Could aerobic exercise applied before constraint-induced movement therapy change circulating molecular biomarkers in chronic post-stroke?

Background: Integrating aerobic exercise (AE) into rehabilitation programs for post-stroke individuals could enhance motor recovery and cardiovascular health by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the myokine irisin. Chronic stroke survivors typically exhibit elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity, which is negatively correlated with steps and time in medium cadence, although the impact of AE on this biomarker remains unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of high-intensity AE training prior to modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) on BDNF and irisin concentration, and on MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in chronic post-stroke individuals and to associate these results with functional improvements.

The use of nonlinear analysis in understanding postural control: A scoping review.

Nonlinear analyses have emerged as an approach to unraveling the intricate dynamics and underlying mechanisms of postural control, offering insights into the complex interplay of physiological and biomechanical factors. However, achieving a comprehensive understanding of the application of nonlinear analysis in postural control studies remains a challenge due to the various nonlinear measurement methods currently available. Thus, this scoping review aimed to identify existing nonlinear analyses used to study postural control in both dynamic and quiet tasks, and to summarize and disseminate the available literature on the use of nonlinear analysis in postural control.

Reliability and validity of remote Life Space Assessment: LSA in persons with chronic stroke.

Background:  StepWatch Activity Monitor (SAM) is used to measure the mobility of chronic hemiparetic patients and the Life Space Assessment (LSA) scale was developed to assess the displacement of hemiparetic patients in different contexts through self-reporting. Studies that apply the LSA remotely and correlate it with the number of steps measured by the SAM were not found.

Objective:  To evaluate the measurement properties of the LSA applied remotely and to evaluate the correlation between the LSA scale score and the number of steps measured by the SAM in post-stroke chronic hemiparetic patients.

Shoulder complex and trunk coordination of individuals with severe hemiparesis following a constraint-induced movement therapy protocol: A case series.

Introduction: Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) has been shown to be an effective rehabilitation technique in individuals with mild and moderate upper limb (UL) hemiparesis. The aim was to evaluate the effect the CIMT for improving paretic UL use and interjoint coordination with individuals in severe hemiparesis.

Methods: Six individuals with severe chronic hemiparesis (mean age = 55 ± 16 years) received a UL CIMT intervention for 2 weeks.

Linking patient reported shoulder outcomes to the international classification of functioning, disability and health.

Purpose: To link the items from shoulder-specific Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains and categories, and to determine if the items fit into the ICF framework.

Materials And Methods: The Brazilian versions of the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) were linked to the ICF by two researchers independently. Agreement between raters was determined by calculating the Kappa Index.

Self-management strategies and multicomponent training to mitigate the effects of the interruption of physical exercise programmes in the pandemic context on functionality, sedentary behaviour, physical capacity, mental health, body composition and quality of life in older adults: a blinded randomized controlled study protocol.

Background: Considering the confinement recommended by the World Health Organization due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19, many community physical exercise programmes for older adults have had their activities cancelled. In this context, proposing strategies to recover the possible adverse effects of the confinement period is pertinent. The use of self-management strategies associated with regular physical activity reduces sedentary behaviour and improves physical capacity in older adults.

Constraint-induced movement therapy for lower extremity use in activities of daily living in people with chronic hemiparesis: multiple case study.

Lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy (LE-CIMT) is an intensive intervention protocol recently reported to improve lower extremity use in individuals with chronic hemiparesis. To test if the LE-CIMT that uses essential CIMT components, including the transfer package and intensive task-oriented training, is a feasible and potentially effective intervention to improve the lower extremity real-world use and functional ability in a group of individuals with chronic hemiparesis. A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design study with 12 individuals with chronic stroke and impaired ambulation skills engaged in a 10-weekday LE-CIMT.

Effect of first dorsal interosseous strengthening on clinical outcomes in patients with thumb osteoarthritis: a study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC OA) is characterized by chronic progressive degeneration of the joint cartilage, with high prevalence. Patients present with pain at the base of the thumb, morning stiffness, and muscle weakness, symptoms that affect hand function and therefore interfere in activities and social participation. Movements that involve grip or lateral pinch are the most affected and directly impact independence, self-care, and leisure activities.

Ratio between 3D glenohumeral and scapulothoracic motions in individuals without shoulder pain.

This study determined the ratio between glenohumeral and three-dimensional scapular motion during arm elevation and lowering in 91 individuals without shoulder pain. Scapular kinematics were assessed using an electromagnetic tracking device. Individuals performed 3 repetitions of elevation and lowering of the arm in the sagittal plane.

Effect of Resistance Exercise on Body Structure and Function, Activity, and Participation in Individuals With Parkinson Disease: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To investigate the effects of resistance exercise (RE) on body structure and function, activity, and participation in individuals with Parkinson Disease (PD) in the mild to moderate stages.

Data Sources: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Lilacs, and PEDro were searched from inception until June 2020 using the terms "Parkinson Disease," "Exercise," "Resistance Training," "Muscle Strength," "Cardiorespiratory Fitness," "Postural Balance," "Gait," and "Quality of Life."

Study Selection: We included studies conducted in individuals with PD involving RE compared with a control group.

The Effect of Priming on Outcomes of Task-Oriented Training for the Upper Extremity in Chronic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

. Priming results in a type of implicit memory that prepares the brain for a more plastic response, thereby changing behavior. New evidence in neurorehabilitation points to the use of priming interventions to optimize functional gains of the upper extremity in poststroke individuals.

The evaluation of non-use of the upper limb in chronic hemiparesis is influenced by the level of motor impairment and difficulty of the activities-proposal of a new version of the Motor Activity Log.

This study aims to evaluate the influence of the degree of difficulty of the activities in Motor Activity Log (MAL) scores for patients with mild, moderate, and severe hemiparesis, and to estimate the correlation between motor impairment levels of hemiparesis and MAL scores in post-stroke patients. Sixty-six patients with chronic hemiparesis (49 with mild-moderate hemiparesis, and 17 with severe hemiparesis) were evaluated by the Fugl-Meyer upper-limb section and versions of MAL for different degrees of motor impairment. The Rasch model was used to analyze the level of difficulty of the activities of the different versions of MAL.

Translation, and interobserver and test-retest reliability of the Brazilian Portuguese version of Children's Hospital Oakland Hip Evaluation Scale for patients with sickle cell disease.

Background: The Children's Hospital Oakland Hip Evaluation Scale is a disease-specific tool for the clinical and functional assessment of the hip in sickle cell disease.

Objectives: To translate the tool into Brazilian Portuguese and evaluate the interobserver and test-retest reliability.

Methods: Eighteen patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease and a mean age of 49±11.

Motor Activity Log-Brazil: reliability and relationships with motor impairments in individuals with chronic stroke.

Unlabelled: The Motor Activity Log (MAL) assesses the spontaneous use of the most affected upper limb with the amount of use (AOU) and quality of movement (QOM) scales during daily activities in real environments in individuals with chronic stroke.

Objectives: This study translated the testing manual into Portuguese and assessed the inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities of the MAL, based upon the Brazilian manual version.

Methods: The inter-rater reliability was evaluated by comparing the results of two examiners, and the test-retest reliability was tested by comparing the results of two evaluations, repeated one-week apart with 30 individuals with chronic hemiparesis (55.