Intra-European family migration has extended the realm in which families live and work in Europe. This paper joins a limited number of recent attempts to analyse family migration using a children-in-families approach (Bushin 2009). In contrast to existing studies on this theme, our focus is on children's migration decision-making, experiences of step-migration and experiences of separation from parents during processes of intra-European family migration. Little is known about children's views and experiences of step-migration and separation from their parent(s) during family migration. Such experiences have implications for the spatial and temporal construction of family and childhood in Europe, where transnational mobility is increasing. This paper discusses children's experiences of separation in two research contexts, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, to illustrate common features of the phenomena. The paper analyses family relationships relevant to migration decisions and explains their effects on children's agency, as well as on family integrity itself.

Objective. Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is characterized by an association between joint hypermobility and musculoskeletal pains, the latter occurring in the absence of any objective indicator of rheumatic disease. The lack of a recognizable disease marker makes this condition difficult to identify and manage. We previously observed that patients with JHS have impaired proprioception compared with that of a matched control group. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a home-based exercise program could produce objective enhancement of proprioception as well as alleviate symptoms in JHS.Methods. A threshold detection paradigm was used to assess knee joint proprioception, balance was assessed using a balance board, and quadriceps and hamstring strength were measured by an isokinetic dynamometer. A visual analog scale was used to assess musculoskeletal pain, and quality of life was evaluated by a Short Form 36 questionnaire. Assessments were performed before and after an 8-week program of progressive closed kinetic chain exercises.Results. Following the exercise program, proprioceptive acuity increased in 16 of 18 subjects and was very significantly improved overall (P < 0.001). There was a comparable improvement in performance on the balance board (P < 0.001), and quadriceps and hamstring strength also increased significantly. Symptomatic improvement also occurred, in terms of both pain (P ‫؍‬ 0.003) and quality-of-life (P ‫؍‬ 0.029 for physical functioning; P ‫؍‬ 0.008 for mental health) scores.Conclusion. Appropriate exercises lead not only to symptomatic improvement, but also to demonstrable enhancement of objective parameters such as proprioception.

Wearing FES lead to a significant improvement in walking speed (0.49 ms(-1) and 0.43 ms(-1) with and without their FES respectively; P<0.001) and a significant reduction in the physiological cost of gait (0.41 mL min(-1) kg(-1) m(-1) and 0.46 mL min(-1) kg(-1) m(-1) with and without FES respectively; P=0.017) in pwMS. The speed of walking, oxygen uptake, and physiological cost were significantly different between pwMS and controls both at preferred and matched speeds. Although pwMS exhibit a higher physiological cost of walking, FES offers an orthotic benefit to pwMS and should be considered as a possible treatment option.

Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool. 28Data synthesis: Nineteen studies (described in 20 articles) recruiting 490 pwMS were identified and rated moderate or weak, with 29 none gaining a strong rating. All studies rated weak for blinding. Initial and ongoing orthotic and therapeutic effects were assessed 30 with regards to the impact of FES on gait speed in short and long walking tests. Meta-analyses of the short walk tests revealed a 31 significant initial orthotic effect (t = 2.14, p = 0.016) with a mean increase in gait speed of 0.05 meters per second (m/s) and 32 ongoing orthotic effect (t = 2.81, p = 0.003) with a mean increase of 0.08m/s. There were no initial or ongoing effect on gait speed 33 in long walk tests and no therapeutic effect on gait speed in either short or long walk tests.

Community dwelling stroke survivors spent more time sedentary, took fewer steps and walked at a slower self-selected cadence. Interventions to increase walking and reduce sedentary time following stroke are required which may have the added benefit of reducing cardiovascular risk in this group. Implications for Rehabilitation Stroke survivors are predisposed to reduced physical activity and increased cardiovascular risk. This study showed that community dwelling stroke survivors spent more time sedentary, took fewer steps and walked at a slower self-selected cadence. Interventions are required which focus on reducing sedentary time as well as increasing step counts in people following stroke.