The Role of Psychological Variables in Predicting Rehabilitation Outcomes After Spinal Cord Injury: An Artificial Neural Networks Study.

: Accurate prediction of neurorehabilitation outcomes following Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is crucial for optimizing healthcare resource allocation and improving rehabilitation strategies. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) may identify complex prognostic factors in patients with SCI. However, the influence of psychological variables on rehabilitation outcomes remains underexplored despite their potential impact on recovery success.

Quantifying Treatments as Usual and with Technologies in Neurorehabilitation of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury.

Several technologies have been introduced into neurorehabilitation programs to enhance traditional treatment of individuals with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Their effectiveness has been widely investigated, but their adoption has not been properly quantified. The aim of this study is to assess the distribution of conventional (Treatment As Usual-TAU) and technology-aided (Treatment With Technologies-TWT) treatments conveniently grouped based on different therapeutic goals in a selected SCI unit.

Harnessing Artificial Neural Networks for Spinal Cord Injury Prognosis.

Prediction of neurorehabilitation outcomes after a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is crucial for healthcare resource management and improving prognosis and rehabilitation strategies. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional statistical approaches for identifying complex prognostic factors in SCI patients. a database of 1256 SCI patients admitted for rehabilitation was analyzed.

A therapist-administered self-report version of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI): a psychometric study.

Objective: To develop a self-report version of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI II) and to test its reliability and validity.

Study Design: Psychometric study.

Setting: Spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation centres in Australia and Italy.

DiSCIoser: unlocking recovery potential of arm sensorimotor functions after spinal cord injury by promoting activity-dependent brain plasticity by means of brain-computer interface technology: a randomized controlled trial to test efficacy.

Background: Traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) results in reduced sensorimotor abilities that strongly impact on the achievement of daily living activities involving hand/arm function. Among several technology-based rehabilitative approaches, Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) which enable the modulation of electroencephalographic sensorimotor rhythms, are promising tools to promote the recovery of hand function after SCI. The "DiSCIoser" study proposes a BCI-supported motor imagery (MI) training to engage the sensorimotor system and thus facilitate the neuroplasticity to eventually optimize upper limb sensorimotor functional recovery in patients with SCI during the subacute phase, at the peak of brain and spinal plasticity.

The Promotoer, a brain-computer interface-assisted intervention to promote upper limb functional motor recovery after stroke: a statistical analysis plan for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) allow to modulate the sensorimotor rhythms and are emerging technologies for promoting post-stroke motor function recovery. The Promotoer study aims to assess the short and long-term efficacy of the Promotoer system, an EEG-based BCI assisting motor imagery (MI) practice, in enhancing post-stroke functional hand motor recovery. This paper details the statistical analysis plan of the Promotoer study.

Biomechanics of Exoskeleton-Assisted Treadmill Walking.

To exploit the benefits of treadmill-based exoskeletons, it is crucial to assess possible deviations from natural walking depending on assistive parameters. This study evaluated the biomechanics of exoskeleton-assisted treadmill walking by comparing it with free gait. Five healthy participants walked freely on a treadmill and with the assistance of the Lokomat gait trainer, while changing Body Weight Support (BWS), Gait Speed (GS), and Guidance Force (GF).

Early and intensive motor training to enhance neurological recovery in people with spinal cord injury: trial protocol.

Study Design: Protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (the SCI-MT trial).

Objectives: To determine whether 10 weeks of intensive motor training enhances neurological recovery in people with recent spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: Fifteen spinal injury units in Australia, Scotland, England, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium.

Robotic versus Conventional Overground Gait Training in Subacute Stroke Survivors: A Multicenter Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Although stroke survivors can benefit from robotic gait rehabilitation, stationary robot-assisted gait training needs further investigation. In this paper, we investigated the efficacy of this approach (with an exoskeleton or an end-effector robot) in comparison to the conventional overground gait training in subacute stroke survivors.

Methods: In a multicenter controlled clinical trial, 89 subacute stroke survivors conducted twenty sessions of robot-assisted gait training (Robotic Group) or overground gait training (Control Group) in addition to the standard daily therapy.

Exploring high-density corticomuscular networks after stroke to enable a hybrid Brain-Computer Interface for hand motor rehabilitation.

Background: Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) promote upper limb recovery in stroke patients reinforcing motor related brain activity (from electroencephalogaphy, EEG). Hybrid BCIs which include peripheral signals (electromyography, EMG) as control features could be employed to monitor post-stroke motor abnormalities. To ground the use of corticomuscular coherence (CMC) as a hybrid feature for a rehabilitative BCI, we analyzed high-density CMC networks (derived from multiple EEG and EMG channels) and their relation with upper limb motor deficit by comparing data from stroke patients with healthy participants during simple hand tasks.

Manual Physiotherapy Combined with Pelvic Floor Training in Women Suffering from Stress Urinary Incontinence and Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) represents one of the most common subtypes of urinary incontinence (UI) reported by women. Studies have shown an association of SUI with nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). The primary aim of the present study was to explore the long-term effects of a combined treatment of manual techniques and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training in women suffering from SUI associated with NSLBP.

Efficacy of Overground Robotic Gait Training on Balance in Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Strokes often lead to a deficit in motor control that contributes to a reduced balance function. Impairments in the balance function severely limit the activities of daily living (ADL) in stroke survivors. The present systematic review and meta-analysis primarily aims to explore the efficacy of overground robot-assisted gait training (o-RAGT) on balance recovery in individuals with stroke.

Technology-assisted balance assessment and rehabilitation in individuals with spinal cord injury: A systematic review.

Background: Balance is a crucial function of basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and is often considered the priority in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) patients' rehabilitation. Technological devices have been developed to support balance assessment and training, ensuring an earlier, intensive, and goal-oriented motor therapy.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review is to explore the technology-assisted strategies to assess and rehabilitate balance function in persons with SCI.

Overground robotic training effects on walking and secondary health conditions in individuals with spinal cord injury: systematic review.

Overground powered lower limb exoskeletons (EXOs) have proven to be valid devices in gait rehabilitation in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Although several articles have reported the effects of EXOs in these individuals, the few reviews available focused on specific domains, mainly walking. The aim of this systematic review is to provide a general overview of the effects of commercial EXOs (i.

Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction Changes after Osteopathic Care in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) indicates bowel dysfunction due to a lack of nervous control after a central nervous system lesion. Bowel symptoms, such as difficulties with evacuation, constipation, abdominal pain and swelling, are experienced commonly among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Consequentially, individuals with SCI experience a general dissatisfaction with the lower perceived quality of life (QoL).

International Overview of Somatic Dysfunction Assessment and Treatment in Osteopathic Research: A Scoping Review.

Background: Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a patient-centred, whole-body intervention aimed at enhance the person's self-regulation. OMT interventions are focused on somatic dysfunctions (SD) that can be defined as an altered regulative function associated with inflammatory signs palpable in the body framework in different body regions. The conceptual model that sustains SD, as well as its usefulness for the osteopathic profession, is still being discussed by the osteopathic community.

Load Auditory Feedback Boosts Crutch Usage in Subjects With Central Nervous System Lesions: A Pilot Study.

Crutches are the most common walking aids prescribed to improve mobility in subjects with central nervous system (CNS) lesions. To increase adherence to the appropriate level of crutch usage, providing load-related auditory feedback (aFB) may be a useful approach. We sensorized forearm crutches and developed a custom software to provide aFB information to both user and physical therapist (PhT).

Symbitron Exoskeleton: Design, Control, and Evaluation of a Modular Exoskeleton for Incomplete and Complete Spinal Cord Injured Individuals.

In this paper, we present the design, control, and preliminary evaluation of the Symbitron exoskeleton, a lower limb modular exoskeleton developed for people with a spinal cord injury. The mechanical and electrical configuration and the controller can be personalized to accommodate differences in impairments among individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). In hardware, this personalization is accomplished by a modular approach that allows the reconfiguration of a lower-limb exoskeleton with ultimately eight powered series actuated (SEA) joints and high fidelity torque control.

Gait training with Achilles ankle exoskeleton in chronic incomplete spinal cord injury subjects.

Powered exoskeletons (EXOs) have emerged as potential devices for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) to support the intervention of physical therapists during therapy (rehabilitation EXOs) as well as to assist lower limb motion during the daily life (assistive EXOs). Although the ankle is considered a key joint for gait restoration after SCI, very few ankle exoskeletons were developed and tested in incomplete SCI (iSCI) population. Among those, the Achilles ankle exoskeleton is the only one embedding a Controller inspired by the neuromuscular system (NeuroMuscular Controller, NMC).

Brain Connectivity Changes after Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: A Randomized Manual Placebo-Controlled Trial.

The effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) on functional brain connectivity in healthy adults is missing in the literature. To make up for this lack, we applied advanced network analysis methods to analyze resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, after OMT and Placebo treatment (P) in 30 healthy asymptomatic young participants randomized into OMT and placebo groups (OMTg; Pg). fMRI brain activity measures, performed before (T0), immediately after (T1) and three days after (T2) OMT or P were used for inferring treatment effects on brain circuit functional organization.

The Promotoer, a brain-computer interface-assisted intervention to promote upper limb functional motor recovery after stroke: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial to test early and long-term efficacy and to identify determinants of response.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability. Cost-effective post-stroke rehabilitation programs for upper limb are critically needed. Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) which enable the modulation of Electroencephalography (EEG) sensorimotor rhythms are promising tools to promote post-stroke recovery of upper limb motor function.

Neuromuscular Controller Embedded in a Powered Ankle Exoskeleton: Effects on Gait, Clinical Features and Subjective Perspective of Incomplete Spinal Cord Injured Subjects.

Powered exoskeletons are among the emerging technologies claiming to assist functional ambulation. The potential to adapt robotic assistance based on specific motor abilities of incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) subjects, is crucial to optimize Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). Achilles, an autonomous wearable robot able to assist ankle during walking, was developed for iSCI subjects and utilizes a NeuroMuscular Controller (NMC).