Virtual reality exercises with the Nintendo Wii system could represent a useful adjunctive therapy to traditional treatment to improve static and dynamic balance in stroke patients.

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Objective: To investigate the effect of motion-controlled videogames on pain, functionality, cardiopulmonary capacity, and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. Materials and Methods: Forty women with fibromyalgia were randomized into virtual reality group (VRG) and conventional training group (CTG). The CTG performed aerobic exercise (cycling, 3 days per week, 20 minutes per day) and conventional exercises (muscle strengthening, balance, and flexibility, 3 days per week, 15 minutes per day) for 4 weeks. The VRG performed virtual reality exercise (volleyball, Microsoft Xbox Kinect Ò , 3 days per week, 15 minutes per day) together with cycling exercise for 4 weeks. After the exercise program, both groups received the same home exercise program for 4 weeks. All patients were evaluated at baseline, fourth, and eighth weeks. Primary outcome measure was Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Symptom Severity Scale, EuroQol-Five Dimensions _ Index Scale/Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-5D-index/VAS) and Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) were used as secondary outcome measures. Results: Thirty-four patients (17 VRG, 17 CTG) were evaluated at the eighth week. After 4 weeks, all outcome measures improved significantly in both groups (P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in all outcome measures between fourth and eighth weeks. Group and time interactions for 6MWT (P = 0.043), FSS (P = 0.026), EQ-5D-_ Index Scale (P = 0.014), and EQ-5D-VAS (P = 0.049) were significant only for the VRG. In addition, median individual's satisfaction was significantly higher in the VRG (P < 0.001). Conclusion:Virtual reality exercises along with aerobic exercise increase cardiopulmonary capacity and quality of life in fibromyalgia syndrome. In addition, they increase patient satisfaction and may improve patient compliance to exercise.

Reciprocal concentric trunk flexion and extension peak torque measurements at 60 degrees/sec and 90 degrees/sec angular velocities had a high intrarater and interrater reliability with the Cybex NORM isokinetic dynamometer in healthy subjects.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hemiplegia on diaphragmatic movements using motion-mode ultrasonography. Methods: 23 hemiplegic patients who were diagnosed with a single-hemisphere lesion (mean age 60.5 years; 13 males and 10 females) and a control group of 20 patients (13 males and 7 females) were all evaluated by ultrasonography. Ultrasonography recordings were made of the amplitude of diaphragmatic movement during spontaneous and deep breathing. The patients underwent lung function tests. Results: When the hemiplegic and control groups were compared, the forced vital capacity, forced expired volume in 1 s, maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure values were significantly lower in the groups with right and left hemiplegia (p,0.05). When a comparison was made between the right hemiplegic group and the control group and between the left hemiplegic group and the control group in terms of diaphragmatic excursions, for both groups, no significant difference was determined between the movements of the right hemidiaphragm during spontaneous and deep breathing and those of the left hemidiaphragm in spontaneous respiration. In contrast, for both hemiplegic groups, a significant decrease was noted in the movements of the left hemidiaphragm in deep respiration. Conclusion: The diaphragm is both contralaterally innervated and ipsilaterally innervated, and innervation exhibits marked variations from person to person. This provides an explanation for varying diaphragmatic movements in hemiplegic cases during deep respiration.

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Introduction Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive and degenerative disorder characterized by an inadequate production of dopamine due to pathology in the substantia nigra. Rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability are the cardinal features that lead to gait impairment and functional limitations [1]. Gait and balance impairments are important determinants of disability and quality of life in PD [2]. Overall, fatigue is one of the most common and disabling nonmotor symptoms and can be seen at all stages of the disease [3]. Aerobic training with treadmill training (TT) is effective in improving the gait, balance, and quality of life and relieving fatigue in subjects with PD [4,5]. Body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) allows safe walking practice by supporting a portion of the body weight mechanically and stimulates activity-dependent neural plasticity [6]. Furthermore, physical performance and aerobic activities can be performed at higher intensities when the body weight is partially supported during walking compared to conventional TT [7]. This is especially beneficial in the rehabilitation of neurologically Background/aim: Body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) might have greater effects than conventional treadmill training (TT) in neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different percentages of BWSTT on gait, balance, quality of life, and fatigue in PD. Materials and methods: Thirty-five patients with moderate to advanced PD were randomized into three BWSTT groups according to the supported percentage of body weight: 0% BWSTT (control group; unsupported TT), 10% BWSTT, or 20% BWSTT. Five patients were excluded due to early discharge and 30 patients completed BWSTT sessions lasting 30 min, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks during their inpatient rehabilitation stay. The primary outcome was 6-min walk distance (6MWD). Secondary outcomes were Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Fatigue Impact Scale, and Fatigue Severity Scale scores. Measurements were performed before and after the training. Results: The unsupported TT group demonstrated no significant improvement in the outcome measures after a 6-week training except for BBS and NHP emotional subscores. Moreover, the NHP pain subscore increased in the unsupported TT group after training. The 10% and 20% supported BWSTT groups demonstrated significant improvements in 6MWD (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001, respectively), UPDRS-motor score (P = 0.012 and P = 0.005, respectively), NHP pain subscore (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively), and fatigue (P = 0.005 for both) after training. The 20% BWSTT provided the highest improvement in balance among the three groups (P < 0.001) and greater relief of fatigue than 10% BWSTT (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Six weeks of BWSTT improved walking distance and balance ability, relieved fatigue, and additionally reduced pain in patients with moderate to advanced PD.