct standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for identifying specific MSDs related to overexertion and repetitiveness during work.

Backward Walking Induces Significantly Larger Upper-Mu-Rhythm Suppression Effects Than Forward Walking Does.

Studies have compared the differences and similarities between backward walking and forward walking, and demonstrated the potential of backward walking for gait rehabilitation. However, current evidence supporting the benefits of backward walking over forward walking remains inconclusive. Considering the proven association between gait and the cerebral cortex, we used electroencephalograms (EEG) to differentiate the effects of backward walking and forward walking on cortical activities, by comparing the sensorimotor rhythm (8-12 Hz, also called mu rhythm) of EEG signals.

Effects of multiple training modalities in the elderly with subjective memory complaints: A pilot study.

Background: This study investigated the effects of multiple training modalities (MTM) on senior fitness and neuropsychiatric function in the elderly with subjective memory complaints (SMC).

Methods: This study was conducted in 24 elderly subjects with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score of 0 and instrument of ascertainment of dementia 8 (AD8) score of <2. The participants were classified into SMC (n = 7) and non-SMC (n = 17).

Test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change of two simplified 3-point balance measures in patients with stroke.

Background: The 3-point Berg Balance Scale (BBS-3P) and 3-point Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS-3P) were simplified from the BBS and PASS to overcome the complex scoring systems. The BBS-3P and PASS-3P were more feasible in busy clinical practice and showed similarly sound validity and responsiveness to the original measures. However, the reliability of the BBS-3P and PASS-3P is unknown limiting their utility and the interpretability of scores.

Electromyography of symmetrical trunk movements and trunk position sense in chronic stroke patients.

[Purpose] To explore the differences in bilateral trunk muscle activation between chronic stroke patients and healthy controls, this study investigated the symmetry index and cross-correlation of trunk muscles during trunk flexion and extension movements. This study also assessed the differences in trunk reposition error between groups and the association between trunk reposition error and bilateral trunk muscle activation. [Subjects and Methods] Fifteen stroke patients and 15 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects participated.

The effect of six weeks of sling exercise training on trunk muscular strength and endurance for clients with low back pain.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 6 weeks sling exercise training for clients with low back pain on the levels of pain, disability, muscular strength and endurance. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve chronic LBP subjects participated in this study. Subjects were randomly divided into a control group and a training group.

Relationship between trunk stability during voluntary limb and trunk movements and clinical measurements of patients with chronic stroke.

[Purpose] The purposes of this study were to investigate differences between patients with chronic stroke and age matched healthy controls in trunk stability, by assessing the kinematics of the center of mass and moving body segments during voluntary limb and trunk movement, and the relationship between trunk stability and clinical measurements. [Subjects and Methods] Fifteen stroke patients and 15 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects participated. Each subject performed flexion of the hip and shoulder of the non-paretic or matched side as fast as possible, as well as trunk flexion and extension at a self-selected speed.

Influence of working memory task and time on postural control of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

[Purpose] To investigate how balance changes develop across time under different conditions (with or without a memory task) for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). [Subjects and Methods] The participants were 11 children with ADHD and 12 normal children. To determine their static balance ability, a force plate was used to measure the center of the pressure trajectory.

Ultrasound imaging evaluation of abdominal muscles after breast reconstruction with a unilateral pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap.

Background: A muscle-sparing (MS) procedure using a full-width pedicled transverse rectus abdominis (RA) myocutaneous (TRAM) flap was developed to reduce abdominal morbidities after breast reconstruction. However, the effects of this procedure on the morphology of the remnant RA muscle and other abdominal muscles remain unclear.

Objective: Ultrasound imaging was used to evaluate the morphology of the remnant RA muscle and other abdominal muscles in women with the MS pedicled TRAM flap procedure.

Timing perception and motor coordination on rope jumping in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Objectives: To evaluate timing perception ability and motor coordination in children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) while rope jumping at different rates.

Design And Setting: Rope jumping at (1) a constant tempo of 100 for 15 s (RJ-C) and (2) two randomly permutated tempos (80, 100, or 120) for 15 s (RJ-V).

Main Outcome Measures: The "timing variation while jumping", "timing variation while whirling", and "hand-foot deviation time" in each rope jumping cycle were recorded, to assess the time estimation ability.

Test-retest reproducibility of two short-form balance measures used in individuals with stroke.

The aim of this study is to determine the test-retest reproducibility of the seven-item Short-Form Berg Balance Scale (SFBBS) and the five-item Short-Form Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (SFPASS) in individuals with chronic stroke. Fifty-two chronic stroke patients from two rehabilitation departments were included in the study. Both balance measures were administered twice 7 days apart.

The relationships between inter-recti distance measured by ultrasound imaging and abdominal muscle function in postpartum women: a 6-month follow-up study.

Study Design: A prospective longitudinal study.

Background: Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is defined as an increase in the inter-recti distance (IRD), or width of the linea alba. It is a common occurrence in women postpartum.

Lower-limb adaptation during squatting after isolated posterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Background: While many studies point out that posterior cruciate ligament plays an important role in squatting, not many, if any, have looked into knee kinematics or kinetics for isolated posterior cruciate ligament injuries. This study explores lower-limb adaptation during squatting for asymptomatic patients with isolated chronic posterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Methods: Thirteen research subjects or test participants with isolated chronic posterior cruciate ligament injuries were recruited to analyze the kinematics and kinetics on both sides of their hip, knees and ankle joints during squatting.

The relative and absolute reliability of two balance performance measures in chronic stroke patients.

Purpose: To examine the relative reliability and absolute reliability of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) in chronic stroke patients.

Method: A total of 52 mild to moderate stroke patients, who had a stroke more than 6 months previously, participated in the study. Both balance measures were administered twice, seven days apart, to the patients.

The test-retest reliability of 2 mobility performance tests in patients with chronic stroke.

Objective: This study examined test-retest agreement and measurement errors for the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) and the Mobility subscale of the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (M-STREAM) in patients with chronic stroke and mild to moderate disability. The authors aimed to determine the level of agreement between test and retest as well as the extent to which a mobility score varies on test-retest measurements.

Methods: Both mobility measures were tested on 50 chronic stroke patients twice, 7 days apart.

Psychometric properties of the modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile in stroke patients.

Objective: To examine the test-retest reliability, convergent and predictive validity and responsiveness of the modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile (mEFAP) in assessing gait function in stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation.

Subjects: Forty subacute stroke inpatients were enrolled in the validity and responsiveness study. Twenty chronic patients participated in the reliability study.