Therapeutic Effects of a Newly Developed 3D Magnetic Finger Rehabilitation Device in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Pilot Study

We developed a magnetic-force-based three-dimensional (3D) rehabilitation device that can perform motor rehabilitation treatment for paralyzed fingers, regardless of upper extremity movement and position, and investigated the therapeutic effects of the device. An end-effector type rehabilitation device that can generate magnetic fields in three directions was developed using electromagnets and permanent magnetics. A double-blinded randomized controlled pilot study was conducted with a total of 12 patients. The intervention group had rehabilitation treatment using the developed magnetic finger rehabilitation device for 30 min a day for four weeks. The control group underwent exercise rehabilitation treatment. The control group received conventional occupational therapy on the upper limbs, including hands, from an occupational therapist, for the same amount of time. Adverse effects were monitored, and the patient’s sensory or proprioceptive deficits were examined before the intervention. No participants reported safety concerns while the intervention was conducted. The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) scores were significantly improved in the intervention group (from 13.4 ± 3.6 to 20.9 ± 4.0 points) compared to the control group (from 13.1 ± 4.0 to 15.2 ± 3.8 points) (p = 0.016). The patients in the intervention group (from 88 ± 12 to 67 ± 13 s) showed greater improvement of WMFT times compared to the control group (from 89 ± 10 to 73 ± 11 s) (p = 0.042). The Manual Function Test and the upper limb score of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment were significantly improved in the intervention group compared with the control group (p = 0.038 and p = 0.042). The patients in the intervention group also showed significantly greater enhancement of the Korean version of the modified Barthel Index than the control group (p = 0.042). Rehabilitation treatment using the 3D magnetic-force-driven finger rehabilitation device helped improve finger motor function and activities of daily living in subacute stroke patients.

Mindfulness improves theory of mind in psychosis

Impaired Theory of Mind (ToM) ability is a core feature of psychotic disorders that challenges psychosis treatment. We aimed to explore the effect of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI) on ToM ability in a randomized clinical trial (RCT). A sample of 36 participants diagnosed with psychotic disorder were recruited from a community center and randomly allocated to Integrated Rehabilitation Treatment (IRT) or IRT+MBI. ToM skills were assessed through the Hinting Test and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). IRT+MBI scored higher in RMET than IRT at posttreatment. MBI is a promising tool for improving ToM ability in psychosis.Keywords: psychotic disorders, theory of mind, mindfulness-based-interventions.

A microcirculation study to assess the effectiveness of post-COVID rehabilitation treatment

The objective of the research is to study distal circulation and assess the results of post-COVID rehabilitation treatment. A total of 107 reconvalescents were examined, with a control group of 56 patients. The effectiveness of therapy was estimated with the help of microcirculation parameters registered by the Minimax-Doppler-K system before and after the treatment. The authors found correlation between microcirculation measurements and data of objective examinations, as well as other procedures (electrocardiography, echocardiography, pulse oximetry) and the subjective examination of patient’s condition.

Corticocortical paired associative stimulation for treating motor dysfunction after stroke: study protocol for a randomised sham-controlled double-blind clinical trial

IntroductionStroke survivors can have a high disability rate with low quality of daily life, resulting in a heavy burden on family and society. Transcranial magnetic stimulation has been widely applied to brain injury repair, neurological disease treatment, cognition and emotion regulation and so on. However, there is still much to be desired in the theories of using these neuromodulation techniques to treat stroke-caused hemiplegia. It is generally recognised that synaptic plasticity is an important basis for functional repair after brain injury. This study protocol aims to examine the corticocortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) for inducing synaptic plasticity to rescue the paralysed after stroke.Methods and analysisThe current study is designed as a 14-week double-blind randomised sham-controlled clinical trial, composed of 2-week intervention and 12-week follow-up. For the study, 42 patients who had a stroke aged 40–70 will be recruited, who are randomly assigned either to the ccPAS intervention group, or to the control group at a 1:1 ratio, hence an equal number each. In the intervention group, ccPAS is practised in conjunction with the conventional rehabilitation treatment, and in the control group, the conventional rehabilitation treatment is administered with sham stimulation. A total of 10 interventions will be made, 5 times a week for 2 weeks. The same assessors are supposed to evaluate the participants’ motor function at four time points of the baseline (before 10 interventions), treatment ending (after 10 interventions), and two intervals of follow-up (1 and 3 months later, respectively). The Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity is used for the primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes include changes in the assessment of Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional MRI data. The adverse events are to be recorded throughout the study.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Yueyang Hospital. All ethical work was performed in accordance with the Helsinki declaration. Written informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Study findings will be disseminated in the printed media.Trial registration numberChinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000036685.

Significance of the cronobiological factors in a spa treatment of gynaecological patients

In the article the outcomes of the research of efficiency of complex SPA treatment of the patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of organs of the small pelvis in various seasons of the year in conditions of humid subtropics are indicated. The dynamics ofa psycho-emotional condition, vegetative reactivity, condition of the protective-adapting mechanisms of the gomeostasis are investigated, depending on a kind of applied SPA treatment (hydrogen sulfide or iodine bromide)? In cool and warm periods of a year. The recommendations for differentiated rehabilitation treatment of patients with valiants of clinical process of chronic inflammatory diseases of organs of the small pelvis and complications, accompanying them, in conditions of humid subtropics are represented.

Somatoneurological and psycho-pedagogical features of children with cerebral palsy in the context of their readiness for training in Paralympic sports

Introduction. Currently, Russia does not have a scientifically grounded medical and psychological support system for disabled children (DC), which allows involving them in classes in children and youth schools of adaptive physical education, preparing the country’s Paralympic DC reserve. Aim of the study. To develop and create a medical support system for the Paralympic DC reserve, capable of improving their quality of life and forming a medical and social lift. Materials and methods. Children aged from 1 year to 18 years had cerebral palsy (CP) with impaired motor functions of levels I and II according to the global motor function assessment system and the Manual Abilities Classification system and their families were monitored. A comprehensive assessment of the somatic, neurological, mental and nutritional status of CP children) was carried out, and a wide range of comorbid pathology was described. After the rehabilitation treatment with the use of complex personalized rehabilitation programs, dynamic monitoring of the condition of patients with cerebral palsy was carried out, followed by an assessment of the effectiveness of rehabilitation treatment and the impact on it the psychological readiness of patients, their parents to engage in Paralympic sports, as well as the socio-economic level of the family. The attitude of CP children and their parents to participate in the Paralympic movement was studied. All patients underwent a comprehensive study of somatic, neurological, orthopaedic, psychological and nutritional status. The socio-hygienic characteristics of families and the rehabilitation potential of DC and their families have been determined. Results. Children with cerebral palsy have a wide range of comorbid pathology, which requires the involvement of specialists of different profiles in the curation of patients. The use of complex personalized rehabilitation programs allows achieving positive dynamics after 14 days of rehabilitation treatment. Early introduction of botulinum therapy in the rehabilitation program of CP patients provides higher efficiency of rehabilitation treatment. Treatment of protein-energy deficiency in CP children should include correction of the diet using specialized products, metabolic therapy, enzyme and complex vitamin preparations. Differentiated medical, psychological and pedagogical counselling of parents of CP children will allow optimizing the solution of the state problem regarding the timely inclusion of persons with disabilities in adaptive physical education classes. Conclusion. The development and creation of a comprehensive medical and psychological support system solve an urgent medical and social problem, ensuring the integration of DC into society and improving the quality of life of both a sick child and his family members.

Health Status Stability of Patients in a Medical Rehabilitation Program: What Are the Roles of Time, Physical Fitness Level, and Self-efficacy?

Background Individuals’ physical and mental health, as well as their chances of returning to work after their ability to work is damaged, can be addressed by medical rehabilitation. Aim This study investigated the developmental trends of mental and physical health among patients in medical rehabilitation and the roles of self-efficacy and physical fitness in the development of mental and physical health. Design A longitudinal design that included four time-point measurements across 15 months. Setting A medical rehabilitation center in Germany. Population Participants included 201 patients who were recruited from a medical rehabilitation center. Methods To objectively measure physical fitness (lung functioning), oxygen reabsorption at anaerobic threshold (VO2AT) was used, along with several self-report scales. Results We found a nonlinear change in mental health among medical rehabilitation patients. The results underscored the importance of medical rehabilitation for patients’ mental health over time. In addition, patients’ physical health was stable over time. The initial level of physical fitness (VO2AT) positively predicted their mental health and kept the trend more stable. Self-efficacy appeared to have a positive relationship with mental health after rehabilitation treatment. Conclusions This study revealed a nonlinear change in mental health among medical rehabilitation patients. Self-efficacy was positively related to mental health, and the initial level of physical fitness positively predicted the level of mental health after rehabilitation treatment. Clinical Rehabilitation More attention could be given to physical capacity and self-efficacy for improving and maintaining rehabilitants’ mental health.

Constitutional Approach as a Factor of Sports Injury Prevention

A career in professional sports depends on a number of factors related both directly to the athlete’s body and to the influence of external factors. Age, sport, health, personal trainer, training conditions, etc. – all this is important to achieve the result. However, the athlete’s constitutional features are significant and fundamental for achieving the result. These are not just morphological signs, but also a tendency to the occurrence of injuries and individual psychological characteristics as well as their correspondence to the functional capabilities of the athlete’s body. It is the individual mental characteristics that determine the type of response to the result of the competition (especially negative), the motivational aspect for achieving the result and recovering from injuries. This is important, since injuries are one of the primary problems of sports (regardless of the type), and the number of injuries and traumatological pathologies reaches 44% of the total number of nosologies. Aim. To substantiate the possibility and expediency of using integrative medicine methods in the rehabilitation treatment of sports injuries of the ankle joint. Material and methods. The research object was 38 male athletes involved in game sports, 18 – 26 years old with moderate ankle injuries, sports experience – 10 – 18 years, sports qualifications from the 1st category to the master of sports (MS). The patients were randomly divided into two groups. In the main group – 20 athletes – the rehabilitation schemes included: classical acupuncture, homotoxicology, hirudotherapy, post-isometric relaxation. To comfortably accompany the recovery process, a collegial model of the relationship between a doctor and an athlete was used. The control group consisted of 18 athletes with applied standard recovery rehabilitation scheme. Results and discussion. In athletes in both groups, the clinical manifestations of the disease were stopped at the same time (within6–8 days). Functional recovery of the injured joint in the main group was observed by the 16th day, in the control group – by the 22nd day. Athletes of the main observation group started competitive activity on average after 23 days, in the control group – after 28 days. Conclusion. The use of integrative medicine methods in athletes allowed to shorten the recovery period, reduce the dosage of painkillers, sedatives, anti-inflammatory drugs, accelerate the psychological adaptation of the athlete to the changed life situation and provide relief for injured athletes to undergo rehabilitation treatment, practically preserving overall physical performance.

Possibilities of rehabilitation treatment of children with lymphoblastic leukemia (literary review)

According to nowaday protocols of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment, the percentage of recovering patients has increased significantly. This determines the necessity for comlex long-term rehabilitation, as chemotherapeutic drugs are highly toxic and contribute to the development of comorbid diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous and musculosceletal systems. The purpose of the study was to review and analyze data from foreign and domestic literature concerning possibilities for rehabilitative treatment of children with ALL and to reveal informative methods assessing the effectiveness of rehabilitation. Important elements of rehabilitation goals and assessment of its the effectiveness are the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health of Children and Adolescents, and the Quality of Childrens’ Life. Rehabilitation begins at the hospital and includes psychological support for the child with the involvement of psychotherapists and family, as well as the performance of certain physical exercises lasting for 15-30 minutes, which are selected individually, taking into account the functional capabilities and motivation of the child. After the acute period, physical activity is carried out in accordance with an individual plan, which takes into account the peculiarities of the disease and includes active video games, cycling and other activities. Rehabilitation treatment on the basis of sanatorium-resort institutions with the participation of a multidisciplinary team is actual. Such treatment, in addition to physical exercises, includes the use of natural and preformed physical factors in order to influence the manifestations of comorbid pathology, and also contributes to an increase of the social activity and independence of the child. However, the number of such studies is limited, which determines the necessity to develop clear practical recommendations regarding methods of exposure, their duration and intensity.