scholarly journals Combined Use of EMG and EEG Techniques for Neuromotor Assessment in Rehabilitative Applications: A Systematic Review

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 7014
Author(s):  
Cristina Brambilla ◽  
Ileana Pirovano ◽  
Robert Mihai Mira ◽  
Giovanna Rizzo ◽  
Alessandro Scano ◽  
...  

Electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) are widespread and well-known quantitative techniques used for gathering biological signals at cortical and muscular levels, respectively. Indeed, they provide relevant insights for increasing knowledge in different domains, such as physical and cognitive, and research fields, including neuromotor rehabilitation. So far, EEG and EMG techniques have been independently exploited to guide or assess the outcome of the rehabilitation, preferring one technique over the other according to the aim of the investigation. More recently, the combination of EEG and EMG started to be considered as a potential breakthrough approach to improve rehabilitation effectiveness. However, since it is a relatively recent research field, we observed that no comprehensive reviews available nor standard procedures and setups for simultaneous acquisitions and processing have been identified. Consequently, this paper presents a systematic review of EEG and EMG applications specifically aimed at evaluating and assessing neuromotor performance, focusing on cortico-muscular interactions in the rehabilitation field. A total of 213 articles were identified from scientific databases, and, following rigorous scrutiny, 55 were analyzed in detail in this review. Most of the applications are focused on the study of stroke patients, and the rehabilitation target is usually on the upper or lower limbs. Regarding the methodological approaches used to acquire and process data, our results show that a simultaneous EEG and EMG acquisition is quite common in the field, but it is mostly performed with EMG as a support technique for more specific EEG approaches. Non-specific processing methods such as EEG-EMG coherence are used to provide combined EEG/EMG signal analysis, but rarely both signals are analyzed using state-of-the-art techniques that are gold-standard in each of the two domains. Future directions may be oriented toward multi-domain approaches able to exploit the full potential of combined EEG and EMG, for example targeting a wider range of pathologies and implementing more structured clinical trials to confirm the results of the current pilot studies.

Homeopathy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 107 (03) ◽  
pp. 181-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Scherr ◽  
Natalia Borisovna Bodrova ◽  
Stephan Baumgartner ◽  
Maria Kokornaczyk

Background Methods based on phase-transition-induced pattern formation (PTPF) are increasingly used in medical research. Frequent application fields are medical diagnosis and basic research in homeopathy. Here, we present a systematic review of experimental studies concerning PTPF-based methods applied to homeopathy research. We also aimed at categorizing the PTPF methods included in this review. Materials and Methods Experimental studies were collected from scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Russian eLibrary) and from experts in the research field in question, following the PRISMA guidelines. The studies were rated according to pre-defined scientific criteria. Results The review included 15 experimental studies. We identified seven different PTPF methods applied in 12 experimental models. Among these methods, phase-transition was triggered through evaporation, freezing, or solution, and in most cases led to the formation of crystals. First experimental studies concerning the application of PTPF methods in homeopathic research were performed in the first half of the 20th century; however, they were not continued in the following years. Only in the last decade, different research groups re-launched the idea, introducing new experimental approaches and computerized pattern evaluation techniques. The here-identified PTPF methods are for the first time proposed to be classified as one group of methods based on the same basic physical phenomenon. Conclusions Although the number of experimental studies in the area is still rather limited, the long tradition in the application of PTPF methods and the dynamics of the present developments point out the high potential of these methods and indicate that they might meet the demand for scientific methods to study potentized preparations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1071-1077
Author(s):  
Aref G. Ghahsare ◽  
Zahra S. Nazifi ◽  
Seyed M.R. Nazifi

: Over the last decades, several heterocyclic derivatives compounds have been synthesized or extracted from natural resources and have been tested for their pharmaceutical activities. Xanthene is one of these heterocyclic derivatives. These compounds consist of an oxygen-containing central heterocyclic structure with two more cyclic structures fused to the central cyclic compound. It has been shown that xanthane derivatives are bioactive compounds with diverse activities such as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory as well as therapeutic effects on diabetes and Alzheimer. The anti-cancer activity of such compounds has been one of the main research fields in pharmaceutical chemistry. Due to this diverse biological activity, xanthene core derivatives are still an attractive research field for both academia and industry. This review addresses the current finding on the biological activities of xanthene derivatives and discussed in detail some aspects of their structure-activity relationship (SAR).


Author(s):  
Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi ◽  
Ardalan Shariat ◽  
Jan Dommerholt ◽  
Azadeh Hakakzadeh ◽  
Amin Nakhostin-Ansari ◽  
...  

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 457
Author(s):  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo ◽  
Hugo Sarmento ◽  
Daniel Castillo ◽  
Javier Raya-González ◽  
...  

This systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of small-sided games (SSG)-based training programs on bone mineral density (BMD) in untrained adults. The data sources utilized were Cochrane, Embase, Medline (PubMed), Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. The study eligibility criteria were: (i) untrained adults (>18 years old) of any sex, with or without a noncommunicable disease; (ii) SSG-based programs with a minimum duration of four weeks and no restrictions regarding frequency (number of sessions per week); (iii) passive or active control groups; (iv) pre-post values of BMD; (v) only randomized controlled trials; and (vi) only original and full-text studies written in English. The database search initially yielded 374 titles. From those, nine articles were eligible for the systematic review and meta-analysis. The age of included population varied from a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 71 years old. Non-significant differences between SSG and passive and active control groups on total BMD (ES = 0.14; p = 0.405 and ES = 0.28; p = 0.05, respectively). Meanwhile, significant differences in favor of SSGs vs. passive and control groups were detected, evidencing an improvement of BMD in lower limbs of the adult population for both sexes (ES = 0.26; p = 0.05 and ES = 0.28; p = 0.156, respectively). As conclusions, SSGs can be used as a non-pharmacological alternative to increase the BMD in the lower limbs despite having no significant impact on total body BMD. Careful generalization should be done of the level of heterogeneity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 35-59
Author(s):  
Suzanne Adema

Abstract Empirical research on the learning and instruction of Latin is still scarce. In this article, relevant research is surveyed, along with publications that report experiences of classics teachers or provide teaching suggestions. An overview is presented of where to find publications on the learning and instruction of Latin, as well as a brief introduction to several relevant research methods. The article is organized by reference to various research fields relevant to the learning and instruction of Latin. These fields are classics and Latin linguistics, second language acquisition, vocabulary acquisition and dictionary use, reading and text comprehension, translation research and pedagogy, child development and psychology.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1398
Author(s):  
Felix Boehm ◽  
Rene Graesslin ◽  
Marie-Nicole Theodoraki ◽  
Leon Schild ◽  
Jens Greve ◽  
...  

Background. In the past few years, surgical robots have recently entered the medical field, particularly in urology, gynecology, and general surgery. However, the clinical effectiveness and safety of robot-assisted surgery (RAS) in the field of head and neck surgery has not been clearly established. In this review, we evaluate to what extent RAS can potentially be applied in head and neck surgery, in which fields it is already daily routine and what advantages can be seen in comparison to conventional surgery. Data sources. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic review of trials published between 2000 and 2021, as well as currently ongoing trials registered in clinicaltrials.gov. The results were structured according to anatomical regions, for the topics “Costs,” “current clinical trials,” and “robotic research” we added separate sections for the sake of clarity. Results. Our findings show a lack of large-scale systematic randomized trials on the use of robots in head and neck surgery. Most studies include small case series or lack a control arm which enables a comparison with established standard procedures. Conclusion. The question of financial reimbursement is still not answered and the systems on the market still require some specific improvements for the use in head and neck surgery.


2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Danielli Coelho de Morais Faria ◽  
Viviane Amaral Saliba ◽  
Luci Fuscaldi Teixeira-Salmela

INTRODUCTION: Sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit are two of the most mechanically demanding activities undertaken in daily life and which are usually impaired in stroke subjects. OBJECTIVES: To determine the distinguishing characteristics in musculoskeletal biomechanical outcomes of the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit activities with stroke subjects, with an emphasis on the clinical management of stroke disabilities, in a systematic review. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An extensive literature search was performed with the MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro, LILACS, and SciELO databases, followed by a manual search, to select studies on musculoskeletal biomechanical outcomes in both activities with stroke subjects, without language restrictions, and published until December/2007. RESULTS: Out of the 432 studies, only 11 reported biomechanical outcomes of both activities and none reached the total score on the selected quality parameters. The majority of the experimental studies which compared groups did not achieve acceptable scores on their methodological quality (PEDRo). The investigated conditions and interventions were also restricted. Only one study compared biomechanical outcomes between the activities, but only evaluated the time spent to perform them. Few musculoskeletal biomechanical outcomes have been investigated, being weight bearing on the lower limbs and duration of the activities the most investigated. CONCLUSION: There is little information regarding musculoskeletal biomechanical outcomes during these activities with stroke subjects and no definite conclusions can be drawn regarding the particularities of these outcomes on their performance with stroke survivors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596712097319
Author(s):  
Przemysław A. Pękala ◽  
Dominik P. Łazarz ◽  
Mateusz A. Rosa ◽  
Jakub R. Pękala ◽  
Adam Baginski ◽  
...  

Background: The posterior meniscofemoral ligament (pMFL) of Wrisberg attaches to the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus and the lateral intercondylar aspect of the medial femoral condyle and passes posteriorly to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The pMFL plays a role in recovery after PCL injuries and offers stability to the lateral meniscus, promoting normal knee function. Purpose/Hypothesis: The aim of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) arm of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the pMFL in Polish patients. The purpose of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical relevance of the pMFL in knee surgery. It was hypothesized that extensive variability exists in reports on the prevalence, function, and clinical significance of the pMFL. Study Design: Cross-sectional study and systematic review; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective MRI investigation was conducted on 100 randomly selected lower limbs of Polish patients (56 male, 44 female) performed in 2019 to determine the prevalence of the pMFL. Additionally, an extensive literature search of major online databases was performed to evaluate all reported data on the pMFL. Assessments of article eligibility and data extraction were completed independently by 2 reviewers, and all disagreements were resolved via a consensus. A quality assessment of the included articles was performed using the Anatomical Quality Assessment tool. Results: In the MRI arm of this study, the pMFL was observed in 73 of the 100 limbs. In the meta-analysis, 47 studies were included, totaling 4940 lower limbs. The pooled prevalence of the pMFL was found to be 70.4% (95% CI, 63.4%-76.9%); the mean length was 27.7 mm (95% CI, 24.8-30.5 mm) and the mean widths were 4.5, 6.1, and 4.1 mm for the meniscal and femoral attachments and midportion, respectively. The mean pMFL thickness was 2.3 mm (95% CI, 1.8-2.7 mm). Conclusion: Despite the variability in the literature, the pMFL was found to be a prevalent and large anatomic structure in the knee joint. The shared features of this ligament with the PCL necessitate the consideration of its value in planning and performing arthroscopic procedures of the knee.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanaz Shafiee ◽  
Ali Rajabzadeh Ghatari ◽  
Alireza Hasanzadeh ◽  
Saeed Jahanyan

Purpose This study aims to present a systematic review of smart tourism articles using a meta-synthesis method. Effective systematic reviews are essential for assisting stakeholders in implementing smart destinations. A systematic comprehension of studies on smart tourism is needed regarding the various components of smart tourism destinations, the metrics to map these components and their expected results. This study creates a framework for understanding how smart tourism destinations are theorized and developed. Design/methodology/approach Based on the meta-synthesis approach, this study collects, analyzes and synthesizes relevant research in smart tourism published in online databases by following a predetermined review protocol. Findings This study contributes to the discourse on smart tourism destinations by increasing the knowledge on the subject of smart destinations in regard to different categories. The selected articles were analyzed according to the proposed research questions and classified into three main categories: components, measurement and outputs. This study presents a new archetype for developing smart destinations and addresses efforts to bridge the gap in this research field. Practical implications This paper is noteworthy for stakeholders because it provides a comprehensive vision into the components that influence the growth of smart destinations. The advantage of the proposed methodology is that it creates a framework for understanding how smart destinations are theorized. Furthermore, it is helpful to use qualitative methodologies that efficiently allow the analysis of related literature and that also offer conceptual insights. Originality/value The findings provide information that can be used to help shape a fully conceptualized understanding of the smart destinations concept and can also prove important in providing a guide for policymakers and stakeholders in the tourism industry who seek to intelligently develop tourism destinations.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Celal Perihan ◽  
Mack D. Burke ◽  
Lisa Bowman-Perrott ◽  
Joel Bocanegra

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of current studies that assess and treat anxiety symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). More specifically the study aimed to answer the following questions: What are the qualities of the current studies using cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) to treat anxiety symptoms in children with ASD? Did studies make necessary modifications and adaptations to CBTs according to the evidence-based strategies and implement these versions of CBTs with precise fidelity? Were the selected measurements appropriate for assessing the anxiety symptoms in children with ASD? Design/methodology/approach A systematic review protocol was developed from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (Moher et al., 2009). A rubric was adapted based on the CEC (Council for Exceptional Children; Cook, 2014) group comparison studies standards and the Evaluative Method for Determining EBP in Autism (Reichow et al., 2007). The 3-point Likert Scale (Chard et al., 2009) was adapted to score each study based on the rubric. Findings CBT is a first-line treatment with significant mixed results. Current studies use adapted versions of existing CBTs for children with ASD without reporting empirical evidence to these adaptations and changes. Reporting of the implementation fidelity is still an issue in the treatment of anxiety. Anxiety measurements that were designed for typically developing children failure to detect unusual anxiety symptoms in children with ASD. Research limitations/implications The first limitation of this study was including a variety of studies across CBT programs and types of anxiety symptoms. Types of anxiety and CBT treatments may require separate analyses with specific indicators. Due to the limited studies, reviews could not be analyzed across types of CBT programs. The second limitation was the types of studies. Most of the studies were pilot studies. Pilot studies might use various instruments and CBTs components for making selections to produce the best effects and results. The final limitation was the lack of examination of the data analysis process. Originality/value These findings are important because due to the variety of changes or adaptation to CBTs, inappropriate implementations and failure to detect unusual anxiety symptoms of children with ASD may cause significant differences in treatment responses and outcomes. The study demonstrated that the majority of the studies used adapted versions of existing CBTs without reporting empirical evidence for these adaptations and changes. The findings have shown that reporting of the implementation fidelity is still an issue. Moreover, the majority of studies had used anxiety measurements that were designed for typically developing children, not for children with ASD.


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