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.

Immediate effects of stance and swing phase training on gait in patients with stroke
To compare the effects of gait trainings targeting the stance (stance training) and the swing phases (swing training) among the subjects with stroke, and quantify the characteristics in the subjects who benefitted from either the stance training or the swing training. Sixteen subjects with stroke performed the stance training, which focused on the center of pressure to move from the heel to the forefoot, and the swing training, which focused on the improvement of hip flexion in the swing phase. To investigate the immediate effects of the stance training and the swing training, the instrumented gait analysis was performed b...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - May 20, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Psychometric properties of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Rehabilitation Set: a Rasch analysis
This study investigates the psychometric properties of ICF Rehabilitation Set using Rasch analysis. It was a multicenter, cross-sectional study involving 515 inpatients in the subacute or chronic phase of recovery from various health conditions selected by quota sampling (stratified by neurological, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal and other conditions). Registered physicians or nurses used the developed operational items of the ICF Rehabilitation Set to rate patients’ functioning. A Rasch model was performed in assessing the psychometric properties of the ICF Rehabilitation Set. Good reliability was observed in the acti...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - May 20, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

A short-term exercise program in patients with multiple sclerosis: is body mass index important?
Obesity is a health problem that can exacerbate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a short-term exercise program on fatigue, depression, anxiety, and walking performance in normal-weight and overweight patients with MS (PwMS). Sixty-two PwMS were divided into groups according to their BMI (BMI normal/BMI high). Also, they were all included in the exercise program. The participants took a moderate-intensity walking program 5 days a week for 4 weeks, including 30 min between 5 min of warm-up and 5 min of cooling periods. Also, patients underwent breathi...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - May 20, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Sedentary time and physical activity patterns of stroke survivors during the inpatient rehabilitation week
Physical activity is recommended after stroke. However, the rehabilitation day is largely spent sedentary. Understanding patterns of physical activity across the rehabilitation week may help identify opportunities to improve participation. We aimed to examine: (1) differences between weekday and weekend sedentary time and physical activity, (2) the pattern of 24-h rehabilitation activity. Participants with stroke (n = 29) wore an activity monitor continuously during the final 7-days of inpatient rehabilitation. Linear mixed models (adjusted for waking hours) were performed with activity (sedentary, steps per day, walki...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - May 20, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Can powered exoskeletons improve gait and balance in multiple sclerosis? A retrospective study
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurologic disorder that can profoundly influence mobility, independence and quality of life. Gait dysfunction in MS is common, resulting in an increased risk of losing walking ability. Robotic exoskeletons have been developed to offer a new form of locomotor training. The aim of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of the powered exoskeleton (Ekso) in improving gait and balance in patients affected by MS. Twenty patients with MS (mean ± SD: age = 43.7 ± 10.3 years; 66.7% male) were enrolled in this retrospective study. They were divided into two groups, matched for demo...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - May 20, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Clinical manifestation and perceived symptoms of walking-related performance fatigability in persons with multiple sclerosis
Fatigue and walking difficulties are common impairments and activity limitations in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Walking fatigability (WF) can be measured by a Distance Walked Index and is defined as a decline in walking distance of 10% or more during the six-minute walking test (6MWT). However, the clinical manifestation and perceived symptoms related to fatigability are still not well documented. Forty-nine PwMS [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤6] and 28 healthy controls (HC) performed a 6MWT. The perceived severity of 11 common symptoms was rated on a visual analogue scale of 0–10 before, immedia...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - May 20, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Long-term follow-up of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain attending interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation: outcomes and predictive factors
In conclusion, on average, outcomes achieved during IPR persisted at long-term follow-up. Predictors of a better long-term outcome were mainly baseline characteristics. (Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research)
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - May 20, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Amelioration of motor and nonmotor symptoms in cortical cerebellar atrophy and multiple system atrophy-cerebellar type by inpatient rehabilitation: a retrospective study
Sporadic spinocerebellar degenerative diseases such as multiple system atrophy (cerebellar type) and cortical cerebellar atrophy typically present with cerebellar ataxia. Multiple system atrophy is characterized by ataxia, with parkinsonism, dysautonomia and neuropsychiatric symptoms, resulting in reduced quality of life. Effects of physical rehabilitation focused on motor symptoms with ataxia in nonmultiple system atrophy patients have been reported; however, without addressing concomitant nonmotor symptoms. Here, we examined the motor, nonmotor and quality of life effects of inpatient physical rehabilitation in 15 multip...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - May 20, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

A new valid Walking Aid Scale better predicts distance walked by prosthesis users than Prosthetic Mobility Questionnaire 2.0 and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale
The availability of psychometrically-sound and parsimonious outcome measures is key for optimizing decision-making about prosthetic fitting and rehabilitation in lower limb prosthesis users. Despite the increasing clinical use of observational and self-reported scales for assessing mobility and balance, there is currently no scale that accounts for the use of assistive devices while walking under conditions of increasing difficulty. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a Walking Aid Scale (WAS) in a cross-sectional sample of 144 prosthesis users. Specifically, we examined internal consistency an...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - May 20, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

High-density electromyography biofeedback during robotic wrist exercises for reducing co-activation of antagonist muscles: a case report
High-density (HD) electrodes have been introduced in research and diagnostic electromyography. Recent advances in technology offer an opportunity for using the HDEMG signal as biofeedback in stroke rehabilitation. The purpose of this case study was to test the feasibility of using two 5 × 13 electrode arrays for providing real-time HDEMG biofeedback and the preliminary outcome of combining HDEMG biofeedback with robotic wrist exercises over 4 weeks in a person who suffered a stroke 26 months earlier. The isometric wrist flexion/extension task required to keep the paretic agonist activity within variable preset lim...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - February 13, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Case Report Source Type: research

Validation of the telephone-based assessment of locomotion ability after stroke
The aim of the study was to validate the telephone-based application of the ABILOCO questionnaire for the assessment of locomotion ability after stroke. Individuals after stroke answered the ABILOCO-Brazil questionnaire on two randomized occasions, face-to-face and by telephone, 5–7 days apart. The mean difference between the interviews was reported. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to investigate the agreement between the total scores, and weighted-Kappa statistics to investigate the agreement between the individual items. A total of 92 individuals were included. There was no significant differe...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - February 13, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Brief Research Report Source Type: research

Plantarflexor strength, gait speed, and step length change in individuals with Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease affects the ability to walk often resulting in decreased independence and low quality of life. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in plantarflexor strength (PFS), gait speed, and step length in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) and healthy peers using clinical measures. A secondary purpose was to examine the relationship between these gait components across disease severity. The study was a convenience sample of 71 PwP and 25 community healthy peers. Outcome measures included 10-Meter Walk, step length, and Calf-Raise Senior Test. PwP were separated into mild and moderate impa...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - February 13, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Feasibility of subacute rehabilitation for mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 disease: a retrospective case series
In this case series study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a subacute rehabilitation program for mechanically ventilated patients with severe consequences of COVID-19 infection. Data were retrospectively collected from seven males (age 37–61 years) who were referred for inpatient rehabilitation following the stay in the ICU (14–22 days). On admission, six patients were still supported by mechanical ventilation. All patients were first placed in isolation in a special COVID unit for 6–22 days. Patients attended 11–24 treatment sessions for the duration of rehabilitation stay (13–27 days), including...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - February 13, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Robotic-assisted locomotor treadmill therapy does not change gait pattern in children with cerebral palsy
In this study, a detailed investigation comprehensive of electromyography patterns, where previous literature reported only sparse data without giving information on the whole gait pattern, were conducted. We carried on the analysis considering the age of the participants and the severity of the gait function. The findings differentiate the concept of specific pattern recovery (no gait pattern changes) from the concept of physical training (mild GMFM changes). (Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research)
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - February 13, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Effects of fatigue and kinesiophobia on functional capacity, physical activity and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fatigue and fatigue-related kinesiophobia on functional capacity, physical activity and quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Twenty patients with Parkinson’s disease were included in the study. The fatigue severity was assessed by the Fatigue Severity Scale, kinesiophobia by the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, functional capacity with the Six-Minute Walk Test, and quality of life was evaluated by the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire. In addition, the physical activity level of each patient, such as the number of steps, active energy expenditure and ...
Source: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research - February 13, 2021 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research