Resistance band training with functional electrical stimulation improves force control capabilities in older adults: a preliminary study.

Resistance band training (RBT) with functional electrical stimulation (FES) may be an effective exercise regimen for improving age-related motor impairments. This preliminary study investigated the potential effects of bimanual RBT with FES on upper limb motor functions in older adults. This study randomly assigned 22 elderly people to the bimanual RBT with FES (Bi-RBT+FES) group and the RBT without FES (Bi-RBT) group. All participants performed isometric hand-grip force control tasks in unimanual (dominant and non-dominant) and bimanual conditions before and after four weeks of exercise for each group. We quantified the mean force, force accuracy, force variability, and force regularity at two targeted force levels (i.e., 10 % and 40 % of maximum voluntary contraction; MVC) to estimate changes in force control capabilities. The results revealed that the Bi-RBT+FES group demonstrated a greater force accuracy in the dominant hand at 10 % of MVC after training. Non-dominant hands in the Bi-RBT+FES group increased force accuracy at 40 % of MVC and reduced force variability collapsed across two targeted force levels. Both groups showed a decrease in force regularity after training. These preliminary results indicate that Bi-RBT+FES may be a viable option to facilitate functional recovery of the upper limbs in older adults.

Bimanual Coordination Functions between Paretic and Nonparetic Arms: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Bimanual coordination is essential for performing many everyday interlimb actions that require successful spatiotemporal interactions between the 2 arms. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates bimanual coordination function of the upper extremities in patients with stroke. METHODS: Seventeen studies that compared bimanual coordination functions in patients with stroke and age-matched healthy controls qualified for this meta-analysis. We categorized 25 comparisons from the 17 qualified studies into 6 types of bimanual actions based on 3 task constraints: (1), symmetry versus asymmetry movements, (2) parallel versus cooperative movements, and (3) independent goals versus a common goal. RESULTS: Random effects meta-analysis revealed that patients with stroke had impaired kinematic (Hedges's g = -1.232 and P < .0001) and kinetic (Hedges's g = -.712 and P = .001) control of bimanual coordination as compared with the age-matched healthy controls. The moderator variable analysis on the 6 types of bimanual actions showed that bimanual coordination impairments after stroke appeared while performing both asymmetrical bimanual movements and symmetrical bimanual movements to achieve a common goal. Moreover, we observed a potential relationship between greater time since stroke onset and increased interlimb coordination impairments for chronic patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that restoring interlimb coordination functions after stroke may be a crucial rehabilitation goal for facilitating progress toward stroke motor recovery.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on symptoms of nicotine dependence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on symptoms of nicotine dependence in treatment-seeking smokers. Twelve studies qualified for this meta-analysis, and we used 15 total comparisons from the included studies for the data synthesis. Primary outcome measures were changes in (a) cue-provoked craving and (b) smoking intake (i.e., the number of cigarettes smoked) between active tDCS stimulation and sham control groups. Random-effects model meta-analyses revealed significant positive effects of tDCS on seven cue-provoked craving comparisons (effect size = 0.422; P = .004) and eight smoking intake comparisons (effect size = 0.557; P = .004). Moderator variable analyses indicated that applying anodal-tDCS on the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) revealed significant positive effects on the cue-provoked craving with minimal heterogeneity. Further, applying cathodal-tDCS on DLPFC regions showed more positive effects on both cue-provoked craving and smoking intake than cathodal-tDCS on other brain regions. These findings suggested that tDCS modulating DLPFC activity can be an effective option for decreasing individual's smoking dependence symptoms.