Telerehabilitation using virtual reality task can improve balance in patients with stroke.

Purpose: The objective of the telerehabilitation is a continuation of the rehabilitation process on patients' home. The study also compares the balance training in clinical environment with the telerehabilitation approach when the physiotherapists and physicians can follow the progress remotely.

Method: In this paper, the preliminary study of the pilot project with virtual reality (VR)-based tasks for dynamic standing frame supported balance training is presented.

Validation of the short form-36 health survey supported with isokinetic strength testing after sport knee injury.

Context: Valid patient-based outcome instruments are necessary for comprehensive patient care that focuses on all aspects of health, from impairments to participation restrictions.

Objective: To validate the Slovenian translation of Medical Outcome Survey (MOS) Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and to assess relations among various knee measurements, activity tested with Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and health-related quality of life as estimated with SF-36 domains.

Design: Descriptive validation study.

Measuring patterns of disability using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in the post-acute stroke rehabilitation setting.

Objective: To determine whether the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model is adequate for assessing disability patterns in stroke survivors in the sub-acute rehabilitation setting in terms of potential changes in functional profiles over time.

Methods: Functional profiles of 197 stroke patients were assessed using the ICF Checklist and the Functional Independence Measure (FIMTM) at admission and discharge from rehabilitation hospital. The ICF Checklist was applied based on medical documentation and rehabilitation team meetings.

Design of a series visco-elastic actuator for multi-purpose rehabilitation haptic device.

Background: Variable structure parallel mechanisms, actuated with low-cost motors with serially added elasticity (series elastic actuator--SEA), has considerable potential in rehabilitation robotics. However, reflected masses of a SEA and variable structure parallel mechanism linked with a compliant actuator result in a potentially unstable coupled mechanical oscillator, which has not been addressed in previous studies.

Methods: The aim of this paper was to investigate through simulation, experimentation and theoretical analysis the necessary conditions that guarantee stability and passivity of a haptic device (based on a variable structure parallel mechanism driven by SEA actuators) when in contact with a human.

A variable structure pantograph mechanism for comprehensive upper extremity haptic movement training.

Numerous haptic devices have been developed for neurorehabilitation of upper extremities, but their wide-spread use has been largely impeded for reasons of complexity and cost. In this paper we describe a variable structure pantograph mechanism that produces a versatile rehabilitation robot for movement training of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. The device has three operational modes: ARM, REACH and WRIST.

Use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Introduction: Many tools exist for assessing the functioning of a patient with traumatic brain injury. Possible benefits of the ICF in TBI rehabilitation are currently under discussion.

Goal: The study explored to what extend the ICF is useful to organize existing clinical information and to retrospectively evaluate the effect of interventions in patients with TBI.

Functioning and disability in stroke.

Purpose: To describe functioning and disability in patients with stroke according to the model endorsed by the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) in a rehabilitation hospital.

Methods: Adult patients with stroke were consecutively enrolled. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHO-DAS II) were administered in individual sessions.

Psychometric properties of the Fatigue Severity Scale in polio survivors.

The objective of this study was to evaluate by means of classical test theory and Rasch analysis the scaling characteristics and psychometric properties of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in polio survivors. A questionnaire,consisting of five general questions (sex, age, age at time of acute polio, sequelae of polio, and new symptoms), the FSS, and three questions from the Visual Analog Scale questions on fatigue was sent to all 196 polio survivors at the Institute for Rehabilitation in Ljubljana. Responses were assessed in terms of Cronbach's a, item-to-total correlation, factor analysis, and Rasch analysis.

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in vocational rehabilitation and disability assessment in Slovenia: state of law and users' perspective.

Objective: This study illustrates the use of the ICF in vocational rehabilitation and disability assessment in Slovenia.

Method: A review of the Slovenian law about vocational rehabilitation was performed. A survey was developed and group and individual interviews were conducted with professionals involved in vocational rehabilitation who use the ICF.

VI.1. Gait analysis and synthesis: biomechanics, orthotics, prosthetics.

This contribution presents and establishes the biomechanical principles that underlie human walking. This is done by using a range of simplified biomechanical models of bipedal walking to explain the laws of movement and associated energetic requirements. Based on these simplified models, the measurements of normal walking are described.

A method for selection of appropriate assistive technology for computer access.

Assistive technologies (ATs) for computer access enable people with disabilities to be included in the information society. Current methods for assessment and selection of the most appropriate AT for each individual are non standardized, lengthy, subjective, and require substantial clinical experience of a multidisciplinary team.This manuscript presents and evaluates an objective approach to test and select an appropriate AT for computer access for people with disabilities.

Exploration and exploitation during sequential search.

When we learn how to throw darts we adjust how we throw based on where the darts stick. Much of skill learning is computationally similar in that we learn using feedback obtained after the completion of individual actions. We can formalize such tasks as a search problem; among the set of all possible actions, find the action that leads to the highest reward.

Brain injury as a result of violence: preliminary findings from the traumatic brain injury model systems.

Objectives: To identify possible risk factors that may predispose individuals to violent traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to determine the effect of etiology of injury on outcomes.

Study Design: Prospective, longitudinal multicenter study.

Setting: TBI Model Systems (TBIMS) located at Wayne State University/Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, Detroit, MI; The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Houston, TX; Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA; and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA.

Properties of musculus gluteus maximus in above-knee amputees.

The present study aimed at evaluating possible changes of the gluteus maximus muscle bulk size and in the contracting properties of gluteus maximus in the amputated above-knee limb. Seven male above-knee amputees, with a mean age of 47.4 years volunteered to participate in the present study.

Prevention of spinal injuries from diving in Slovenia.

Injury of the cervical spine involving the spinal cord such as results from diving into shallow water causes very severe disability. In spite of progress in medical science, results of the treatment and rehabilitation of such patients are not satisfactory. Every effort should be undertaken to give young swimmers, the most frequent victims of diving injuries, proper instructions to prevent spinal cord injury.

Upper limb prosthetic use in Slovenia.

The article deals with the use of different types of upper limb prostheses in Slovenia. Four hundred and fourteen upper limb amputees were sent a questionnaire on the type of their prosthesis, its use and reasons for non-use, respectively. The replies were subject to statistical analysis.

Effects of electrical stimulation on muscles of children with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.

Twelve children with progressive muscular dystrophy (10 Duchenne and 2 Becker type) were included in a low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) program of the right tibialis anterior (TA) muscle for three months. Muscle strength was estimated by measuring torques in the ankle during short attempts of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) in the direction of dorsal flexion of the foot. Muscle fatigue was assessed by the decrease of force during sustained (1-minute) voluntary contraction.

The iron hand from Slovenia.

The iron hand prosthesis now in the custody of the Rehabilitation Institute Ljubljana, was excavated some 80 years ago in the ruins of the Vransko castle. The hand, its form and function are described. It was manufactured somewhere in Europe between the years 1500-1650.

Long-term electrical stimulation of muscles in children with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.

Nine children suffering from progressive muscular dystrophy (7 Duchenne and 2 Becker) were included in a program of low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) of the right tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. Muscle strength and muscle fatigue were estimated by measuring torques in the ankle during attempts of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in the direction of dorsal flexion of the foot and during electrically evoked contractions (EEC). No important increase in the strength of the stimulated muscles was noticed in 4 boys whose muscles were stimulated for 3 months.

Radial nerve palsy: a complication of walker usage.

A patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy experienced the acute onset of a proximal radial nerve palsy after prolonged use of a walker. Nerve conduction and electromyographic studies confirmed an isolated, severe neurapraxic lesion distal to branches innervating the triceps and anconeus muscles. The acute onset and severity of this lesion suggests that it was caused by mechanical compression of the radial nerve as it exits the spiral groove.

Rigidity in parkinsonism: characteristics and influences of passive exercise and electrical nerve stimulation.

Rigidity was measured during sinusoidal passive movements of the ankle joint in 7 patients with parkinsonism. Velocity-dependent changes were observed, less marked than in spasticity and expressed in a different way in flexor and extensor muscles: a mild decrease in resistive torques at faster stretching of dorsal flexors and an increase in resistance on stretching of plantar flexors. Dorsal flexors also frequently showed shortening reactions.