Dual-Task vs. Single-Task Gait Training to Improve Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in People with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: People with Parkinson's disease (pwPD) present alterations of spatiotemporal gait parameters that impact walking ability. While preliminary studies suggested that dual-task gait training improves spatiotemporal gait parameters, it remains unclear whether dual-task gait training specifically improves dual-task gait performance compared to single-task gait training. The aim of this review is to assess the effect of dual-task training relative to single-task gait training on specific gait parameters during dual-task tests in pwPD.

Finite element modelling of sound transmission from outer to inner ear.

The ear is one of the most complex organs in the human body. Sound is a sequence of pressure waves, which propagates through a compressible media such as air. The pinna concentrates the sound waves into the external auditory meatus.

A biomechanical analysis on the impact of episiotomy during childbirth.

Episiotomy is still a controversy issue among physicians, despite the enormous growth of clinical research. Therefore, the potential of numerical modeling of anatomical structures to simulate biomechanical processes was exploited to realize quantitatively the real effects of the episiotomy and its consequences on the pelvic floor muscle. As such, a numerical model was used composed of pelvic floor muscles, a surface delimiting the anterior region, and a fetus body.

Numerical simulation of the damage evolution in the pelvic floor muscles during childbirth.

Several studies have shown that pelvic floor injuries during a vaginal delivery can be considered a significant factor in the development of pelvic floor dysfunction. Such disorders include a group of conditions affecting women like urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and fecal incontinence. Numerical simulations are valuable tools that are contributing to the clarification of the mechanisms behind pelvic floor disorders.

Modeling the contraction of the pelvic floor muscles.

We performed numerical simulation of voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles to evaluate the resulting displacements of the organs and muscles. Structures were segmented in Magnetic Resonance (MR) images. Different material properties and constitutive models were attributed.

Computational modeling approach to study the effects of fetal head flexion during vaginal delivery.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of fetal head flexion during vaginal delivery with a 3-dimensional computational finite element model.

Study Design: A finite element model of the pelvic skeletal structure, pelvic floor, and fetus was developed. The movements of the fetus during birth were simulated in engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, and extension of the fetal head.

The influence of pelvic muscle activation during vaginal delivery.

Objective: To estimate the influence of pelvic floor muscle activation during vaginal delivery using a three-dimensional computational finite element model.

Methods: A computational finite element model of the pelvic skeletal structure, pelvic floor, and fetus was developed. The movements of the fetus during birth, in vertex position, were simulated; namely, the engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, and extension of the fetal head.

Translation of biomechanics research to urogynecology.

Introduction: Pelvic floor (PF) dysfunctions represent a frequent and complex problem for women. The interaction between the vagina and its supportive structures, that are designed to support increases in abdominal pressure, can be considered a biomechanical system. Recent advances in imaging technology have improved the assessment of PF structures.