scholarly journals Comparative effects of EMG-driven robot-assisted therapy versus task-oriented training on motor and daily function in patients with stroke: a randomized cross-over trial

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Wei Chen ◽  
Wei-Chi Chiang ◽  
Chia-Ling Chang ◽  
Shih-Ming Lo ◽  
Ching-Yi Wu
Keyword(s):  
Functional Performance ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Alternative Intervention ◽  
Intervention Protocol ◽  
Wolf Motor Function Test ◽  
Function Domain ◽  
Task Oriented ◽  
Daily Function

Abstract Background Robot-assisted hand training has shown positive effects on promoting neuromuscular control. Since both robot-assisted therapy and task-oriented training are often used in post-stroke rehabilitation, we raised the question of whether two interventions engender differential effects in different domains. Methods The study was conducted using a randomized, two-period crossover design. Twenty-four chronic stroke survivors received a 12-session robot-assisted intervention followed by a 12-session task-oriented intervention or vice versa. A 1-month washout period between each intervention was implemented. Outcome measures were evaluated before the intervention, after the first 12-session intervention, and after the second 12-session intervention. Clinical assessments included Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity, Wolf Motor Function Test, Action Research Arm Test and Motor Activity Log. Results Our findings suggested that EMG-driven robot-assisted therapy was as effective as task-oriented training in terms of improving upper limbs functional performance in activity domain, and robot-assisted therapy was more effective in improving movement duration during functional tasks. Task-oriented training showed better improvement in body function domain and activity and participation domain, especially in improving spontaneous use of affected arm during daily activities. Conclusions Both intervention protocol had their own advantages in different domains, and robot-assisted therapy may save manpower and be considered as an alternative intervention to task-oriented training. Combining the two approaches could yield results greater than either alone, which awaits further study. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03624153. Registered on 9th August 2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03624153.

The effects of shared leadership on team performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiyeong Han ◽  
Jeewhan Yoon ◽  
Woojae Choi ◽  
Gyehoon Hong
Keyword(s):  
Team Performance ◽  
Shared Leadership ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Conservation Of Resources ◽  
Team Leaders ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
High Level ◽  
Task Oriented

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the relationship between shared leadership and team performance at the team level. Drawing on conservation of resources (COR) theory, the authors examine whether shared leadership is associated with team performance through team positive psychological capital (PsyCap). This study further examines whether task-oriented and relationship-oriented shared leadership affect team performance differently.Design/methodology/approachMulti-source survey data were obtained from 92 team leaders and 319 employees. An aggregation approach was used to analyze the data at the team level.FindingsA high level of shared leadership positively influences team performance through the mediation of team PsyCap. Moreover, relationship-oriented shared leadership is positively associated with team performance through team PsyCap, while task-oriented shared leadership is negatively associated with team performance without the mediating effect of team PsyCap.Practical implicationsBy focusing on the negative effects of task-oriented shared leadership and the positive effects of relationship-oriented shared leadership and team PsyCap on team performance, this study suggests new ways to manage team performance effectively and extends shared leadership literature.Originality/valueThis study applied COR theory to analyze the effect of shared leadership mediated by team PsyCap on team performance. It contributes to shared leadership literature by shedding light on the negative effects of task-oriented shared leadership and on the positive aspects of relationship-oriented shared leadership.

Dry needling for scar treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 435-439
Author(s):  
Evgeni Rozenfeld ◽  
Eleanora Sapoznikov Sebakhutu ◽  
Yuval Krieger ◽  
Leonid Kalichman
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Wound Healing Process ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Physiological Mechanisms ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Intervention Protocol

Objective: To review current scientific knowledge as to the efficacy of dry needling of scars on pain and other related symptoms and explore the possible physiological mechanisms of action. Methods: A narrative review of scientific literature published in English. Results: Two randomized controlled trials found that dry needling of scars (using the classic “surrounding the dragon” technique in one study and intradermal needling in a second study) was more effective than sham or control interventions with respect to scar appearance and pain. Two case reports have suggested that scar needling generates a rapid decrease in pain and improvement of mobility in scarred tissues. Another two case reports have reported positive effects of scar needling on the wound healing process. These findings are supported by an animal study examining the effect of needling on the wound healing process and the physiological mechanisms of action underlying the technique. Conclusion: There is preliminary evidence that the “surrounding the dragon” needling technique is a beneficial treatment for patients suffering from scar pain and other scar-related symptoms and can facilitate wound healing and make this process less painful. Further high-quality studies should be conducted to verify/quantify the efficacy of this method, to better understand the underlying mechanisms of action underlying the effects of scar needling and to establish an effective intervention protocol.

scholarly journals Percutaneous needle electrolysis and exercise reduce the time for return to competition after an injury to the hamstrings: Two cases in professional football players

2019 ◽  
Vol 02 (02) ◽  
pp. 121-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiménez Rubio S. ◽  
Valera Garrido F. ◽  
Minaya Muñoz F. ◽  
Navandar A.
Keyword(s):  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Intervention Protocol ◽  
Functional Exercise ◽  
Return To Competition

Abstract Background and Aims Percutaneous needle electrolysis has shown to be effective for the treatment of chronic tendinopathies, however, the scientific evidence available regarding acute muscle lesions is scarce. Lesions to the hamstrings caused by indirect mechanisms represent the most common muscle lesion in football (its incidence increases each year) with a high rate of recurrence. The aim was to evaluate whether the application of percutaneous needle electrolysis and a program of functional exercise decreases the times for return to competition after an injury to the hamstrings in athletes, and to compare performance data of subjects during competition before and after the injury. Methods A case series. Two professional football players, belonging to a first league team in Spain with a grade 2 lesion in the semitendinosus muscle on the proximal level. The affected muscle structure was assessed using ultrasound (Logiq GE E9, probe ML6–12) and functionality was evaluated based on data of the Global Positioning System (GPS), comparing the data obtained during the process of re-adaptation with data prior to the lesion. Percutaneous needle electrolysis was performed under ultrasound guidance at 48 hours after the injury following the protocol defined by Valera & Minaya (2:3:5). The indoor recovery of players began 24 hours after the percutaneous needle electrolysis. Initially, the exercise program included activities of mobility and controlled loading. Thereafter, the players completed their readaptation program in the training field with exercises of progressive complexity and intensity (biomechanical patterns and neuromuscular control of the central zone and the lower limbs, sprint). Results Player A returned to competition in 16 days, player B returned in 14 days. No adverse effects were identified during or after the percutaneous needle electrolysis technique. The players only missed one competition game and the process of readaptation allowed them to return to play registering parameters which were similar to the values prior to the lesion, and maintaining the performance during the four matches following the intervention protocol. The players were followed up to eight months after the injury and neither player suffered a relapse during this period, which indicates the complete recovery of the injured muscle both on a structural and functional level. Conclusions The combined treatment using percutaneous needle electrolysis and a functional exercise program reduces the time for return to competition after a grade 2 muscle lesion in the hamstrings, with a level of performance that is similar to prior to the lesion, without relapses, in an 8 month follow up period. The criteria we use to determine when a player can return to train with the team and compete after an acute muscle injury are: the time that has passed since the lesion, structural changes and the ability to perform tasks.

scholarly journals Learning Effect of Implicit Learning in Joining-in-type Robot-assisted Language Learning System

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (02) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
AlBara Khalifa ◽  
Tsuneo Kato ◽  
Seiichi Yamamoto
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Implicit Learning ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Corrective Feedback ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Linguistic Knowledge ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
Positive Effects

The introduction of robots into language learning systems has been highly useful, especially in motivating learners to engage in the learning process and in letting human learners converse in more realistic conversational situations. This paper describes a novel robot-assisted language learning system that induces the human learner into a triad conversation with two robots through which he or she improves practical communication skills in various conversational situations. The system applies implicit learning as the main learning style for conveying linguistic knowledge, in an indirect way, through conversations on several topics. A series of experiments was conducted using 80 recruited participants to evaluate the effect of implicit learning and the retention effect in a joining-in-type robot-assisted language learning system. The experimental results show positive effects of implicit learning and repetitive learning in general. Based on these experimental results, we propose an improved method, integrating implicit learning and tutoring with corrective feedback in an adaptive way, to increase performance in practical communication skills even for a wide variety of proficiency of L2 learners.

A Multilevel Approach to Motivational Climate in Physical Education and Sport Settings: An Individual or a Group Level Construct?

2004 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios Papaioannou ◽  
Herbert W. Marsh ◽  
Yannis Theodorakis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Goal Orientations ◽  
Motivational Climate ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Multilevel Approach ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
School Year ◽  
Class Average ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Task Oriented

Motivational climate is inherently a group-level construct so that longitudinal, multilevel designs are needed to evaluate its effects on subsequent outcomes. Based on a large sample of physical education classes (2,786 students, 200 classes, 67 teachers), we evaluated the effects of classroom motivational climate (task-involving and ego-involving) and individual goal orientations (task and ego) on individual students’ outcomes (intrinsic motivation, attitudes, physical self-concept, and exercise intentions) collected early (T1) and late (T2) in the school year. Using a multilevel approach, we found significant class-average differences in motivational climate at T1 that had positive effects on T2 outcomes after controlling T1 outcomes. Although there was no support for a “compatibility hypothesis” (e.g., that task oriented students were more benefited by task-involving motivation climates), the stability of goal orientations was undermined by incompatible climates.

scholarly journals Motivational Climate towards the Practice of Physical Activity, Self-Concept, and Healthy Factors in the School Environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Castro-Sánchez ◽  
Félix Zurita-Ortega ◽  
Eduardo García-Marmol ◽  
Ramón Chacón-Cuberos
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
School Children ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Motivational Climate ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Task Oriented

The objective of the present study was to define and contrast an explanatory model relating the motivational climate, body mass index, and adherence to a Mediterranean diet with the self-concept of school children. A further objective was to analyze the existing relationships between the variables included in the developed model according to sex, using a multi-group structural equation analysis. In the study, a total of 734 school children, of both sexes, reported their perceived motivational climate towards sport, body mass index, adherence to a Mediterranean diet, and self-concept. These children were aged between 10 and 12 years old and attended public school in the province of Granada (Spain). The multi-group structural equation model developed demonstrated an excellent fit to the empirical data (χ2 = 228.179; DF = 40; p < 0.001; CFI = 0.965; NFI = 0.958; IFI = 0.968; RMSEA = 0.048). The findings identified a direct negative relationship between the ego climate and the task climate. Furthermore, an inverse relationship was found between the task climate and body mass index, and a direct relationship was found between the ego climate and body mass index. Meanwhile, Mediterranean diet adherence was directly related to the task climate and negatively related to the ego climate. The main conclusions of the present study highlight the positive effects of a task-oriented motivational climate and adherence to a Mediterranean diet, with regards to body mass index. Furthermore, a task-oriented motivational climate and a lower body mass index are related to a more positive self-concept.

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