Video Game-Based Trunk Exercises for Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study.

To assess the feasibility of video game-based trunk exercises using the Valedo system in a chronic stroke population. Ten chronic stroke survivors (eight males and two females, mean age 63 ± 15 years) were asked to complete 18 intervention sessions, each lasting 45 min., over 6-8 weeks.

EvolvRehab-MoveWell telerehabilitation for stroke survivors: study protocol for a feasibility with embedded initial proof-of-concept study.

Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of disability throughout the world. Unilateral upper limb impairment is common in people who have had a stroke. As a result of impaired upper limb function, people who have had a stroke often employ abnormal 'compensatory' movements.

Effects of slouched sitting posture on clavicular and scapular orientations and movements in individuals with neck pain with scapular dysfunction.

Background: It has been suggested that sitting posture affects clavicular, scapular and spinal kinematics, however its effects in people with neck pain and scapular dysfunction remain unknown. The study aimed to determine the clavicular and scapular kinematics in different sitting postures in patients with neck pain and scapular dysfunction.

Methods: Thirty-four participants with neck pain and scapular dysfunction were recruited into the study.

Axioscapular and neck extensor muscle behavior during isometric shoulder exertions in patients with nonspecific neck pain with and without a scapular downward rotation posture.

Background: A common observation in persons with neck pain is scapular downward rotation (SDR) with altered muscle behavior. Evidence of changes in axioscapular muscles in neck pain patients remains inconclusive, which may reflect population heterogeneity in previous studies.

Research Question: Are there differences in behavior of the axioscapular (upper trapezius: UT, lower trapezius: LT and serratus anterior: SA) and neck extensor (NE) muscles during isometric shoulder tasks in patients with neck pain with SDR, patients with no scapular dysfunction and healthy controls?

Methods: Sixty participants with nonspecific neck pain (30 with SDR and 30 without scapular dysfunction) and 30 controls were recruited.

Validity and reliability of sensor system to measure trunk range of motion during Streamlined Wolf Motor Function Test in chronic stroke and aged-matched healthy participants.

Objective: To investigate the validity and reliability of using the Valedo® system to measure trunk Range of Motion (ROM) during performance of the streamlined Wolf Motor Function Test (SWMFT).

Methods: Twenty chronic strokes and 20 age-matched healthy participants performed SWMFT while wearing Valedo® sensors on their trunks to capture trunk movements. A paired sample T-test was used to examine the validity of the system in distinguishing between the healthy and stroke group, and between the affected and unaffected sides in the stroke group.

Strength and Balance in Recreational Golfers and Non-Golfers Aged 65-79 Years in Community Settings.

Inactive older adults tend to have decreased strength and balance compared with their more active peers. Playing golf has the potential to improve strength and balance in older adults. The aim of the study was to compare the strength and balance of recreational golfers with non-golfers, aged 65-79 years.

3D measurement of clavicular and scapular orientations: The association with clinical characteristics and responsiveness to scapular repositioning in patients with neck pain.

Background: Clavicular and scapular orientations vary between neck pain patients as do clinical features and responses (changes in pain and rotation range) to scapular repositioning. Associations between these factors are unknown.

Objectives: To identify subgroups of neck pain patients based on three-dimensional (3D) measures of clavicular and scapular orientations and differences between subgroups in clinical characteristics and responses to scapular repositioning.

Protocol and reference values for minimal detectable change of MyotonPRO and ultrasound imaging measurements of muscle and subcutaneous tissue.

The assessment of muscle health is of paramount importance, as the loss of muscle mass and strength can affect performance. Two non-invasive tools that have been found to be useful in this are the MyotonPRO and rehabilitative ultrasound imaging, both have shown to be reliable in previous studies many of which conducted by the research team. This study aims to determine the reliability of previously unassessed local body structures and to determine their minimal detectable changes (MDC) to support both researchers and clinicians.

Clavicular and scapular, but not spinal kinematics vary with scapular dyskinesis type during arm elevation and lowering in persons with neck pain.

Background: Scapular dyskinesis is often observed in patients with neck pain. However, it is unknown whether clavicular, scapular and spinal kinematics vary with different types of scapular dyskinesis during arm movement.

Research Question: Are there differences in clavicular, scapular and spinal kinematics during unilateral arm elevation and lowering among neck pain patients presenting with (i) scapular winging, (ii) with dysrhythmia, (iii) with no scapular abnormality and (iv) healthy controls?

Methods: Sixty participants with neck pain (20 in each group) and 20 asymptomatic controls were recruited.

Physical activity levels and shoulder pain in wheelchair users during COVID-19 restrictions.

Background: Manual wheelchair users are at high risk of developing shoulder pain. However, it is not known if restrictions to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus affected physical activity, wheelchair use and shoulder pain.

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine whether COVID-19 related restrictions caused changes in physical activity levels and the presence of shoulder pain in persons who use a wheelchair.

Non-Invasive Biomarkers of Musculoskeletal Health with High Discriminant Ability for Age and Gender.

A novel approach to ageing studies assessed the discriminatory ability of a combination of routine physical function tests and novel measures, notably muscle mechanical properties and thigh composition (ultrasound imaging) to classify healthy individuals according to age and gender. The cross-sectional study included 138 community-dwelling, self-reported healthy males and females (65 young, mean age ± SD = 25.7 ± 4.

Longitudinal analysis of the recovery of trunk control and upper extremity following stroke: An individual growth curve approach.

Background And Purpose: Trunk control is thought to contribute to upper extremity function. It is unclear whether recovery of trunk control has an impact on the recovery of the upper extremity in people with stroke. This longitudinal study monitored the recovery of trunk control and upper extremity in the first 6 months following stroke.

Crank length alters kinematics and kinetics, yet not the economy of recumbent handcyclists at constant handgrip speeds.

Handcycling performance is dependent on the physiological economy of the athlete; however, handbike configuration and the biomechanical interaction between the two are also vital. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of crank length manipulations on physiological and biomechanical aspects of recumbent handcycling performance in highly trained recumbent handcyclists at a constant linear handgrip speed and sport-specific intensity. Nine competitive handcyclists completed a 3-minute trial in an adjustable recumbent handbike in four crank length settings (150, 160, 170 & 180 mm) at 70% peak power output.

Instrumented trunk impairment scale (iTIS): A reliable measure of trunk impairment in the stroke population.

Background: The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) is recommended for use in clinical research to assess trunk impairment post-stroke. However, it is observer dependent and does not consider the quality of trunk movement. To address these challenges, this study proposes an instrumented TIS (iTIS).

Managing shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users: a scoping review of conservative treatment interventions.

Objective: To review the literature that has explored conservative treatments for the management of shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users.

Methods: Five databases were systematically searched in february 2020 for terms related to shoulder pain and manual wheelchair use. Articles were screened and included if they investigated the conservative treatment of shoulder pain in wheelchair users.

Concurrent Validity of a Novel Wireless Inertial Measurement System for Assessing Trunk Impairment in People with Stroke.

The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) is recommended for clinical research use to assess trunk impairment post-stroke. However, it is observer-dependent and neglects the quality of trunk movements. This study proposes an instrumented TIS (iTIS) using the Valedo system, comprising portable inertial sensors, as an objective measure of trunk impairment post-stroke.

Horizontal Crank Position Affects Economy and Upper Limb Kinematics of Recumbent Handcyclists.

Purpose: To determine the effects of horizontal crank position on economy and upper limb kinematics in recumbent handcycling.

Methods: Fifteen trained handcyclists performed trials at 50% and 70% of their peak aerobic power output (POPeak), determined during a maximal exercise test, in each horizontal crank position. Four horizontal crank positions, 94%, 97%, 100%, and 103% of arm length, were investigated.

Retraining in a Female Elite Rower with Persistent Symptoms Post-Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: A Proof-of-Concept Case Report.

Athletes with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) managed arthroscopically do not always return to sport. Inability to control back/pelvis, hip and lower limb movements may contribute to the onset and recurrence of symptoms. Our hypothesis is that results from a battery of cognitive movement control tests can inform a cognitive movement control (neuromuscular) retraining programme for improving the clinical presentation and quality of life in an athlete with FAIS.

Shoulder and thorax kinematics contribute to increased power output of competitive handcyclists.

Current knowledge of recumbent handbike configuration and handcycling technique is limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the upper limb kinematics and handbike configurations of recreational and competitive recumbent handcyclists, during sport-specific intensities. Thirteen handcyclists were divided into two significantly different groups based on peak aerobic power output (PO ) and race experience; competitive (n = 7; 5 H3 and 2 H4 classes; PO : 247 ± 20 W) and recreational (n = 6; 4 H3 and 2 H4 classes; PO : 198 ± 21 W).

A systematic review of the discriminating biomechanical parameters during the single leg squat.

Objective: To determine whether there are common biomechanical parameters when analysing the single leg squat movement to compare pathological and non-pathological groups and whether these parameters are able to effectively distinguish between groups.

Methods: Five electronic databases were searched using MESH terms, keywords and phrases across four constructs: squat, biomechanical measures, region of interest, study design. Studies were selected based on inclusion of a quantitative biomechanical measure, compared between a pathological and a non-pathological group, and participants performed a single leg squat movement.

Do trunk exercises improve trunk and upper extremity performance, post stroke? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Post-stroke trunk control is reported to be associated with trunk performance and recovery of the upper limb, but the evidence for the influence of trunk exercise on both of these is unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of trunk exercises on trunk performance post-stroke, and to determine if these exercises result in improved upper limb function.

Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature published between January 1990 and February 2017 was conducted using the following electronic databases; AMED, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsychInfo and SPORTDiscus.

Accuracy of movement quality screening to document effects of neuromuscular control retraining exercises in a young ex-footballer with hip and groin symptoms: A proof of concept case study.

Hip and groin pain is common in footballers and altering movement patterns can reduce symptoms. Observational tests of movement control are thought to identify abnormal movement patterns, but their accuracy needs yet to be confirmed by comparison with an objective measure. To assess the accuracy, using 3D motion analysis, of observational movement control tests and their ability to detect changes, and document changes in symptoms following a neuromuscular control exercise programme in an ex-footballer with hip and groin pain.