Comparing cadence-based energy expenditure and oxygen cost indices in able-bodied male people.

Walking is a fundamental aspect of daily life and exercise, with clinical benefits for cardiovascular health and muscle strength. However, accurately measuring energy efficiency during walking poses challenges due to equipment and spatial constraints. In this study, we proposed the cadence-based energy expenditure index (cEEI) and analyzed its correlation with the previously proposed index for measuring energy expenditure under various gait conditions. We enrolled 15 healthy participants and conducted an experimental protocol on a treadmill to measure the following energy expenditure-related indices: oxygen cost index (OCI), energy expenditure index (EEI), and cEEI. The participants underwent stages of walking at different speeds and inclinations that comply with the modified Bruce protocol while their heart rate, oxygen uptake, and cadence were recorded. Participants showed significant increases in heart rate, oxygen uptake, and cadence with higher walking speeds and inclinations. Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between cEEI and OCI, especially during walking conditions. Bland-Altman plots and interclass correlation coefficient analysis demonstrated a favorable agreement between cEEI and OCI, outperforming EEI. In conclusion, this study proposes cEEI as a reliable metric for estimating energy expenditure during walking by proving a strong correlation and agreement with OCI across various gait conditions. This suggests the potential for cEEI to provide real-time, individualized feedback on energy expenditure during walking, facilitating more personalized exercise prescriptions.

Kinematic analysis of movement patterns during a reach-and-grasp task in stroke patients.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the kinematic movement patterns during a reach-and-grasp task in post-stroke patients according to the upper extremity impairment severity. Methods: Subacute stroke patients (n = 46) and healthy controls (n = 20) were enrolled in this study. Spatiotemporal and kinematic data were obtained through 3D motion analysis during the reach-and-grasp task. Stroke patients were grouped using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale, and a comparison of the groups was performed. Results: The severe group showed a significantly longer movement time, lower peak velocity, and higher number of movement units than the mild group during the reach-and-grasp task (p < 0.05). Characteristic compensatory movement patterns, such as shoulder abduction, thoracic posterior tilting, and upward and external rotation were significantly greater during the forward transporting phase in the severe group than in the mild group (p < 0.05). The FMA score was significantly associated with the movement time during the forward transporting phase, number of movement units during the reaching phase, range of shoulder abduction-adduction and wrist flexion-extension movements during the reaching phase, and range of thoracic internal-external rotation during the backward transporting phase (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Post-stroke patients have unique spatiotemporal and kinematic movement patterns during a reach-and grasp-task according to the impairment severity.

Comparing the Lower-Limb Muscle Activation Patterns of Simulated Walking Using an End-Effector-Type Robot with Real Level and Stair Walking in Children with Spastic Bilateral Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a neurologic disorder caused by lesions on an immature brain, often resulting in spasticity and gait abnormality. This study aimed to compare the muscle activation patterns of real level and stair walking with those of simulated walking using an end-effector-type robot in children with spastic cerebral palsy. The electromyographic activities of the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius of nine children with spastic bilateral cerebral palsy were measured during gait using a wireless surface EMG device. Morning walk was used for the simulated gait. Differences in the muscle activation patterns between the real and simulated gait conditions were analyzed. In the loading response, all four muscles showed reduced activity during two simulated conditions. In mid-stance, mGCM showed reduced activity during simulated conditions, whereas BFem showed greater activity during simulated level walking. In the swing phase, BFem and TAnt activity was reduced during the simulated conditions. The onset-offset of the VLat, BFem and TAnt activity was significantly delayed during simulated versus real level walking. No differences in activity onset-offset were observed between the simulated level and stair conditions. In conclusion, the robot-simulated gait showed differences in its muscle activation patterns compared with the real gait conditions, which must be considered for gait training using an end-effector-type robot.

Home-based virtual reality-enhanced upper limb training system in children with brain injury: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Rehabilitation of upper limb function can be challenging in children with brain lesion. Recent virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation may be an additional treatment option in pediatric rehabilitation. Objectives: To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a home-based VR-enhanced rehabilitation program with wearable multi-inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors on upper limb functions in children with brain injury. Methods: This multicenter single blind randomized controlled trial included 40 children with cerebral palsy (CP) or static brain injury. Subjects were randomized 1:1 to experimental and control group. Both the groups maintained the same therapeutic content and dose of occupational therapy during the intervention period. The experimental group performed additional training at home using the VR-enhanced program for at least 30 min/day, 5 days/week, for 6 weeks. VR training consisted of daily activities or games promoting wrist and forearm articular movements using wearable IMU sensors. The Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function-version 2 (MA2), Upper Limb Physician's Rating Scale (ULPRS), Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-computer adaptive test (PEDI-CAT), computerized 3D motion analysis, and user satisfaction survey were performed. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare treatment effects between groups, and Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare pre and post intervention. Results: Overall 35 children (15 in VR group and 20 in control group) completed the protocol. In the experimental group, an average VR training time was 855 min. The accuracy of motion measured by MA2, segmental movements by ULPRS, daily living capability and social cognitive function by PEDI-CAT, movement time and shoulder movement pattern by motion analysis showed significant improvements. However, there were no significant differences in any of the functional outcome measures compared to the control group. All the children and parents reported positive experiences. Conclusions: Home-based VR training though it had limited impact on improving upper limb function, it could help improve social cognitive function, movement pattern, and efficiency in children with brain injury and could be an effective means of extending clinical therapy to the home. Clinical Trial Registration: CRIS.nih.go.kr: identifier KCT0003172.

The Long-Term Outcome and Rehabilitative Approach of Intraventricular Hemorrhage at Preterm Birth.

Technological advances in neonatology led to the improvement of the survival rate in preterm babies with very low birth weights. However, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) has been one of the major complications of prematurity. IVH is relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as cerebral palsy, language and cognitive impairments, and neurosensory and psychiatric problems, especially when combined with brain parenchymal injuries. Additionally, severe IVH requiring shunt insertion is associated with a higher risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Multidisciplinary and longitudinal rehabilitation should be provided for these children based on the patients' life cycles. During the infantile period, it is essential to detect high-risk infants based on neuromotor examinations and provide early intervention as soon as possible. As babies grow up, close monitoring of language and cognitive development is needed. Moreover, providing continuous rehabilitation with task-specific and intensive repetitive training could improve functional outcomes in children with mild-to-moderate disabilities. After school age, maintaining the level of physical activity and managing complications are also needed.

The Effects of Wearing Facemasks during Vigorous Exercise in the Aspect of Cardiopulmonary Response, In-Mask Environment, and Subject Discomfort.

Non-pharmaceutical intervention such as wearing a mask during the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of the virus. However, despite high effectiveness and easy to access, the biggest problem is 'discomfort'. The purpose of this study was to measure the changes of cardiopulmonary response and related factors affecting breathing discomfort when wearing a mask during vigorous exercise. Fifteen healthy male adults participated in this study. The experimental protocol consisted of three conditions: no mask; KF-94 mask; and sports mask. Each condition consisted of three stages: stage I, 2 m/s on even level; stage II, 2 m/s with 5° inclination; and stage III, 3 m/s on even level. Oxygen saturation (SaO2) and heart rate (HR), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), energy expenditure index (EEI), in-mask temperature, humidity, and a five-point scale questionnaire to evaluate subjective discomfort were measured. The results show that there was a significantly higher discomfort score in mask conditions compared with no mask (p < 0.05) and only pCO2 change significantly related to subjective discomfort during exercise (p < 0.05). Moreover, the pCO2 washout was significantly disturbed when wearing a sports mask in stages 2 and 3, which was related to wearer subjective discomfort.

Reliability of the Modified Ashworth and Modified Tardieu Scales with Standardized Movement Speeds in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy.

The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) are widely used to quantify spasticity. However, the reliability of their use for ankle plantar flexors has been questioned. In this study, we aimed to examine whether their reliabilities could be increased to acceptable levels for ankle plantar flexors using standardized movement speed in children with spastic cerebral palsy. The MAS and MTS scores for 92 limbs were assessed by two raters on two occasions, 1 week apart. A metronome was used to maintain the stretching velocity at 120 beats per minute. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of the intra-rater reliabilities of the MAS and MTS and inter-rater reliability of the MAS were over 0.7. However, the ICCs for the inter-rater reliability of the MTS were <0.7 and >0.75 for the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, respectively. The ICCs for the inter- and intra-rater reliabilities of the R1 angles ranged from 0.68 to 0.84, while those of the R2 angles ranged from 0.74 to 0.93. The reliabilities of the R2-R1 angles were not satisfactory. In conclusion, with a standardized movement speed, the reliability of the MAS for the ankle plantar flexors and the MTS for the soleus were satisfactory; however, that of the MTS for the gastrocnemius was not.

Gait Adaptation Is Different between the Affected and Unaffected Legs in Children with Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy While Walking on a Changing Slope.

Walking on sloped surfaces requires additional effort; how individuals with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) manage their gait on slopes remains unknown. Herein, we analyzed the difference in gait adaptation between the affected and unaffected legs according to changes in the incline by measuring spatiotemporal and kinematic data in children with spastic hemiplegic CP. Seventeen children underwent instrumented three-dimensional gait analysis on a dynamic pitch treadmill at an incline of +10° to -10° (intervals of 5°). While the step length of the affected legs increased during uphill gait and decreased during downhill gait, the unaffected legs showed no significance. During uphill gait, the hip, knee, and ankle joints of the affected and unaffected legs showed increased flexion, while the unaffected leg showed increased knee flexion throughout most of the stance phase compared with the affected leg. During downhill gait, hip and knee flexion increased in the affected leg, and knee flexion increased in the unaffected leg during the early swing phase. However, the ankle plantar flexion increased during the stance phase only in the unaffected leg. Although alterations in temporospatial variables and joint kinematics occurred in both legs as the slope angle changed, they showed different adaptation mechanisms.

Evaluation of sitting and standing postural balance in cerebral palsy by center-of-pressure measurement using force plates: comparison with clinical measurements.

BACKGROUND: Center-of-pressure (CoP) measurements have been studied for assessing balance control. While CoP measurements using force plates have been used to assess standing balance in children with cerebral palsy (CP), it has not been assessed in a sitting position, which specifically reflects trunk postural control. RESEARCH QUESTION: The purpose of this study was to compare CoP measurements using force plates during both standing and sitting trials with the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) in children with spastic CP. METHODS: We recruited 26 children with spastic CP (7.8 ±â€¯3.4 years, 4-13 years) and used the PBS, a validated evaluation tool that measures static and dynamic balance control. We took CoP measurements using force plates during sitting and standing. For both trials, subjects stayed still for 10 s with their eyes open or closed. We calculated the CoP velocity, mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) velocity, and ML and AP displacements of CoP. RESULTS AND SIGNIFICANCE: During standing trials, static PBS standing scores negatively correlated with more AP displacement and velocity than ML displacement and velocity (p < 0.05). During sitting trials, dynamic PBS sitting scores negatively correlated with ML displacement and velocity (p < 0.05). CoP parameters in the ML direction of the sitting position and CoP parameters in the AP direction of the standing position may better reflect the balance control in children with spastic CP.

Spatiotemporal parameters from instrumented motion analysis represent clinical measurement of upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: There are various tools that measure upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy(CP) clinically, but these measurement methods are examiner-dependent and scale values are not proportional to the upper limb function which makes it difficult to quantify the function. RESEARCH QUESTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the new parameters derived from 3D motion analysis reflect the upper limb function which measured by Melbourne Assessment 2 (MA2) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) compared to the clinical measurements. METHODS: Forty children with CP (24 boys, 16 girls; mean [SD] age, 6 years 11 months [3 years 5 months]) were recruited. Motion capture was conducted during phases T1-T4 of Reach and Grasp Cycles. New parameters (movement time, number of movement units, index of curvature) were derived from wrist marker data. Range of motion (ROM), accuracy, dexterity, and fluency of unilateral upper limb function were assessed using MA2. Spearman rank coefficients were determined to evaluate correlations between MA2 and the new parameters. RESULTS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Index of curvature correlated negatively with MA2 accuracy scores during T1 (rs -0.347, p < 0.05), T2 (rs -0.471, p < 0.01), and T3 (rs -0.660, p < 0.01). Number of movement units correlated negatively with MA2 ROM, accuracy, and fluency scores during T1 (ROM rs -0.334; accuracy rs -0.331; fluency rs -0.375; p < 0.05) and T3 (ROM rs -0.499; accuracy rs -0.531; fluency rs -0.515; p < 0.01). Index of curvature and number of movement units are objective, simple parameters showing fair to good correlation with MA2 accuracy and fluency of upper limb function.

Analysis of foot kinematics during toe walking in able-bodied individuals using the Oxford Foot Model.

Various neurological and musculoskeletal disorders can induce pathologic toe walking and lead to changes in foot kinematics. In this study, we analyzed the differences in foot kinematics between toe walking and heel-toe walking (HW) in able-bodied individuals. Twenty young healthy adults performed three gaits: HW, comfortable-height toe walking (CTW), and maximum-height toe walking (MTW). Oxford Foot Model was used for gait analysis. Toe walking showed increase of forefoot plantarflexion and hindfoot internal rotation compared to HW. Thus, our results may help distinguish the pathologic mechanism of the equinus gait in various disorders from the kinematic change of toe walking itself.

Multidisciplinary aerodigestive program at a children's hospital: A protocol for a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Children with complex chronic multisystemic diseases frequently require care from multiple pediatric subspecialists. The aerodigestive program is a multidisciplinary program that diagnoses and treats pediatric patients with complex multi-systematic problems affecting airway, breathing, feeding, swallowing, or growth. The aim of this study is to present the protocol of the aerodigestive program of a children's hospital. METHODS AND DESIGN: This study is a prospective study to evaluate and compare the overall improvement of patients' objective and subjective conditions before and after the AeroDigestive Team (ADT) program. Among children from 1 month to 18 years of age, patients with complex problems of the airway, breathing, feeding, swallowing, or growth meeting at least two parameters of the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The overall process included referral based on the inclusion criteria, enrollment of ADT program with informed consents, interview and questionnaire for assessing patients' medical condition, prescheduling appointment, multi-specialists' evaluation, monthly team meetings, wrap-up discussion with the patients and family, therapeutic intervention, and follow-up at 6 months with the assessment of outcome measures. The outcome was evaluated objectively and subjectively. The objective outcome measure was divided into surgical or medical intervention, assessment of changes in medical condition, and follow-up study. Both caregiver interviews and questionnaires using a scoring system were used as subjective outcome measures before and after the ADT program. Children were scheduled to be followed-up at 6 months after the interventions or ADT meeting. DISCUSSION: The aerodigestive program is expected to provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary management of children with complex airway and digestive tract disorders.

Relationship between the more-affected upper limb function and daily activity performance in children with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There are differences in roles between the more-affected and less-affected upper limb of children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, there is a lack of studies of the relationship between the more-affected limb function and activities of daily living (ADL) in children with CP. Thus, the aim of this prospective cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between more-affected upper limb function and ADL in children with CP. METHODS: Children with spastic CP (unilateral CP n = 28, bilateral CP n = 31; 34 males, 25 females; mean age ± SD, 6.8 ± 3.1y [range, 3-14y]) participated in this study. Function of the more-affected upper limb was measured using the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper limb Function, version 2 (MA2) and the Upper Limb Physician's Rating Scale (ULPRS). Performance of daily living activities was measured using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT). RESULTS: The range, accuracy and fluency dimension of MA2 and ULPRS total scores were moderately correlated with the daily activity domain (r = 0.47, 0.47, 0.56 for MA2 and r = 0.50 for ULPRS, respectively; P < 0.001) rather than the mobility, social/cognitive, and responsibility domains of the PEDI-CAT. ULPRS scores for elbow extension, supination in extension, supination in flexion, and two-handed function were moderately correlated with the PEDI-CAT daily activity domain (r = 0.44, 0.43, 0.41, and 0.49, respectively; P < 0.01). Finger opening and thumb-in-palm deformity of the ULPRS did not correlate with any PEDI-CAT domain. CONCLUSIONS: The MA2 range, accuracy, and fluency domains (rather than dexterity) had the strongest correlations with the PEDI-CAT daily activity domain. Elbow extension, forearm supination, and two-handed function (rather than wrist and finger movements) of the ULPRS had the strongest correlations with the PEDI-CAT daily activity domain.

Development of a Multidisciplinary Aerodigestive Program: An Institutional Experience.

We share our experience on the implementation of a multidisciplinary aerodigestive program comprising an aerodigestive team (ADT) so as to evaluate its feasibility. We performed a retrospective chart review of the patients discussed at the monthly ADT meetings and analyzed the data. A total of 98 children were referred to the ADT during the study period. The number of cases increased steadily from 3.5 cases per month in 2019 to 8.5 cases per month in 2020. The median age of patients was 34.5 months, and 55% were male. Among the chronic comorbidities, neurologic disease was the most common (85%), followed by respiratory (36%) and cardiac (13%) disorders. The common reasons for consultation were suspected aspiration (56%), respiratory difficulty (44%), drooling/stertor (30%), regurgitation/vomiting (18%), and feeding/swallowing difficulty (17%). Following discussions, 58 patients received active interventions, including fundoplication, gastrostomy, laryngomicrosurgery, tracheostomy, and primary dilatation of the airway. According to the questionnaire of the caregiver, the majority agreed that the main symptoms and quality of life of patients had improved (88%), reducing the burden on caregivers (77%). Aerodigestive programs may provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary management for children with complex airway and digestive tract disorders.

Lower-Limb-Assisting Robotic Exoskeleton Reduces Energy Consumption in Healthy Young Persons during Stair Climbing.

Many robotic exoskeletons for lower limb assistance aid walking by reducing energy costs. However, investigations examining stair-climbing assistance have remained limited, generally evaluating reduced activation of related muscles. This study sought to investigate how climbing assistance by a robotic exoskeleton affects energy consumption. Ten healthy young participants wearing a robotic exoskeleton that assists flexion and extension of hip and knee joints walked up nine flights of stairs twice at a self-selected speed with and without stair-climbing assistance. Metabolic cost was assessed by measuring oxygen consumption, heart rate, and the time to climb each flight of stairs. Net oxygen cost (NOC) and total heart beats (THB) were used as measures of metabolic cost, accounting for different climbing speeds. Stair-climbing assistance reduced NOC and THB by 9.3% (P < 0.001) and 6.9% (P = 0.003), respectively, without affecting climbing speed. Despite lack of individual optimization, assistive joint torque applied to the hip and knee joints reduced metabolic cost and cardiovascular burden of stair climbing in healthy young males. These results may be used to improve methods for stair ascent assistance.

Virtual reality rehabilitation in children with brain injury: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of a virtual reality rehabilitation system of wearable multi-inertial sensors to improve upper-limb function in children with brain injury. METHOD: Eighty children (39 males, 41 females) with brain injury including cerebral palsy aged 3 to 16 years (mean age 5y 8mo, SD 2y 10mo) were assessed as part of a multicentre, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. The intervention group received a 30-minute virtual reality intervention and a 30-minute session of conventional occupational therapy while the control group received 60 minutes of conventional occupational therapy per session, with 20 sessions over 4 weeks. The virtual reality rehabilitation system consisted of games promoting wrist and forearm articular movements using wearable inertial sensors. The Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function-2 (MA-2), Upper Limb Physician's Rating Scale, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Computer Adaptive Test, and computerized three-dimensional motion analysis were performed. RESULTS: Both groups (virtual reality, n=40; control, n=38) significantly improved after treatment compared to baseline; however, the virtual reality group showed more significant improvements in upper-limb dexterity functions (MA-2, virtual reality group: Δ=10.09±10.50; control: Δ=3.65±6.92), performance of activities of daily living, and forearm supination by kinematic analysis (p<0.05). In the virtual reality group, children with more severe motor impairment showed significant improvements compared to those with less severe impairment. INTERPRETATION: The virtual reality rehabilitation system used in this study, which consists of wearable inertial sensors and offers intensive, interactive, and repetitive motor training, is effective in children with brain injury. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Both virtual reality rehabilitation and conventional occupational therapy were effective for upper-limb training. Virtual reality training was superior in improving dexterity, performance of activities of daily living, and active forearm supination motion. The effect of virtual reality training was significant in children with more severe motor impairments.

Botulinum Toxin Type A Injections Impact Hamstring Muscles and Gait Parameters in Children with Flexed Knee Gait.

The aim of this study was to determine if botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection into the medial hamstring can improve gait kinematics and muscle-tendon length in spastic cerebral palsy (CP) with a flexed knee gait (FKG). Twenty-nine children with spastic CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System I-III) with FKG were recruited for this prospective study. BoNT-A was injected into the semitendinosus and semimembranosus (SM) muscles under ultrasonography guidance. Assessments included Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS), 3-dimensional computerized gait analysis, calculated SM muscle-tendon length and lengthening velocity during gait using musculoskeletal modeling at baseline, 4 and 16 weeks after the injection. Compared to baseline data, significant improvements in GMFM, MAS, and MTS were demonstrated at weeks 4 and 16, and also a significant increase in maximum knee extension during the stance phase was observed at week 4. In addition, the mean lengthening velocity during the swing phase was increased at week 16 without a change in the SM muscle length. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in anterior pelvic tilt at week 4, compared to baseline data. The significant decrease in hip internal rotation after injection was observed only in children with excessive hip internal rotation at initial contact before injection. BoNT-A injection into hamstrings leads to a significant increase in knee extension and anterior pelvic tilt with an increase in lengthening velocity of SM in spastic CP with FKG.

Incidental Diagnosis of Pediatric Arytenoid Cartilage Dislocation During Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study: A Case Report.

Arytenoid cartilage dislocation is one of the most common mechanical causes of vocal fold immobility. The most common etiologies are intubation and external trauma, but its incidence is lower than 0.1%. Its symptoms include dysphonia, vocal fatigue, loss of vocal control, breathiness, odynophagia, dysphagia, dyspnea, and cough. Although there are some reports of arytenoid cartilage dislocation in adults, there are only few reports on its occurrence in children. It is particularly difficult to detect the symptoms of arytenoid cartilage dislocation in uncooperative pediatric patients with brain lesions without verbal output or voluntary expression. We report a case of arytenoid cartilage dislocation with incidental findings in a videofluoroscopic swallowing study performed to evaluate the swallowing function.

The Dynamic Thumb-in-Palm Pattern in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy and Its Effects on Upper Limb Function.

The thumb-in-palm (TIP) pattern is one of the most common upper limb deformities in cerebral palsy (CP). This study was designed to investigate the effect of the dynamic TIP pattern on upper limb function in children with spastic CP. This prospective observational study included a total of 106 children with CP with dynamic TIP. The House TIP classification while grasping small or large objects, Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function (MUUL), Shriners Hospital Upper Extremity Evaluation (SHUEE), Zancolli classification for wrist-finger flexor deformity, and degree of swan neck deformity were assessed. Type I was the most common and highest functioning House TIP classification type. However, there were no significant differences in upper arm function between types II, III, and IV. The three components of the SHUEE showed stronger association with MUUL than House TIP and Zancolli classifications. After multivariable analysis, functional use of the wrist-finger and the thumb played a more significant role than the dynamic alignment of the thumb. In conclusion, the House TIP classification is useful to describe the TIP pattern. The SHUEE thumb assessment is a useful tool for reflecting upper arm function. The upper arm function was related more with the associated wrist flexor deformity than dynamic TIP.

Architectural Changes in the Medial Gastrocnemius on Sonography after Nerve Ablation in Healthy Adults.

Architectural changes in healthy muscle after denervation have not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate architectural changes in the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle (GCM) after aesthetic tibial nerve ablation in healthy adults using ultrasonography (US). The effects of tibial nerve ablation were verified by visual observation and surface electromyography analysis. US images of medial GCMs were taken by one trained physician using B-mode and real-time US with a linear-array probe before nerve ablation, at 1 week after nerve ablation and at 3 months after nerve ablation in an anatomic standing position with the feet about shoulder-width apart in 19 healthy adults (17 females and 2 males). Muscle thickness was significantly reduced on the left side at 1 week and 3 months after the procedure and on the right side at 3 months after the procedure (p<0.050). Although fascicle length was not significantly changed, pennation angle was significantly reduced on both sides at 3 months after the procedure (p<0.050). Muscle thickness and pennation angle of the muscle fascicle were significantly reduced, although fascicle length was not significantly changed, after tibial nerve ablation in the medial GCM of healthy adults.