Technology Assisted Rehabilitation Patient Perception Questionnaire (TARPP-Q): development and implementation of an instrument to evaluate patients' perception during training.

Background: The introduction of technology-assisted rehabilitation (TAR) uncovers promising challenges for the treatment of motor disorders, particularly if combined with exergaming. Patients with neurological diseases have proved to benefit from TAR, improving their performance in several activities. However, the subjective perception of the device has never been fully addressed, being a conditioning factor for its use.

Can we add whey protein supplementation in patients with Parkinson's disease without interfering with levodopa response?

Objective: The main endpoint of the study was to evaluate if a daily intake of whey protein-based dietary supplement causes a worse response to levodopa in people with Parkinson's Disease (PWPD).

Background: In PWPD, the competition between large neutral aminoacids and levodopa at intestinal absorption level may interfere with dopaminergic therapy's (DRT) effect; therefore, protein redistribution dietary regimen has been suggested. Many dietary supplementations are available to help people in balancing the protein intake and overcoming muscle mass loss.

Positive affect as a predictor of non-pharmacological adherence in older Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.

In Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) patients, psychological and cognitive variables and their association with treatment adherence have been extensively reported in the literature, but few are the investigations in older people. The present study aimed to evaluate the psychological, cognitive, and adherence to treatment profile of older (>65 years) CHF patients, the interrelation between these variables, and identify possible independent predictors of self-reported treatment adherence. CHF inpatients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation were assessed for: anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, positive and negative affect, and self-reported adherence (adherence antecedents, pharmacological adherence, and non-pharmacological adherence).

Artificial Neural Network Analyzing Wearable Device Gait Data for Identifying Patients With Stroke Unable to Return to Work.

A potential dramatic effect of long-term disability due to stroke is the inability to return to work. An accurate prognosis and the identification of the parameters inflating the possibility of return to work after neurorehabilitation are crucial. Many factors may influence it, such as mobility and, in particular, walking ability.

Return to Work and Quality of Life after Stroke in Italy: A Study on the Efficacy of Technologically Assisted Neurorehabilitation.

Cerebrovascular diseases, including stroke, are historically considered diseases of old adults so only in a few studies has "return to work" (RTW) been considered as an index of rehabilitative outcome. At the moment, data on RTW in patients with stroke are highly variable: four different reviews reported the following ranges: 11-85%, 19-73%, 22-53%, and 40-45%. The absence of re-integration to work after a stroke is shown to be associated with an increase of cardiac disorders and depression, with a higher level of mortality, with social isolation and with insufficient adaptive skills.

Methodological features of quantitative studies on medication adherence in older patients with chronic morbidity: A systematic review.

Objectives: The growing number of chronic, multimorbid older adults encourages healthcare systems to cope with polypharmacy and non-adherence. However, methodology on how to provide effective interventions to enhance medication adherence is still object of debate.

Methods: To describe methodological features of quantitative studies concerning older adults' medication adherence, by means of a PRISMA systematic review (Scopus, PubMed, Medline).

Participatory ergonomics for the reduction of musculoskeletal exposure of maintenance workers.

Exposure to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is a prevalent risk among those working in the maintenance of machinery and equipment for industry. Participatory ergonomics (PE) in the workplace embodies a solid strategy for the implementation of MSD prevention programs. This practical case describes a PE project implemented to improve MSD prevention strategies for the safety of maintenance workers Experienced workers and maintenance workers employed in an Italian company for the industrial processing of wool have been actively involved in the risk assessment, in the proposal of improvement interventions and in the proposal of new preventive strategies.

[Work on a building site at high altitude: physiopathological features and entailments for the occupational medicine].

Introduction. From a physiological perspective the high altitude is defined by altitudes higher than 3000 meters above sea level: at this altitude the atmospheric pressure is reduced to 525 mmHg and the partial pressure of Oxygen drops to 110 mmHg in the ambient air follows and 60 mmHg in the alveolar air. To stay at altitudes above 3000 m s.

[Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS) and occupational risk factors: criteria to carry out the health surveillance].

Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS) identifies a clinically asymptomatic and laboratory-based situation characterized by a modest monoclonal component (MC). In a limited percentage of cases, on a probabilistic basis, the asymptomatic genepremalignant stage could lead to multiple myeloma (MM). Materials and Methods.

[Active population aging, ICD-ICF clinical model and Occupational and Rehabilitation Medicine].

The aging of the active population is more and more increasing in advanced western societies. This phenomenon also implies a constant increase in the average age of workers in various productive sectors, not least that of health. In this, in fact, alongside the known occupational risks, more and more frequently we are witnessing the emergence of chronic-degenerative pathologies connected with aging, even with symptoms that do not determine an unsuitability for work.

[The ICD-ICF outpatient pathway in occupational therapy].

The Complex Ambulatory Macroactivity (MAC, Macroattività Ambulatoriale Complessa) has recently been included among the therapeutic and diagnostic Specialized Rehabilitation services issued by the Lombardy Region health institutes. Within Maugeri Scientific Clinical Institutes, our Occupational Physiatrics and Ergonomics Service is actively involved in the organic redefinition of rehabilitative pathways in the light of functional and patient-centered interpretation, typical of ICF (International Classification of Functioning). The article describes the assumptions, criteria and procedures that support the MAC system, proposing a modeling that can be inserted into the modern and complex system of health services.

Meta-analysis of pharmacogenetic interactions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinical trials.

Objective: To assess whether genetic subgroups in recent amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) trials responded to treatment with lithium carbonate, but that the treatment effect was lost in a large cohort of nonresponders.

Methods: Individual participant data were obtained from 3 randomized trials investigating the efficacy of lithium carbonate. We matched clinical data with data regarding the and genotype.