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Abstract Research on effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes continues to investigate impact of therapeutic interventions on various motor parameters in children with intellectual disability (ID). This study compared the effectiveness of rehabilitation, reflected by physical fitness, static balance, and dynamic balance measurements, in children with mild ID. A total of 70 children with mild ID were enrolled for the study and were divided into two equal groups based on their body mass index (BMI) percentile, reflecting obesity or normal weight. Physical fitness was assessed using the Eurofit Special Test, whereas balance was evaluated with single-leg stance and timed up and go tests. The examinations were performed twice: At the beginning and at the end of a six-month therapy programme. Improvements were shown in the muscle strength of the upper limbs (p

Using virtual reality (VR) for Muscular Dystrophy (MD) rehabilitation promises to be a novel therapeutic approach, potentially enhancing motor learning, functional outcomes, and overall quality of life. This systematic review primarily aimed to provide a comprehensive summary of the current understanding regarding the application of VR in supporting MD rehabilitation. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify relevant articles. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies involving individuals diagnosed with MD who underwent VR interventions, with a primary focus on assessing functional improvement. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed by using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Seven studies, involving 440 individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), were included in the review. Among these studies, six primarily explored the motor learning potential of VR, while one study investigated the impact of VR training on functional abilities. In conclusion, the qualitative synthesis supports VR-based interventions’ potential positive effects on motor learning, performance improvement, and functional outcomes in individuals with DMD. However, current usage mainly focuses on assessing the potential mechanisms’ benefits, suggesting the importance of expanding clinical adoption to harness their therapeutic potential for MD patients.

Stroke is a prevalent health issue worldwide, often leading to lower extremity deficits and posing a significant challenge for physiotherapists in terms of gait rehabilitation. With the advent of technological advancements, new rehabilitation tools like EMG-driven robots have been developed. However, their effectiveness in rehabilitation needs to be explored due to their high cost. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether EMG-driven robot therapy was more effective than conventional physiotherapy for gait rehabilitation in stroke patients. The researchers conducted a literature search using the PubMed, Cochrane, and PEDro databases and included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focused on stroke patients with gait impairment, assessed using clinical functional scales. The treatment compared EMG-driven robot therapy for the lower extremities with conventional therapy. The analysis included three studies, which showed no significant improvement in locomotion, functional outcomes, or balance parameters with EMG-driven robots alone. However, when combined with conventional physiotherapy, EMG-driven robots demonstrated improvement in these outcomes. Positive effects were observed for spasticity and thigh circumference. In conclusion, EMG-driven robots can be an effective way to improve gait rehabilitation in stroke patients; however, further research with a specific protocol and explanation of the adaptation to each patient is needed.

Background: Hemiparesis caused by a stroke negatively limits a patient’s motor function. Nowadays, innovative technologies such as robots are commonly used in upper limb rehabilitation. The main goal of robot-aided therapy is to provide a maximum number of stimuli in order to stimulate brain neuroplasticity. Treatment applied in this study via the AMADEO robot aimed to improve finger flexion and extension. Aim: To assess the effect of rehabilitation assisted by a robot and enhanced by surface EMG. Research project: Before-after study design. Materials and methods: The study group consisted of 10 post-stroke patients enrolled for therapy with the AMADEO robot for at least 15 sessions. At the beginning and at the end of treatment, the following tests were used for clinical assessment: Fugl-Meyer scale, Box and Block test and Nine Hole Peg test. In the present study, we used surface electromyography (sEMG) to maintain optimal kinematics of hand motion. Whereas sensorial feedback, provided by the robot, was vital in obtaining closed-loop control. Thus, muscle contraction was transmitted to the amplifier through sEMG, activating the mechanism of the robot. Consequentially, sensorial feedback was provided to the patient. Results: Statistically significant improvement of upper limb function was observed in: Fugl-Meyer (p = 0.38) and Box and Block (p = 0.27). The Nine Hole Peg Test did not show statistically significant changes in motor skills of the hand. However, the functional improvement was observed at the level of 6% in the Fugl-Meyer, 15% in the Box and Block, and 2% in the Nine Hole Peg test. Conclusions: Results showed improvement in hand grasp and overall function of the upper limb. Due to sEMG, it was possible to implement robot therapy in the treatment of patients with severe hand impairment.