A novel home-based rehabilitative knee brace system is a viable option for postoperative rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a report of 15 cases.

Purpose: To investigate the functional outcomes for patients who used a novel home-based rehabilitative system during the postoperative period after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions.

Methods: Patients undergoing ACL reconstruction surgeries were prospectively enrolled. A home-based rehabilitation system, which is composed of a knee brace with a motion tracker, a mobile app, and a web portal, was applied.

Therapeutic Exercises and Modalities in Athletes With Acute Hamstring Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Context: Hamstring strain is a common injury to the lower limbs. Early intervention in the acute phase aids with restoring hamstring function and prevents secondary related injury.

Objective: To systematically review and summarize the effectiveness of exercise-based interventions combined with physical modalities currently used in athletes with acute hamstring injuries.

Can orthotic wedges change the lower-extremity and multi-segment foot kinematics during gait in people with plantar fasciitis?

Background: Orthotic wedges with medial posting of the forefoot and rearfoot have been shown to be effective in controlling excessive foot pronation in people with plantar fasciitis (PF), however the best prescription remains unclear.

Research Question: The aim of this study was to determine the biomechanical effects of two designs of orthotic wedges within a shoe on the hip, knee, rearfoot, and forefoot kinematics in individuals with PF.

Methods: Thirty-five participants with PF were recruited.

Cognitive and motor development in preterm children from 6 to 36 months of age: Trajectories, risk factors and predictability.

Background: Although numerous studies have examined the development of preterm children born very low birth weight (VLBW, birth body weight < 1500 g), variations of developmental progress within individuals have rarely been explored. The aim of this research was to examine the cognitive and motor trajectories in preterm children born VLBW at early ages and to assess the risk factors and predictability of these trajectories.

Method: Five hundred and eighty preterm infants born VLBW from three cohort studies (2003 to 2014) were prospectively assessed their mental and motor development using the Bayley Scales at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, and cognitive, motor and behavioral outcomes using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children and the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Clinimetric Testing of Functional Rating Index (FRI) Outcome Measure into the Arabic Language.

Background: The Functional Rating Index (FRI) is a self-report scale widely used to determine the level of disability in low back pain (LBP) populations.

Objectives: This study was aimed at conducting the cross-cultural adaptation of the FRI-Arabic version (FRI-Ar) and testing the clinometric properties of FRI-Ar.

Methods: The cross-cultural adaptation process was used to develop the FRI-Ar.

Attentional focus effect on dual-task walking in Parkinson's disease with and without freezing of gait.

In Parkinson's disease, the optimal attentional focus strategy for dual-task walking may vary with freezing of gait (FOG), due to different severities of impaired automaticity. The study aimed to investigate (i) the immediate effect of attentional focus on dual-task walking in participants with and without FOG, and (ii) the training effect of attentional focus on walking, FOG, and falls. In experiment 1, FOG and non-FOG groups (16 participants each) performed a dual-task of holding two interlocking rings apart while walking, either without attention instruction or with instructions to focus attention internally or externally.

Neuroergonomic assessment of developmental coordination disorder.

Until recently, neural assessments of gross motor coordination could not reliably handle active tasks, particularly in realistic environments, and offered a narrow understanding of motor-cognition. By applying a comprehensive neuroergonomic approach using optical mobile neuroimaging, we probed the neural correlates of motor functioning in young people with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), a motor-learning deficit affecting 5-6% of children with lifelong complications. Neural recordings using fNIRS were collected during active ambulatory behavioral task execution from 37 Typically Developed and 48 DCD Children who performed cognitive and physical tasks in both single and dual conditions.

Relationship of Extrinsic Risk Factors to Lower Extremity Injury in Collegiate Ballet Dancers.

Ballet dancers are thought to be at higher risk of lower extremity injury. This objective of this study was to describe the self-reported incidence, location, and factors associated with lower extremity injury in collegiate ballet dancers. Two hundred and forty-nine female ballet dancers responded to a questionnaire that addressed their injury event/location, dance behavior over the past 2 years, and overall dance history.

The lateral femoral notch sign and coronal lateral collateral ligament sign in magnetic resonance imaging failed to predict dynamic anterior tibial laxity.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between the lateral femoral notch sign as well as the coronal lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sign and anterior tibial translation using the GNRB arthrometer in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

Methods: Forty-six patients with ACL injuries were retrospectively included from May 2020 to February 2022; four patients were excluded due to incomplete data. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were reviewed for the lateral femoral notch sign and the coronal LCL sign.

Comparison of hip abductor and adductor muscle performance between healthy and osteitis pubis professional footballers.

Objective: The study aimed to compare the concentric and eccentric muscle performance of the hip abductor and adductor muscles at a high angular velocity in football players with osteitis pubis and healthy players.

Methods: A total number of 32 male football players with osteitis pubis and 20 healthy footballers were tested using an isokinetic dynamometer at a speed of 180°/s. Hip abductor and adductor peak torque/body weight, time to peak torque, acceleration, and deceleration times produced during concentric and eccentric muscle contraction modes were measured using a Biodex dynamometer.

Physical therapists' experiences and perceptions of antepartum and postpartum care.

Background: Little is known about the physical therapists' practice and perceptions toward management of pregnancy/postpartum-related disorders in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to document current practice of physical therapy in antepartum and postpartum care in Taiwan.

Methods: An exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted in registered physical therapists living in Taiwan.

Effects of task prioritization on a postural-motor task in early-stage Parkinson's disease: EEG connectivity and clinical implication.

Appropriate attentional resource allocation could minimize exaggerated dual-task interference due to basal ganglia dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we assessed the electroencephalography (EEG) functional connectivity to investigate how task prioritization affected posture-motor dual-tasks in PD. Sixteen early-stage PD patients and 16 healthy controls maintained balance in narrow stance alone (single-posture task) or while separating two interlocking rings (postural dual-task).

Multidimensional Development and Adaptive Behavioral Functioning in Younger and Older Children With Rett Syndrome.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine clinical severity, multidimensional development, and adaptive behavioral functioning in younger and older children with Rett syndrome (RTT) in the pseudostationary stage (stage III).

Methods: Fourteen younger (≤10 years of age) and 15 older (11-18 years of age) children with confirmed stage III RTT (assigned to young-RTT and old-RTT groups, respectively) participated in this study. Clinical severity was determined using the Clinical Severity Score (CSS) scale for RTT.

Effect of Integrated Training on Balance and Ankle Reposition Sense in Ballet Dancers.

Objective: To investigate the effects of a 6-week integrated training program on the ankle joint reposition sense and postural stability in ballet dancers.

Methods: Sixteen female ballet dancers participated in the study and underwent a 6-week integrated training program consisting of plyometric, proprioception and core stability exercises along with a home program involving additional ankle muscle strengthening and stretching. The ankle joint reposition tests and the parameters of the center of pressure (COP) while performing (deep squatting) and (standing on balls of foot) movements were measured before and after training.

Comparison of Bone-Patella Tendon-Bone and Four-Strand Hamstring Tendon Grafts for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective Study.

Introduction To date, the proper choice of graft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains a matter of conflict. We aimed to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of the two most commonly utilized autografts, bone-patella tendon-bone (BPTB) and four-strand hamstring tendon (HT) graft, at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Methods In a prospective randomized study, we included a total of 60 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction, thirty in BPTB and thirty in HT group.

The association between advanced orthopedic certification and confidence and engagement in prescription opioid medication misuse management practices: a cross-sectional study.

In the United States, attaining the orthopedic certified specialist (OCS) credential or the orthopedic subspecialty credential of Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT), may lead to a higher level of orthopedic practice. It is unknown whether attaining these credentials influences physical therapist confidence in and frequency of engagement in prescription opioid medication misuse (POMM) management practices. A national cross-sectional web-based survey of PTs identified whether respondents had an OCS or FAAOMPT credential.

Inspiratory muscle activation during inspiratory muscle training in patients with COPD.

Background And Objectives: The main target of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is to improve diaphragm function in patients with COPD who have inspiratory muscle weakness. Ventilatory demand is already increased during quiet breathing in patients with COPD, and whether threshold load imposed by IMT would active more accessory muscle remained to be determined. The purpose of this study was to examine diaphragm and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) activation during IMT with intensities of 30% and 50% maximal inspiratory pressure (P).

The Development of a Rapid Classification Scale for Sleep Quality in Community-Dwelling Older Adults - The Yilan Study, Taiwan.

Objective: Poor sleep quality is prevailing, deleterious, but heterogeneous in older adults. This study aimed to develop a simplified instrument to screen and classify poor sleep quality in community-dwelling older adults, by which stepped care with needs-based interventions could be implemented.

Methods: Cohorts of adults aged 65 years and older were used to develop the Rapid Classification Scale for Sleep Quality (RCSSQ).

A Longitudinal Study on the Association of Interrelated Factors Among Frailty Dimensions, Cognitive Domains, Cognitive Frailty, and All-Cause Mortality.

Background: Cognitive frailty integrating impaired cognitive domains and frailty dimensions has not been explored.

Objective: This study aimed to explore 1) associations among frailty dimensions and cognitive domains over time and 2) the extended definitions of cognitive frailty for predicting all-cause mortality.

Methods: This four-year cohort study recruited 521 older adults at baseline (2011-2013).

Six-Week Remodeled Bike Pedal Training Improves Dynamic Control of Lateral Shuffling in Athletes With Functional Ankle Instability.

Background: Remodeled bicycle pedal training with multidirectional challenges through muscle strengthening and neuromuscular facilitation may increase dynamic postural control and performance during lateral shuffling for athletes with functional ankle instability (FAI).

Hypothesis: The 6-week remodeled bicycle pedal training is effective on the ankle joint control and muscle activation, and especially that of the ankle evertor muscle co-contraction to improve dynamic postural control during lateral shuffling for athletes with FAI.

Study Design: Laboratory randomized controlled trial.

The Influence of Kinesio Tape and an Ankle Brace on the Lower Extremity Joint Motion in Fatigued, Unstable Ankles during a Lateral Drop Landing.

Background: An unstable ankle along with plantar flexor muscle fatigue may exacerbate landing performance. External support may be an option to control the ankle motion and protect joints from injuries. Research goal: To investigate the immediate changes in the joint motion of a lower extremity under ankle plantar flexors fatigue conditions in athletes with unstable ankles using different external supports.

Effects of Plyometric and Balance Training on Neuromuscular Control of Recreational Athletes with Functional Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Laboratory Study.

Plyometric exercise has been suggested for knee injury prevention in sports participation, but studies on ankle plyometric training are limited. This study aims to investigate the change of joint position sense and neuromuscular activity of the unstable ankle after six-week integrated balance/plyometric training and six-week plyometric training. Thirty recreational athletes with functional ankle instability were allocated into three groups: plyometric group (P) vs.

Effect of releasing quadratus lumborum muscle on hip and knee muscle length in asymptomatic individuals.

Background: Quadratus lumborum muscle (QL) is one of several muscles subject to tightness and relevant to symptoms in the back and hip. Although releasing the tight QL seems to resolve these symptoms in clinic, no study has investigated the effects of such releasing on the length of the hip and knee muscles.

Objective: To compare muscle length of the hip and knee joints between pre- and post-releasing the QL.