Preliminary validation of CCRacer serious game for assessing executive function after acquired brain injury.

Acquired brain injuries can profoundly impact executive functioning, yet traditional neuropsychological assessments often have limitations, such as being time-intensive, lacking ecological validity, or failing to engage patients effectively. To address these challenges, CCRacer, a serious game, was developed as a novel tool for assessing executive functions in clinical populations. This study evaluated the convergent and discriminant validity of CCRacer by applying it alongside established neuropsychological tests to a sample of 78 participants with acquired brain injury.

Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia in Children and Adolescents Is Reversible upon Reaching Adulthood-Results from a Long-Term Cohort Study.

Background/objectives: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is considered an irreversible preneoplastic precursor for gastric adenocarcinoma in adults. However, its significance in children and the long-term outcome remain poorly understood.

Methods: All children diagnosed with GIM between 2000 and 2020 were identified at a large tertiary referral centre.

Benefits of Early Integrated and Vocational Rehabilitation in Breast Cancer on Work Ability, Sick Leave Duration, and Disability Rates.

Objectives: Vocational rehabilitation plays a vital role in helping breast cancer survivors overcome physical, psychological, and occupational challenges, enabling a smoother return to work and improving quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vocational rehabilitation as part of early integrated rehabilitation compared to conventional rehabilitation on sick leave duration, work ability, and disability rates.

Methods: The study was designed as a prospective, interventional study.

Assessment of Functioning and the Integration of Patients After Traumatic Brain Injury in Their Homes and Social Environments Following Inpatient Rehabilitation.

Introduction: Patients with head injuries usually return to their home environments after completing rehabilitation, which is an additional challenge in the case of functional, motor or cognitive impairment. In order to identify the problems that such patients face and to objectify their problems with integration, we used the Community Integration Questionnaire-Revised (CIQ-R). At the same time, the validity of the translation of the questionnaire into Slovenian was checked.

The Level and Limitations of Physical Activity in Elderly Patients with Diabetes.

Old age and illnesses can limit physical activity (PA). We have assessed the level of PA and its limitations in older people with diabetes (DM). Cross-sectional study, period: January and June 2024, place: Diabetes Center, subjects: patients (N = 207) > 64 years with DM), Surveying using: IPAQ, Accompanying Survey (AS).

Upregulation of Cullin1 neddylation promotes glycolysis and M1 polarization of macrophage via NF-κB p65 pathway in sepsis.

This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of neddylation in macrophage polarization during sepsis. A mouse model of sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). ELISA and Flow cytometry were performed to analyze the generation of pro-inflammatory factors and M1/M2 macrophage polarization, respectively.

Clinical Feasibility of Applying Immersive Virtual Reality during Robot-Assisted Gait Training for Individuals with Neurological Diseases: A Pilot Study.

Background: Immersive virtual reality has the potential to motivate and challenge patients who need and want to relearn movements in the process of neurorehabilitation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and user acceptance of an innovative immersive virtual reality system (head-mounted display) used in combination with robot-assisted gait training in subjects suffering from neurological diseases.

Methods: Fifteen participants suffering from cerebrovascular accident or spinal cord injury completed a single session of immersive virtual reality using a head-mounted display during a Lokomat gait session.

Assessing obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a subclinical and clinical sample: the development of the Hungarian version of the OCI-R.

Objectives: The prevalence of clinical obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is around 1-2% in the population. Questionnaires, such as the OCI-R, are a useful tool in the diagnositc process. The purpose of this study was to develop the Hungarian version of the OCI-R, examine its validity and reliability, and its ability to differentiate between clinical and subclinical OCD.

Cross-step detection using center-of-pressure based algorithm for real-time applications.

Background: Gait event detection is crucial for assessment, evaluation and provision of biofeedback during rehabilitation of walking. Existing online gait event detection algorithms mostly rely on add-on sensors, limiting their practicality. Instrumented treadmills offer a promising alternative by utilizing the Center of Pressure (CoP) signal for real-time gait event detection.

ICON 2023: International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus - the core outcome set for Achilles tendinopathy (COS-AT) using a systematic review and a Delphi study of professional participants and patients.

To develop a core outcome set for Achilles tendinopathy (COS-AT) for use in clinical trials we performed a five-step process including (1) a systematic review of available outcome measurement instruments, (2) an online survey on truth and feasibility of the available measurement instruments, (3) an assessment of the methodological quality of the selected outcome measurement instruments, (4) an online survey on the outcome measurement instruments as COS and (5) a consensus in-person meeting. Both surveys were completed by healthcare professionals and patients. The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology guidelines with a 70% threshold for consensus were followed.

Extended reality used in the treatment of phantom limb pain: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Phantom limb pain (PLP) represents a significant challenge after amputation. This study investigated the use of phantom motor execution (PME) and phantom motor imagery (PMI) facilitated by extended reality (XR) for the treatment of PLP. Both treatments used XR, but PME involved overt execution of phantom movements, relying on the decoding of motor intent using machine learning to enable real-time control in XR.

Whole-Body Cryostimulation: An Effective Complementary Treatment in Fibromyalgia? A Follow Up Study.

Recent evidence suggests that whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) may be beneficial for patients with fibromyalgia (FM), but little is known about the duration of such effects. The purpose of this study was to verify the duration of clinical-functional benefits after one cycle of WBC. We conducted a follow-up study on the medium and long-term effects of WBC on well-being, use of pain-relieving/anti-inflammatory medications, pain level, fatigue, sleep quality, and psychological aspects such as mood and anxiety.

Prospective memory functions in traumatic brain injury: The role of neuropsychological deficits, metamemory and impaired self-awareness.

A large body of evidence suggests that individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have significant difficulties with prospective memory (PM), the memory for future intentions. However, the processes underlying this cognitive deficit remain unclear. This study aimed to gather further evidence regarding PM functions in TBI and clarify the role of neuropsychological deficits, metamemory, and mood disorders.

Balance confidence classification in people with a lower limb amputation using six minute walk test smartphone sensor signals.

The activities-specific balance confidence scale (ABC) assesses balance confidence during common activities. While low balance confidence can result in activity avoidance, excess confidence can increase fall risk. People with lower limb amputations can present with inconsistent gait, adversely affecting their balance confidence.

L Test Subtask Segmentation for Lower-Limb Amputees Using a Random Forest Algorithm.

Functional mobility tests, such as the L test of functional mobility, are recommended to provide clinicians with information regarding the mobility progress of lower-limb amputees. Smartphone inertial sensors have been used to perform subtask segmentation on functional mobility tests, providing further clinically useful measures such as fall risk. However, L test subtask segmentation rule-based algorithms developed for able-bodied individuals have not produced sufficiently acceptable results when tested with lower-limb amputee data.

Psychologically-enhanced cardiac rehabilitation for psychological and functional improvement in patients with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review with meta-analysis and future research directions.

Objective: To systematically review the effectiveness of psychologically-enhanced cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in improving psychological and functional outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Data Sources: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science, up to January 31, 2024.

Study Selection: Two reviewers independently identified randomized clinical trials that evaluated the effectiveness of psychologically-enhanced CR in improving psychological and functional outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease.

A Systematic Review on the Application of Virtual Reality for Muscular Dystrophy Rehabilitation: Motor Learning Benefits.

Using virtual reality (VR) for Muscular Dystrophy (MD) rehabilitation promises to be a novel therapeutic approach, potentially enhancing motor learning, functional outcomes, and overall quality of life. This systematic review primarily aimed to provide a comprehensive summary of the current understanding regarding the application of VR in supporting MD rehabilitation. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify relevant articles.

Level and limitations of physical activity in patients with excess body weight or diabetes.

Physical activity (PA) is recommended to prevent or treat many diseases, but various factors may limit it. We analyse the level of PA and the barriers to undertaking it. Patients aged 18-64 with diabetes or at least overweight completed the following questionnaires: International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Accompanying Survey (AS).

Is It Possible to Train the Endothelium?-A Narrative Literature Review.

This review provides an overview of current knowledge regarding the adaptive effects of physical training on the endothelium. The endothelium plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of vessel walls and regulating vascular tone, structure, and homeostasis. Regular exercise, known for its promotion of cardiovascular health, can enhance endothelial function through various mechanisms.

Effectiveness of Nutritional Intervention Led by Clinical Dietitian in Patients at Risk of Malnutrition at the Primary Healthcare Level in Slovenia - Evaluation Study.

Introduction: Clinical dietitians play a crucial role in the nutritional support of patients at risk of malnutrition in primary care settings. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of an individualized nutritional intervention on clinically relevant outcomes for patients with chronic disease at nutritional risk.

Methods: A longitudinal evaluation study was conducted in two Slovenian primary health centres.

Feedback Type May Change the EMG Pattern and Kinematics During Robot Supported Upper Limb Reaching Task.

Haptic interfaces and virtual reality (VR) technology have been increasingly introduced in rehabilitation, facilitating the provision of various feedback and task conditions. However, correspondence between the feedback/task conditions and movement strategy during reaching tasks remains a question. To investigate movement strategy, we assessed velocity parameters and peak latency of electromyography.