scholarly journals Rhythmic Haptic Cueing for Gait Rehabilitation of People With Hemiparesis: Quantitative Gait Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodoros Georgiou ◽  
Simon Holland ◽  
Janet van der Linden
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Bone Fractures ◽  
The Body ◽  
Experimental Result ◽  
Gait Rehabilitation ◽  
Gait Characteristics ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Gait Study

BACKGROUND Rhythm, brain, and body are closely linked. Humans can synchronize their movement to auditory rhythms in ways that can improve the regularity of movement while reducing perceived effort. However, the ability to perform rhythmic movement may be disrupted by various neurological conditions. Many such conditions impair mechanisms that control movement, such as gait, but typically without rhythmic perception being affected. This paper focuses on hemiparetic stroke, a neurological condition that affects one side of the body. Hemiparetic stroke can cause severe asymmetries in gait, leading to numerous physical problems ranging from muscle degeneration to bone fractures. Movement synchronization via entrainment to auditory metronomes is known to improve asymmetry and related gait problems; this paper presents the first systematic study of entrainment for gait rehabilitation via the haptic modality. OBJECTIVE This paper explores the gait rehabilitation of people with hemiparesis following a stroke or brain injury, by a process of haptic entrainment to rhythmic cues. Various objective measures, such as stride length and stride time, are considered. METHODS This study is a quantitative gait study combining temporal and spatial data on haptically cued participants with hemiparetic stroke and brain injury. We designed wearable devices to deliver the haptic rhythm, called Haptic Bracelets, which were placed on the leg near the knee. Spatial data were recorded using a Qualisys optical motion capturing system, consisting of 8 optoelectronic cameras, and 20 markers placed on anatomical lower limb landmarks and 4 additional tracking clusters placed on the right and left shank and thigh. Gait characteristics were measured before, during, and after cueing. RESULTS All 11 successfully screened participants were able to synchronize their steps to a haptically presented rhythm. Specifically, 6 participants demonstrated immediate improvements regarding their temporal gait characteristics, and 3 of the 6 improved their gait in terms of spatial characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Considering the great variability between survivors of stroke and brain injury and the limited number of available participants in our study, there is no claim of statistical evidence that supports a formal experimental result of improved gait. However, viewing this empirical gait investigation as a set of 11 case studies, more modest empirical claims can be made. All participants were able to synchronize their steps to a haptically presented rhythm. For a substantial proportion of participants, an immediate (though not necessarily lasting) improvement of temporal gait characteristics was found during cueing. Some improvements over baseline occurred immediately after, rather than during, haptic cueing. Design issues and trade-offs are identified, and interactions between perception, sensory deficit, attention, memory, cognitive load, and haptic entrainment are noted.

scholarly journals Rhythmic Haptic Cueing for Gait Rehabilitation of People With Hemiparesis: Quantitative Gait Study

10.2196/18649 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e18649
Author(s):  
Theodoros Georgiou ◽  
Simon Holland ◽  
Janet van der Linden
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Bone Fractures ◽  
The Body ◽  
Experimental Result ◽  
Gait Rehabilitation ◽  
Gait Characteristics ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Hemiparetic Stroke ◽  
Gait Study

Background Rhythm, brain, and body are closely linked. Humans can synchronize their movement to auditory rhythms in ways that can improve the regularity of movement while reducing perceived effort. However, the ability to perform rhythmic movement may be disrupted by various neurological conditions. Many such conditions impair mechanisms that control movement, such as gait, but typically without rhythmic perception being affected. This paper focuses on hemiparetic stroke, a neurological condition that affects one side of the body. Hemiparetic stroke can cause severe asymmetries in gait, leading to numerous physical problems ranging from muscle degeneration to bone fractures. Movement synchronization via entrainment to auditory metronomes is known to improve asymmetry and related gait problems; this paper presents the first systematic study of entrainment for gait rehabilitation via the haptic modality. Objective This paper explores the gait rehabilitation of people with hemiparesis following a stroke or brain injury, by a process of haptic entrainment to rhythmic cues. Various objective measures, such as stride length and stride time, are considered. Methods This study is a quantitative gait study combining temporal and spatial data on haptically cued participants with hemiparetic stroke and brain injury. We designed wearable devices to deliver the haptic rhythm, called Haptic Bracelets, which were placed on the leg near the knee. Spatial data were recorded using a Qualisys optical motion capturing system, consisting of 8 optoelectronic cameras, and 20 markers placed on anatomical lower limb landmarks and 4 additional tracking clusters placed on the right and left shank and thigh. Gait characteristics were measured before, during, and after cueing. Results All 11 successfully screened participants were able to synchronize their steps to a haptically presented rhythm. Specifically, 6 participants demonstrated immediate improvements regarding their temporal gait characteristics, and 3 of the 6 improved their gait in terms of spatial characteristics. Conclusions Considering the great variability between survivors of stroke and brain injury and the limited number of available participants in our study, there is no claim of statistical evidence that supports a formal experimental result of improved gait. However, viewing this empirical gait investigation as a set of 11 case studies, more modest empirical claims can be made. All participants were able to synchronize their steps to a haptically presented rhythm. For a substantial proportion of participants, an immediate (though not necessarily lasting) improvement of temporal gait characteristics was found during cueing. Some improvements over baseline occurred immediately after, rather than during, haptic cueing. Design issues and trade-offs are identified, and interactions between perception, sensory deficit, attention, memory, cognitive load, and haptic entrainment are noted.

scholarly journals Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of a Body Weight Support System

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Zhendong Song ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Wenbing Wang ◽  
Guoqing Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Control Process ◽  
Vertical Motion ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Weight Support ◽  
Gait Rehabilitation ◽  
Series Elastic Actuator ◽  
Weight Support ◽  
Support Force ◽  
Body Weight Support System

This paper proposes a body weight support (BWS) system with a series elastic actuator (SEA) to facilitate walking assistance and motor relearning during gait rehabilitation. This system comprises the following: a mobile platform that ensures movement of the system on the ground, a BWS mechanism with an SEA that is capable of providing the desired unloading force, and a pelvic brace to smooth the pelvis motions. The control of the body weight support is realized by an active weight-offload method, and a dynamic model of the BWS system with offload mass of a human is conducted to simulate the control process and optimize the parameters. Preliminary results demonstrate that the BWS system can provide the desired support force and vertical motion of the pelvis.

scholarly journals Study of Traumatic Brain Injury Due To Recent Earthquake in Manipal Teaching Hospital

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-66
Author(s):  
Bal G Karmacharya ◽  
Brijesh Sathian
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Head Injury ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injuries ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mild Head Injury ◽  
Associated Injuries

The objective of this study was to review the demographics, causes injury, severity, treatment and outcome of traumatic brain injuries in victims of the April 2015 earthquake who were admitted in Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara. A total of 37 patients was admitted under Neurosurgery Services. Collapse of buildings was the commonest cause of head injury. The majority of them had mild head injury. Associated injuries to other parts of the body were present in 40.54% patients.Nepal Journal of Neuroscience 12:63-66, 2015

Indigenous Theory Building for Māori Children and Adolescents with Traumatic Brain Injury and their Extended Family

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 406-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hinemoa Elder
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Specific Aspect ◽  
The Body ◽  
Brain Anatomy ◽  
Indigenous Research ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Indigenous Theory

Background: International research identifies indigeneity as a risk factor for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Aotearoa New Zealand studies show that mokopuna (grandchildren; used here to encompass the ages and stages of infant, child and adolescent development and those in young adulthood) are significantly overrepresented in TBI populations. The important role of whānau (family) is also well established in child and adolescent TBI scholarship. Despite awareness of these factors, no studies have been identified that explore whānau knowledge about mokopuna TBI. The aim of this study was to explore two questions: (1) What do Māori people say about mokopuna TBI in the context of the Māori cultural belief that the head is the most sacred part of the body? and (2) How could this information be used to build theory that could inform addressing the rehabilitation needs of this group?Method: Eighteen marae wānanga (culture-specific fora in traditional meeting houses) were held. The wānanga typically lasted approximately 2 hours. Footage and written transcripts were analysed using Rangahau Kaupapa Māori (Māori indigenous research methods).Results: The wairua theory of mokopuna TBI proposes that TBI not only injures brain anatomy and physiology but also injures wairua (defined here as a unique connection between Māori and all aspects of the universe). Injury to wairua means that culturally determined interventions are both indicated and expected. The wairua theory of mokopuna TBI thereby provides a guide to intervention.Conclusion: A Māori theory of mokopuna TBI has been identified which describes a culture-specific aspect of TBI. This theory proposes that pre-existing whānau knowledge salient to TBI is critical to optimising recovery. Further research is needed to test this theory not only in TBI but also in other areas such as in mental illness, neurodegenerative disease and addiction.

scholarly journals Biomechanical trade-offs bias rates of evolution in the feeding apparatus of fishes

2011 ◽  
Vol 279 (1732) ◽  
pp. 1287-1292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roi Holzman ◽  
David C. Collar ◽  
Samantha A. Price ◽  
C. Darrin Hulsey ◽  
Robert C. Thomson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Morphological Evolution ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Phenotypic Evolution ◽  
Genetic Constraints ◽  
Functional Systems ◽  
Rates Of Evolution ◽  
Trade Offs

Morphological diversification does not proceed evenly across the organism. Some body parts tend to evolve at higher rates than others, and these rate biases are often attributed to sexual and natural selection or to genetic constraints. We hypothesized that variation in the rates of morphological evolution among body parts could also be related to the performance consequences of the functional systems that make up the body. Specifically, we tested the widely held expectation that the rate of evolution for a trait is negatively correlated with the strength of biomechanical trade-offs to which it is exposed. We quantified the magnitude of trade-offs acting on the morphological components of three feeding-related functional systems in four radiations of teleost fishes. After accounting for differences in the rates of morphological evolution between radiations, we found that traits that contribute more to performance trade-offs tend to evolve more rapidly, contrary to the prediction. While ecological and genetic factors are known to have strong effects on rates of phenotypic evolution, this study highlights the role of the biomechanical architecture of functional systems in biasing the rates and direction of trait evolution.

scholarly journals A New Radiographic Method for Estimating Tibial Malrotation

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-128
Author(s):  
Hamidreza Yazdi ◽  
◽  
Mohammad Taher Ghaderi ◽  
Alireza Yousof Gomrokchi ◽  
Parham Pezeshk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Bone Fractures ◽  
Distal Tibia ◽  
Bone Diseases ◽  
The Body ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Radiographic Evaluation ◽  
Minor Trauma ◽  
Lower Limb Injury

Background: Diaphyseal tibial fractures are the most frequent bone fractures in the body and are usually treated with intramedullary nailing method. However, this approach is responsible for 41% of the rotational deviation.  Objectives: This study aimed to provide a radiographic evaluation method to determine tibial malrotation in closed fixation of tibia bone fractures during or after the operation. Methods: This study was conducted in a university hospital from May 2015 to March 2016. All patients referring to the hospital with the complaints of minor trauma around the ankle and knee requiring radiographic evaluation of both joints were enrolled in the study. The inclusion criteria included being 20 and 50 years old; having normal axial, sagittal, and coronal lower limb alignment; lacking previous lower limb injury (such as fractures of the tibia or fibula), ankle or knee sprain; not having previous lower limb surgery, metabolic or congenital bone diseases, or malignancy. In all cases, a standard Anteroposterior (AP) radiograph of the knee was taken, and then, without changing the limb position or image setting, an AP radiograph of the ankle was obtained. The overlap between the distal tibia and fibula was measured in the PACS program environment.   Results: Fifty cases were included in this study. The Mean±SD ages of males and females were 29.08±2.49 years and 31.46±2.04 years, respectively. The range of distal tibia-fibula overlap one centimeter above the tibiotalar joint line was 7.81 to 9.09 mm (confidence interval of 95%), and its percentage to the fibula shaft width at the same level was 49.43% to 54.35%. Conclusion: According to the results, distal tibia-fibula overlap when the knee is in the true AP position, regardless of the side and gender, is 7.81 to 9.09 mm or 49.43% to 54.35%.

scholarly journals Laser phototherapy

1981 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 59-62
Author(s):  
U. Y. Bogdanovich
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Output Power ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Laser ◽  
Bone Fractures ◽  
The Body ◽  
Laser Phototherapy ◽  
Healing Wounds ◽  
Helium Neon

For the purpose of laser phototherapy, helium-neon lasers with a wavelength of 632.8 nm and an output power of 15-25 mW are most often used today. For the treatment of patients with long-term healing wounds, trophic ulcers and bone fractures, the "Clinic" device was made on the basis of a carbon dioxide laser with a wavelength of 10.6 m, in which two LG-23 generators are used, which makes it possible to simultaneously irradiate two affected areas of the body or two sick.

scholarly journals Bone fractures in roadkill Northern Tamandua Tamandua mexicana (Mammalia: Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae) in Costa Rica

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 14802-14807
Author(s):  
Randall Arguedas ◽  
Elisa C. López ◽  
Lizbeth Ovares
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Bone Fractures ◽  
Costa Rican ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Future ◽  
Tamandua Mexicana

Northern Tamandua Tamandua mexicana is one of the most common roadkill species encountered on Costa Rican highways.  Ten roadkill Northern Tamanduas were collected along different roads in Costa Rica and moved to a veterinary facility where appendicular radiologic studies were undertaken.  The number of fractures present in each individual varied from zero to five (mean=2.6), with only one animal sustaining no fractures at all.  Most fractures were present in the humerus (31%), followed by the ulna and ilium (both 19%), whilst the cranial portion of the body represented the highest number of fractures (61%).  These data can contribute, not only to establishing causes of animal-road-mortalities, but also to the future understanding and decision-making of clinical actions for animals injured on the roads.

Evolution: Medicine’s most basic science

2020 ◽  
pp. 39-42
Author(s):  
Randolph M. Nesse ◽  
Richard Dawkins
Keyword(s):  
Population Genetics ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Basic Science ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
The Body ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Cost

The role of evolutionary biology as a basic science for medicine is expanding rapidly. Some evolutionary methods are already widely applied in medicine, such as population genetics and methods for analysing phylogenetic trees. Newer applications come from seeking evolutionary as well as proximate explanations for disease. Traditional medical research is restricted to proximate studies of the body’s mechanism, but separate evolutionary explanations are needed for why natural selection has left many aspects of the body vulnerable to disease. There are six main possibilities: mismatch, infection, constraints, trade-offs, reproduction at the cost of health, and adaptive defences. Like other basic sciences, evolutionary biology has limited direct clinical implications, but it provides essential research methods, encourages asking new questions that foster a deeper understanding of disease, and provides a framework that organizes the facts of medicine.

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