Assessing proprioception in children with upper motor neuron lesions: feasibility, validity, and reliability of the proprioception measurement tool.

Introduction: To investigate the feasibility, discriminative and convergent validity, and reliability of a lower limb sensor-based proprioception measure in children with upper motor neuron (UMN) lesions.

Method: We assessed three proprioception modalities (joint movement, joint position, and dynamic position sense) of the lower limbs in 49 children with UMN lesions and 50 typically developing (TD) peers (5-19 years). Forty-three children with UMN lesion had a congenital and six an acquired brain lesion and 82% were able to walk without a walking aid.

Physical activity and exercise interventions in adults with cerebral palsy: a systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies.

Purpose: Participating in physical activity may benefit health-related outcomes for adults with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this review is to provide a synthesis of the evidence from both qualitative and quantitative studies on the impact of physical activity and exercise interventions in adults with CP.

Methods: Literature searches were conducted from inception to November 2023 in nine electronic databases.

Are tactile function and body awareness of the foot related to motor outcomes in children with upper motor neuron lesions?

Introduction: Somatosensory function can be reduced in children with Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) lesions. Therefore, we investigated relationships between somatosensory functions of the foot and motor outcomes in children with UMN lesions.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the Tactile Threshold (TT) with monofilaments and body awareness with Tactile Localisation Tasks for spatial-related action (TLT) and structural-related perception (TLT) body representation at the foot sole.

Delphi consensus study and clinical practice guideline development for functional electrical stimulation to support upright mobility in people with an upper motor neuron lesion.

Purpose: A Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) is required to provide guidance on optimal service delivery for Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to support upright mobility in people living with mobility difficulties due to an upper motor neuron lesion, such as stroke or multiple sclerosis. A modified Delphi consensus study was used to provide expert consensus on best practice.

Methods: A Steering Group supported the recruitment of an Expert Panel, which included a range of stakeholders who participated in up to three survey rounds.

Use of a wearable accelerometer to evaluate physical frailty in people receiving haemodialysis.

Background: Physical frailty is a major health concern among people receiving haemodialysis (HD) for stage-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5). Wearable accelerometers are increasingly being recommended to objectively monitor activity levels in CKD-5 and recent research suggests they may also represent an innovative strategy to evaluate physical frailty in vulnerable populations. However, no study has yet explored whether wearable accelerometers may be utilised to assess frailty in the context of CKD-5-HD.

Systematic review and meta-analysis: Associations of vitamin D with pulmonary function in children and young people with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that vitamin D is associated with pulmonary health, which may benefit children and young people diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (cypCF). Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to evaluate primary research to establish associations between 25OHD and pulmonary health in cypCF.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched with keywords related to CF, vitamin D, children/young people and pulmonary function.

Feasibility, Validity, and Reliability of Lower Limb Tactile and Body Awareness Assessments in Children With Upper Motor Neuron Lesions.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility, discriminative and convergent validity, and inter-rater reliability of a lower limb tactile function and 2 body awareness assessments in children with upper motor neuron (UMN) lesions.

Design: Cross-sectional psychometric study.

Setting: Pediatric rehabilitation center.

Physical Activity in Multiple Sclerosis: Meeting the Guidelines at the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background And Purpose: Regular physical activity (PA) helps to reduce the severity of physical and mental symptoms and improves quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Based on current evidence and expert opinion, the recent multiple sclerosis guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes/week of PA. This study presents the results of a survey analyzing whether and how PwMS met the guidelines before and during the pandemic.

What are the relevant categories, modalities, and outcome measures for assessing lower limb somatosensory function in children with upper motor neuron lesions? A Delphi study.

Purpose: Somatosensory function of the lower limbs is rarely assessed in children with upper motor neuron lesions despite its potential relevance for motor function. We explored consensus regarding somatosensory categories (exteroception, proprioception, interoception, and body awareness), modalities, and outcome measures relevant to lower limb motor function.

Methods: Fifteen international experts with experience of somatosensory function assessment participated in this Delphi study.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity and Associated Technology Use in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: An International RIMS-SIG Mobility Survey Study.

Objective: To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).

Design: Multicenter international online survey study.

Setting: The survey was conducted within 11 participating countries.

Exploratory insights into novel prehabilitative neuromuscular exercise-conditioning in total knee arthroplasty.

Background: Contemporary strategies for prehabilitation and rehabilitation associated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery have focused on improving joint range-of-motion and function with less emphasis on neuromuscular performance beneficially affecting joint stability. Furthermore, prehabilitation protocols have been found to be too long and generic-in-effect to be considered suitable for routine clinical practice.

Methods: A pragmatic exploratory controlled trial was designed to investigate the efficacy of a novel, acute prehabilitative neuromuscular exercise-conditioning (APNEC) in patients electing TKA.

Leisure Time Physical Activity in Children and Young People With Cerebral Palsy: A Population-Based Study.

Purpose: To describe leisure time physical activity in children and young people with cerebral palsy and identify barriers and facilitators to participation.

Methods: Leisure time physical activity participation was derived from a national cerebral palsy register and associated factors were analyzed. Barriers and facilitators to participation were investigated through a survey.

Validity and reliability of an electromyography-based similarity index to quantify lower extremity selective voluntary motor control in children with cerebral palsy.

Objective: To quantify selective voluntary motor control (SVMC) objectively and more precisely, we combined the "Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity" (SCALE) with surface electromyography. The resulting Similarity Index (SI) measures the similarity of muscle activation patterns. This study evaluated the preliminary validity and reliability of this novel SI measure in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Athlete-Perceived Impact of Frame Running on Physical Fitness, Functional Mobility and Psychosocial Outcomes.

Objective: Frame Running (RaceRunning) allows people with moderate-to-severe mobility impairments to participate in physical activity using a 3-wheeled frame with a saddle and handlebars. The aim of this study was to investigate athlete-perceived impact of Frame Running on aspects of physical fitness, functional mobility and psychosocial outcomes.

Design: Survey.

Psychometric Properties of Lower Limb Somatosensory Function and Body Awareness Outcome Measures in Children with Upper Motor Neuron Lesions: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: A systematic review of the psychometric properties and feasibility of outcome measures assessing lower limb somatosensory function and body awareness in children with upper motor neuron lesion.

Methods: We followed the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments guidelines. Two raters independently judged the quality and risk of bias of each study.

Screening tools to expedite assessment of frailty in people receiving haemodialysis: a diagnostic accuracy study.

Background: Frailty is associated with multiple adverse outcomes in stage-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5) and upwards of one third of people receiving haemodialysis (HD) are frail. While many frailty screening methods are available in both uremic and non-uremic populations, their implementation in clinical settings is often challenged by time and resource constraints. In this study, we explored the diagnostic accuracy of time-efficient screening tools in people receiving HD.

Which exercise and behavioural interventions show most promise for treating fatigue in multiple sclerosis? A network meta-analysis.

Background: Fatigue is a common, debilitating symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) without a current standardised treatment.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review with network meta-analyses was to estimate the relative effectiveness of both fatigue-targeted and non-targeted exercise, behavioural and combined (behavioural and exercise) interventions.

Methods: Nine electronic databases up to August 2018 were searched, and 113 trials ( = 6909) were included: 34 were fatigue-targeted and 79 non-fatigue-targeted trials.

Cluster analysis of impairment measures to inform an evidence-based classification structure in RaceRunning, a new World Para Athletics event for athletes with hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis.

RaceRunning enables athletes with limited or no walking ability to propel themselves independently using a three-wheeled frame that has a saddle, handle bars and a chest plate. For RaceRunning to be included as a para athletics event, an evidence-based classification system is required. This study assessed the impact of trunk control and lower limb impairment measures on RaceRunning performance and evaluated whether cluster analysis of these impairment measures produces a valid classification structure for RaceRunning.

Exercise-induced changes in gait kinematics in multiple sclerosis with minimal neurological disability.

Background: Exercise-induced gait deterioration is a frequently encountered symptom that limits ambulation throughout the clinical course, becoming more prominent with increasing neurological disability in people with MS (pwMS).

Objective: We attempted to objectively document exercise-induced gait changes in pwMS with minimal neurological disability and stable disease.

Methods: Gait kinematics and spatio-temporal parameters were recorded using 3D motion analysis before and after a 20-minute treadmill walk (Group A, n=15)/run (Group B, n=15) at a self-selected speed in pwMS and compared with healthy controls (n=15).

Association of postural balance and falls in adult patients receiving haemodialysis: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Static postural balance performance is often impaired in people receiving haemodialysis (HD) for the treatment of stage-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5). However, the question as to whether lower postural balance is associated with adverse clinical outcomes such as falls has not been addressed yet.

Research Question: We conducted a prospective cohort study to explore the association between static postural balance and falls in people receiving HD.

Effect of RaceRunning on cardiometabolic disease risk factors and functional mobility in young people with moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy: protocol for a feasibility study.

Introduction: There is consistent evidence that people with cerebral palsy (CP) do not engage in the recommended physical activity guidelines for the general population from a young age. Participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is particularly reduced in people with CP who have a moderate-to-severe disability. RaceRunning is a growing disability sport that provides an opportunity for people with moderate-to-severe disability to participate in physical activity in the community.

The relative importance of frailty, physical and cardiovascular function as exercise-modifiable predictors of falls in haemodialysis patients: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5) patients on haemodialysis (HD) are at high risk of accidental falls. Previous research has shown that frailty is one of the primary contributors to the increased risk of falling in this clinical population. However, HD patients often present with abnormalities of cardiovascular function such as baroreflex impairment and orthostatic dysregulation of blood pressure (BP) which may also be implicated in the aetiology of falling.

Which behavioural and exercise interventions targeting fatigue show the most promise in multiple sclerosis? A systematic review with narrative synthesis and meta-analysis.

Fatigue is a common and highly debilitating symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). This meta-analytic systematic review with detailed narrative synthesis examined randomised-controlled (RCTs) and controlled trials of behavioural and exercise interventions targeting fatigue in adults with MS to assess which treatments offer the most promise in reducing fatigue severity/impact. Medline, EMBASE and PsycInfo electronic databases, amongst others, were searched through to August 2018.