Background/Aims: To compare the effects of motor imagery and virtual reality techniques through the Fugl Meyer Assessment scale in post-stroke individuals. Methods: The volunteers were allocated into three groups: control group without intervention, but receiving conventional therapy (control group); a group that received a motor imagery programme (motor imagery group); and a group that received a virtual reality programme (virtual reality group). The Fugl Meyer Upper Extremity Scale was the evaluation method adopted. Findings: There were significant differences between the motor imagery group programme intragroup comparison (P=0.005) and the virtual reality group intragroup comparison (P=0.000). There was no significant difference between the control group intragroup comparison (P=0.160), between the intergroup comparisons in the control group and the motor imagery group (P=0.163), and the intergroup comparisons between the motor imagery group and the virtual reality group (P=0.689). There was statistical significance for the intergroup comparison of the control group and the virtual reality group (P=0.031). Conclusions: Motor imagery and virtual reality are both able to increase motor function through the Fugl Meyer Upper Extremity Scale. Virtual reality has not proved to be more effective than motor imagery. Virtual reality might be more effective than conventional therapy; however, further studies with standardised protocols are necessary.
SUMMARY
OBJECTIVE:
With population aging, the prevalence of sarcopenia has increased. It is a pathology often neglected, with the potential to cause great damage if not diagnosed and treated. The objective of this study was to identify sarcopenic elderly people through the SARC-F score and palm grip test and to evaluate foot and ankle functionality parameters: gait speed, plantar sensitivity, and baropodometry.
METHODS:
This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 20 sarcopenic elderly diagnosed through the SARC-F score and the handgrip strength test, from which demographic data were obtained, and the three functional tests related to the foot and ankle were performed.
RESULTS:
No individual was aware of the term sarcopenia. Regarding gait speed, 20 (100%) presented values compatible with sarcopenia (average of 0.52 m/s). Regarding plantar sensitivity, five (25%) of the patients showed changes in the exam with the detection of insensitivity. Regarding baropodometry, higher pressure values were observed in the right foot (average of 52.9±7.01%) compared to the left (average of 47.10±7.01%) and in the hindfoot (average of 55.85±16.21%) compared to the forefoot (mean 44.15±15.35%). When correlating the analyzed variables with the SARC-F scores, the only association that showed statistical significance (p<0.05) was the dynamometry on the right.
CONCLUSION:
The SARC-F score and the handgrip strength test are easy to apply in the screening of sarcopenia, and the functional parameters of the foot and ankle were shown to be altered in the studied group.
Changes in balance are observed in some hemiparetics following a stroke, generating significant physical, social, and economic impacts; thus, an assessment was developed to facilitate treatment plans for patients. Goniometry is currently used as an evaluation tool for range of motion (ROM); however, the development of exergames has brought a new perspective to the assessment, which uses a dynamic mechanism and has little subjectivity. Objective: This study evaluates the inter-and intra-rater reliability of ROM measurement of the shoulder abduction in post-stroke patients using the exergame PhysioPlay™. Method: Thirteen volunteer chronic stroke survivors, aged 58.23 ± 9.96 years (men and women), participated in this study. Two physiotherapists evaluated the abduction of the shoulder using goniometry and the exergame PhysioPlay™. A retest was performed one week later. Clinical trial registry number – RBR-55smwr. Results: The results of the analyses using intraclass correlation coeficient (ICC) showed an excellent inter- and intra-rater reliability level (r > 0.90; p < .05). The Pearson correlation between the maximum measures obtained in the goniometry and the software PhysioPlay™ showed a high correlation (r > 0.90, p= .001). Conclusion: The Kinect associated with the exergame PhysioPlay™ presented excellent reliability in capturing the ROM measure compared to the conventional goniometry.
Balance training has been applied to compensate and rehabilitate balance dysfunctions in healthy aging and neurological disorders. Technological advances have allowed the development of interactive and feedback systems as an application of virtual reality to balance training. Research shows encouraging results on the benefits and effects of virtual reality balance training in normal aging and conditions such as acquired brain injury (e.g. Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury) and neurodegenerative disorders (e.g. Parkinson, Multiple Sclerosis). However definite conclusions on the efficacy, cost-effectiveness and optimal parameters of virtual reality balance training remain to be established. We here provide a current perspective on the available evidence for the applications and effects of virtual reality balance training in healthy aging and neurological disorders.
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