Reliability and validity of the Microsoft Kinect for assessment of manual wheelchair propulsion
J Rehabil Res Dev. 2016;53(6):901-918. doi: 10.1682/JRRD.2015.10.0198.ABSTRACTConcurrent validity and test-retest reliability of the Microsoft Kinect in quantification of manual wheelchair propulsion were examined. Data were collected from five manual wheelchair users on a roller system. Three Kinect sensors were used to assess test-retest reliability with a still pose. Three systems were used to assess concurrent validity of the Kinect to measure propulsion kinematics (joint angles, push loop characteristics): Kinect, Motion Analysis, and Dartfish ProSuite (Dartfish joint angles were limited to shoulder and elbow flexion)...
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Rachel Milgrom Matthew Foreman John Standeven Jack R Engsberg Kerri A Morgan Source Type: research

Psychosocial effects of competitive Boccia program in persons with severe chronic disability
In conclusion, the rehabilitation program had a general positive effect on the psychosocial status of individuals with severe physical disabilities. However, the competitive Boccia groups demonstrated a greater number of favorable changes, suggesting an added value of participation in Boccia.PMID:28475199 | DOI:10.1682/JRRD.2015.08.0156 (Source: J Rehabil Res Dev)
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Sharon Barak Nuria Mendoza-Laiz Maria Teresa Gutierrez Fuentes Maria Rubiera Yeshayahu Huyzler Source Type: research

Foot clearance and variability in mono- and multifocal intraocular lens users during stair navigation
This study compared clearance while ascending and descending stairs in individuals with monofocal versus multifocal IOLs. Eight participants with multifocal IOLs (4 men, 4 women; mean age = 66.5 yr, standard deviation [SD] = 6.26) and fifteen male participants with monofocal IOLs (mean age = 69.9 yr, SD = 6.9) underwent vision and mobility testing. Motion analysis recorded kinematic and custom software-calculated clearances in three-dimensional space. No significant differences were found between groups on minimum clearance or variability. Clearance differed for ascending versus descending stairs: the first step onto the s...
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Erik Renz Madeleine Hackney Courtney Hall Source Type: research

Sensor-based balance training with motion feedback in people with mild cognitive impairment
J Rehabil Res Dev. 2016;53(6):945-958. doi: 10.1682/JRRD.2015.05.0089.ABSTRACTSome individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) experience not only cognitive deficits but also a decline in motor function, including postural balance. This pilot study sought to estimate the feasibility, user experience, and effects of a novel sensor-based balance training program. Patients with amnestic MCI (mean age 78.2 yr) were randomized to an intervention group (IG, n = 12) or control group (CG, n = 10). The IG underwent balance training (4 wk, twice a week) that included weight shifting and virtual obstacle crossing. Real-time visu...
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Michael Schwenk Marwan Sabbagh Ivy Lin Pharah Morgan Gurtej S Grewal Jane Mohler David W Coon Bijan Najafi Source Type: research

Quantitative assessment of hand motor function in cervical spinal disorder patients using target tracking tests
This article introduces a system for quantifying hand motor function using a handgrip device and target tracking test. In those with CSM, hand motor impairment often interferes with essential daily activities. The analytic method applied machine learning techniques to investigate the efficacy of the system in (1) detecting the presence of impairments in hand motor function, (2) estimating the perceived motor deficits of CSM patients using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and (3) detecting changes in physical condition after surgery, all of which were performed while ensuring test-retest reliability. The results based o...
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Sunghoon I Lee Alex Huang Bobak Mortazavi Charles Li Haydn A Hoffman Jordan Garst Derek S Lu Ruth Getachew Marie Espinal Mehrdad Razaghy Nima Ghalehsari Brian H Paak Amir A Ghavam Marwa Afridi Arsha Ostowari Hassan Ghasemzadeh Daniel C Lu Majid Sarrafzade Source Type: research

Accelerometer-based step initiation control for gait-assist neuroprostheses
This study evaluates three-dimensional accelerometers and customized algorithms to detect the intent to step from voluntary movements to trigger stimulation during walking in individuals with significantly different etiologies, mobility limitations, manual dexterities, and walking aids. Three individuals with poststroke hemiplegia or partial spinal cord injury exhibiting varying gait deficits were implanted with multichannel pulse generators to provide joint motions at the hip, knee, and ankle. An accelerometer integrated into the external control unit was used to detect heel strike or walker movement, and wireless acceler...
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Kevin M Foglyano John R Schnellenberger Rudi Kobetic Lisa Lombardo Gilles Pinault Stephen Selkirk Nathaniel S Makowski Ronald J Triolo Source Type: research

The effect of caster wheel diameter and mass distribution on drag forces in manual wheelchairs
This study proposes a way to reduce energy losses in the form of rolling resistance friction during manual wheelchair propulsion by increasing the size of the front caster wheels and adjusting the weight distribution. Drag tests were conducted using a treadmill and a force transducer. Three different casters diameter (4 in., 5 in., and 6 in.) and six different mass distribution combinations (based on percentage of total weight on the caster wheels) were studied. A two-way analysis of variance test was performed to compare caster size and weight distribution contribution with drag force of an ultralight wheelchair. The 4 in...
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Rene Zepeda Franco Chan Bonita Sawatzky Source Type: research

Efficacy of extremely low-frequency magnetic field in fibromyalgia pain: A pilot study
J Rehabil Res Dev. 2016;53(6):1023-1034. doi: 10.1682/JRRD.2015.04.0061.ABSTRACTThe purpose of this pilot study was to determine the efficacy of an extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) in decreasing chronic pain in fibromyalgia (FM) patients. Thirty-seven females were recruited and randomized into two groups: one group was first exposed to systemic ELF-MF therapy (100 microtesla, 1 to 80 Hz) and then to sham therapy, and the other group received the opposite sequence of intervention. Pain, FM-related symptoms, and the ability to perform daily tasks were measured using the Visual Analog Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact...
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Teresa Paolucci Giulia Piccinini Marco Iosa Cristina Piermattei Simona de Angelis Maria Rosaria Grasso Federico Zangrando Vincenzo Maria Saraceni Source Type: research

Utility of a multimodal neurophysiologic assessment tool in distinguishing between individuals with and without a history of mild traumatic brain injury
J Rehabil Res Dev. 2016;53(6):959-972. doi: 10.1682/JRRD.2015.06.0120.ABSTRACTThis was a preliminary validation study of a multimodal concussion assessment battery incorporating eye-tracking, balance, and neurocognitive tests on a new hardware platform, the Computerized Brain Injury Assessment System. Using receiver-operating characteristics analyses, (1) we identified a subset of the most discriminating neurophysiological assessment tests involving smooth pursuit eye movement tracking errors, corrective saccade counts, a balance score ratio sensitive to vestibular balance performance, and two neurocognitive tests of respo...
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Martin Baruch Jeffrey T Barth David Cifu Martin Leibman Source Type: research

Tongue-controlled robotic rehabilitation: A feasibility study in people with stroke
J Rehabil Res Dev. 2016;53(6):989-1006. doi: 10.1682/JRRD.2015.06.0122.ABSTRACTStroke survivors with severe upper limb (UL) impairment face years of therapy to recover function. Robot-assisted therapy (RT) is increasingly used in the field for goal-oriented rehabilitation as a means to improve function in ULs. To be used effectively for wrist and hand therapy, the current RT systems require the patient to have a minimal active range of movement in the UL, and those that do not have active voluntary movement cannot use these systems. We have overcome this limitation by harnessing tongue motion to allow patients to control a...
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Sarah Ostadabbas Stephen N Housley Nordine Sebkhi Kimberly Richards David Wu Zhenxuan Zhang Maria Garcia Rodriguez Lindsey Warthen Crystal Yarbrough Samir Belagaje Andrew J Butler Maysam Ghovanloo Source Type: research

Reliability and validity of the Microsoft Kinect for assessment of manual wheelchair propulsion
J Rehabil Res Dev. 2016;53(6):901-918. doi: 10.1682/JRRD.2015.10.0198.ABSTRACTConcurrent validity and test-retest reliability of the Microsoft Kinect in quantification of manual wheelchair propulsion were examined. Data were collected from five manual wheelchair users on a roller system. Three Kinect sensors were used to assess test-retest reliability with a still pose. Three systems were used to assess concurrent validity of the Kinect to measure propulsion kinematics (joint angles, push loop characteristics): Kinect, Motion Analysis, and Dartfish ProSuite (Dartfish joint angles were limited to shoulder and elbow flexion)...
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Rachel Milgrom Matthew Foreman John Standeven Jack R Engsberg Kerri A Morgan Source Type: research

Psychosocial effects of competitive Boccia program in persons with severe chronic disability
In conclusion, the rehabilitation program had a general positive effect on the psychosocial status of individuals with severe physical disabilities. However, the competitive Boccia groups demonstrated a greater number of favorable changes, suggesting an added value of participation in Boccia.PMID:28475199 | DOI:10.1682/JRRD.2015.08.0156 (Source: J Rehabil Res Dev)
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Sharon Barak Nuria Mendoza-Laiz Maria Teresa Gutierrez Fuentes Maria Rubiera Yeshayahu Huyzler Source Type: research

Foot clearance and variability in mono- and multifocal intraocular lens users during stair navigation
This study compared clearance while ascending and descending stairs in individuals with monofocal versus multifocal IOLs. Eight participants with multifocal IOLs (4 men, 4 women; mean age = 66.5 yr, standard deviation [SD] = 6.26) and fifteen male participants with monofocal IOLs (mean age = 69.9 yr, SD = 6.9) underwent vision and mobility testing. Motion analysis recorded kinematic and custom software-calculated clearances in three-dimensional space. No significant differences were found between groups on minimum clearance or variability. Clearance differed for ascending versus descending stairs: the first step onto the s...
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Erik Renz Madeleine Hackney Courtney Hall Source Type: research

Sensor-based balance training with motion feedback in people with mild cognitive impairment
J Rehabil Res Dev. 2016;53(6):945-958. doi: 10.1682/JRRD.2015.05.0089.ABSTRACTSome individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) experience not only cognitive deficits but also a decline in motor function, including postural balance. This pilot study sought to estimate the feasibility, user experience, and effects of a novel sensor-based balance training program. Patients with amnestic MCI (mean age 78.2 yr) were randomized to an intervention group (IG, n = 12) or control group (CG, n = 10). The IG underwent balance training (4 wk, twice a week) that included weight shifting and virtual obstacle crossing. Real-time visu...
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Michael Schwenk Marwan Sabbagh Ivy Lin Pharah Morgan Gurtej S Grewal Jane Mohler David W Coon Bijan Najafi Source Type: research

Quantitative assessment of hand motor function in cervical spinal disorder patients using target tracking tests
This article introduces a system for quantifying hand motor function using a handgrip device and target tracking test. In those with CSM, hand motor impairment often interferes with essential daily activities. The analytic method applied machine learning techniques to investigate the efficacy of the system in (1) detecting the presence of impairments in hand motor function, (2) estimating the perceived motor deficits of CSM patients using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and (3) detecting changes in physical condition after surgery, all of which were performed while ensuring test-retest reliability. The results based o...
Source: J Rehabil Res Dev - May 6, 2017 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Sunghoon I Lee Alex Huang Bobak Mortazavi Charles Li Haydn A Hoffman Jordan Garst Derek S Lu Ruth Getachew Marie Espinal Mehrdad Razaghy Nima Ghalehsari Brian H Paak Amir A Ghavam Marwa Afridi Arsha Ostowari Hassan Ghasemzadeh Daniel C Lu Majid Sarrafzade Source Type: research