International Journal of Rehabilitation Research This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Feasibility of a targeted strengthening program to improve gait in people with multiple sclerosis: a brief report
This study aims to determine feasibility of strengthening muscles that are important contributors to gait for people with multiple sclerosis, yet are not routinely targeted in the literature. An 8-week strengthening intervention targeted ankle plantarflexion, hip abduction, and trunk muscles using a repeated-measures design. Outcomes included satisfaction, adherence, muscle strength, gait speed (timed 25-foot walk), gait endurance (6-min walk test), and self-reported gait-related participation (Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12). Ten participants (Expanded Disability Status Scale: 3.5–5.5) completed the intervention. A...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - November 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Brief research reports Source Type: research

Comparison between self-reported and observed locomotion ability scores in patients with stroke: a cross-sectional study
This study aimed to investigate (i) the validity of self-reported scores of locomotion ability in stroke survivors using the ABILOCO-Benin questionnaire, and (ii) the congruence between online Rasch analysis of the ABILOCO-Benin raw scores and a conversion table set along with the questionnaire development. Thirty-five adult poststroke patients [mean age: 52 (SD: 10) years, 60% men] recruited from the rehabilitation department of National University Hospital of Cotonou (Benin), self-reported their locomotion ability, filling out the ABILOCO-Benin questionnaire [self-reported scores (SRS)]. Afterwards, a physical therapist ...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - November 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original articles Source Type: research

Therapeutic electrical stimulation and immune status in healthy men
In physical and rehabilitation medicine, there are few reports on the effects of therapeutic low-frequency electrical stimulation on the immune response of the organism, even though electrical stimulation is used widely in clinical practice and sports medicine. The aim of our study was to examine the possible immunological consequences of moderate transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for quadriceps muscle strengthening in healthy individuals. The study included twelve healthy male adult volunteers (mean age 42 years) without contraindications for electrical stimulation. At the beginning and immediatel...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - November 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original articles Source Type: research

The effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower-leg taping and treadmill training on mobility in patients with stroke
The elastic-taping method of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) concept is nonexistent. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the effect of treadmill training (TT) using PNF lower-leg taping (PNFLT) on walking and balance ability in patients with stroke. There were a total of 27 patients: a stroke allocated control group (n=13) and an experimental group (n=14). The control group performed the TT and the experimental group performed the TT using PNF taping five times a week for 6 weeks. Walking and balance ability were measured using the 6-min walk test (6MWT), the 10-m walking test (10MWT), and the tim...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - November 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original articles Source Type: research

A comparison of the usability of a standard and an age-friendly smartphone launcher: experimental evidence from usability testing with older adults
Age-friendly smartphone launchers are tools designed to enhance smartphone handling among older adults with cognitive and functional limitations. Although evidence exists about the positive effects of age-friendly smartphone launchers on older adults’ usability performance in general, little is known about how the design and interface complexity of these launchers affect their interface usability effectiveness and efficiency compared with standard Android smartphone interfaces. Thus, in this study, a randomized crossover experiment involving 50 older smartphone users, aged 60 years and above, was guided by the principles...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - November 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original articles Source Type: research

The baseline speed of 10-m gait predicts ambulatory discharge for hospitalized frail elderly after DOPPO rehabilitation
The discharge of elderly patients from hospital on the basis of their independent gait program (DOPPO) is a new rehabilitation strategy for physically frail hospitalized elderly that aims to recover independent gait and to achieve ambulatory discharge. We retrospectively investigated baseline determinants of physical measures associated closely with the 6-min walking distance (6MWD) after DOPPO. Participants were 137 consecutive elderly inpatients, irrespective of the causative disease (mean age: 82±7 years; 76 women), who had a Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score of less than 12 and low independent walking ca...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - November 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original articles Source Type: research

Game analysis and clinical use of the Xbox-Kinect for stroke rehabilitation
Whole-body movement is required to interact (play) with Microsoft Xbox with the 3D Kinect sensor (Xbox-Kinect) and, therefore, may be suitable for encouraging and practicing movements as part of stroke rehabilitation. We aimed to describe (i) game analysis, (ii) clinical use, and (iii) to characterize the Xbox-Kinect game experience with individuals with chronic stroke. Four therapists played the Xbox-Kinect games and then carried out a games analysis on the basis of the categories suggested by Deutsch. Eleven participants (age 29–69 years) with chronic stroke and varying motor deficits played Xbox-Kinect games for 4–2...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - November 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original articles Source Type: research

Walking endurance and perceived symptom severity after a single maximal exercise test in persons with mild disability because of multiple sclerosis
People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) are less physically active compared with the general population. This might also be because of the perception of temporary worsening of symptoms during physical activity. Forty-two PwMS with a mild level of disability underwent a maximal exercise test on a bicycle ergometer. Fifteen minutes before and 15 and 75 min after the maximal exercise test, the 6-minute walking test was conducted and the rate of perceived exertion was recorded. Twice before and three times after the maximal exercise test, participants rated the symptom inventory, including symptom domains of general fatigue, m...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - November 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original articles Source Type: research

Limping on split-belt treadmills implies opposite kinematic and dynamic lower limb asymmetries
Walking on a split-belt treadmill (each of the two belts running at a different speed) has been proposed as an experimental paradigm to investigate the flexibility of the neural control of gait and as a form of therapeutic exercise. However, the scarcity of dynamic investigations challenges the validity of the available findings. The aim of the present study was to investigate the dynamic asymmetries of lower limbs of healthy adults during adaptation to gait on a split-belt treadmill. Ten healthy adults walked on a split-belt treadmill mounted on force sensors, with belts running either at the same speed (‘tied’ condit...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - November 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original articles Source Type: research

Reliability and validity of the shortened Singapore versions of the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory
Upper limb deficits are common sequelae after a stroke and negatively affect daily living and quality of life. The use of outcome measures to evaluate upper limb function is essential to assess sensorimotor recovery and to determine the effectiveness of rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to estimate the construct validity and inter-rater reliability of three shortened versions of the Singapore version of the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI-SG) comprising seven, eight, and nine test items. The sample consisted of 55 inpatients with acute/subacute stroke to whom the CAHAI-SG, Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Up...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - November 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original articles Source Type: research

Effectiveness of robot-assisted gait training on motor impairments in people with Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) on motor impairments in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). A computer-based systematic literature search was performed in six databases according to PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effects of RAGT on motor impairments in people with PD were included. GRADE approach and PEDro scale were used to determine the studies’ quality of evidence. Meta-analyses were performed by calculating the weighted mean difference (WMD) at 95% confidence interval. Seven RCTs ...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - November 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Review article Source Type: research

The early-citation trend: an analysis of seven rehabilitation journals concerning the 2015–2017 window
No abstract available (Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research)
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - November 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

Motor learning in dystonia: distorted feedback results in distorted motor learning and information-seeking compensatory behaviour
Motor learning is possible in dystonia, but distorted feedback results in distorted motor performance and information-seeking compensatory behavior, as observed in this case. With globus pallidus internal segment deep brain stimulation, the postural background of hand writing improved, but the learned left compensatory grip did not change. (Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research)
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - August 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Case report Source Type: research

Predicting self-reported disability level by a number of pain sites marked on pain drawing
To evaluate the connection between the number of pain sites (head and neck, upper extremities, trunk, and lower extremities) marked on pain drawing and general disability level measured by a 12-item WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) score. A cross-sectional survey of 1988 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain was conducted. Analysis of variance with contrasts was performed along with regression analysis. Despite the relatively mild median disability level measured as WHODAS 2.0 total score at 25%, the majority of the participants experienced, in the last month, severe pain with 8.1 points on a 0–10...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - August 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Brief research reports Source Type: research

The regularity of orthosis use and the reasons for disuse in stroke patients
This is a Retrospective descriptive study. Orthoses and walking aids are used frequently in stroke rehabilitation to facilitate ambulation. The aim was to describe the regularity of orthosis use and the reasons for disuse in stroke after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. The study included 64 (43 men, 21 women) subacute stroke patients who had been discharged from our clinic in the last 6 months. Demographic and clinical findings, proposed orthoses and walking aids, frequency of usage for the proposed orthoses, reasons for disuse, and the ambulation levels were recorded. A total of 54 (84.4%) patients had an ankle�...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - August 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Brief research reports Source Type: research