Multimodal training with dual-task enhances immediate and retained effects on dual-task effects of gait speed not by cognitive-motor trade-offs in stroke survivors: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Individuals who have experienced stroke may benefit from dual-task related training to improve gait speed performance. Whether noted improvements reflect true effects on gait or cognitive-motor trade-offs still remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of dual-task training on dual-task effects of both walking and cognitive domains in stroke survivors.

Psychometric comparisons of four disease-specific health-related quality of life measures for stroke survivors.

Objective: To examine psychometric properties of four stroke-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures, including original Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (12-domain SSQoL), modified 8-domain SSQoL, Stroke Impact Scale (SIS 3.0), and modified SIS-16 focused on physical domains.

Design And Setting: Prospective repeated measures study conducted in rehabilitation and wards in hospitals.

Motion analysis of throwing Boccia balls in children with cerebral palsy.

Boccia is a sport suitable for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Throwing Boccia balls requires upper extremity and torso coordination. This study investigated the differences between children with CP and normally developed children regarding throwing patterns of Boccia balls.

Development of a set of functional hierarchical balance short forms for patients with stroke.

Objective: To develop a set of 3 hierarchical balance short forms (HBSF; containing sitting, standing, and stepping forms) to measure balance function in patients with stroke.

Design: First, we developed the HBSF, based on a previous data set, with each short form containing 6 items. Second, we examined the psychometric properties and efficiency of the HBSF.

Excellent reliability of the Sollerman hand function test for patients with burned hands.

The purpose of this study was to identify the minimal detectable change (MDC) of the Sollerman hand function test (SHT) for patients with burned hands. Twelve subjects were studied, giving a total of 21 burned hands (10 right hands and 11 left hands). Each subject received two sessions of SHT assessment, held at 7- to 10-day intervals.

Shape modification of the Boston brace using a finite-element method with topology optimization.

Study Design: Using a finite-element (FE) method to reshape the Boston brace, and evaluating the correction effect of the modified Boston brace in terms of Cobb angle.

Objective: This study aimed to reduce the weight of the Boston brace using a FE method with topology optimization.

Summary Of Background Data: The Boston brace is widely used to correct an abnormal spinal curve in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Effects of age and sex on the results of an ankle plantar-flexor manual muscle test.

Background And Purpose: The ability to perform 20 or more one-leg heel-rises is considered a "normal" grade for muscle strength (force-generating capacity of muscle) of the ankle plantar flexors, regardless of age and sex. Because muscle strength is closely related to age and sex, the "normal" test criterion was re-evaluated in different groups categorized by age and sex.

Subjects And Methods: One hundred eighty sedentary volunteers (21-80 years of age) without lower-limb lesions performed as many repetitions of one-leg heel-rise as possible.