Sample Entropy Improves Assessment of Postural Control in Early-Stage Multiple Sclerosis.

Postural impairment in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is an early indicator of disease progression. Common measures of disease assessment are not sensitive to early-stage MS. Sample entropy (SE) may better identify early impairments.

The effect of COVID-19 lockdowns on exercise and the role of online exercise in Australians with multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: Regular exercise is beneficial for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), regardless of disability level. The previously reported differential effect of COVID-19-related lockdowns on exercise levels in this population remains unexplained. We examined effects of lockdowns on exercise in Australians with MS according to disability levels, lockdown severity and health technology use.

Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY - results from the ENJOY program for independence in dementia: a feasibility pilot randomised controlled trial.

The Seniors Exercise Park program is an evidence-based outdoor physical and social activity program designed originally for older people with no cognitive impairment. This study aimed to pilot this program for people living with dementia in residential aged care. We examined the feasibility of delivering the program, evaluating its structure, safety, and supervision needs.

Cost-Effectiveness of the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park for Older People: A Pre-Post Intervention Study.

Background: The Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY (ENJOY) Seniors Exercise Park program uses specialized outdoor equipment and a physical activity program to engage older people in physical activity, with multiple health benefits. We determined the cost-effectiveness of the ENJOY program.

Methods: The economic evaluation compared health care utilization costs 6 months prior to and 6 months post ENJOY program participation.

Optimal sensor location and direction to accurately classify people with early-stage multiple sclerosis using gait stability.

Background: The local divergence exponent (LDE) has been used to assess gait stability in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Although previous studies have consistently found that stability is lower in pwMS, inconsistent methodologies have been used to assess patients with a broad range of disability levels.

Questions: What sensor location and movement direction(s) are better able to classify pwMS at early stages of the disease?

Methods: 49 pwMS with EDSS ≤ 2.

Implementing education: Personal communication with a healthcare professional is a critical step to address vaccine hesitancy for people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) were first able to access COVID-19 vaccines in Australia from March 2021, when vaccine hesitancy in the general population was high (14-43%). High uptake of vaccination is important globally and critical to protect this vulnerable population. We conducted an on-line survey to examine factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination willingness among PwMS in Australia.

Prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals: A scoping review.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are highly prevalent among dental professionals. Studies examining the prevention of dental work-related MSDs have been completed globally.

Objective: To identify and evaluate the available evidence regarding MSD prevention in dental practice, and to identify knowledge gaps.

Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY-ENJOY program for independence in dementia: a feasibility pilot randomised controlled trial study protocol.

Background: While the underlying neuropathology of dementia is not curable, interventions and treatment, such as physical activity, can offer physical and functional gains leading to better mobility, independence and quality of life. The Seniors Exercise Park program is an evidence-based physical and social activity program using an innovative design in outdoor exercise equipment specifically designed for older people. This unique program has never been tested with older people living with dementia.

The Effect of the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park Physical Activity Program on Falls in Older People in the Community: A Prospective Pre-Post Study Design.

Background: The ENJOY project (Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY for older people) is a community-based research project actively promoting physical activity engagement through the delivery of an exercise program using outdoor multimodal exercise equipment. This study investigated the impact of the physical activity program on falls in older people.

Method: This study was a multi-site prospective study with a pre-post intervention design and 12-month follow up.

Challenges and lessons learnt from the ENJOY project: recommendations for future collaborative research implementation framework with local governments for improving the environment to promote physical activity for older people.

Background: The physical environment has been shown to have a positive effect on the promotion of physical activity of older people. Outdoor environments that incorporate specialised exercise equipment suitable for older people are uniquely placed to promote physical activity and social connectedness amongst older people. The ENJOY project included the installation of specialised outdoor exercise equipment (the Seniors Exercise Park) and the delivery of a physical and social activity program for older people as part of a prospective pre-post research design.

Heterogeneity in microstructural deterioration following spinal cord injury.

Background: Modelling and remodelling adapt bone morphology to accommodate strains commonly encountered during loading. If strains exceed a threshold threatening fracture, modelling-based bone formation increases bone volume reducing these strains. If unloading reduces strains below a threshold that inhibits resorption, increased remodelling-based bone resorption reduces bone volume restoring strains, but at the price of compromised bone volume and microstructure.

Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY for older people - results from the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park project translation research in the community.

Background: Many research studies evaluate physical activity interventions for older people in the community, however relatively few successfully promote maintenance of physical activity beyond the completion of the intervention. This study aimed to implement and evaluate the effects of sustained engagement in physical activity on mental, social and physical health outcomes through the use of the Seniors Exercise Park physical activity program for older people (the ENJOY project).

Method: People aged ≥60 years underwent a 12-week structured supervised physical activity program using outdoor exercise park equipment followed by 6 months unstructured independent use of the exercise park.

Comparison of segmental lean tissue mass in individuals with spinal cord injury measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and predicted by bioimpedance spectroscopy.

Study Design: Observational.

Objectives: To compare two methods for predicting segmental (arms, legs, trunk) lean tissue mass (LTM: non-bone fat-free mass) from bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) against LTM measured from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in individuals with acute spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: Austin Health Victorian Spinal Cord Service, Victoria, Australia.

Factors influencing thigh muscle volume change with cycling exercises in acute spinal cord injury - a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

To conduct a per-protocol analysis on thigh muscle volume outcomes from the Spinal Cord Injury and Physical Activity (SCIPA) Switch-On Trial. Secondary analysis from an assessor-blind randomized, controlled trial. Four acute/sub-acute hospitals in Australia and New Zealand.

Guidance about age-friendly outdoor exercise equipment and associated strategies to maximise usability for older people.

Outdoor exercise equipment has become popular as important environmental infrastructure to provide opportunities for physical activity and social connectedness in public settings. With higher sedentary behaviour and physical inactivity reported among older people, infrastructure changes and safe environments that promote older peoples' health and mobility are required. Due to ageing-related functional decline and health conditions associated with ageing, older adults may have special physical needs that require careful consideration when choosing outdoor equipment.

Detecting the Cognitive Prodrome of Dementia in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: More than 75% of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients will develop dementia. Previous studies on the cognitive predictors of dementia in PD had some methodological limitations and the cognitive tests identified as good predictors vary greatly.

Objective: This prospective cohort study aims to identify the optimal cognitive predictors of dementia in PD using complementary statistical methods.

Effect of Antidepressants on Psychotic Symptoms in Parkinson Disease: A Review of Case Reports and Case Series.

Objectives: The treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) psychosis remains a challenge. Only a few treatments eliciting significant relief of psychotic symptoms have passed the test of randomized controlled trials.

Methods: Here, we conducted a review of the literature on the effect of antidepressants on PD psychosis.

The Quebec Parkinson Network: A Researcher-Patient Matching Platform and Multimodal Biorepository.

Background: Genetic, biologic and clinical data suggest that Parkinson's disease (PD) is an umbrella for multiple disorders with clinical and pathological overlap, yet with different underlying mechanisms. To better understand these and to move towards neuroprotective treatment, we have established the Quebec Parkinson Network (QPN), an open-access patient registry, and data and bio-samples repository.

Objective: To present the QPN and to perform preliminary analysis of the QPN data.

Brain atrophy in Parkinson's disease with polysomnography-confirmed REM sleep behavior disorder.

We aimed to investigate cortical and subcortical brain alterations in people with Parkinson's disease with polysomnography-confirmed rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD). Thirty people with Parkinson's disease, including 15 people with RBD, were recruited and compared with 41 healthy controls. Surface-based cortical and subcortical analyses were performed on T1-weighted images to investigate thickness and shape abnormalities between groups, and voxel-based and deformation-based morphometry were performed to investigate local volume.

Comparison of estimated energy requirements using predictive equations with total energy expenditure measured by the doubly labelled water method in acute spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Prospective, observational OBJECTIVES: To evaluate agreement between a reference method (doubly labelled water, DLW) of total energy expenditure (TEE) and published equations for estimating energy requirements in acute spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: Victoria, Australia METHODS: Twenty participants (18 male) within 8 weeks of traumatic SCI completed DLW, anthropometric and dietary intake assessments. Energy requirements were predicted using Harris-Benedict, Schofield, Henry, Nelson, Buchholz and Chun equations, multiplied by a combined activity and stress factor of 1.