Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Vishal Sana, Misbah Ghous, Muhammad Kashif, Abdulaziz Albalwi, Rashida Muneer, Mahnoor Zia
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the comparative effects of vestibular rehabilitation with virtual reality on dizziness, balance, and gait in patients with subacute stroke. The randomized clinical trial involved 34 subacute stroke patients randomly assigned to 2 groups; 1 received vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) and the other virtual reality (VR) treatment. The results showed that VR was more effective in improving balance and gait, while VRT was more effective in improving dizziness symptoms.
Article
Rehabilitation
Xueyi Zhang, Feng Xu, Huijuan Shi, Ruijiao Liu, Xianglin Wan
Summary: Dual-task training has a positive effect on step length and cadence rehabilitation in stroke patients, but the superiority of dual-task training for improving balance function needs further discussion.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caterina Formica, Lilla Bonanno, Desiree Latella, Maria Cristina Ferrera, Giuseppa Maresca, Anna Lisa Logiudice, Chiara Sorbera, Amelia Brigandi, Giuseppe Di Lorenzo, Silvia Marino
Summary: Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological disorder that affects various aspects of patients' lives. Virtual reality training, using Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment, has shown efficacy in improving cognitive and emotional domains in Parkinson's patients. The results suggest that this training can enhance executive function, reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms, and improve self-efficacy and coping strategies. Longer duration training may be particularly beneficial for patients with mild cognitive impairment, and these findings open up possibilities for tailored personalized treatments based on motor and cognitive profiles.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Orthopedics
Lucas R. Nascimento, Rafaela J. S. Rocha, Augusto Boening, Gabriel P. Ferreira, Mikaella C. Perovano
Summary: A systematic review found that home-based exercises are as effective as equivalent doses of centre-based exercises for improving walking speed and balance after stroke. The effects of these two types of exercise remained comparable beyond the intervention period.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Irene Cortes-Perez, Maria Catalina Osuna-Perez, Desiree Montoro-Cardenas, Rafael Lomas-Vega, Esteban Obrero-Gaitan, Francisco Antonio Nieto-Escamez
Summary: This study conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effect of VRBT on balance dimensions and fear of falling in PwMS. The results showed that VRBT is effective in improving functional and dynamic balance, postural control, confidence of balance, and reducing fear of falling, but not gait speed. The most recommendable dose of VRBT is at least 40 sessions, five sessions per week, and 40-45 minutes per session for functional balance.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Meng Zhang, Zhide Liang, Yali Li, Jun Meng, Xu Jiang, Bichan Xu, Haojie Li, Tao Liu
Summary: This study compares and ranks different balance and gait training interventions, finding the most effective methods for stroke patients. Virtual reality gait training is the most effective for improving balance test batteries, body-weight support treadmill training with external stimulation is most effective for proactive and dynamic balance, and dual-task BGT is most beneficial for improving static balance. However, patients' individual needs should be considered when selecting interventions.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yen-Nung Lin, Shih-Wei Huang, Yi-Chun Kuan, Hung-Chou Chen, Wen-Shan Jian, Li-Fong Lin
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a novel hybrid RAGT system in nonambulatory patients with subacute stroke. The results showed that the RAGT group outperformed the control group in lower-extremity motor function, but there were no significant differences in other assessment measures. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate the clinical effectiveness of this system in stroke patients with substantial leg dysfunction.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Huihui Cai, Tao Lin, Lina Chen, Huidan Weng, Ruihan Zhu, Ying Chen, Guoen Cai
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the effect of immersive virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation on stroke patients' gait rehabilitation, compared to traditional methods.
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Jie Hao, Robin High, Ka-Chun Siu
Summary: This study examined the effects of different visual rotation speeds and types of visual perturbation in virtual reality (VR) on lower extremity muscle activation during incline treadmill walking. The results showed that higher visual rotation speeds led to increased activation of the vastus lateralis and lateral gastrocnemius muscles. There were gender differences in the response to increased visual rotation speed in the vastus lateralis muscle. Random speed rotation induced higher activation of the medial hamstring muscle compared to constant speed rotation, especially in females. In conclusion, the level of visual perturbation should be considered when developing VR training for astronauts in the future.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mingi Jung, Seungbum Koo
Summary: This study analyzes the gait differences caused by the physical factors of treadmill walking. The results show that the lower-limb joint kinematics are the same under ideal treadmill conditions, regardless of body mass and walking speed. However, kinematic differences are observed under non-ideal treadmill conditions.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Physiology
Yunzhi Wu, Yuqi Dong, Yunqi Tang, Weiran Wang, Yulong Bo, Cui Zhang
Summary: This study aims to review the relationship between motor performance and cortical activity of older patients with neurological disorders during walking and balance tasks. The results showed that motor performance and cortical activation were affected under difficult task conditions, with poor performance and increased activation observed in Parkinson's disease, stroke, and multiple sclerosis patients. More comprehensive and profound analysis is needed to further understand the relationship between motor performance and activation of the motor-related cortex.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Computer Science, Information Systems
Francesco Arcuri, Camillo Porcaro, Irene Ciancarelli, Paolo Tonin, Antonio Cerasa
Summary: This review discusses the use of EEG as a neuroimaging method for extracting neuroplasticity in stroke patients undergoing VR rehabilitation, highlighting the challenges and potential benefits of combining VR therapy with EEG analysis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rafael Lomas-Vega, Carlos Javier Ogayar-Anguita, Rafael J. Segura-Sanchez, Antonio Jesus Rueda-Ruiz, Maria Catalina Osuna-Perez, Ana Belen Peinado-Rubia
Summary: The study found that approximately 70% of subjects with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) showed some alteration in the perception of visual verticality (VV), with 60% of these patients being visually dependent. The Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV) test correlated with the impact and health status of FMS, while the Rod and Frame test (RFT) correlated with alterations in dynamic balance.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Chang Liu, Jill L. L. McNitt-Gray, James M. M. Finley
Summary: This study examined the biomechanical effects of reactive control strategies following forward losses of balance in post-stroke individuals. The results showed that post-stroke participants had larger increases in forward angular momentum compared to neurotypical individuals when perturbations were applied to the paretic limb. Neurotypical individuals were able to coordinate reaction forces generated by both legs to reduce forward angular impulse, while post-stroke individuals did not reduce forward angular impulse or increase leading limb impulse using their paretic limb. Additionally, individuals with poorer balance and greater motor impairment made less use of the paretic limb to reduce forward momentum. These findings suggest that paretic deficits limit the ability to recover from forward loss of balance.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Yukio Urabe, Kazuki Fukui, Keita Harada, Tsubasa Tashiro, Makoto Komiya, Noriaki Maeda
Summary: This study investigated the effect of tilting an image in virtual reality on standing balance. The results showed that tilting the image at a speed of 1 degree/s and an angle of 10 degrees resulted in the greatest change in center of pressure (COP). This suggests that virtual reality can be applied in balance training.
Article
Neurosciences
Nina Gras, Torsten Brauner, Scott Wearing, Thomas Horstmann
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the challenge posed by progressively unstable balance devices to bipedal stance during early functional rehabilitation in THA patients. The results showed that increasingly compliant balance pads provided a progressive challenge, while the challenge posed by the oscillating platform was lower and independent of the ability to stand independently.
Article
Neurosciences
Sharon M. H. Tsang, Evest H. W. Chan, Jason Y. H. Chan, Gladys P. Y. Huang, Kelly K. T. Lam, Eunice W. Y. Lam, Allan C. L. Fu, Eliza R. Sun
Summary: This study examined the differences in postural adjustments between erect, hyperlordotic, and swayback postures when facing external perturbations. The findings suggest that adopting hyperlordotic and swayback postures alters the contributions of the active and passive subsystems of the spine in postural control, potentially reducing the spine's ability to withstand loading and shear forces.
Article
Neurosciences
Hsin-yi Wang, Cheng-Yi Ho, Min-Chun Pan
Summary: This study investigated the differences in lumbar and hip movements during gait and muscle activities related to knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients and healthy participants. The results showed that KOA patients used a hyperlordotic lumbar and hip flexed strategy, leading to excessive stress on the lower extremity joints during gait.
Article
Neurosciences
Yoshitaka Otani, Osamu Aoki
Summary: This study found that feelings of fear affect postural control but not the internal focus of attention. This finding may be useful in assessments and interventions for older adults with a fall risk.
Article
Neurosciences
Haruki Toda, Hiroaki Hobara, Mitsunori Tada
Summary: This study investigated sex differences in lower limb dynamic joint stiffness (DJS) during walking in older adults. The results showed that ankle DJS was lower in older women, which was caused by the reduced ankle plantarflexion moment. However, knee DJS did not elucidate the cause of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in older women.
Article
Neurosciences
Luis H. Cubillos, Elliott J. Rouse, Thomas E. Augenstein, Varun Joshi, Edward S. Claflin, Chandramouli Krishnan
Summary: The study found that the reliability of stiffness, viscosity, and inertia of the ankle joint was good to excellent during standing. During walking, the reliability of stiffness and viscosity was also good to excellent, while that of inertia was fair to good. The minimal detectable change (MDC) ranged widely, but was higher for inertia during walking.
Article
Neurosciences
Alexandra F. Dejong Lempke, Danielle L. Hunt, Sarah B. Willwerth, Pierre A. d'Hemecourt, William P. Meehan III, Kristin E. Whitney
Summary: Adolescent athletes alter their gait patterns throughout a marathon race, and there are correlations between biomechanical features and race performance among young marathoners.
Article
Neurosciences
Ali Esmaeili, Sayed Esmaeil Hosseininejad, Amirali Jafarnezhadgero, Valdeci Carlos Dionisio
Summary: This study investigates the effects of footwear type, navicular drop and ankle pronation on lower limb joint stiffness during running. The results show that navicular drop and dynamic ankle pronation do not affect joint stiffness, but footwear type significantly affects joint stiffness. Conventional footwear increases ankle and hip joint stiffness while reducing knee joint stiffness, which may have implications for injury risk.
Article
Neurosciences
Takahiro Watanabe, Tomoya Takabayashi, Takanori Kikumoto, Yudai Kikuchi, Shunsuke Suzuki, Shiori Hiratsuka, Masayoshi Kubo
Summary: This study suggests that there are differences in abductor hallucis activity between individuals with chronic ankle instability and ankle sprain copers, indicating neuromuscular dysfunction in these patients, which leads to pain and instability symptoms.
Letter
Neurosciences
Susan M. Linder, Mandy Miller Koop, Jay L. Alberts
Article
Neurosciences
Elza van Duijnhoven, Marit van der Veen, Fieke S. Koopman, Frans Nollet, Sjoerd M. Bruijn, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: Gait stability is impaired in polio survivors with plantarflexor weakness, characterized by increased step width and step length variability and lower MoSAP. These factors are related to the elevated energy cost of walking in polio survivors.
Article
Neurosciences
Rebecca Hemming, Alister du Rose, Liba Sheeran, Robert van Deursen, Valerie Sparkes
Summary: In a forward bending task, there is a relationship between trunk muscle activation and regional thoracic and lumbar kinematics in NSCLBP subgroups, indicating different motor control strategies adopted by different subgroups when performing bending tasks.
Review
Neurosciences
Carina Pohle, Linda Becker, Jochen Baumeister
Summary: This systematic review is the first to compile evidence on the effect of the menstrual cycle on postural control. The evidence regarding the influence of the menstrual cycle on postural control is unclear. However, a trend of decreased postural control from the early follicular phase to the ovulatory phase was observed in balance tasks that eliminated or altered sensory input.