Gait & posture
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Considering the thoracic, lumbar spine or whole spine as rigid segments has been the norm until recent studies highlighted the importance of more detailed modelling. A better understanding of the requirement for spine multi-segmental analysis could guide planning of future studies and avoid missing clinically-relevant information. ⋯ The results suggest that multi-segmental analysis of the spine is necessary if spine movement characteristics are to be fully understood. We cannot establish a priori where redundancy occurs based on healthy data, therefore extra consideration should be made when planning studies with pathological cohorts.
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Quadruped upper and lower extremity lift (QULEL) is performed for selective training of the lumbar multifidus muscle in patients with low back pain (LBP) or individuals with LBP history (LBPH). However, the activities of the back muscles and sagittal spinal alignment during QULEL are not clarified in individuals with LBPH. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that the activity of the latissimus dorsi and thoracic erector spinae muscles increases while there are no decrease in activity of the lumbar multifidus muscle and excessive extension of the lumbar spine during QULEL in young men with LBPH.
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Foot problems and lower-limb diseases (e.g., foot ulcers, osteoarthritis, etc.), are presented with a ground reaction force (GRF) that may deviate substantially from the normal. Thus, GRF manipulation is a key parameter when treating symptoms of these diseases. In the current study, we examined the impact of footwear-generated center of pressure (COP) manipulations on the GRF components, and the ability to predict this impact using statistical models. ⋯ The study results are valuable for the development of a method and means for efficient treatment of foot and lower-limb pathologies. The ability to predict and control the GRF components along three orthogonal axes, for a given COP location, provides a strong tool for efficient treatment of foot and lower-limb diseases and may also have relevant implications in sports shoe design. This study is a preliminary investigation for our ultimate goal to develop an effective treatment method by developing an autonomous GRF manipulations device based on closed-loop feedback.
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Impairments of postural stability occur with increasing age and in neurodegenerative diseases like the Parkinson's disease (PD). While changes in balance have been described in many studies under steady-state conditions, less is known about the dynamic changes in balance following sudden transition to different sensory inputs. ⋯ The PD patients showed more unstable transient postural responses to selective sensory stimulation switch off, which may reflect impairment of sensory reweighting in balance control. Understanding how early stages PD patients differ in balance control from neurologically intact peers may help researchers and clinicians to refine their intervention and fall prevention programs.
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Patients with brain injuries such as Parkinson's disease or stroke exhibit abnormal gait characteristics especially during gait transitions such as step initiation and turning. Since such transitions could precipitate falls and resultant injuries, evaluation and rehabilitation of non-steady state gait in those patients are important. Whereas body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) provides a safe and controlled environment for gait training, it is unable to adequately train for gait transitions since the typical linear treadmill does not allow for changes in walking direction and natural fluctuations in speed. ⋯ The developed VR-based turning interface can provide a safe and controlled environment for assessment of turning in healthy controls and may have a potential for assessment and training in patients with neurological disorders.