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New Technologies in the Evaluation and Treatment of Patients with Neurological Pathologies

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Care Sciences & Services".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 14868

Special Issue Editors

Department of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alcorcón Campus, 28922 Madrid, Spain
Interests: movement analysis; biomechanics; motor control; neurological rehabilitation; new techonologies in rehabilitation
Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Campus de Alcorcón, Av. de Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
Interests: child rehabilitation; motor development; neurorrehabilitation; movement analysis; biomechanics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The disabling and chronic nature of neurological pathologies detracts from the quality of life of patients, including a great personal, family and social repercussion. In this sense, one of the main causes of disability in these patients is the loss of motor function, representing an important impact on the quality of life of the patient. Therefore, the recovery of motor function in these patients, as well as the identification of deficits in it, is essential to be able to guide neurorehabilitation treatments and thus be able to restore adequate functionality.

The use of new technologies has begun to be incorporated into the field of neurorehabilitation as a complementary tool for both the assessment and the treatment of patients, but its main drawback remains the high cost of these systems. To solve this aspect, low-cost video game consoles, such as the XBOX® One (Microsoft) console, with its Kinect® accessory, or the Nintendo Wii® console, with its Wii Balance Board® peripheral, or the Leap Motion System, are being proposed as low-cost complementary tools in the neurorehabilitation of these patients.

This special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) focuses on the current state of knowledge of new technologies, preferably low-cost devices, both for the evaluation of motor deficits and for the treatment of patients with neurological pathologies. Papers addressing these topics are invited for this Special Issue, especially those combining a high academic standard coupled with a practical focus such as validation, as the efficacy of these devices in neurological patients.

Prof. Dr. Francisco Molina Rueda
Prof. Dr. Alicia Cuesta-Gómez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • neurorehabilitation
  • new technologies
  • motor impairment
  • assessment
  • treatment
  • motor control

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 2457 KiB  
Article
Studying the Research–Practice Gap in Physical Therapies for Cerebral Palsy: Preliminary Outcomes Based on a Survey of Spanish Clinicians
by Cristina Sanchez, Sergio Lerma-Lara, Rodrigo Garcia-Carmona, Eloy Urendes, Paula Laccourreye and Rafael Raya
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14535; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192114535 - 05 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1811
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to study the gap between the research evidence and the clinical practice in the physical rehabilitation of people with cerebral palsy. A review process was performed to (1) identify physical therapies to improve postural control in children [...] Read more.
The purpose of this work is to study the gap between the research evidence and the clinical practice in the physical rehabilitation of people with cerebral palsy. A review process was performed to (1) identify physical therapies to improve postural control in children with cerebral palsy and (2) determine the scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of those therapies. A Likert-based survey addressing a total of 43 healthcare professionals involved in pediatric physical therapy departments in Spain was carried out. The discussion was mainly supported by studies of level I or II evidence (according to the Oxford scale). The search process yielded 50 studies reporting 16 therapies. A strong positive correlation between the most used treatments and elevated levels of satisfaction was found. Some well-known but not often used techniques, such as hippotherapy, were identified. The treatment with the highest degree of use and satisfaction—neurodevelopment therapy (Bobath)—and some emerging techniques, such as virtual reality, were also identified. The fact that there is a meaningful gap between clinical practice and the scientific evidence was confirmed. The identified gap brings a certain degree of controversy. While some classic and well-known therapies had poor levels of supporting evidence, other relatively new approaches showed promising results. Full article
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10 pages, 714 KiB  
Article
A Complex Intervention Integrating Prism Adaptation and Neck Vibration for Unilateral Neglect in Patients of Chronic Stroke: A Randomised Controlled Trial
by Hyun-Se Choi and Bo-Min Lee
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13479; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192013479 - 18 Oct 2022
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Abstract
Unilateral neglect in patients of chronic stroke reduces the quality of life and interferes with activities of daily living (ADL). This study aimed to investigate the effects of a complex rehabilitative programme that integrates prism adaptation (PA) and neck vibration (NV) for unilateral [...] Read more.
Unilateral neglect in patients of chronic stroke reduces the quality of life and interferes with activities of daily living (ADL). This study aimed to investigate the effects of a complex rehabilitative programme that integrates prism adaptation (PA) and neck vibration (NV) for unilateral neglect in patients of chronic stroke. Thirty-six patients were randomised among the PA + NV group (Group A, n = 12), the NV-only group (Group B, n = 12), and the PA-only group (Group C, n = 12). The intervention was performed for 50 min/day, with five sessions per week, for 4 weeks. Albert’s test and the Catherine Bergego Scale were used to measure the effects of each intervention on unilateral neglect, whereas the modified Barthel Index was used to assess the effect on ADL. All three groups exhibited a reduction in unilateral neglect and an improvement in activities of daily living after the intervention (p < 0.05). Notably, Group A (PA + NV) exhibited a significantly greater level of reduction in unilateral neglect than the other groups (p < 0.05); however, the improvement in ADL did not significantly vary across the three groups (p > 0.05). This novel complex intervention comprising PA + NV is recommended for the rehabilitation, in the clinical setting, of patients of chronic stroke with unilateral neglect. Full article
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12 pages, 1155 KiB  
Article
Feasibility and Efficacy of a Virtual Reality Game-Based Upper Extremity Motor Function Rehabilitation Therapy in Patients with Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Study
by Ángela Aguilera-Rubio, Alicia Cuesta-Gómez, Ana Mallo-López, Alberto Jardón-Huete, Edwin Daniel Oña-Simbaña and Isabel Mª Alguacil-Diego
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3381; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19063381 - 13 Mar 2022
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4009
Abstract
Background: The objective of the present study was to develop a virtual reality protocol based on activities of daily living and conventional rehabilitation, using Leap Motion Controller to improve motor function in upper extremity rehabilitation in stroke patients. At the same time, the [...] Read more.
Background: The objective of the present study was to develop a virtual reality protocol based on activities of daily living and conventional rehabilitation, using Leap Motion Controller to improve motor function in upper extremity rehabilitation in stroke patients. At the same time, the purpose was to explore its efficacy in the recovery of upper extremity motor function in chronic stroke survivors, and to determine feasibility, satisfaction and attendance rate; Methods: A prospective pilot experimental clinical trial was conducted. The outcome measures used were the grip strength, the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), the Block and Box Test (BBT), the Short Form Health Survey-36 Questionnaire, a satisfaction questionnaire and attendance rate; Results: Our results showed statistically significant changes in the variables grip strength, BBT and ARAT as well as high levels of satisfaction and attendance; Conclusions: This virtual reality platform represents an effective tool in aspects of upper extremity functionality rehabilitation in patients with chronic stroke, demonstrating feasibility and high levels of attendance and satisfaction. Full article
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Review

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12 pages, 702 KiB  
Review
Robotic Systems for the Physiotherapy Treatment of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review
by Rocío Llamas-Ramos, Juan Luis Sánchez-González and Inés Llamas-Ramos
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5116; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19095116 - 22 Apr 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4201
Abstract
Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that is associated with multiple motor alterations and dysfunctions in children. Robotic systems are new devices that are becoming increasingly popular as a part of the treatment for cerebral palsy. A systematic review of the Pubmed, Web [...] Read more.
Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that is associated with multiple motor alterations and dysfunctions in children. Robotic systems are new devices that are becoming increasingly popular as a part of the treatment for cerebral palsy. A systematic review of the Pubmed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Dialnet, CINAHL, Scopus, Lilacs and PEDro databases from November 2021 to February 2022 was conducted to prove the effectiveness of these devices for the treatment of motor dysfunctions in children who were diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Randomized clinical trials in Spanish and English were included. In total, 653 potential manuscripts were selected but only 7 of them met the inclusion criteria. Motor dysfunctions in the lower limbs and those that are specifically related to gait are the main parameters that are affected by cerebral palsy and the robotic systems Lokomat, Innowalk, Robogait and Waltbox-K are the most commonly used. There is no consensus about the effectiveness of these devices. However, it seems clear that they have presented a good complement to conventional physical therapies, although not a therapy as themselves. Unfortunately, the low quality of some of the randomized clinical trials that were reviewed made it difficult to establish conclusive results. More studies are needed to prove and test the extent to which these devices aid in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy. Full article
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Other

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15 pages, 3352 KiB  
Systematic Review
Haptic Glove Systems in Combination with Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality for Upper Extremity Motor Rehabilitation after Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Diego Fernández-Vázquez, Roberto Cano-de-la-Cuerda and Víctor Navarro-López
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10378; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191610378 - 20 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2551
Abstract
Background: The effectiveness of the virtual reality (VR) for the upper extremity (UE) motor rehabilitation after stroke has been widely studied. However, the effectiveness of the combination between rehabilitation gloves and semi-immersive VR (SVR) compared to conventional treatment has not yet been studied. [...] Read more.
Background: The effectiveness of the virtual reality (VR) for the upper extremity (UE) motor rehabilitation after stroke has been widely studied. However, the effectiveness of the combination between rehabilitation gloves and semi-immersive VR (SVR) compared to conventional treatment has not yet been studied. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in Pubmed, Web of Science, PEDRo, and Scopus, Cochrane, CINHAAL databases from inception to May 2022. Randomized controlled trials were included if patients were under rehabilitation with haptic gloves combined with SVR intervention focused on the UE rehabilitation in stroke patients. Risk of bias and methodological quality were evaluated with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and the modified Cochrane library criteria. A random effects model was used for the quantitative assessment of the included studies using the standard mean difference with a 95% confidence interval. Heterogeneity among the included studies was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and the incoherence index (I2). Results: After a first screening, seven studies were included. Significant differences with a 95% confidence interval were obtained in favor of the rehabilitation glove combined with SVR in the short term (SMD—standardized mean differences = 0.38, 95% CI—confidence interval = 0.20; 0.56; Z: 4.24; p =< 0.001). In the long term, only the studies that performed an intervention based in rehabilitation glove combined with SVR with also included rehabilitation were able to maintain the improvements (SMD = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.40; 1.02; Z: 4.48; p =< 0.001). Conclusions: The combined use of rehabilitation haptic gloves and SVR with conventional rehabilitation produces significant improvements with respect to conventional rehabilitation treatment alone in terms of functionality of the UE in stroke patients. Full article
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