Objectives of the study were to compare the effects of a single bout of preventive or regenerative foam rolling (FR) on exercise-induced neuromuscular exhaustion. Single-centre randomised-controlled study was designed. Forty-five healthy adults (22 female; 25±2 yrs) were allocated to three groups: 1) FR of the lower limb muscles prior to induction of fatigue, 2) FR after induction of fatigue, 3) no-treatment control. Neuromuscular exhaustion was provoked using a standardized and validated functional agility short-term fatigue protocol. Main outcome measure was the maximal isometric voluntary force of the knee extensors (MIVF). Secondary outcomes included pain and reactive strength (RSI). Preventive (-16%) and regenerative FR (-12%) resulted in a decreased loss in MIVF compared to control (-21%; p 0.8, p < 0.1). Differences over time (p < 0.001) between groups regarding pain and RSI did not turn out to be clinically meaningful. A single bout of foam rolling reduces neuromuscular exhaustion with reference to maximal force production. Regenerative rather than preventive foam rolling seems sufficient to prevent further fatigue.

Preventive and regenerative foam rolling are equally effective in reducing

Telerehabilitation (TR) seems to be an encouraging solution for the delivery of cognitive treatments in patients with neurological disorders. This study was aimed to analyze and synthesize the evidence on the efficacy of cognitive TR interventions in patients with neurological diseases, compared with conventional face-to-face rehabilitation. From a total of 4485 records, 9 studies met the inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis. At the end of the process, 7 studies remained for quantitative analysis. By comparing TR with face-to-face treatments for cognitive impairments, we assessed improvements in global cognitive domain (Mini Mental State Exam) (MD = -0.86; 95% CI -2.43, 0.72, I2 = 0%), in learning and memory domains (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI -0.22, 0.74, I2 = 24%), in verbal fluency (SMD = 0.08, 95% CI -0.47, 0.62, I2 = 0%), and in executive functions (i.e., problem-solving, central processing speed and working memory) (SMD = 0.38, 95% CI 0.06, 0.71, I2 = 0%). In all the included studies, improvement in the performance of the TR groups was comparable to that achieved through face-to-face intervention. Significant differences between those two modalities of providing treatments were observed for working memory and total executive function comparison, in favor of TR. The results of this study can sustain the efficacy of TR and its application for the treatment of neurological patients, especially when treated for executive function impairments.

Cognitive telerehabilitation in neurological patients: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Health has a significant influence on the quality of life of a society. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many countries to implement restrictive measures to prevent its wider spread, including, inter alia, the introduction of remote healthcare in the form of teleconsultations. Therefore, there is the question of how such a change affects the quality of treatment and the primary healthcare of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article aims to examine patient satisfaction with the access to primary healthcare and the effectiveness of treatment in a condition of remote medical care caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We also analyse the impact of access to primary healthcare on the treatment effectiveness. Patient satisfaction was measured using a questionnaire assessing the quality of primary medical care. Of the 36 items studied, seven were related to the accessibility dimension and four were related to the treatment effectiveness dimension. Our results suggest that the treatment effectiveness and the access to primary healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic through telemedicine are quite highly rated by patients. Hence, further implementation of telemedicine in primary healthcare should improve the quality of lives of the wide society. We have also identified the access to primary healthcare has a considerable impact on the treatment effectiveness. Therefore, we recommend increasing the contact between patients and GPs via telemedicine under lockdown conditions.

The Quality of Medical Care in the Conditions of the COVID-19 Pandemic, with Particular Emphasis on the Access to Primary Healthcare and the Effectiveness of Treatment in Poland

Ankle arthrodesis with the Ilizarov method is an accepted form of treatment of advanced degenerative changes of the ankle joint. Incorrect balance and load distribution on the lower limbs may result in pain and dysfunction. The aim of the study was to assess the change of balance and load distribution in lower extremities in patients before and after ankle arthrodesis with the Ilizarov method. Between 2013 and 2016, ankle arthrodesis using the Ilizarov method was performed on 21 patients. The evaluation of balance and percentage of load in each lower limb was performed before the surgery and during the follow-ups. The evaluation was performed using a Zebris pedobarographic platform. Before the surgery, the patients exhibited an average load of 41.9% of body weight in the affected limb, whereas the load in the healthy limb was 58.1%. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0,000031). In two years follow-up, the average load in the treated limbs was 48.19%, whereas the healthy limbs were subjected to an average load of 51.81%. In preoperative tests, the average path length of the center of gravity was 161.55 cm; postoperatively, the average path length of the center of gravity was 129.7 cm (p = 0.00003206). Preoperatively, the average area of the center of gravity was 18.85 cm2; it decreased to 6.19 cm2 (p = 0.000032) postoperatively. Arthrodesis of the ankle with the Ilizarov method improved the statics of the musculoskeletal system by improving the distribution of loads in the lower limbs as well as balance. However, it failed to restore the parameters of a healthy person. Advanced degenerative changes of the ankle disturb the biomechanics of the entire lower limb.

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Assessment of the distribution of load on the lower limbs and balance before and after ankle arthrodesis with the Ilizarov method.

In order to recognize the hand gesture and provide the application in human interaction and rehabilitation training, we designed a system based on wireless surface electromyography signal collection and recognition. The system was mainly composed of the hardware and software. For the hardware design, the center control unit of each module was enhanced by 80C51 MCU. The electrode patch collected surface EMG signals that were amplified by the instrument amplifier AD8422 and A/D conversion, then the information was send to the host computer. For the software design, we extracted the feature of average, root mean square and AR coefficients, and achieved the recognition results by support vector machine. The device is small and portable, i.e. 37mm×27mm×15mm. The part of host computer can meet many kinds of signal analysis as well as the human interaction.

A wireless surface EMG acquisition and gesture recognition system

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain on every day functioning and evaluate how effective Kinesio Taping is in reducing pain for pregnant women. Material and methods: 24 women filled the author’s questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index Questionnaire and Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire before starting the therapy. Elastic tape was applied onto the lumbosacral area for 5 days and was evaluated 1st day of the test immediately before application, day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10 day of the examination. Results: ODI score was 20.09 and showed major disability resulting from severity of the pain. PGQ score was 19.909. Sig­nificant pain reduction was registered on the 3rd day after tape was applied, significant pain reduction on the day of tape removal, and 5 days after tape removal. Conclusions: Elastic tape decreases pain in pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. Pelvic girdle pain deteriorates the quality of life for pregnant women.

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Impact of Kinesio Taping application on pregnant women suffering from pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain - preliminary study

Purpose The World Health Organization indicated vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 threats to global health. The success of a vaccine depends not only on its efficacy but also on its acceptance. Our study aims to define COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in a sample of pregnant and lactating women in Poland. Since mothers are often key decision-makers for whether their children will receive vaccination, it is vital to measure vaccine confidence among this group. Patients and Methods An anonymous online survey was distributed to assess the level of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant and lactating women for themselves and their children in Poland. Results The trust of pregnant and breastfeeding women and women who have offspring in government, in healthcare professionals, in scientific authorities, and sound scientific data is strongly associated with vaccine acceptance and may influence an individual’s decision to perceive recommended actions as beneficial to the society as a whole. Conclusion Acceptance and confidence in receiving the COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant and lactating women and mothers with young children is strongly associated with feelings of trust in government, health professionals, scientific authorities, and sound scientific data. The dissemination of professional and reliable information regarding the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine uptake by qualified health care personnel can significantly increase the level of trust and public awareness regarding the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and mothers with young children.

https://www.dovepress.com/getfile.php?fileID=79399

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Pregnant and Lactating Women and Mothers of Young Children in Poland


 Background:Central coordination disorders (CCD) encompass various abnormalities observed in infants but early therapy may have an impact on their condition.The aim was to seek factors that may affect the early results of therapy of infants with CCD.Methods: In our retrospective study results of three-month therapy of infants, aged 1 to 6 months, with CCD were analysed regards to the effectiveness and the potential impact of different factors. Therapy and assessment of children were conducted with the use of the Vojta method, which was performed during the first (WW) and the follow-up visit (after 3 months- 1WK). The analysis of the influence of various factors on the effect of therapy included: mother's age at the time of delivery, duration of breastfeeding, child APGAR, gestational age in which the child was born, sex of the child, birth weight, age of the child at WW, type of delivery, craniosacral therapy as an additive treatment.Results:Based on the examination results from 66 medical records it was demonstrated that after 3 months of therapy, improvement was observed in 54 (81.81%) children. The sole factor impacting improvement after 3 months was the age of the child at WW, when the child started therapy. This factor significantly (p=0.002) increased the chance of achieving improvement - by 3.2 times. No statistical differences were shown for the other studied factors.ConclusionsThe age of the child at the beginning of the treatment had a significant impact on early (3 mo) improvement.

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Factors Affecting Rehabilitation of Infants With Central Coordination Disorders During a Three-month-long Observation

Purpose Exerting axial pressure on the affected lower limb remains one of the most crucial elements of Ilizarov method. The objective was to determine the effects of an early intrahospital rehabilitation on weight bearing during lower extremity lengthening with Ilizarov method. Methods The study included 15 patients who underwent lower limb lengthening. The patients were tested on the third day after surgery using the pedobarographic platform. The tests were performed four times in the standing position: twice with the support of forearm crutches and twice without crutches. Patients were asked to either remain in the relaxed standing position (two tests) or use the lower limb equipped with Ilizarov apparatus to support the body weight (two tests). Results In relaxed stance average pressure with forearm crutches was 24.1% for affected limb, as compared to 75.9% for the healthy limb. In test without forearm crutches average pressure for affected limb was 26.1%, as compared to 73.9% for the healthy limb. Patients shifted body weight to the affected limb with forearm crutches on average, at the rate of 53.6%. In test without forearm crutches the affected limb was supporting the body weight at the rate of 48.26%. None of the patients was able to fully support the body weight on the affected leg. Conclusions In spite of strict physiotherapy regimen, patients are neither able to equally distribute their body weight between the two lower limbs nor to shift their body weight to the limb equipped with Ilizarov apparatus.

The effects of an early intrahospital rehabilitation on weight bearing during lower extremity lengthening with Ilizarov method.

The Use of Medical and Non-Medical Services by the Elderly during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Differs between General and Specialist Practice: A One-Center Study in Poland

Natalia Kuciel

Papers

Impact of Kinesio Taping application on pregnant women suffering from pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain - preliminary study

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Pregnant and Lactating Women and Mothers of Young Children in Poland

Factors Affecting Rehabilitation of Infants With Central Coordination Disorders During a Three-month-long Observation

The effects of an early intrahospital rehabilitation on weight bearing during lower extremity lengthening with Ilizarov method.

The Use of Medical and Non-Medical Services by the Elderly during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Differs between General and Specialist Practice: A One-Center Study in Poland