A simple method to quantify physical activity “dose” in Patients with Alzheimer Disease
Introduction: Physical activity favourably affects symptomatology and general health in patients with Alzheimer's disease [1]. Accurate quantification and monitoring of exercise “dose”, as described by oxygen consumption (VO2), is necessary to explore a possible dose-response relationship between exercise and health benefits. However, due to the elevated cost of direct, gold-standard methods, this is rarely done outside research laboratories. A simple “field” method to estimate VO2 in healthy adults and clinical populations was recently proposed based on the existence of a strong relationship between Metabolic equi...
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: A.L. Colosio, A. Pedrinolla, M. Venturelli, F. Schena, S. Pogliaghi Source Type: research
A Factor Analysis model of the instrumented Timed Up and Go test for physical capability assessment
Introduction: The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) is widely used in clinical practice as a measure of physical capability. The use of inertial sensors allows the computation of a high number of features, bringing more information than the traditional stopwatch-based measure, but there is the need of reducing the dataset dimension to a set of measures with a clear clinical meaning. The aim of this study is to define an interpretative model of the instrumented TUG (iTUG) test, through a factor analysis approach, for the assessment of physical capability in community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older. (Source: Gait and Posture)
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: A. Coni, S. Mellone, M. Colpo, S. Bandinelli, L. Chiari Source Type: research
Motor Adaptation in Response to Audio-Biofeedback in Parkinson's disease
Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is caused by the depletion of dopamine in the basal ganglia, leading to deficiencies in movement control. Motor control relies on motor adaptation, i.e. the modification of a movement from trial-to-trial based on error feedback, and motor learning, the formation of a new motor pattern that occurs via long-term practice. Damage of the cerebellum systematically disrupts adaptation, but damage to other brain regions most often does not. Repeated adaptation can lead to a motor learning process as a long-term effect in healthy people [1]. (Source: Gait and Posture)
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: M. Corzani, A. Ferrari, P. Ginis, A. Nieuwboer, L. Chiari Source Type: research
Validation study of a protocol for upper limb kinematics: Preliminary data
Introduction: Motion analysis can provide us with an adequate understanding of upper limb (UL) motor control and the way functional movement is carried out. In the literature various protocols of UL kinematics have been proposed to analyze single motor tasks with different functional significance. Kim et al compared hemiplegic patients with healthy controls and observed that hemiplegic patients presented different sagittal kinematics at the shoulder and elbow during the motor task they were asked to perform [1]. (Source: Gait and Posture)
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: M. Cosma, G. Vallies, G. Ferraresi, M. Morelli, F. Baldasso, G. Paolini, A. Ravaschio, M. Manca Source Type: research
New model of marker placement to assess sagittal spine and lower limb during sit to stand: Typical kinematic pattern in LOPD
Introduction: Late onset Pompe disease (LOPD) is a neuromuscular disorder due to a mutation of the gene codifying lysosomal enzyme GAA, whose absence or deficiency causes a progressive accumulation of glycogen within lysosome and myofibrils that determines cardiac, respiratory and skeletal muscles alteration. The disease is characterized by primary involvement of trunk and pelvic girdle musculature that results in relevant ambulatory [1]. To the best of our knowledge only two studies assessed walking parameters in LOPD patients, finding similar spatial-temporal but heterogeneous kinematic and kinetic values [2]. (Source: Gait and Posture)
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: P. De Blasiis, S. Scarpetta, M. Sansone, M.A.B. Melone, Di Iorio, S. Sampaolo Source Type: research
Continuous 7-days activity tracking in patients with parkinson disease: A 1-year continuative multidisciplinary rehabilitation
Introduction: Parkinson Disease (PD) features a gradual evolution of clinical outcome, characterized by both motor (resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigid muscles, impaired posture), and non-motor symptoms (e.g., dysphagia, dysphonia, cognitive deficits). Multidisciplinary clinical evaluation is necessary for setting-up a rehabilitation treatment and for testing its efficacy [1]. However, some specific symptoms (e.g., tremor, circadian alteration) and global performance cannot be accurately quantified through a traditional clinical examination. (Source: Gait and Posture)
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: E. De Giovannini, P. Anzolin, Z. Baccarin, F. Favaron, C. Lain, N. Locallo, P. Pianalto, C. Tomasi, M.Pistacchi, M. Rabuffetti Source Type: research
An innovative microprocessor-based system for Human Activity Recognition: A fast and reliable classification algorithm
Introduction: The aim of this study is to describe the implementation of a microprocessor-based system for Human Activity Recognition (HAR) able to recognize seven activities of daily life (ADLs). The system is based on a body-worn miniature inertial measurement unit (IMU) that is part of a microprocessor system based on a 32-bit CPU (ARM 4 Cortex). A Decision Tree (DT) classifier implemented on the microcontroller performs the classification of the daily activities. (Source: Gait and Posture)
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: G. De Leonardis, D. Fortunato, C.M. Gianfreda, S. Rosati, G. Balestra, M. Knaflitz Source Type: research
Stabilometry in patients with Dravet Syndrome to quantitatively assess ataxia: A preliminary study
Introduction: Dravet Syndrome (DS) is a rare disease characterized by recurrent seizures, intellectual and behavioural disability, myoclonus, pyramidal or extrapyramidal signs, and ataxia. However, ataxia has only been clinically observed [1]. The aim of this study was to test the possibility of using the stabilometry as a tool to quantitatively monitor ataxia in subjects with DS at different time-points, and to help the differential diagnosis from other diseases featuring similar signs [2]. (Source: Gait and Posture)
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: R. Di Marco, M. Duso, R. Cesaletti, L. Nieves, C. Boniver, F. Darra, F. Ragona, S. Masiero, A. Del Felice Source Type: research
Is it possible to identify an optimal bipolar system positioning to discriminate the activation of scapular stabilizers between correct and poor posture during upper limb exercises?
In this study we investigated if it is possible to identify an optimal positioning of an EMG bipolar system in order to provide information about the correct activation of stabilizer muscles during upper limb exercises. (Source: Gait and Posture)
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: F. Dos Anjos, G. Boccia, P.R. Brustio, M. Gazzoni, A. Rainoldi Source Type: research
Myo-Art: An innovative system to monitor muscle activity in Augmented Reality
Introduction: Augmented Reality (AR) is a real-time technology allowing superimposing information coming from the real world and information generated by a computer. It has been proved successful in several applications ranging from balance and mobility rehabilitation in the elderly [1] to Parkinson's disease [2]. This work aims to design and develop an AR system for the visualization of information related to muscle activity, extracted from surface EMG signals (sEMG), superimposed to the detection system over the investigated muscle. (Source: Gait and Posture)
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: M. Gazzoni, G.L. Cerone Source Type: research
A new wearable low-cost method to detect Virtual Reality sickness: A preliminary study
Introduction: Virtual reality (VR) settings was proved to be a useful complementary therapy for neurologic and orthopaedical rehabilitation. Patients attending VR rehab sessions can improve their motor function and autonomy in every-day life activities [1]. However, due to the virtual environment exposure, virtual reality sickness (VRS) can be observed: e.g. postural instability, fainting, sweating, disorientation and retching [2]. Mobility self-efficacy, balance confidence, and fear of falling can be evaluated by monitoring task-related biofeedback, which are linked to the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity [3]. (S...
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: G. Gentile, G. Ferriero, R. De Mitri, R. Di Marco, S. Masiero, P. Sale Source Type: research
Effects of a robotic rehabilitation treatment in a patient with traumatic lesion of the right brachial plexus measured by means of motion analysis: A case stud
Introduction: In the last years, the use of robotic devices for upper limb rehabilitation has grown rapidly, especially for patients with brain injury [1]. However, there is insufficient evidence for the use of these devices to recover upper limb motor function in patients with peripheral damage. (Source: Gait and Posture)
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: M. Germanotta, A. Cruciani, E. Di Sipio, C. Pecchioli, I. Aprile, L. Padua Source Type: research
Propagation of foot anatomical landmark identification variability on foot regional plantar pressure assessment
Introduction: Clinical assessment of foot joint kinematics and plantar loading can be performed using multisegmental models [1] and a pressure-kinematics integrated approach [2]. While the impact of inter- and intra-operator precision in identifying foot anatomical landmarks has been investigated on joint kinematics [3], the propagation of this variability to the assessment of foot regional pressure has been scarcely described. The present study addresses this issue with respect to the Oxford Foot Model (OFM). (Source: Gait and Posture)
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: C. Giacomozzi, E. Bergamini, V. Camomilla Source Type: research
Pressure insoles for the analysis of the effects of load weight and carrying mode on in-shoe plantar pressure distribution
Introduction: Excessive workload can cause stress, pain, and musculoskeletal disorders in the back and lower limbs [1]. During military training, about 60% of the reported injuries while marching with heavy weights is at the foot region [2]. However, scarce is the literature on the association between weight- carrying and pressure distribution in different plantar regions [3,4]. Aim of this study was to assess how in-shoe plantar load distribution is affected by different load weights and carrying modes. (Source: Gait and Posture)
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: A. Giangrande, A. Leardini, R. Bonfiglioli, F.S. Violante, P. Caravaggi Source Type: research
Adaptation to predictable postural perturbations induced by a mobile platform in patients with Parkinson's disease
Introduction: When healthy subjects (HS) stand on a platform continuously and predictably moving in an anterior- posterior direction, balance control relies on a progressive adaptation of the activity of the lower limb muscles [1]. At variance with HS, patients with Parkinson's disease (PwPD) show instability when standing on a predictably moving platform [2]. We hypothesized that, under this condition, instability of PwPD is related to impaired adaptation process. (Source: Gait and Posture)
Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: M. Giardini, M. Godi, I. Arcolin, M. Schieppati, A. Nardone Source Type: research
