A wearable system for visual cueing gait rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease: a randomized non-inferiority trial.

Background: Gait disturbances represent one of the most disabling features of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the non-inferiority of a new wearable visual cueing system (Q-Walk) for gait rehabilitation in PD subjects, compared to traditional visual cues (stripes on the floor).

Design: Open-label, monocentric, randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.

Relevance of evaluating the rate of torque development in ballistic contractions of submaximal amplitude.

Objective: The neuromuscular quickness capacity can be assessed by calculating the rate of torque development (RTD) during ballistic contractions of maximal (RTD) or submaximal (RTD) amplitudes. In a series of ballistic contractions of submaximal amplitudes, the RTD scaling factor (RTD-SF) represents the slope of the linear regression between achieved peak torques and the corresponding RTD. First we investigated whether the RTD-SF contributes to the prediction, together with maximal voluntary torques (MVT), of the RTD.

Interlimb Asymmetries Identified Using the Rate of Torque Development in Ballistic Contraction Targeting Submaximal Torques.

Evaluating the rate of torque development (RTD) in isometric ballistic contraction targeting submaximal torques is usually overlooked in the literature. In a series of isometric ballistic contractions targeting a range of submaximal torque values, there is a linear relationship between the peak torque and the peak RTD obtained in each contraction. RTD scaling factor (RTD-SF) represents the slope of this relationship.

Acute effects of high-frequency microfocal vibratory stimulation on the H reflex of the soleus muscle. A double-blind study in healthy subjects.

This study in healthy subjects examined the effects of a system delivering focal microvibrations at high frequency (Equistasi®) on tonic vibration stimulus (TVS)-induced inhibition of the soleus muscle H reflex. Highfrequency microvibrations significantly increased the inhibitory effect of TVS on the H reflex for up to three minutes. Moreover, Equistasi® also significantly reduced alpha-motoneuron excitability, as indicated by the changes in the ratio between the maximumamplitude H reflex (Hmax reflex) and the maximumamplitude muscle response (Mmax response); this effect was due to reduction of the amplitude of the H reflex because the amplitude of muscle response remained unchanged.