Use of assistive technology to assess distal motor function in subjects with neuromuscular disease.

Unlabelled: Among the 32 items of the Motor Function Measure scale, 3 concern the assessment of hand function on a paper-based support. Their characteristics make it possible to envisage the use of a tablet instead of the original paper-based support for their completion. This would then make it possible to automate the score to reduce intra- and inter-individual variability.

Acute passive stretching has no effect on gastrocnemius medialis stiffness in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an acute high-intensity, long-duration passive stretching session of the plantar flexor muscles, on maximal dorsiflexion (DF) angle and passive stiffness at both ankle joint and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle levels in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: 13 children [mean age: 10 years 6 months, gross motor function classification system (GMFCS): I] with unilateral CP underwent a 5 min passive stretching session at 80% of maximal DF angle. Changes in maximal DF angle, slack angle, passive ankle joint and GM muscle stiffness from PRE- to POST-intervention were determined during passive ankle mobilization performed on a dynamometer coupled with shear wave elastography measurements (i.

The Use and Outcomes of Motor Rehabilitation Services Among People With Cerebral Palsy Change Across the Lifespan.

Background And Aims: The provision of coordinated and multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs that adapt to the individual with cerebral palsy (CP) evolving rehabilitation needs throughout the different phases of life is highly challenging for healthcare systems. The aim of this study was to report the changes in motor rehabilitation (MR) environmental factors, service use and patient outcomes between children and adults with cerebral palsy and to identify if changes took place earlier or later than the standard division between pediatric and adult healthcare systems at 18 years.

Methods: We used data from the French ESPaCe survey to select a set of indicators for MR environmental factors, service use and patient outcomes, highlighted by patients and families in previous studies.

Perceived impact of lockdown on daily life in children with physical disabilities and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The first lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic in France led to an abrupt change in children's daily lives. For children with physical disabilities and their families, activities were limited, access to healthcare and therapy was disrupted, and family organization was altered. The objective was to report the impact of the lockdown on daily life activities and well-being of children with physical disabilities as perceived by caregivers.

Mechanical properties of ankle joint and gastrocnemius muscle in spastic children with unilateral cerebral palsy measured with shear wave elastography.

The aim of this study was to describe passive mechanical and morphological properties of the ankle joint and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle in paretic and contralateral legs in highly functional children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) using shear wave elastography (SWE). SWE measurements on the GM muscle were performed in both paretic and contralateral legs during passive ankle dorsiflexion using a dynamometer in 11 children (mean age: 10 years 6 months) with UCP. Torque-angle and shear modulus-angle relationships were fitted using an exponential model to determine passive ankle joint and GM muscle stiffness respectively.

Reliability of Shear Wave Elastography and Ultrasound Measurement in Children with Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy.

In clinical practice, few data exist on the feasibility of performing reliable shear wave elastography (SWE) and ultrasonography (US) measurements in spastic muscles of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Ten children with unilateral CP took part in SWE and US assessment of the tibialis anterior and medialis gastrocnemius muscles during two sessions separated by a 1-wk interval. Intra- and inter-investigator reliability of shear modulus (µ) and muscle thickness (MT) measurements, at neutral and maximal dorsiflexion angles on both legs, was assessed by two investigators with different levels of experience.

Emerging health challenges for children with physical disabilities and their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic: The ECHO French survey.

Background: The daily lives of children with physical disabilities and their families have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The children face health risks, especially mental, behavioral, social and physical risks.

Objective: This study aimed to identify potential healthcare issues relating to the wellbeing of disabled children, continuity of rehabilitation and medical care, and parental concerns during the COVID-19 lockdown.

What causes increased passive stiffness of plantarflexor muscle-tendon unit in children with spastic cerebral palsy?

Purpose: The term 'stiffness' is commonly used in the literature to refer to various components of 'hyperresistance' by which spastic muscles oppose to their passive lengthening, especially in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Originally, stiffness consists of mechanical resistance to passive movement in the absence of any muscle activation. Increased muscle stiffness in CP therefore refers to alterations to the mechanical properties of the tissue.

From congenial paralysis to post-early brain injury developmental condition: Where does cerebral palsy actually stand?

Cerebral palsy (CP), an umbrella term for a developmental motor disorder caused by early brain injury (EBI)/interference, remains debated. In this essay, we present a narrative, beginning with the original anatomical-clinical description of the so-called paralysie congéniale (congenial paralysis) by the French psychiatrist Jean-Baptiste Cazauvieilh. We then discuss how the concept has evolved over the last 2 centuries.

Benefit from revascularization after thrombectomy according to FLAIR vascular hyperintensities-DWI mismatch.

Objectives: We tested whether FLAIR vascular hyperintensities (FVH)-DWI mismatch could identify candidates for thrombectomy most likely to benefit from revascularization.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 100 patients with proximal MCA occlusion from 18 stroke centers randomized in the IV-thrombolysis plus mechanical thrombectomy arm of the THRACE trial (2010-2015). We tested the associations between successful revascularization on digital subtraction angiography (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b/3) and 3-month favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2), stratified on FVH-DWI mismatch status, with secondary analyses adjusted on National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and DWI lesion volume.

Pretreatment lesional volume impacts clinical outcome and thrombectomy efficacy.

Objective: We aimed to characterize the association between pretreatment lesional volume measured on diffusion-weighted images and functional outcome, and estimate the impact on thrombectomy efficacy for ischemic stroke with anterior proximal intracranial arterial occlusion.

Methods: Anterior circulation ischemic stroke patients who had pretreatment diffusion-weighted imaging in the THRACE study were included. Lesional volume was semiautomatically segmented.

Computerized static posturography and laterality in children. Influence of age.

Purpose: The present study aims to explore relationships between footedness and posturographic assessment in children aged from 4 to 10. A real-time computerised device was used on a force plate for movement analysis. It requires a static posturography to assess postural control of children with the same handedness and footedness.

Diurnal changes in postural control in normal children: Computerized static and dynamic assessments.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) causes postural control deficits and accordingly comparison of aberrant postural control against normal postural control may help diagnose mTBI. However, in the current literature, little is known regarding the normal pattern of postural control in young children. This study was therefore conducted as an effort to fill this knowledge gap.

Specific scapular kinematic patterns to differentiate two forms of dynamic scapular winging.

Background: Dynamic scapular winging (DSW) is a rare and misdiagnosed disorder causing considerable disability due to reduced scapular stability and abnormal motion. Two common causes are long thoracic nerve lesions resulting in serratus anterior muscle palsy and spinal accessory nerve lesions resulting in trapezius muscle palsy. The aim of this study was to analyse 3D scapular kinematic patterns in patients with DSW due to long thoracic (LTNL) or spinal accessory nerve lesions (SANL).

PNPLA2 mutation: a paediatric case with early onset but indolent course.

Neutral lipid storage disease (NLSD) due to PNPLA2 mutation is a rare disorder with a severe muscular and cardiac outcome. All but one reported cases have been diagnosed during adulthood. It is thus ordinarily distinguished from Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome, a paediatric NLSD with a more widespread symptomatology.

Modified 3D scapular kinematic patterns for activities of daily living in painful shoulders with restricted mobility: a comparison with contralateral unaffected shoulders.

There is a lack of studies of 3D scapular kinematic patterns for patients with shoulder conditions comparing affected and contralateral nonaffected shoulders during self-care activities of daily living (ADL). In this study, we compared 48 patients - 11 with glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA), 20 with frozen shoulder (FS) and 17 with rotator cuff tendinopathies (RCT) - as they performed two ADL: hair combing and back washing. 3D scapular rotations and humerothoracic elevation (HTE) of the affected and contralateral nonaffected shoulders were recorded with use of a 6 degrees-of-freedom electromagnetic device.

Exercise training improves autonomic profiles in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Introduction: The effect of an interval exercise training (ITE) program on heart rate variability (HRV) was studied in 8 patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and 8 healthy controls.

Methods: At baseline, all subjects underwent ambulatory 24-hour Holter electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring to evaluate HRV. HRV analysis was repeated on CMT patients after they completed a 24-week ITE program on a cycle ergometer.

Computerized static posturographic assessment after treatment of equinus deformity in children with cerebral palsy.

Assessment of treatments in children with cerebral palsy has been well developed, especially in the gait laboratory. However, the prerequisite for walking is adequate postural control. We hypothesize that a treatment of an equinus deformity should improve postural control.