To improve, with the aid of psychometric analysis, Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), a tool designed to analyse several postural control systems that may contribute poor functional balance in adults.Performance BESTest was examined convenience sample 115 consecutive adult patients diverse neurological diagnoses and disease severity, referred rehabilitation for disorders. Factor (both explorative confirmatory) Rasch analysis were used process data order produce new, reduced coherent...

1. We have investigated the possibility that voluntary muscle lengthening contractions can be performed by selective recruitment of fast‐twitch motor units, accompanied derecruitment slow‐twitch units. 2. The behaviour units in soleus, gastrocnemius lateralis and medialis muscles was studied during (a) controlled isotonic plantar flexion against a constant load (shortening contraction, S), maintained flexion, or dorsal resisting gradually yielding to it (lengthening L), (b) isometric...

Recently, a new tool for assessing dynamic balance impairments has been presented: the 14-item Mini-BESTest.The aim of this study was to compare psychometric performance Mini-BESTest and Berg Balance Scale (BBS).A prospective, single-group, observational design used in study.Ninety-three participants (mean age=66.2 years, SD=13.2; 53 women, 40 men) with deficits were recruited. Interrater (3 raters) test-retest (1-3 days) reliability calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients...

According to the latest WHO guidelines, ICD-ICF joint use currently represents most agreed method portray a patient's Care Pathway during hospitalization. On this note, ICS Maugeri carried out an internal project aiming identify ICF codes that better describe rehabilitation pathways in its Italian Institutes. 2 main goals so far have been achieved: 1. To re-conceptualize Pathways thought lenses of frameworks; 2. link, whenever possible and by means WHO-ICF linking rules, each pertinent code...

Upright stance and its reflex control were studied in parkinsonian patients age-matched normal subjects. They stood unperturbed on a force-measuring surface (static conditions), or displaced by movement of supporting platform (dynamic conditions). During quiet the following variables analysed, with eyes open closed: position centre foot pressure (CFP), average sway area, length path, amplitude distribution tonic leg muscle EMG activity. Perturbations induced toe-up toe-down rotations,...

1. Raw or rectified and integrated electromyograms (integrated EMGs) of the leg muscles were recorded during (a) isotonic ramp shortening lengthening contractions consisting foot plantar flexions against a constant load, dorsal accomplished by braking load yielding to it, respectively, (b) isometric increasing decreasing torques graded relaxations triceps muscles. 2. During torques, EMG soleus, gastrocnemius lateralis, medialis, peroneus increased in parallel. motor unit derecruitment took...

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PwALS) show progressive loss of voluntary muscle strength. In advanced disease, motor and phonatory impairments seriously hinder the patient's interpersonal communication. High-tech devices such as eye tracking communication (ETCDs) are used to aid in later stages ALS. We sought evaluate effect ETCDs on patient disability, quality life (QoL), user satisfaction, a group 35 regular ETCD users late-stage ALS tetraplegia anarthria. The following scales...

It has been largely suggested in neuroscience literature that to generate a vast variety of movements, the central nervous system (CNS) recruits reduced set coordinated patterns muscle activities, defined as synergies. Recent neurophysiological studies recommended analysis synergies finely assess patient's impairment, design personalized interventions based on specific nature and evaluate treatment outcomes. In this scope, aim study was multi-channel functional electrical stimulation (FES)...

Chronic diseases are a major problem, whose importance is nowadays raising up. Up to 86% of deaths directly related chronic in Europe as they represent large amount total diseases, with impact on global health spending. Patients suffering from heterogeneous disabilities (such Parkinson's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis) often show an interaction between the main disease and comorbidity multimorbidity. Therefore, complicate all these ailments must be faced...

In standing subjects, an ankle‐dorsiflexing perturbation of the supporting surface evokes a short‐latency response (SLR) and medium‐latency (MLR) to stretch in both soleus (Sol) flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscles. The SLR is counterpart monosynaptic reflex, whilst MLR might be either mediated by Ia fibres, delay being due long‐loop central circuit, or fibres slower conduction velocity. Since small afferents are slowed more than large ones low temperature, greater latency increment for...

Stretching the soleus (Sol) muscle during sudden toe-up rotations of supporting platform in a standing subject evokes short-latency response (SLR) and medium-latency (MLR). The aim present investigation was to further explore afferent spinal pathways mediating SLR MLR lower limb muscles by means tendon vibration. In seven subjects, or toe-down were performed under: (1) control, (2) continuous bilateral vibration at 90 Hz Achilles' tibialis anterior (TA) tendon, (3) post-vibration conditions....

Can visual information be replaced by other sensory in the control of static and dynamic equilibrium? We investigated balancing behaviour acquired congenitally blind subjects (25 severe visually impaired subjects--15 males 10 females, mean age 36 +/- 13.5 SD) gender-matched normal under conditions. During quiet stance, centre foot pressure displacement was recorded body sway analysed. Under conditions, rode a platform continuously moving antero-posterior direction, with eyes open (EO) closed...