Pub Date : 2024-10-01DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01471-1
Sebastian Sporn, M Coll, S Bestmann, N S Ward
Background: Stroke survivors can exhibit a mismatch between the actual motor ability of their affected upper limb and how much they use it in daily life. The resulting non-use of the affected upper limb has a negative impact on participation in neurorehabilitation and functional independence. The factors leading to non-use of the affected upper limb are poorly understood. One possibility is that non-use comes about through inappropriately low confidence in their own upper limb motor abilities.
Objective: We asked whether chronic stroke survivors underestimate the motor ability of their affected upper limb.
Methods: 20 chronic stroke survivors (Mean FM: 28.2 ± 10.5) completed a 2D reaching task using an exoskeleton robot. Target sizes were individually altered to ensure success rates were similar for both upper limbs. Prior to each reaching movement, participants rated their confidence about successfully hitting the target (estimated upper limb motor ability).
Results: Confidence ratings were significantly lower for the affected upper limb (estimated ability), even though it was equally successful in the reaching task in comparison to the less affected upper limb (actual ability). Furthermore, confidence ratings did not correlate with level of impairment.
Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that chronic stroke survivors can underestimate the actual motor abilities of their affected upper limb, independent of impairment level. Low confidence in affected upper limb motor abilities should be considered as a therapeutic target to increase the incorporation of the affected upper limb into activities of daily living.
{"title":"Chronic stroke survivors underestimate their upper limb motor ability in a simple 2D motor task.","authors":"Sebastian Sporn, M Coll, S Bestmann, N S Ward","doi":"10.1186/s12984-024-01471-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-024-01471-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Stroke survivors can exhibit a mismatch between the actual motor ability of their affected upper limb and how much they use it in daily life. The resulting non-use of the affected upper limb has a negative impact on participation in neurorehabilitation and functional independence. The factors leading to non-use of the affected upper limb are poorly understood. One possibility is that non-use comes about through inappropriately low confidence in their own upper limb motor abilities.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We asked whether chronic stroke survivors underestimate the motor ability of their affected upper limb.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>20 chronic stroke survivors (Mean FM: 28.2 ± 10.5) completed a 2D reaching task using an exoskeleton robot. Target sizes were individually altered to ensure success rates were similar for both upper limbs. Prior to each reaching movement, participants rated their confidence about successfully hitting the target (estimated upper limb motor ability).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Confidence ratings were significantly lower for the affected upper limb (estimated ability), even though it was equally successful in the reaching task in comparison to the less affected upper limb (actual ability). Furthermore, confidence ratings did not correlate with level of impairment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results demonstrate that chronic stroke survivors can underestimate the actual motor abilities of their affected upper limb, independent of impairment level. Low confidence in affected upper limb motor abilities should be considered as a therapeutic target to increase the incorporation of the affected upper limb into activities of daily living.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"21 1","pages":"175"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11443716/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142361583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been proven beneficial for post-stroke spasticity (PSS) of ankle plantar flexor muscles. This study aims to investigate the dose-response effectiveness of focused-ESWT and the duration of its effect on the treatment of ankle PSS in stroke patients.
Methods: In this double-blinded randomized controlled trial, stroke patients diagnosed with PSS in the ankle plantar flexor muscles were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group received double-dose ESWT (4000 pulses per session) targeting spastic calf muscles, while the control group received half the dose (2000 pulses per session). Both groups underwent four sessions over two weeks. The outcomes, including modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), modified Tardieu Scale (MTS), passive range of motion (PROM) of the ankle, Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, Barthel index and strain elastography were evaluated at baseline, 1st, 4th, 12th, and 24th week after ESWT.
Results: Within-group analysis revealed significant improvements in MAS, PROM, TUG Test, and Barthel index for the double-dose ESWT group and improvements in Barthel index for the control group. Between-group analysis revealed greater improvements in TUG Test, Barthel Index and strain elastography for the double-dose ESWT group. Generalized estimating equations analysis indicated that the double-dose ESWT group achieved superior outcomes in the TUG Test, Barthel Index, and strain elastography across various time points and groups.
Conclusions: Double-dose ESWT showed better functional improvement and elastography compared to the control group. ESWT demonstrated dose-response effectiveness for PSS of ankle-equinus.
{"title":"The dose effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave on plantar flexor spasticity of ankle in stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Shu-Mei Yang, Yen-Hua Chen, You-Lin Lu, Chueh-Hung Wu, Wen-Shiang Chen, Meng-Ting Lin","doi":"10.1186/s12984-024-01473-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-024-01473-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been proven beneficial for post-stroke spasticity (PSS) of ankle plantar flexor muscles. This study aims to investigate the dose-response effectiveness of focused-ESWT and the duration of its effect on the treatment of ankle PSS in stroke patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this double-blinded randomized controlled trial, stroke patients diagnosed with PSS in the ankle plantar flexor muscles were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group received double-dose ESWT (4000 pulses per session) targeting spastic calf muscles, while the control group received half the dose (2000 pulses per session). Both groups underwent four sessions over two weeks. The outcomes, including modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), modified Tardieu Scale (MTS), passive range of motion (PROM) of the ankle, Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, Barthel index and strain elastography were evaluated at baseline, 1st, 4th, 12th, and 24th week after ESWT.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Within-group analysis revealed significant improvements in MAS, PROM, TUG Test, and Barthel index for the double-dose ESWT group and improvements in Barthel index for the control group. Between-group analysis revealed greater improvements in TUG Test, Barthel Index and strain elastography for the double-dose ESWT group. Generalized estimating equations analysis indicated that the double-dose ESWT group achieved superior outcomes in the TUG Test, Barthel Index, and strain elastography across various time points and groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Double-dose ESWT showed better functional improvement and elastography compared to the control group. ESWT demonstrated dose-response effectiveness for PSS of ankle-equinus.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>NCT05878223.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"21 1","pages":"176"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11443932/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142361584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-28DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01457-z
Fabrizio Pisano, Denise Mellace, Ambra Fugatti, Edoardo Nicolò Aiello, Silvia Diotti, Beatrice Curti, Alessandra Giust, Angelica Marfoli, Cecilia Perin, Angelica De Sandi, Dario Alimonti, Alberto Priori, Roberta Ferrucci
Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is often accompanied by gait disorders and freezing of gait (FoG), disabling symptoms that are resistant to conventional dopamine treatments. Given the cerebellum's connectivity with the motor cortex and basal ganglia, and its implication in PD, combining transcranial direct current stimulation targeting the cerebellum (ctDCS) with physical exercise might improve gait and balance.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel rehabilitation approach that combines noninvasive cerebellar stimulation with motor-cognitive training via an augmented reality treadmill (C-Mill VR+) in individuals with PD and FoG.
Methods: Seventeen individuals with PD exhibiting FoG were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. The participants were randomly assigned to a group receiving motor-cognitive training on the C-Mill VR+ with either ctDCS or sham ctDCS. Assessments were conducted pre-intervention (T0), post-intervention (T1) after 10 sessions, and at 4-week follow-up (T2), using various clinical scales. Additionally, C-Mill assessments of postural stability and gait were conducted at T0 and T1.
Results: Although no significant time*group interactions were observed for any of the clinical variables measured, some were found in the C-Mill measures. Specifically, right lower limb sway in static conditions, both with eyes open (OAD) and eyes closed (OCD), significantly improved at T1 in the ctDCS group compared with the sham group.
Conclusions: C-Mill outcomes indicate that the combined treatment may enhance motor control. Participants who received ctDCS along with augmented reality motor-cognitive training showed better postural stability.
{"title":"Cerebellar tDCS combined with augmented reality treadmill for freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Fabrizio Pisano, Denise Mellace, Ambra Fugatti, Edoardo Nicolò Aiello, Silvia Diotti, Beatrice Curti, Alessandra Giust, Angelica Marfoli, Cecilia Perin, Angelica De Sandi, Dario Alimonti, Alberto Priori, Roberta Ferrucci","doi":"10.1186/s12984-024-01457-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01457-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Parkinson's disease (PD) is often accompanied by gait disorders and freezing of gait (FoG), disabling symptoms that are resistant to conventional dopamine treatments. Given the cerebellum's connectivity with the motor cortex and basal ganglia, and its implication in PD, combining transcranial direct current stimulation targeting the cerebellum (ctDCS) with physical exercise might improve gait and balance.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel rehabilitation approach that combines noninvasive cerebellar stimulation with motor-cognitive training via an augmented reality treadmill (C-Mill VR<sup>+</sup>) in individuals with PD and FoG.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Seventeen individuals with PD exhibiting FoG were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. The participants were randomly assigned to a group receiving motor-cognitive training on the C-Mill VR<sup>+</sup> with either ctDCS or sham ctDCS. Assessments were conducted pre-intervention (T0), post-intervention (T1) after 10 sessions, and at 4-week follow-up (T2), using various clinical scales. Additionally, C-Mill assessments of postural stability and gait were conducted at T0 and T1.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Although no significant time*group interactions were observed for any of the clinical variables measured, some were found in the C-Mill measures. Specifically, right lower limb sway in static conditions, both with eyes open (OAD) and eyes closed (OCD), significantly improved at T1 in the ctDCS group compared with the sham group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>C-Mill outcomes indicate that the combined treatment may enhance motor control. Participants who received ctDCS along with augmented reality motor-cognitive training showed better postural stability.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"21 1","pages":"173"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11438075/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142348428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-27DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01439-1
Raphael Rätz, François Conti, Irène Thaler, René M Müri, Laura Marchal-Crespo
Introduction: There is currently a lack of easy-to-use and effective robotic devices for upper-limb rehabilitation after stroke. Importantly, most current systems lack the provision of somatosensory information that is congruent with the virtual training task. This paper introduces a novel haptic robotic system designed for upper-limb rehabilitation, focusing on enhancing sensorimotor rehabilitation through comprehensive haptic rendering.
Methods: We developed a novel haptic rehabilitation device with a unique combination of degrees of freedom that allows the virtual training of functional reach and grasp tasks, where we use a physics engine-based haptic rendering method to render whole-hand interactions between the patients' hands and virtual tangible objects. To evaluate the feasibility of our system, we performed a clinical mixed-method usability study with seven patients and seven therapists working in neurorehabilitation. We employed standardized questionnaires to gather quantitative data and performed semi-structured interviews with all participants to gain qualitative insights into the perceived usability and usefulness of our technological solution.
Results: The device demonstrated ease of use and adaptability to various hand sizes without extensive setup. Therapists and patients reported high satisfaction levels, with the system facilitating engaging and meaningful rehabilitation exercises. Participants provided notably positive feedback, particularly emphasizing the system's available degrees of freedom and its haptic rendering capabilities. Therapists expressed confidence in the transferability of sensorimotor skills learned with our system to activities of daily living, although further investigation is needed to confirm this.
Conclusion: The novel haptic robotic system effectively supports upper-limb rehabilitation post-stroke, offering high-fidelity haptic feedback and engaging training tasks. Its clinical usability, combined with positive feedback from both therapists and patients, underscores its potential to enhance robotic neurorehabilitation.
{"title":"Enhancing stroke rehabilitation with whole-hand haptic rendering: development and clinical usability evaluation of a novel upper-limb rehabilitation device.","authors":"Raphael Rätz, François Conti, Irène Thaler, René M Müri, Laura Marchal-Crespo","doi":"10.1186/s12984-024-01439-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01439-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>There is currently a lack of easy-to-use and effective robotic devices for upper-limb rehabilitation after stroke. Importantly, most current systems lack the provision of somatosensory information that is congruent with the virtual training task. This paper introduces a novel haptic robotic system designed for upper-limb rehabilitation, focusing on enhancing sensorimotor rehabilitation through comprehensive haptic rendering.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We developed a novel haptic rehabilitation device with a unique combination of degrees of freedom that allows the virtual training of functional reach and grasp tasks, where we use a physics engine-based haptic rendering method to render whole-hand interactions between the patients' hands and virtual tangible objects. To evaluate the feasibility of our system, we performed a clinical mixed-method usability study with seven patients and seven therapists working in neurorehabilitation. We employed standardized questionnaires to gather quantitative data and performed semi-structured interviews with all participants to gain qualitative insights into the perceived usability and usefulness of our technological solution.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The device demonstrated ease of use and adaptability to various hand sizes without extensive setup. Therapists and patients reported high satisfaction levels, with the system facilitating engaging and meaningful rehabilitation exercises. Participants provided notably positive feedback, particularly emphasizing the system's available degrees of freedom and its haptic rendering capabilities. Therapists expressed confidence in the transferability of sensorimotor skills learned with our system to activities of daily living, although further investigation is needed to confirm this.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The novel haptic robotic system effectively supports upper-limb rehabilitation post-stroke, offering high-fidelity haptic feedback and engaging training tasks. Its clinical usability, combined with positive feedback from both therapists and patients, underscores its potential to enhance robotic neurorehabilitation.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"21 1","pages":"172"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11437669/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142348429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-27DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01442-6
Rafael Sabido, Fernando García-Aguilar, Carla Caballero, Francisco J Moreno
Background: The handstand is an essential skill in acrobatic sports. This skill requires the athlete to maintain an inverted upright stance with only the hands supported, which requires a great effort of muscular coordination and motor control. Several factors influence the ability to control the posture, including fatigue, which is a bit studied constraint of handstand performance.
Research question: With the aim to find out whether variability in movement control can be an indicator of fatigue, the present study was carried out.
Method: Fourteen male acrobatic gymnasts were required to perform handstands. The time series for analyzing variability were capturing using Force Platforms, which is a traditional laboratory instrument, and Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), which is a more recent and less widely used, but more accessible tool. For this purpose, an analysis of the amount of variability was carried out, using the standard deviation. And analysis of the structure of variability (or complexity), using Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) and Fuzzy Entropy (FuEn).
Results: Our results reveal that fatigue causes significant increases in the amount of variability in the medio-lateral axis on the force platform, and in the IMU located in the area of the L5 vertebra. These changes are accompanied by increased auto-correlation in the medio-lateral axis of the force platform, and more unpredictable behavior in the L5 IMU.
{"title":"How does fatigue affect handstand balance? a non-linear approach to study fatigue influence in handstand performance.","authors":"Rafael Sabido, Fernando García-Aguilar, Carla Caballero, Francisco J Moreno","doi":"10.1186/s12984-024-01442-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01442-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The handstand is an essential skill in acrobatic sports. This skill requires the athlete to maintain an inverted upright stance with only the hands supported, which requires a great effort of muscular coordination and motor control. Several factors influence the ability to control the posture, including fatigue, which is a bit studied constraint of handstand performance.</p><p><strong>Research question: </strong>With the aim to find out whether variability in movement control can be an indicator of fatigue, the present study was carried out.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Fourteen male acrobatic gymnasts were required to perform handstands. The time series for analyzing variability were capturing using Force Platforms, which is a traditional laboratory instrument, and Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), which is a more recent and less widely used, but more accessible tool. For this purpose, an analysis of the amount of variability was carried out, using the standard deviation. And analysis of the structure of variability (or complexity), using Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) and Fuzzy Entropy (FuEn).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our results reveal that fatigue causes significant increases in the amount of variability in the medio-lateral axis on the force platform, and in the IMU located in the area of the L5 vertebra. These changes are accompanied by increased auto-correlation in the medio-lateral axis of the force platform, and more unpredictable behavior in the L5 IMU.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"21 1","pages":"171"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11430115/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142348430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-23DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01438-2
Elena Bocos-Corredor, Filippo Moggioli, Tomás Pérez-Fernández, Susan Armijo-Olivo, Sonia Liébana, Aitor Martín-Pintado-Zugasti
Background: Neck pain has a significant global impact, ranking as the fourth leading cause of disability. Recurrent neck pain often leads to impaired sensorimotor control, particularly in craniocervical flexion (CFF). The Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT) has been widely investigated to assess the performance of deep cervical flexor muscles. However, its use requires skilled assessors who need to subjectively detect compensations, progressive increases in range of motion (ROM) or excessive superficial flexor activation during the test. The aim of this study was to design and develop a novel Craniocervical Flexion Movement Control Test (CFMCT) based on inertial sensor technology and real-time computer feedback and to evaluate its safety and usability, as well as inter and intra-rater reliability in both healthy individuals and patients with neck pain.
Methods: We used inertial sensor technology associated with new software that provides real-time computer feedback to assess CCF movement control through two independent test protocols, the progressive consecutive stages protocol (including progressive incremental stages of ROM) and the random stages protocol (providing dynamic and less predictable movement patterns). We determined intra and inter-rater reliability and standard error of the measurement for both protocols. The participants rated their usability was analysed through the System Usability Scale (SUS) and possible secondary effects associated with the tests were registered.
Results: The progressive consecutive stages protocol and the random stages protocol were safe and easy to use (SUS scores of 82.00 ± 11.55 in the pain group and 79.56 ± 13.36 in the asymptomatic group). The progressive consecutive stages protocol demonstrated good inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥ 0.75) and moderate to good intra-rater reliability (ICC 0.62-0.80). However, the random stages protocol exhibited lower intra-rater reliability, especially in the neck pain group, where the reliability values were poor in some cases (ICC 0.48-0.72).
Conclusion: The CFMCT (progressive consecutive stages protocol) is a promising instrument to evaluate CCF motor control in patients with chronic neck pain. It has potential for telehealth assessment and easy adherence for exercise prescription and seems to be a safe and usable tool for patients with pain and asymptomatic individuals. Its use as a test or for exercise needs to be further investigated to facilitate its transfer to clinical practice.
背景:颈痛对全球影响重大,是导致残疾的第四大原因。反复发作的颈部疼痛往往会导致感觉运动控制能力受损,尤其是在颅颈屈(CFF)方面。颅颈屈曲测试(CCFT)已被广泛用于评估颈深屈肌的表现。然而,使用该方法需要熟练的评估人员,他们需要在测试过程中主观地检测代偿、运动范围(ROM)的逐渐增加或浅屈肌的过度激活。本研究旨在设计和开发一种基于惯性传感器技术和实时计算机反馈的新型颅颈屈曲运动控制测试(CFMCT),并评估其安全性和可用性,以及在健康人和颈痛患者中评分者之间和评分者内部的可靠性:我们使用惯性传感器技术和提供实时计算机反馈的新软件,通过两个独立的测试方案,即渐进连续阶段方案(包括ROM的渐进递增阶段)和随机阶段方案(提供动态和较难预测的运动模式)来评估CCF运动控制。我们确定了两个测试方案的评分者内部和评分者之间的可靠性以及测量的标准误差。通过系统可用性量表(SUS)分析了参与者对其可用性的评价,并记录了与测试相关的可能的次生效应:结果:渐进连续阶段方案和随机阶段方案均安全易用(疼痛组的 SUS 得分为 82.00 ± 11.55,无症状组的 SUS 得分为 79.56 ± 13.36)。渐进连续分期方案的评分者间可靠性良好(类内相关系数 [ICC] ≥ 0.75),评分者内部可靠性中上(ICC 0.62-0.80)。然而,随机分期方案的评分者内部可靠性较低,尤其是在颈部疼痛组,某些情况下可靠性值较差(ICC 0.48-0.72):CFMCT(渐进连续阶段方案)是评估慢性颈痛患者CCF运动控制能力的一种很有前途的工具。对于疼痛患者和无症状者来说,它似乎是一种安全可用的工具。为了将其应用于临床实践,还需要对其作为测试或运动的用途进行进一步研究。
{"title":"Reliability and usability of a novel inertial sensor-based system to test craniocervical flexion movement control.","authors":"Elena Bocos-Corredor, Filippo Moggioli, Tomás Pérez-Fernández, Susan Armijo-Olivo, Sonia Liébana, Aitor Martín-Pintado-Zugasti","doi":"10.1186/s12984-024-01438-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-024-01438-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Neck pain has a significant global impact, ranking as the fourth leading cause of disability. Recurrent neck pain often leads to impaired sensorimotor control, particularly in craniocervical flexion (CFF). The Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT) has been widely investigated to assess the performance of deep cervical flexor muscles. However, its use requires skilled assessors who need to subjectively detect compensations, progressive increases in range of motion (ROM) or excessive superficial flexor activation during the test. The aim of this study was to design and develop a novel Craniocervical Flexion Movement Control Test (CFMCT) based on inertial sensor technology and real-time computer feedback and to evaluate its safety and usability, as well as inter and intra-rater reliability in both healthy individuals and patients with neck pain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used inertial sensor technology associated with new software that provides real-time computer feedback to assess CCF movement control through two independent test protocols, the progressive consecutive stages protocol (including progressive incremental stages of ROM) and the random stages protocol (providing dynamic and less predictable movement patterns). We determined intra and inter-rater reliability and standard error of the measurement for both protocols. The participants rated their usability was analysed through the System Usability Scale (SUS) and possible secondary effects associated with the tests were registered.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The progressive consecutive stages protocol and the random stages protocol were safe and easy to use (SUS scores of 82.00 ± 11.55 in the pain group and 79.56 ± 13.36 in the asymptomatic group). The progressive consecutive stages protocol demonstrated good inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥ 0.75) and moderate to good intra-rater reliability (ICC 0.62-0.80). However, the random stages protocol exhibited lower intra-rater reliability, especially in the neck pain group, where the reliability values were poor in some cases (ICC 0.48-0.72).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The CFMCT (progressive consecutive stages protocol) is a promising instrument to evaluate CCF motor control in patients with chronic neck pain. It has potential for telehealth assessment and easy adherence for exercise prescription and seems to be a safe and usable tool for patients with pain and asymptomatic individuals. Its use as a test or for exercise needs to be further investigated to facilitate its transfer to clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"21 1","pages":"170"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11418193/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142307914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-20DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01468-w
Chengpeng Hu, Chun Hang Eden Ti, Kai Yuan, Cheng Chen, Ahsan Khan, Xiangqian Shi, Winnie Chiu-Wing Chu, Raymond Kai-Yu Tong
Background: Delivering HD-tDCS on individual motor hotspot with optimal electric fields could overcome challenges of stroke heterogeneity, potentially facilitating neural activation and improving motor function for stroke survivors. However, the intervention effect of this personalized HD-tDCS has not been explored on post-stroke motor recovery. In this study, we aim to evaluate whether targeting individual motor hotspot with HD-tDCS followed by EMG-driven robotic hand training could further facilitate the upper extremity motor function for chronic stroke survivors.
Methods: In this pilot randomized controlled trial, eighteen chronic stroke survivors were randomly allocated into two groups. The HDtDCS-group (n = 8) received personalized HD-tDCS using task-based fMRI to guide the stimulation on individual motor hotspot. The Sham-group (n = 10) received only sham stimulation. Both groups underwent 20 sessions of training, each session began with 20 min of HD-tDCS and was then followed by 60 min of robotic hand training. Clinical scales (Fugl-meyer Upper Extremity scale, FMAUE; Modified Ashworth Scale, MAS), and neuroimaging modalities (fMRI and EEG-EMG) were conducted before, after intervention, and at 6-month follow-up. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the training effect between HDtDCS- and Sham-group.
Results: HDtDCS-group demonstrated significantly better motor improvement than the Sham-group in terms of greater changes of FMAUE scores (F = 6.5, P = 0.004) and MASf (F = 3.6, P = 0.038) immediately and 6 months after the 20-session intervention. The task-based fMRI activation significantly shifted to the ipsilesional motor area in the HDtDCS-group, and this activation pattern increasingly concentrated on the motor hotspot being stimulated 6 months after training within the HDtDCS-group, whereas the increased activation is not sustainable in the Sham-group. The neuroimaging results indicate that neural plastic changes of the HDtDCS-group were guided specifically and sustained as an add-on effect of the stimulation.
Conclusions: Stimulating the individual motor hotspot before robotic hand training could further enhance brain activation in motor-related regions that promote better motor recovery for chronic stroke.
Trial registration: This study was retrospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (ID NCT05638464).
{"title":"Effects of high-definition tDCS targeting individual motor hotspot with EMG-driven robotic hand training on upper extremity motor function: a pilot randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Chengpeng Hu, Chun Hang Eden Ti, Kai Yuan, Cheng Chen, Ahsan Khan, Xiangqian Shi, Winnie Chiu-Wing Chu, Raymond Kai-Yu Tong","doi":"10.1186/s12984-024-01468-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-024-01468-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Delivering HD-tDCS on individual motor hotspot with optimal electric fields could overcome challenges of stroke heterogeneity, potentially facilitating neural activation and improving motor function for stroke survivors. However, the intervention effect of this personalized HD-tDCS has not been explored on post-stroke motor recovery. In this study, we aim to evaluate whether targeting individual motor hotspot with HD-tDCS followed by EMG-driven robotic hand training could further facilitate the upper extremity motor function for chronic stroke survivors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this pilot randomized controlled trial, eighteen chronic stroke survivors were randomly allocated into two groups. The HDtDCS-group (n = 8) received personalized HD-tDCS using task-based fMRI to guide the stimulation on individual motor hotspot. The Sham-group (n = 10) received only sham stimulation. Both groups underwent 20 sessions of training, each session began with 20 min of HD-tDCS and was then followed by 60 min of robotic hand training. Clinical scales (Fugl-meyer Upper Extremity scale, FMAUE; Modified Ashworth Scale, MAS), and neuroimaging modalities (fMRI and EEG-EMG) were conducted before, after intervention, and at 6-month follow-up. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the training effect between HDtDCS- and Sham-group.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>HDtDCS-group demonstrated significantly better motor improvement than the Sham-group in terms of greater changes of FMAUE scores (F = 6.5, P = 0.004) and MASf (F = 3.6, P = 0.038) immediately and 6 months after the 20-session intervention. The task-based fMRI activation significantly shifted to the ipsilesional motor area in the HDtDCS-group, and this activation pattern increasingly concentrated on the motor hotspot being stimulated 6 months after training within the HDtDCS-group, whereas the increased activation is not sustainable in the Sham-group. The neuroimaging results indicate that neural plastic changes of the HDtDCS-group were guided specifically and sustained as an add-on effect of the stimulation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Stimulating the individual motor hotspot before robotic hand training could further enhance brain activation in motor-related regions that promote better motor recovery for chronic stroke.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>This study was retrospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (ID NCT05638464).</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"21 1","pages":"169"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11414071/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142289392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: Many stroke survivors do not receive optimal levels of personalised therapy to support their recovery. Use of technology for stroke rehabilitation has increased in recent years to help minimise gaps in service provision. Markerless motion capture technology is currently being used for musculoskeletal and occupational health screening and could offer a means to provide personalised guidance to stroke survivors struggling to access rehabilitation.
Aims: This study considered context, stakeholders, and key uncertainties surrounding the use of markerless motion capture technology in community stroke rehabilitation from the perspectives of stroke survivors and physiotherapists with a view to adapting an existing intervention in a new context.
Methods: Three focus groups were conducted with eight stroke survivors and five therapists. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: Five themes were identified: limited access to community care; personal motivation; pandemic changed rehabilitation practice; perceptions of technology; and role of markerless technology for providing feedback.
Conclusions: Participants identified problems associated with the access of community stroke rehabilitation, exacerbated by Covid-19 restrictions. Participants were positive about the potential for the use of markerless motion capture technology to support personalised, effective stroke rehabilitation in the future, providing it is developed to meet stroke survivor specific needs.
{"title":"Exploring stroke survivors' and physiotherapists' perspectives of the potential for markerless motion capture technology in community rehabilitation.","authors":"Alice Faux-Nightingale, Fraser Philp, Enza Leone, Brinton Boreman Helliwell, Anand Pandyan","doi":"10.1186/s12984-024-01467-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01467-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Many stroke survivors do not receive optimal levels of personalised therapy to support their recovery. Use of technology for stroke rehabilitation has increased in recent years to help minimise gaps in service provision. Markerless motion capture technology is currently being used for musculoskeletal and occupational health screening and could offer a means to provide personalised guidance to stroke survivors struggling to access rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>This study considered context, stakeholders, and key uncertainties surrounding the use of markerless motion capture technology in community stroke rehabilitation from the perspectives of stroke survivors and physiotherapists with a view to adapting an existing intervention in a new context.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Three focus groups were conducted with eight stroke survivors and five therapists. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five themes were identified: limited access to community care; personal motivation; pandemic changed rehabilitation practice; perceptions of technology; and role of markerless technology for providing feedback.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Participants identified problems associated with the access of community stroke rehabilitation, exacerbated by Covid-19 restrictions. Participants were positive about the potential for the use of markerless motion capture technology to support personalised, effective stroke rehabilitation in the future, providing it is developed to meet stroke survivor specific needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"21 1","pages":"168"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11414257/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142289393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) caused by severe brain injuries represent a challenging clinical entity, which is easy to misdiagnosis and lacks effective treatment options. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive neuroelectric stimulation method that shows promise in improving consciousness for DoC, especially in minimally conscious state (MCS). However, there is little evidence of its effectiveness, especially in RCT studies. Twenty MCS patients participated in a double-blind, randomized, crossover, sham-controlled clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rTMS for MCS. Subjects were randomized into two groups: one group received rTMS-active for 10 consecutive days (n = 10), and the other group received rTMS-sham for 10 consecutive days (n = 10). After a 10-day washout period, the two groups were crossed over and received the opposite treatment. the rTMS protocol consisted of 2,000 pulses per day in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC), sent at 10 Hz. The stimulation intensity was 90% of the resting motor threshold. Coma Recovery Scale Revised (CRS-R), the main evaluation index, was evaluated before and after each phase in a double-blind manner. Meanwhile RS-EEG and TMS-EEG data were acquired and relative alpha power (RAP), and perturbational complexity index based on state transitions (PCIst) were caculated. One-way ANOVA revealed significantly higher scores in rTMS-active treatment compared to rTMS-sham across various measures, including CRS-R total score, RAP, PCIst (all P < 0.05). Among the 20 MCS patients, 7 (35%) were identified as responders following rTMS treatment. Compared to rTMS-sham, responder scores for CRS-R, RAP, and PCIst (all P < 0.05) were significantly elevated after rTMS-active treatment. Conversely, there was no significant difference observed in non-responders. Furthermore, post-hoc analysis revealed that baseline PCIst was significantly higher in responders than non-responders. Upon a 6-month follow-up, CRS-R scores significantly increased in all 20 patients (P = 0.026). However, the responder group exhibited a more favorable prognosis compared to the non-responder group (P = 0.031). Applying 10 Hz rTMS to L-DLPFC significantly increased consciousness level in MCS patients. PCIst is a neurophysiological index that has the potential to evaluate and predict therapeutic efficacy. www.ClinicalTrials.gov , identifier: NCT05187000.
{"title":"Perturbational complexity index in assessing responsiveness to rTMS treatment in patients with disorders of consciousness: a cross-over randomized controlled trial study","authors":"Chengwei Xu, Zhanxing Yuan, Zerong Chen, Ziqin Liao, Shuiyan Li, Yanqi Feng, Ziqiang Tang, Jichan Nian, Xiyan Huang, Haili Zhong, Qiuyou Xie","doi":"10.1186/s12984-024-01455-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01455-1","url":null,"abstract":"Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) caused by severe brain injuries represent a challenging clinical entity, which is easy to misdiagnosis and lacks effective treatment options. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive neuroelectric stimulation method that shows promise in improving consciousness for DoC, especially in minimally conscious state (MCS). However, there is little evidence of its effectiveness, especially in RCT studies. Twenty MCS patients participated in a double-blind, randomized, crossover, sham-controlled clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rTMS for MCS. Subjects were randomized into two groups: one group received rTMS-active for 10 consecutive days (n = 10), and the other group received rTMS-sham for 10 consecutive days (n = 10). After a 10-day washout period, the two groups were crossed over and received the opposite treatment. the rTMS protocol consisted of 2,000 pulses per day in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC), sent at 10 Hz. The stimulation intensity was 90% of the resting motor threshold. Coma Recovery Scale Revised (CRS-R), the main evaluation index, was evaluated before and after each phase in a double-blind manner. Meanwhile RS-EEG and TMS-EEG data were acquired and relative alpha power (RAP), and perturbational complexity index based on state transitions (PCIst) were caculated. One-way ANOVA revealed significantly higher scores in rTMS-active treatment compared to rTMS-sham across various measures, including CRS-R total score, RAP, PCIst (all P < 0.05). Among the 20 MCS patients, 7 (35%) were identified as responders following rTMS treatment. Compared to rTMS-sham, responder scores for CRS-R, RAP, and PCIst (all P < 0.05) were significantly elevated after rTMS-active treatment. Conversely, there was no significant difference observed in non-responders. Furthermore, post-hoc analysis revealed that baseline PCIst was significantly higher in responders than non-responders. Upon a 6-month follow-up, CRS-R scores significantly increased in all 20 patients (P = 0.026). However, the responder group exhibited a more favorable prognosis compared to the non-responder group (P = 0.031). Applying 10 Hz rTMS to L-DLPFC significantly increased consciousness level in MCS patients. PCIst is a neurophysiological index that has the potential to evaluate and predict therapeutic efficacy. www.ClinicalTrials.gov , identifier: NCT05187000.","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142249015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-19DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01456-0
Lin Meng, Yu Shi, Hongbo Zhao, Deyu Wang, Xiaodong Zhu, Dong Ming
The loss of gait automaticity is a key cause of motor deficits in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, even at the early stage of the disease. Action observation training (AOT) shows promise in enhancing gait automaticity. However, effective assessment methods are lacking. We aimed to propose a novel gait normalcy index based on dual task cost (NIDTC) and evaluate its validity and responsiveness for early-stage PD rehabilitation. Thirty early-stage PD patients were recruited and randomly assigned to the AOT or active control (CON) group. The proposed NIDTC during straight walking and turning tasks and clinical scale scores were measured before and after 12 weeks of rehabilitation. The correlations between the NIDTCs and clinical scores were analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficient analysis to evaluate the construct validity. The rehabilitative changes were assessed using repeated-measures ANOVA, while the responsiveness of NIDTC was further compared by t tests. The turning-based NIDTC was significantly correlated with multiple clinical scales. Significant group-time interactions were observed for the turning-based NIDTC (F = 4.669, p = 0.042), BBS (F = 6.050, p = 0.022) and PDQ-39 (F = 7.772, p = 0.011) tests. The turning-based NIDTC reflected different rehabilitation effects between the AOT and CON groups, with the largest effect size (p = 0.020, Cohen’s d = 0.933). The turning-based NIDTC exhibited the highest responsiveness for identifying gait automaticity improvement by providing a comprehensive representation of motor ability during dual tasks. It has great potential as a valid measure for early-stage PD diagnosis and rehabilitation assessment. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2300067657
{"title":"The inertial-based gait normalcy index of dual task cost during turning quantifies gait automaticity improvement in early-stage Parkinson’s rehabilitation","authors":"Lin Meng, Yu Shi, Hongbo Zhao, Deyu Wang, Xiaodong Zhu, Dong Ming","doi":"10.1186/s12984-024-01456-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01456-0","url":null,"abstract":"The loss of gait automaticity is a key cause of motor deficits in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, even at the early stage of the disease. Action observation training (AOT) shows promise in enhancing gait automaticity. However, effective assessment methods are lacking. We aimed to propose a novel gait normalcy index based on dual task cost (NIDTC) and evaluate its validity and responsiveness for early-stage PD rehabilitation. Thirty early-stage PD patients were recruited and randomly assigned to the AOT or active control (CON) group. The proposed NIDTC during straight walking and turning tasks and clinical scale scores were measured before and after 12 weeks of rehabilitation. The correlations between the NIDTCs and clinical scores were analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficient analysis to evaluate the construct validity. The rehabilitative changes were assessed using repeated-measures ANOVA, while the responsiveness of NIDTC was further compared by t tests. The turning-based NIDTC was significantly correlated with multiple clinical scales. Significant group-time interactions were observed for the turning-based NIDTC (F = 4.669, p = 0.042), BBS (F = 6.050, p = 0.022) and PDQ-39 (F = 7.772, p = 0.011) tests. The turning-based NIDTC reflected different rehabilitation effects between the AOT and CON groups, with the largest effect size (p = 0.020, Cohen’s d = 0.933). The turning-based NIDTC exhibited the highest responsiveness for identifying gait automaticity improvement by providing a comprehensive representation of motor ability during dual tasks. It has great potential as a valid measure for early-stage PD diagnosis and rehabilitation assessment. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2300067657","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"65 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142248910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}