scholarly journals The Parkinsonian Gait Spatiotemporal Parameters Quantified by a Single Inertial Sensor before and after Automated Mechanical Peripheral Stimulation Treatment

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Kleiner ◽  
Manuela Galli ◽  
Maria Gaglione ◽  
Daniela Hildebrand ◽  
Patrizio Sale ◽  
...  

This study aims to evaluate the change in gait spatiotemporal parameters in subjects with Parkinson’s disease (PD) before and after Automated Mechanical Peripheral Stimulation (AMPS) treatment. Thirty-five subjects with PD and 35 healthy age-matched subjects took part in this study. A dedicated medical device (Gondola) was used to administer the AMPS. All patients with PD were treated in off levodopa phase and their gait performances were evaluated by an inertial measurement system before and after the intervention. The one-way ANOVA for repeated measures was performed to assess the differences between pre- and post-AMPS and the one-way ANOVA to assess the differences between PD patients and the control group. Spearman’s correlations assessed the associations between patients with PD clinical status (H&Y) and the percentage of improvement of the gait variables after AMPS (α<0.05for all tests). The PD group had an improvement of 14.85% in the stride length; 14.77% in the gait velocity; and 29.91% in the gait propulsion. The correlation results showed that the higher the H&Y classification, the higher the stride length percentage of improvement. The treatment based on AMPS intervention seems to induce a better performance in the gait pattern of PD patients, mainly in intermediate and advanced stages of the condition.

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 1089-1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Berkner ◽  
William P. Meehan ◽  
Christina L. Master ◽  
David R. Howell

Context:  Concussions affect a large number of US athletes each year. Returning an athlete to activity once self-reported symptoms have resolved can be problematic if unrecognized neurocognitive and balance deficits persist. Pairing cognitive and motor tasks or cognitive and quiet-stance tasks may allow clinicians to detect and monitor these changes postconcussion. Objective:  To prospectively examine adolescent athletes' gait and quiet-stance performance while concurrently completing a cognitive task acutely after concussion and after symptom resolution. Design:  Case-control study. Setting:  Sport concussion clinic. Patients or Other Participants:  Thirty-seven athletes (age = 16.2 ± 3.1 years; 54% female) were diagnosed with a concussion, and their performance was compared with that of a group of 44 uninjured control participants (age = 15.0 ± 2.0 years; 57% female). Intervention:  Participants diagnosed with a concussion completed a symptom inventory and single- and dual-task gait and quiet-stance evaluations within 21 days of injury and then again after symptom resolution. Gait and postural-control measurements were quantified using an inertial sensor system and analyzed using multivariate analyses of covariance. Main Outcome Measure(s):  Post-Concussion Symptom Scale, single-task and dual-task gait measures, quiet-stance measures, and cognitive task performance. Results:  At the initial postinjury examination, single-task gait stride length (1.16 ± 0.14 versus 1.25 ± 0.13 m, P = .003) and dual-task gait stride length (1.02 ± 0.13 m versus 1.10 ± 0.13 m, P = .011) for the concussion group compared with the control group, respectively, were shorter. After symptom resolution, no single-task gait differences were found, but the concussion group demonstrated slower gait velocity (0.78 ± 0.15 m/s versus 0.92 ± 0.14 m/s, P = .005), lower cadence (92.5 ± 12.2 steps/min versus 99.3 ± 7.8 steps/min, P &lt; .001), and a shorter stride length (0.99 ± 0.15 m versus 1.10 ± 0.13 m, P = .003) during dual-task gait than the control group. No between-groups differences were detected during quiet stance at either time point. Conclusions:  Acutely after concussion, single-task and dual-task stride-length alterations were present among youth athletes compared with a control group. Although single-task gait alterations were not detected after symptom resolution, dual-task gait differences persisted, suggesting that dual-task gait alterations may persist longer after concussion than single-task gait or objective quiet-stance alterations. Dual-task gait assessments may, therefore, be a useful component in monitoring concussion recovery after symptom resolution.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 478
Author(s):  
Ching Chang ◽  
Chien-Hao Huang ◽  
Hsiao-Jung Tseng ◽  
Fang-Chen Yang ◽  
Rong-Nan Chien

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a neuropsychiatric complication of decompensated cirrhosis, is associated with high mortality and high risk of recurrence. Rifaximin add-on to lactulose for 3 to 6 months is recommended for the prevention of recurrent episodes of HE after the second episode. However, whether the combination for more than 6 months is superior to lactulose alone in the maintenance of HE remission is less evident. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the one-year efficacy of rifaximin add-on to lactulose for the maintenance of HE remission in Taiwan. Methods: We conducted a real-world single-center retrospective cohort study to compare the long-term efficacy of rifaximin add-on to lactulose (group R + L) versus lactulose alone (group L, control group). Furthermore, the treatment efficacy before and after rifaximin add-on to lactulose was also analyzed. The primary endpoint of our study was time to first HE recurrence (Conn score ≥ 2). All patients were followed up every three months until death, and censored at one year if still alive. Results and Conclusions: 12 patients were enrolled in group R + L. Another 31 patients were stratified into group L. Sex, comorbidity, ammonia level, and ascites grade were matched while age, HE grade, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were adjusted in the multivariable logistic regression model. Compared with group L, significant improvement in the maintenance of HE remission and decreased episodes and days of HE-related hospitalizations were demonstrated in group R + L. The serum ammonia levels were significantly lower at the 3rd and 6th month in group 1. Concerning changes before and after rifaximin add-on in group R + L, mini-mental status examination (MMSE), episodes of hospitalization, and variceal bleeding also improved at 6 and 12 months. Days of hospitalization, serum ammonia levels also improved at 6th month. Except for concern over price, no patients discontinued rifaximin due to adverse events or complications. The above results provide evidence for the one-year use of rifaximin add-on to lactulose in reducing HE recurrence and HE-related hospitalization for patients with decompensated cirrhosis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Wilson Matsumoto ◽  
Paula Pastana Beraldo ◽  
Rossana Pereira de Almeida ◽  
Ana Paula Macedo ◽  
Beatriz Roque Kubata ◽  
...  

Purpose. The objective of this study was to evaluate the marginal fit and the flexural resistance of nickel-chromium frameworks welded by different techniques, gas-torch, laser, and tungsten inert gas (TIG), compared with that of frameworks made via one-piece casting. Methods. To evaluate the marginal fit, a master model was fabricated simulating four implants. Transfers and replicas were used to transfer the positions of the implants to the model, using a silicone matrix. The bars were waxed up and casted. Three assessments of misfit were performed for each implant using a stereomicroscope before and after welding in two predetermined regions, totaling six readings for each implant. To evaluate the flexural resistance, one group was made casting the specimens in one piece. Other 3 groups using gas-torch, laser, and TIG welding techniques were made after sectioned transversally. The data showed normal distribution and two-way ANOVA for marginal fit and one-way ANOVA for flexural resistance, and Tukey’s posttest (α=0.05) was performed. Results. For the marginal fit, the three welding methods presented similar results and were different from one-piece casting. For the flexural resistance, significant differences were observed among the studied groups (p<0.001), and the one-piece group presented higher resistance compared to the three welding techniques. Conclusions. Within the limits of this study, the three welding techniques yielded similar misfit results, and the laser and TIG techniques presented similar flexural resistance but lower than gas-torch and one-piece casting.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Xin Hu ◽  
Gui-ping Jiang ◽  
Zhong-qiu Ji ◽  
Bo Pang ◽  
John Liu

Based on traditional rhythmic physical activities (TRPA), we created novel rhythmic physical activities (NRPA). The purpose of this study was to verify the effectiveness of NRPA in improving children’s fundamental movement skills (FMS). 289 children (135 boys, 154 girls) from 3 to 5 years old were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. Tools of Test of Gross Motor Development-2, Tekscan instrument, and balance beam were to assess children’s FMS. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze and compare the changes in the related parameters of locomotor, manipulative, and balance movement skills before and after intervention ( groups × time ). NRPA performed significantly better than TRPA from pre- to posttest for FMS. Furthermore, NRPA had significantly higher posttest scores than TRPA. Therefore, NRPA could effectively promote the development of children’s FMS due to the concept of the sensitive period of motor development, the variability of movement parameters, and the incomplete repeatability of practice methods.


Author(s):  
Guilherme Henrique de Lima Matias ◽  
◽  
André dos Santos Costa ◽  
Romulo Maia Carlos Fonseca

Objective: To verify the effect of recreational soccer on bone mineral density and sarcopenia in the elderly. Methods: Fourteen elderly people aged 65.9 ± 3.4 years were selected. They were separated into two groups: the intervention group and the control group; the intervention group played recreational soccer for 12 weeks on two days of the week. Assessments were performed for bone mineral density and body muscle mass before and after the intervention. For statistical analysis, the repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni’s post hoc test was used. Results: After 12 weeks, there was a significant change in bone mineral density in the region of the total femur (p = 0.020). Analyzing the participants’ sarcopenia, no significant results were found after the intervention period. Conclusion: Playing recreational soccer causes a significant improvement in the total femur and maintains bone regions in the spine, whole body, and femoral neck. Also, it promotes a removal from the threshold for sarcopenia screening in the elderly.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luyu Yao ◽  
Honglin Dong ◽  
Allen Gu ◽  
Xin Gu ◽  
Kai Yao ◽  
...  

Objectives: This experiment proposes a novel mouse model to simulate long-term chronic ischemia caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD) using a partial ligation method to narrow down the femoral artery lumen in C57Bl/6 mice. This model will be compared to the typical occlusion model while testing Intermedin (IMD) as a possible treatment for ischemia. Methods: Partial hindlimb ligation technique: we use a strand of 11-0 nylon sutures to pierce the middle of the artery and suture half of the artery shut at both the proximal and distal end of the femoral artery. The typical occlusion model: we use a 7-0 silk suture to completely ligate the distal and proximal femoral artery. Hindlimb blood flow was monitored daily by Laser Doppler perfusion monitor before and after the surgery. IMD was administered at 150 μg/kg, ip, immediately following ligation and twice daily afterwards for up to one week, while in the control group saline was injected instead of IMD. Gastrocnemius muscle samples were collected at day 3 and day 7 for histology and molecular biology study. Results: Ischemic/non-ischemic leg blood perfusion ratio in the partial ligation model is significantly higher than in the typical model. It is also significantly increased in IMD-treated groups in both models. Compared to the tissue in complete ligation models, it is apparent that partial ligation model tissue is less severely affected upon initial ligation but maintains ischemia over the one week testing period as would be expected. Compared to the untreated ischemia groups in acute and chronic hindlimb ischemia models, IMD-treated animals had less severe ischemic injuries. Conclusion: Our study indicates that our chronic hindlimb ischemia model was successful with expected less ischemia status than complete occlusion. The partial occlusion model presented here more closely mimics human PAD, where atherosclerotic plaque builds up slowly, resulting in a lower pressure difference between the proximal and distal artery preventing adequate shunting of the blood into collateral circulation. Moreover, our study suggests that IMD has promise as a therapeutic treatment in acute and chronic hindlimb ischemia models to prevent necrosis in muscle tissue following ischemic events.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
pp. 170-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Migliorin da Rosa ◽  
Luciana Mendonça da Silva ◽  
Márcio de Menezes ◽  
Hugo Felipe do Vale ◽  
Diego Ferreira Regalado ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objectives: The present study verified the influence of whitening dentifrices on the surface roughness of a nanohybrid composite resin. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two specimens were prepared with Filtek™ Z350 XT (3M/ESPE) and randomly divided into four groups (n = 08) that were subjected to brushing simulation equivalent to the period of 1 month. The groups assessed were a control group with distilled water (G1), Colgate Total 12 Professional Clean (G2), Sensodyne Extra Whitener Extra Fresh (G3), and Colgate Luminous White (G4). A sequence of 90 cycles was performed for all the samples. The initial roughness of each group was analyzed by the Surface Roughness Tester (TR 200-TIME Group Inc., CA, USA). After the brushing period, the final roughness was measured, and the results were statistically analyzed using nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests for intergroup roughness comparison in the time factor. For intragroup and “Δ Final − Initial” comparisons, the Wilcoxon test and (one-way) ANOVA were, respectively, performed (α = 0.05). Results: The roughness mean values before and after brushing showed no statistically significant difference when the different dentifrices were used. None of the dentifrices analyzed increased significantly the nanohybrid composite resin surface roughness in a 1 month of tooth brushing simulation. Conclusions: These results suggest that no hazardous effect on the roughness of nanohybrid composite resin can be expected when whitening dentifrices are used for a short period. Similar studies should be conducted to analyze other esthetic composite materials.


2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
KY Kyaw ◽  
M Otsuki ◽  
MS Segarra ◽  
N Hiraishi ◽  
J Tagami

SUMMARY Objective: To investigate the effect of calcium-phosphate–based desensitizers, Teethmate AP paste (TMAP) and Teethmate Desensitizer (TMD) (Kuraray Noritake Dental, Tokyo, Japan), on the prevention of staining on acid-eroded enamel. Methods and Materials: Forty polished enamel samples (4×4×1 mm) from bovine incisors were randomly divided into five groups (n=8). After immersion in 50 mL of 0.5% citric acid (pH 2.5) for 15 minutes to form acid-eroded surfaces, the surfaces were subjected to different treatments with TMAP, TMD, and NaF (0.21% means 950 ppm) for five minutes. Another eroded group was not treated with desensitizer. For the control group, the samples were not eroded or treated. All the samples were stored in artificial saliva (AS) at pH 7.2 for 24 hours at 37°C. The TMAP, TMD, or NaF was reapplied at eight and 16 hours during the 24 hours of storage time. The surface roughness (Sa) was evaluated following ISO 25178 for surface texture using confocal laser scanning microscopy (VK-X 150 series, Keyence, Osaka, Japan) before acid erosion, after acid erosion, and after 24 hours of incubation in AS. Afterward, the color difference was measured with a dental colorimeter (Shade Eye NCC, Shofu, Kyoto, Japan) before and after staining with tea solution. Results: One-way repeated measures analysis of variance showed that acid erosion significantly increased Sa (p&lt;0.001). TMAP- and TMD-treated groups exhibited lower Sa values than the NaF group and the no-desensitizer treatment group. The greatest staining was observed in the NaF group and the no-desensitizer group, while the TMAP and TMD groups significantly decreased the formation of stains. Conclusions: Acid-eroded enamel increased surface roughness and tended to absorb more stains. However, the application of TMAP and TMD moderated the roughness and thus prevented the formation of extrinsic stains.


2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice Miner Holden ◽  
Kathy Oden ◽  
Kelly Kozlowski ◽  
Bert Hayslip

In this article, we reviewed results of research on near-death experiences (NDEs) over the past 3 decades and examined the effect of viewing the hour-long 2002 BBC documentary The Day I Died: The Mind, the Brain, and Near-Death Experiences on accurate knowledge about near-death experiences among advanced undergraduates at a southwestern university. In a quasi-experimental research design, the experimental group completed a 20-item questionnaire before and after viewing the documentary ( n = 66; 45 females, 21 males), and the waitlist control group completed the questionnaire as pre- and posttest before viewing the documentary ( n = 39; 36 female, 3 male). The two groups' scores at pretest were not significantly different ( p > .05). Group by occasion repeated measures ANOVA revealed the experimental group's posttest scores moved significantly in the direction of correctness with a large effect size ( p < .001; η2= .56), whereas waitlist control group posttest scores remained similar to pretest scores. We discuss two exceptions to the effectiveness of the documentary and recommendations for educators using it as well as for future research.


Author(s):  
Suzan Cangul ◽  
Begum Erpacal ◽  
Ozkan Adiguzel ◽  
Mehmet Unal ◽  
Ayse Gunay

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of the superficial application of two different modeling resins on the surface microhardness and discoloration of composite resins. Material and Methods: The present study used two different composites and modeling resins. The composites were placed in plastic molds. Subsequently, the modeling resins were applied on the surface of the two composite groups. The microhardness and color pertaining to all the groups were evaluated. The current study used the One-Way ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis tests, in order to perform the statistical evaluation (p<0.05). Results: The present study compared the microhardness pertaining to the groups and the highest microhardness values were observed in the Estelite Asteria group (none), whereas the lowest values were observed in the GC Essentia group (Ultradent). Moreover, the current study evaluated the color stability and the greatest discoloration was observed in the control group of the GC Essentia group, whereas the least discoloration was observed in the Estelite Asteria group that included the samples prepared using Ultradent Wetting Resin. Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrated that the use of modeling resins, which facilitate the placement of composite resins, reduced the microhardness and discoloration of composite resins. The aforementioned effect can be attributed to the variations in the structure of the filling. However, further studies are warranted to support and verify the results of the current study.


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