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The findings confirm the benefits of using a visuotemporal cue to improve variables relating to walking ability in subjects with intact integrative capability of the brain but with different levels of sensorimotor deterioration. The findings suggest the use of a visuotemporal cue to improve the effectiveness of programs in sport and exercise sciences, and rehabilitation treatments.

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Background/Aims The Bobath concept has long been used to improve postural control and limb function post-stroke, yet its effect in patients with deficits have not been clearly demonstrated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the latest Bobath therapy programme on upper limb functions, muscle tone and sensation in chronic stroke individuals with moderate to severe deficits. Methods A pre–post test design was implemented. The participants were chronic stroke individuals (n=26). Home-based intervention based on the Bobath concept was administered 3 days per week for 6 weeks (20 repetitions × 3 sets per task each session). Outcome measures consisted of the Wolf Motor Function Test, Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the upper extremity, Modified Ashworth Scale, and the Revised Nottingham Sensory Assessment. Data were analysed using the Wilcoxon Signed rank test. Results Almost all items of the Wolf Motor Function Test and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the upper extremity demonstrated statistically significant differences post-intervention. Finger flexor muscle tone and stereognosis were also significantly improved. Conclusions The 6-week Bobath therapy programme could improve upper limb function and impairments in chronic stroke individuals with moderate to severe deficits. Its effects were also demonstrated in improving muscle tone and cortical sensation.

Background/Objective: The human movement system uses a variety of inputs to produce movements. The concurrent use of external information, specifically visutemporal cues, while walking could promote the walking ability of ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). This study explored the use of visutemporal cues in rehabilitation training by subjecting ambulatory individuals with SCI to walking training with or without visuotemporal cues and then assessing the effects on their functional ability. Design: Quasi-experimental study. Setting: A tertiary rehabilitation center. Participants: Thirty-two participants were randomly assigned to the experimental or control groups using stage of injury, severity of SCI, and baseline walking ability as criteria for group arrangement (16 participants/group). Interventions: The participants were trained to walk over level ground at their fastest safe speed with or without a visuotemporal cue, 30 minutes/day, for 5 consecutive days. Outcome Measures: The 10-meter walk test, 6-minute walk test, timed up and go test, and five times sit-to-stand test. Results: The participants demonstrated significant improvement in all functional tests after the 5 days of training (P < 0.001). In addition, the improvement in the group trained using the visuotemporal cue was significantly better than that trained without using the cue. Conclusions: Most of these participants were at a chronic stage of SCI, so the findings supported a benefit for incorporating visuotemporal cues in rehabilitation practice, particularly today when the length of rehabilitation has dramatically decreased.