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This study aims to compare the effects of multitask (MTT; multiple tasks performed simultaneously) and multicomponent training (MCT; various types of exercise performed sequentially) on processing speed, cognitive functions, gait speed, and balance functions in persons with mild cognitive impairment. Forty-two persons with mild cognitive impairment were randomly allocated to MTT (n = 21) or MCT (n = 21). Outcome measures included processing speed, cognitive functions (attention and executive functions), single-task gait speed, dual-task gait speed (DTGS-Arithmetic and DTGS-Verbal), and balance functions. Processing speed (except inhibition), cognitive functions, gait speed, and balance functions improved in the MTT and MCT groups following training, with no significant differences between the groups in processing speed or cognitive functions. The MCT group improved more on single-task gait speed (F = 15.097; p =.000; r =.270) and DTGS (DTGS-Arithmetic; F = 10.594; p =.002; r =.214), while the MTT group improved more on balance functions (F = 4.366; p =.043; r =.101). MTT and MCT strategies can be used to improve cognitive and physical outcomes in persons with mild cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Kinesio taping (KT) is a popular taping technique used in the recovery process; however, in the relevant literature, there is no real consensus on its efficacy. Objective: To investigate whether rectus femoris KT application after delayed onset muscle soreness enhances recovery of muscle soreness, edema, and physical performance. Participants: A total of 22 healthy amateur male athletes participated in this study. Design: Randomized, crossover study. Setting: Human performance laboratory of the university. Interventions: Participants performed an exercise protocol inducing delayed onset muscle soreness. They accomplished 2 distinct trials, with or without KT. The washout period between trials was 6 weeks. For the KT condition, KT inhibition technique was used and applied immediately after exercise bilaterally on rectus femoris. Main Outcome Measures: Range of motion, muscle soreness, and edema were measured at baseline, 30 minutes, 24, 48, and 72 hours postexercise. Dynamic balance, sprint, and horizontal jump were evaluated at similar time frame except for 30-minute postexercise. Results: The findings showed that there were no significant differences between the KT group (KTG) and control group for all outcome variables (P >.05). Muscle soreness returned to baseline values 72 hours postexercise only within the KTG (P >.05). Although the horizontal jump performance decreased substantially from baseline to 24 and 48 hours postexercise only within the control group (P <.05), the performance increased significantly from 24 to 72 hours postexercise within the KTG (P <.05). Balance increased significantly from baseline to 48 hours postexercise (P <.05) in both groups. Balance also increased significantly from baseline to 72 hours postexercise only within the KTG (P <.05). The effect size of soreness which is our primary outcome was large in both groups (r >.5). Conclusions: KT is favorable in the recovery of muscle soreness after delayed onset muscle soreness. KT has beneficial effects on horizontal jump performance and dynamic balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dry needling is suggested as a novel and promising method for treating spasticity and functions after stroke. Objectives: To understand the effects of dry needling and neurodevelopmental therapy (NDT) compared to NDT alone on post-stroke spasticity and functions. Materials and Methods: Forty-two patients with post-stroke spasticity were randomized into two groups: NDT and dry needling (n=21) or NDT alone (n=21). Dry needling was applied over the study group's gastrocnemius, quadriceps femoris, flexor carpi radialis, and biceps brachii muscles. The Modified Ashworth Scale and range of movement (ROM) assessment were used to assess spasticity before treatment (T1), immediately after the 1st session (T2), and after the 12th session (T3), while Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) Scale were used to assess functions at T1 and T3. Results: Dry needling and NDT were more effective in improving the gastrocnemius muscle tone (χ 2 =9.31; p=.025) than NDT alone. Compared to NDT alone group the improvement was higher on all ROM measurements in the dry needling and NDT group, which was more remarkable at T2 than T3. The dry needling and NDT group exhibited more significant improvements in the upper extremity (NHPT; F=88.316, p<.001, η 2 =.694), lower extremity (10 MWT; F=7.075, p=.011, η2 =.495), and balance (FAB; F=58.435, p<.001, η 2 =.600) functions compared to the NDT alone group. Conclusion: Dry needling and NDT effectively reduce spasticity but only significantly in the gastrocnemius muscle. Dry needling and NDT is also more effective than NDT alone in improving upper and lower limb and balance functions in stroke patients. Trial Registration : The trial was registered to ClinicalTrials. gov (identifier: NCT03863678) on March 5, 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Upper extremity hemiparesis is one of the most common post-stroke disabilities requiring rehabilitation. Objective: To compare the effects of virtual and real boxing training in addition to neurodevelopmental treatment on the upper extremity, balance, and cognitive functions in hemiparetic stroke patients. Methods: Forty hemiparetic stroke patients were assigned to either real boxing group-RBG (n=20) or virtual boxing group-VBG (n=20), for a total of 24 sessions (3 sessions/week for 8 weeks). The primary outcome was upper extremity motor ability (Wolf Motor Function Test-WMFT). The secondary outcomes were arm-hand dexterity (Manual Dexterity Test-MMDT), goal-oriented performance (Video Boxing Analysis-VBA), balance functions (Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale-FAB-T), and cognitive functions (Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised-ACE-R). Results: There was small treatment effect on ACE-R, small-medium effect for WFMT and MMDT and large effect on bilateral punching time [VBA (Cohen's d- VBG=0.83; RBG=0.95)] and balance [FAB-T (Cohen's d - VBG=0.89; RBG=0.82)] after treatment in both groups. No significant differences were found for training effects between the groups for upper extremity functions [WMFT (p=0.799; Cohen's d=-0.07), MMDT-PT (p=0.327; Cohen's d=-0.10), MMDT-THTPT (p=0.779; Cohen's d=-0.17) and VBA bilateral punch number (p=0.068; Cohen's d=0.15)], balance functions [FAB-T (p=0.602; Cohen's d=-0.19)] and cognitive functions [ACE-R total (p=0.947, Cohen's d=0.09)]. Conclusion: The study showed that virtual and real boxing training methods, in addition to neurodevelopmental treatment, are effective in improving upper extremity, balance, and cognitive functions in patients with hemiparetic stroke. The training effects were higher on bilateral punching time and balance functions for both groups. There was no superiority of either approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Kinesio taping (KT) is a popular taping technique used in the recovery process; however, in the relevant literature, there is no real consensus on its efficacy., Objective: To investigate whether rectus femoris KT application after delayed onset muscle soreness enhances recovery of muscle soreness, edema, and physical performance., Participants: A total of 22 healthy amateur male athletes participated in this study., Design: Randomized, crossover study., Setting: Human performance laboratory of the university., Interventions: Participants performed an exercise protocol inducing delayed onset muscle soreness. They accomplished 2 distinct trials, with or without KT. The washout period between trials was 6 weeks. For the KT condition, KT inhibition technique was used and applied immediately after exercise bilaterally on rectus femoris., Main Outcome Measures: Range of motion, muscle soreness, and edema were measured at baseline, 30 minutes, 24, 48, and 72 hours postexercise. Dynamic balance, sprint, and horizontal jump were evaluated at similar time frame except for 30-minute postexercise., Results: The findings showed that there were no significant differences between the KT group (KTG) and control group for all outcome variables (P > .05). Muscle soreness returned to baseline values 72 hours postexercise only within the KTG (P > .05). Although the horizontal jump performance decreased substantially from baseline to 24 and 48 hours postexercise only within the control group (P < .05), the performance increased significantly from 24 to 72 hours postexercise within the KTG (P < .05). Balance increased significantly from baseline to 48 hours postexercise (P < .05) in both groups. Balance also increased significantly from baseline to 72 hours postexercise only within the KTG (P < .05). The effect size of soreness which is our primary outcome was large in both groups (r > .5)., Conclusions: KT is favorable in the recovery of muscle soreness after delayed onset muscle soreness. KT has beneficial effects on horizontal jump performance and dynamic balance.