[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the effect of spatial target reaching training (TRT) based on visual biofeedback (VB) on the upper extremity (UE) function of hemiplegic subjects. [Subjects and Methods] Forty subjects between six and eighteen months post-stroke were enrolled in this study. They were randomly allocated to an experimental group (EG, n=20) and a control group (CG, n=20). All subjects received an hour of routine therapy for stroke three times a week for four weeks. Subjects in EG received additional spatial TRT based on VB using a 2-dimensional motion capture analysis system. Both groups were tested at pre and post-intervention. The motor function of each subject’s UE was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer (FM) test of UE and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). The reaching speed, angle and maximum reach distance were recorded using the motion capture analysis system. The experimental data were analyzed using the paired and independent t-tests. [Results] The mean change scores of the FM Test of UE and WMFT show there was significantly more improvement at post-intervention in EG than in CG. Also, the speed and angle reached showed significantly more increase in the EG compared with the CG. [Conclusions] The findings indicate that UE motor recovery of hemiplegic stroke patients can be enhanced through the use of TRT based on VB.
Background Omicron variant viruses spread rapidly, even in individuals with high vaccination rates. This study aimed to determine the utility of the antibody against spike protein level as a predictor of the disease course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in vaccinated patients. Methods Between December 11, 2021, and February 10, 2022, we performed a prospective observational cohort study in South Korea, which included patients infected with Delta and Omicron variants. A multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the association between antibody levels and outcomes was conducted. The relationship between antibody levels and cycle threshold (Ct) values was confirmed using a generalized linear model. Results From 106 vaccinated patients (39 Delta and 67 Omicron), the geometric mean titers of antibodies in patients with fever (≥37.5°C), hypoxia (≤94% of SpO2), pneumonia, C-reactive protein (CRP) elevation (>8 mg/L), or lymphopenia (<1100 cells/μL) were 1201.5 U/mL, 98.8 U/mL, 774.1 U/mL, 1335.1 U/mL, and 1032.2 U/mL, respectively. Increased antibody levels were associated with a decrease in the occurrence of fever (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.23; 95% CI, 0.12–0.51), hypoxia (aOR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.08–0.7), CRP elevation (aOR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.29–0.0.94), and lymphopenia (aOR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.33–0.98). Ct values showed a positive correlation between antibody levels (P = .02). Conclusions Antibody levels are predictive of the clinical course of COVID-19 in vaccinated patients with Delta and Omicron variant infections. Our data highlight the need for concentrated efforts to monitor patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection who are at risk of low antibody levels.
Scapular winging (SW) is defined as increased prominence of the whole medial border of the scapula. Many researchers recently recommended knee push-up plus (KPP) for enhancing serratus anterior (SA) activation. However, during push-up plus, thoracic kyphosis (TK) may usually occur as a compensatory movement. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Thera-Band application during KPP on rectus abdominis (RA) activity, TK angle (TKA), SA activity, and amount of SW in subjects with SW.Fifteen subjects performed KPP with Thera-Band applied to different posterior body parts (no Thera-Band, in the occiput, and in the thoracic region). Electromyography was used to record the RA and SA activities. Image J software was used to calculate the compensatory TKA during KPP, and a scapulometer was used to measure SW in the quadruped position. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to test for significance.KPP with Thera-Band in the occiput showed significantly lower RA activity (P = .001) and TKA (P < .001) than KPP with no Thera-Band. SA activity (P = .020, P = .047) and SW (P < .001, P < .001) were significantly lower with Thera-Band applied to the occiput and thoracic regions than in KPP with no Thera-Band.Thera-Band applied to the occiput and thorax can be beneficial as it decreases RA and SA muscle activity and reduces TKA and SW during KPP in subjects with SW.
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