Model-based cueing-as-needed for walking in Parkinson's disease: A randomized cross-over study.

Background: Correcting of the lack of regularity in steps is a key component of gait rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease. We proposed to introduce adaptive spatial auditory cueing (ASAC) based on verbal instruction "lengthen the step" automatically delivered when the stride length decreased below a predetermined threshold.

Objectives: The present study compared the effect of usual rhythmic auditory cueing versus ASAC used during a walking training in Parkinson's disease.

Test-Retest and Inter-Rater Reliability of the 20-Meter Ambulation Test in Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Objective: In patients with Parkinson's disease, limited sit-to-stand, walk and turn contribute to decreased independence and quality of life. The 20-meter Ambulation Test (AT20) evaluates walking a total of 20 m, over a 10-m distance, back and forth between 2 chairs, starting and ending in a seated position. The aim of this study was to evaluate test-retest and inter-rater reliability of the AT20 in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Agonist and antagonist activation at the ankle monitored along the swing phase in hemiparetic gait.

Background: Descending command in hemiparesis is reduced to agonists and misdirected to antagonists. We monitored agonist and antagonist activation along the swing phase of gait, comparing paretic and non-paretic legs.

Methods: Forty-two adults with chronic hemiparesis underwent gait analysis with bilateral EMG from tibialis anterior, soleus and gastrocnemius medialis.

Quantified clinical measures linked to ambulation speed in hemiparesis.

Background: In spastic paresis, the respective contributions to active function of antagonist hypoextensibility, spasticity, and impaired descending command remain unknown. Objectives: We explored correlations between ambulation speed and coefficients of shortening, spasticity and, weakness for three lower limb extensors.

Methods: This retrospective study identified 140 subjects with chronic hemiparesis (>6 months since injury) assessed during a single visit with barefoot 10-meter ambulation at comfortable and fast speed, and measurements of passive range of motion (X), angle of catch at fast stretch (X) and active range of motion (X) against the resistance of gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and gluteus maximus.

Guided Self-rehabilitation Contract vs conventional therapy in chronic stroke-induced hemiparesis: NEURORESTORE, a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Background: After discharge from hospital following a stroke, prescriptions of community-based rehabilitation are often downgraded to "maintenance" rehabilitation or discontinued. This classic therapeutic behavior stems from persistent confusion between lesion-induced plasticity, which lasts for the first 6 months essentially, and behavior-induced plasticity, of indefinite duration, through which intense rehabilitation might remain effective. This prospective, randomized, multicenter, single-blind study in subjects with chronic stroke-induced hemiparesis evaluates changes in active function with a Guided Self-rehabilitation Contract vs conventional therapy alone, pursued for a year.