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Motor imagery (MI) is the mental execution of actions without overt movements that depends on the ability to imagine. We explored whether this ability could be related to the cortical activity of the brain areas involved in the MI network. To this goal, brain activity was recorded using high-density electroencephalography in nineteen healthy adults while visually imagining walking on a straight path. We extracted Event-Related Desynchronizations (ERDs) in the θ, α, and β band, and we measured MI ability via (i) the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ), (ii) the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2 (VMIQ), and (iii) the Imagery Ability (IA) score. We then used Pearson's and Spearman's coefficients to correlate MI ability scores and average ERD power (avgERD). Positive correlations were identified between VMIQ and avgERD of the middle cingulum in the β band and with avgERD of the left insula, right precentral area, and right middle occipital region in the θ band. Stronger activation of the MI network was related to better scores of MI ability evaluations, supporting the importance of testing MI ability during MI protocols. This result will help to understand MI mechanisms and develop personalized MI treatments for patients with neurological dysfunctions., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The aim of this study was to investigate differences between usual and complex gait motor imagery (MI) task in healthy subjects using high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) with a MI protocol. We characterized the spatial distribution of α- and β-bands oscillations extracted from hdEEG signals recorded during MI of usual walking (UW) and walking by avoiding an obstacle (Dual-Task, DT). We applied a source localization algorithm to brain regions selected from a large cortical-subcortical network, and then we analyzed α and β bands Event-Related Desynchronizations (ERDs). Nineteen healthy subjects visually imagined walking on a path with (DT) and without (UW) obstacles. Results showed in both gait MI tasks, α- and β-band ERDs in a large cortical-subcortical network encompassing mostly frontal and parietal regions. In most of the regions, we found α- and β-band ERDs in the DT compared with the UW condition. Finally, in the β band, significant correlations emerged between ERDs and scores in imagery ability tests. Overall we detected MI gait-related α- and β-band oscillations in cortical and subcortical areas and significant differences between UW and DT MI conditions. A better understanding of gait neural correlates may lead to a better knowledge of pathophysiology of gait disturbances in neurological diseases., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Introduction: The intricate linkage between Freezing of Gait (FoG) and postural control in Parkinson's disease (PD) is unclear. We analyzed the impact of FoG on dynamic postural control., Methods: 24 PD patients, 12 with (PD + FoG), 12 without FoG (PD-FoG), and 12 healthy controls, were assessed in ON state. Mobility and postural control were measured with clinical scales (UPDRS III, BBS, MPAS) and with kinematic and kinetic analysis during three tasks, characterized by levels of increasing difficulty to plan sequential movement of postural control: walk (W), gait initiation (GI) and sit-to-walk (STW)., Results: The groups were balanced by age, disease duration, disease severity, mobility and balance. During STW, the spatial distribution of COP trajectories in PD + FoG patients are spread over medial-lateral space more than in the PD-FoG (p < .001). Moreover, the distribution of COP positions. in the transition between sit-to-stand and gait initiation, is not properly shifted toward the leading leg, as in PD-FoG and healthy controls, but it is more centrally dispersed (p < .01) with a delayed weight forward progression (p < .05). In GI task and walk task, COM and COP differences are less evident and even absent between PD patients., Conclusion: PD + FoG show postural control differences in STW, compared with PD-FoG and healthy. Different spatial distribution of COP trajectories, between two PD groups are probably due to a deficit to plan postural control during a more demanding motor pattern, such as STW., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Surgical approach in Achilles tendon's rupture involved during the last years has becoming safer and less invasive as possible. Lots of study investigate the outcomes of the mini-invasive technique with Tenolig proving its good results, but never in the long-term., Objectives: Our study want to emphasize the effectiveness of this treatment exploring the postural and gait patterns in a 24-month follow up., Method: Patients did self-training exercises without specific supervision, instead of a particular postoperative rehabilitation protocol. We compared 21 patients to a control group of 19 health subjects using a clinical examination, a podobarometric and an optokinetic analysis., Results: Data shows no differences in time-distance parameters, despite a reduction of propulsion phase data, confirmed also by kinetic analysis. Podobarometric results show only a decrease in the anterior pressure of the injured limb (p=0.09). In standing an increase of anterior-posterior oscillation of the COP (center of pressure) (p=0.03)., Conclusions: The results underline the long-term outcome effectiveness of the technique but some functional alterations remain. This could be the reason of the weakness, which always affected the patients. Reduction of the triceps elongation and restoration of strength during the propulsion phase should be the key points in postoperative physiotherapy., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The use of orthotic heel lifts is proposed in many cases of Achilles tendon disorders as a first-line or conservative treatment. The use of heeled shoes induces a plantar flexion of the ankle joint with a consequent decrease in the tension forces acting onto the triceps surae. The question to address is how high must the heel be? Gait cycle using 1 cm- and 2 cm-high heel lifts was examined. Each measurement included kinetic and kinematic data on angular variation and moments and power at the hip, knee and foot. The study included 14 healthy subjects (5 males, 9 females) between 20 and 35 years of age. The data provided by the analysis of the force plate curve showed a statistically significant change in some parameters (plate forces, knee moments) which were deemed useful in the analysis of load transfer modalities. A very significant decrease (p=0.0001) was found in the amplitude of the curve expressing the force produced by the whole limb in response to ground reaction forces. This is expressed by a decrease in minimum values, suggesting a lower degree of energy absorption at heel strike, as well as maximum values reflecting the amount of energy generated at push off. This might suggest that by reducing energy absorption by the whole limb a 2-cm heel lift would have a protective effect for those muscles that are most significantly involved in this function, such as the tibiotarsal complex (triceps surae) and the knee complex (rectus femoris).

One could distinguish between "off freezing", which is a symptom tightly bound to L-dopa dosage and titration, and is clinically bound to wearing off, and, on the contrary, "on freezing" which does not respond to therapy modifications or to different drug's titration. On freezing seems to be related to frontal-basal ganglia-pontine neural pathway disruption. This neural disruption may be related with altered perception of extra and peri-personal space which are two major problems of these patients. We demonstrate in a group of patients with "on freezing" evident defect of attention, focus capability, of set-shifting properties, and of alteration in body/space relationship. We discuss on results obtained by specific training of physiotherapy with an review on literature.

Abstract: The use of orthotic heel lifts is proposed in many cases of Achilles tendon disorders as a first-line or conservative treatment. The use of heeled shoes induces a plantar flexion of the ankle joint with a consequent decrease in the tension forces acting onto the triceps surae. The question to address is how high must the heel be? Gait cycle using 1cm- and 2cm-high heel lifts was examined. Each measurement included kinetic and kinematic data on angular variation and moments and power at the hip, knee and foot. The study included 14 healthy subjects (5 males, 9 females) between 20 and 35 years of age. The data provided by the analysis of the force plate curve showed a statistically significant change in some parameters (plate forces, knee moments) which were deemed useful in the analysis of load transfer modalities. A very significant decrease (p =0.0001) was found in the amplitude of the curve expressing the force produced by the whole limb in response to ground reaction forces. This is expressed by a decrease in minimum values, suggesting a lower degree of energy absorption at heel strike, as well as maximum values reflecting the amount of energy generated at push off. This might suggest that by reducing energy absorption by the whole limb a 2-cm heel lift would have a protective effect for those muscles that are most significantly involved in this function, such as the tibiotarsal complex (triceps surae) and the knee complex (rectus femoris). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]