Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine-ARM最新文献

Objective: To investigate and compare proprioception characteristics in healthy adults using different measurement methods.

Methods: Participants engaged in three tasks using a device developed to assess elbow joint proprioception: the ipsilateral matching task (IMT), contralateral matching task (CMT), and pointing task (PT). Each task was performed three times at different angles (30°, 50°, and 70°) in a randomised order for nine trials and tested for both the right and left arms. Activity level was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form.

Results: Twenty healthy adults (10 males, mean age: 39.80±12.19 years) were enrolled. The absolute error of the IMT was significantly lower than that of the CMT and PT (Bonferroni [Bonf.] p=0.029 and 0.016, respectively). PT showed a higher variable error than that of IMT and CMT (Bonf. p<0.001, and 0.040, respectively). There were no significant differences in errors across tasks based on sex or age. The total International Physical Activity Questionnaire- Short Form score showed statistically significant correlations with the absolute error (r=-.460, p=0.041) and constant error (r=-.469, p=0.037) of the CMT and variable error of the PT (r=-.478, p=0.033).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that different proprioceptive tasks can assess the unique characteristics of proprioceptive function. The IMT produced lower error values than those of the CMT and PT, with the PT exhibiting higher variability. These differences may stem from distinct mechanisms that depend on the nature of each task and warrant further investigation.

Objective: To investigate the effects of small group speech therapy consisting of two children in aspects of language and social development and identify powerful predictors for maximal therapeutic gains of two-person small-group speech therapy (2-SST).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 51 children, who had participated in 2-SST. Language and social abilities of children were assessed using multiple scales at initial and follow-up visits after participating in 2-SST program. Receptive and expressive language were measured using the Preschool Receptive-Expressive Language Scale and the Receptive-Expressive Vocabulary Test, while social abilities were assessed with the Social Maturity Scale.

Results: Participants in the 2-SST showed significant improvements in all categories of receptive/ expressive language and social abilities. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that the same diagnosis and baseline receptive language ability difference and intellectual ability difference from paired-child were powerful predictors of improvement in receptive language ability. Younger age (≤5 years) was a powerful predictor of improvement in expressive language ability. Older age (>5 years) was an independent predictor of improvement in social ability.

Conclusion: The 2-SST can be an appropriate delivery model to improve language and social skills with advantages of both individual and group speech therapy. For maximal therapeutic gains of 2-SST, same diagnosis, similar language and cognitive level with paired-child, and age should be considered depending on the more specific goals of treatment.

Objective: To compare the immediate recovery effects of cold compression (CC) and ischemic preconditioning with ice (IPCice) on muscle recovery, this study was conducted.

Methods: Athletes were randomly assigned to CC (n=12), IPCice (n=12), or control (n=12) groups. All participants completed a fatigue-inducing jump rope protocol targeting the gastrocnemius prior to recovery interventions. CC involved 20 minutes of alternating pressure (25-75 mmHg) on the gastrocnemius muscles. IPCice involved thigh cuffs inflated to 200 mmHg (2 minutes on/off cycles for 20 minutes) with manual ice application. Thirty-six amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes. Muscle pain, congestion, strength, creatine kinase, muscle stiffness, perfusion, pressure pain threshold, reactive strength index, and total quality recovery were assessed at rest, post-exercise, post-treatment, and 48 hours later.

Results: Post-treatment, CC significantly improved perfusion (p<0.001) and reduced muscle soreness in both legs compared to IPCice and control (p≤0.02). CC also resulted in significantly higher PPT values (p≤0.006). Benefits on some variables remained at 48 hours.

Conclusion: Both modalities enhanced recovery following fatiguing exercise; however, CC demonstrated superior effectiveness in attenuating fatigue-related impairments, particularly in perfusion, soreness, and muscle function, highlighting its practical advantage over IPCice for MMA athletes.

Objective: To test the feasibility and usability of an artificial intelligence (AI)-guided mobile cognitive telerehabilitation program for patients with stroke or older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: Thirteen participants with cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] score≤26; nine with stroke and four with MCI) were enrolled in the study. Each participant was provided with an AI-guided mobile cognitive rehabilitation program (Zenicog®). Participants were instructed to complete 24 sessions within 6 weeks, and those with sufficient adherence (≥70%, 17 sessions) were included in the analysis. Cognitive assessments included the MMSE, digit span, and Trail Making Tests A & B. The usability questionnaire investigated equitable use and flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, size and space for use, overall product quality, overall satisfaction.

Results: Eleven participants completed the study, and 10 participants met adherence criteria. The MMSE score increased significantly from 24.00 [21.00, 25.75] at baseline to 27.50 [26.00, 28.75] after intervention. The overall product quality (Likert scale: 1-5) score was 4.00±0.87. The lowest score in the usability questionnaire was for tolerance for error. Female participants and participants with <12 years' education gave lower scores for tolerance for error and equitable/ flexibility in use, respectively.

Conclusion: The AI-guided mobile cognitive telerehabilitation program is feasible and potentially beneficial for improving cognitive function in patients with stroke or older adults with MCI. Individuals who are less familiar with electronic devices require special consideration to improve their usability.

Upper limb amputation leads to significant physical and psychosocial burden; however, it remains underrepresented in global epidemiological and rehabilitation studies. This study aimed to systematically review the global epidemiological data on upper limb amputation, focusing on its prevalence, incidence, anatomical levels, and etiology. According to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Regional Information Sharing Systems (up to May 2023). Two authors independently selected the studies, assessed their methodological quality, and summarized the evidence. Nineteen studies were finally included in this study. The prevalence of major upper limb amputation was higher in individuals with disabilities than in the general population. The prevalence in general population was 11.6 per 100,000 adults between 2006 and 2008 in Norway, whereas the prevalence in individuals with disabilities was 6.9 per 1,000 individuals in 2011 and increased to 11.3 per 1,000 individuals in 2020 in South Korea. The incidence rates were generally higher in the occupational population than in the general population. Below-elbow amputation was consistently the most common major amputation level reported. Although traumatic causes were predominant, medical conditions substantially contributed to upper limb impairment among individuals with disabilities. Upper limb amputation presents significant global variations in prevalence, incidence, anatomical level, and cause. The scarcity of standardized, disaggregated data limits effective planning for prosthetic services and rehabilitation. Future studies should prioritize comprehensive data collection to support equitable healthcare delivery and inform prosthetic innovation.

Objective: To compare the walking ability, mobility, and satisfaction among 24 ambulatory participants with stroke while walking under four conditions: without an ankle support device (ASD), with a plastic ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), and with two types of elastic ASDs- namely, a long ankle sling made from a 3- to 4-inch bandage, and elastic ankle support equipment (EASE) made from elastic bands with buttonholes and rivet buttons.

Methods: This crossover design study assessed spatiotemporal gait variables and mobility using the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) while participants walked under the four conditions in random order. They then completed a self-report questionnaire regarding satisfaction with the three ASDs. The findings were compared using the Friedman and Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Results: The participants' spatiotemporal and TUG data improved significantly when walking with a long ankle sling and EASE compared to the other two conditions (p<0.05). Participants satisfied with the dimensions, weight, safety, security, and effectiveness of the long ankle sling and EASE (p<0.001). The EASE was also comfortable and easy to adjust, whereas the AFO was noted for its durability (p<0.01).

Conclusion: With the design to promote mobility during both the swing and stance phases, the present findings support the clinical benefits of elastic ASDs, specifically a long ankle sling and EASE. The EASE is also user-friendly; thus, it can be applied in various clinical and community settings, particularly in those with limited budget.

Objective: To investigate the psychometric properties of the balance self-efficacy (BSE) scale in people with stroke.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study held in a university-based rehabilitation center. Sixty- three people with stroke and 30 healthy older adults were included from the community dwelling. The people with stroke underwent the following assessments in a random order: the BSE, Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), muscle strength of plantar flexors and dorsiflexors, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, Limit of Stability (LOS), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12) version 2, and Oxford Participation and Activities Questionnaire (Ox-PAQ). The healthy older adults were assessed with BSE.

Results: The BSE scale demonstrated good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient= 0.796) with minimal detectable change at a 95% confidence interval of 433.74 and cut-off score of 1,225, which best differentiated between people with stroke and healthy older adults. The BSE score was significantly correlated with the FMA-LE score, muscle strength of the affected side ankle dorsiflexor and plantar flexor, LOS parameter, FAAM, SF- 12, and Ox-PAQ scores.

Conclusion: The BSE scale is a reliable clinical tool with good test-retest reliability. The BSE scores were significantly correlated with other outcome measures that assess motor functions, balance, and quality of life. It is a simple and easy-to-administer outcome measure for assessing BSE in people with stroke.

Quadruple amputation, defined as the loss of all four limbs, is an exceptionally rare condition. Conventional gait training is particularly challenging in this population because the absence of upper limbs limits the ability to grasp assistive devices that are essential for maintaining balance and stability during walking. End-effector robot-assisted gait training offers an alternative rehabilitation strategy that enables upright mobility and task-specific gait training for patients who experience substantial difficulty performing conventional gait training. This approach provides safe, repetitive, and hands-free gait training for individuals with quadruple amputation, resulting in measurable improvements in balance, ground reaction force, and functional mobility. We report two cases of successful amputee gait rehabilitation using an end-effector-type gait robot in two females (aged 72 and 51 years) with quadruple amputation.

Objective: This cross-sectional pilot study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Korean version of the Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool-10 (K-Pedi-EAT-10).

Methods: To translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Korean version of the Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool-10 (K-Pedi-EAT-10).

Results: The K-Pedi-EAT-10 demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.956) and strong test-retest reliability (ICC=0.988; 95% CI, 0.971-0.995). Content validity indices were high (I-CVI>0.80 for all items; S-CVI/Ave=0.92 for relevance, 0.88 for clarity). Children with dysphagia showed markedly higher K-Pedi-EAT-10 total scores (16.15±9.24) than controls (0.31±0.72; U=9.5, Z=-4.053, p<0.001), confirming discriminative validity. Higher K-Pedi-EAT-10 scores were observed in children with aspiration (Penetration-Aspiration Scale [PAS]≥6) than in those without (p<0.05). Significant correlations were found between K-Pedi-EAT-10 total and PAS scores (r=0.705, p=0.007), confirming its potential utility as a screening tool that reflects aspiration severity without radiation exposure from videofluoroscopic swallowing study. Receiver operating characteristic analysis yielded an area under the curve of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.95-1.00) and identified a cut-off score of 19 for predicting aspiration, with 100% sensitivity and 85.7% specificity.

Conclusion: The K-Pedi-EAT-10 is a reliable, valid, and non-invasive tool for screening pediatric dysphagia. Its strong psychometric performance supports its potential use for the early identification and timely intervention of children at risk for dysphagia in clinical practice.