The Orthotic Effects of Different Functional Electrical Stimulation Protocols on Walking Performance in Individuals with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Series.

Background: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) of paralyzed muscles can facilitate walking after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Objectives: To test the orthotic effects of different FES walking protocols on lower joint kinematics and walking speed.

Methods: Three adults with incomplete SCI participated in this study.

Implementing a nurse-led screening clinic for symptom distress with community-based referral for cancer survivors: A feasibility study.

Introduction: This prospective, single-arm, pragmatic implementation study evaluated the feasibility of a nurse-led symptom-screening program embedded in routine oncology post-treatment outpatient clinics by assessing (1) the acceptance rate for symptom distress screening (SDS), (2) the prevalence of SDS cases, (3) the acceptance rate for community-based psychosocial support services, and (4) the effect of referred psychosocial support services on reducing symptom distress.

Methods: Using the modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r), we screened patients who recently completed cancer treatment. Patients screening positive for moderate-to-severe symptom distress were referred to a nurse-led community-based symptom-management program involving stepped-care symptom/psychosocial management interventions using a pre-defined triage system.

A viscoelastic model for the prediction of transcranial ultrasound propagation: application for the estimation of shear acoustic properties in the human skull.

A better understanding of ultrasound transmission through the human skull is fundamental to develop optimal imaging and therapeutic applications. In this study, we present global attenuation values and functions that correlate apparent density calculated from computed tomography scans to shear speed of sound. For this purpose, we used a model for sound propagation based on the viscoelastic wave equation (VWE) assuming isotropic conditions.

Design and validation of an MR-conditional robot for transcranial focused ultrasound surgery in infants.

Purpose: Current treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) involves cerebral shunt placement or an invasive brain surgery. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) applied to the brains of pediatric patients presents an opportunity to treat IVH in a noninvasive manner, termed "incision-less surgery." Current clinical and research focused ultrasound systems lack the capability to perform neonatal transcranial surgeries due to either range of motion or dexterity requirements.

Multi-frequency characterization of the speed of sound and attenuation coefficient for longitudinal transmission of freshly excised human skulls.

For medical applications of ultrasound inside the brain, it is necessary to understand the relationship between the apparent density of skull bone and its corresponding speed of sound and attenuation coefficient. Although there have been previous studies exploring this phenomenon, there is still a need to extend the measurements to cover more of the clinically relevant frequency range. The results of measurements of the longitudinal speed of sound and attenuation coefficient are presented for specimens of human calvaria.

Responses of the trunk to multidirectional perturbations during unsupported sitting in normal adults.

Understanding how the human body responds to unexpected force perturbations during quiet sitting is important to the science of motor behavior and the design of neuroprostheses for sitting posture. In this study, the performance characteristics of the neck and trunk in healthy individuals were assessed by measuring the kinematic responses to sudden, unexpected force perturbations applied to the thorax. Perturbations were applied in eight horizontal directions.

Posturographic measures in healthy young adults during quiet sitting in comparison with quiet standing.

Measures of postural steadiness - known as posturography - are commonly used for balance assessment during quiet standing. Although quiet sitting balance may be studied via posturography as well, this has not been done to date. As such, the purpose of this study was to characterize the posturography during quiet sitting in comparison with quiet standing and to provide a benchmark for future studies investigating differences in balance regulation and execution.

Postural reactions of the trunk muscles to multi-directional perturbations in sitting.

Background: The dynamic role of the trunk musculature, with respect to stability, has not been fully explored to date. The purpose of this study was, using a transient and multi-directional perturbation, to: (1) quantify the tonic level of activity in the superficial trunk musculature prior to any perturbation; (2) quantify the phasic activity in those same muscles following application of a transient, horizontally directed load; and (3) quantify the direction-dependent behavior of this phasic response.

Methods: Twelve healthy individuals were perturbed during sitting via a chest harness in eight horizontal directions.