Virtual reality as a telerehabilitation strategy for people with autism spectrum disorder during the COVID-19 quarantine scenario: physical activity, motor performance and enjoyment.

PURPOSE: People with autism spectrum disorder could benefit from physical activity during the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions, mainly to maintain adequate physical activity. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, enjoyment, and potential effect of telerehabilitation using a serious game named 'MoveHero'. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Registered in Clinical Trials (NCT04402034). We adopted a remotely run Telerehabilitation research design with 44 participants recruited: 22 People with ASD people and 22 non-ASD individuals. RESULTS: All participants safely participated, 100% adherence to sessions, ∼60% enjoying the task, and significantly improved performance, with better performance for the NA group at most practice moments. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support both how to implement a gaming intervention and the need to investigate the efficacy of serious games to motivate moderate intensity physical activity in people with ASD.

A new and thrilling way to promote physical activity is through telerehabilitation to people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.A tool that can possibly influence the mood of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Help to implement home-based rehabilitation to people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Analysis of Heart Rate, Perception of Physical Effort and Performance of Individuals with Down Syndrome Submitted to a Protocol of Virtual Games for Home-Based Telerehabilitation.

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic condition associated with impairments in several body systems, which may negatively influence the habit of practicing physical activities (PAs), increasing sedentary habits and the risk of comorbidities. Additionally, difficulty in accessing services, financial limitations and lack of interest may interfere with the practice of PAs. Considering the necessity of developing effective treatment alternatives, to increase the possibility of access and the interest of participants, we conducted a study using telerehabilitation with a virtual task to promote PA and analyze the motor performance of DS individuals. Our protocol consisted of 11 sessions of the virtual game called MoveHero. A total of 34 individuals with DS and 34 individuals with typical development participated in the study. Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived effort (RPE) were collected at rest and during the game. Our results show that virtual reality presents a great possibility to promote PA and a way out of a sedentary lifestyle for DS individuals, considering the enhancement in HR and RPE found during the protocol for both groups. Moreover, our results show positive outcomes regarding motor performance, with significant improvement in the task with practice, demonstrating that individuals with DS are able to improve their motor proficiency with adequate stimuli in the virtual environment.

Gait Training with Functional Electrical Stimulation Improves Mobility in People Post-Stroke.

(1) Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability. To identify the best treatment strategies for people with stroke (PwS), the aim of the current study was to compare the effects of training on a treadmill with functional electrical stimulation (TT-FES) with training on a treadmill (TT), and to analyze the effects of sequence of training on mobility and the parameters of walking ability. (2) Methods: Prospective, longitudinal, randomized and crossover study, in which 28 PwS were distributed into groups, namely the A-B Group (TT-FES followed by TT) and B-A Group (TT followed by TT-FES), using the foot drop stimulator, and were measured with functional tests. (3) Results: We found improved mobility, balance, non-paretic limb coordination, and endurance only in the group that started with TT-FES. However, sensorimotor function improved regardless of the order of training, and paretic limb coordination only improved in the B-A Group, but after TT-FES. These data indicate that the order of the protocols changed the results. (4) Conclusions: Although biomechanical evaluation methods were not used, which can be considered a limitation, our results showed that TT-FES was superior to isolated training on a treadmill with regard to balance, endurance capacity, and coordination of the non-paretic limb.

Cardiac autonomic modulation in response to postural transition during a virtual reality task in individuals with spinal cord injury: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: The postural transition from sitting to standing is a moment of dysautonomic occurrence in individuals with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Different tools can be used to minimize this event, such as virtual reality. Thus, we aimed to analyze cardiac autonomic modulation in individuals with SCI during postural transition from the sitting to orthostatism position using a cognitive virtual reality (VR) task. METHODS: Individuals with and without SCI were positioned on the Easy Stand® device, sitting at rest, at 0° considering the angle between the seat and the floor, elevation at 45°, and orthostatism at 90°, for 5 minutes in each position. Heart rate variability (HRV) measures of sympathovagal balance were collected (heart rate receiver: Polar V800). The groups were subdivided into two groups, one that performed VR as an intervention during the postural angle changes and another group that did not perform VR. RESULTS: We evaluated 76 individuals, 40 with a medical diagnosis of SCI and 36 who composed the able-bodied control group without SCI, matched by age and sex. The HRV results showed that the SCI group who performed the task in VR demonstrated no significant difference in parasympathetic activation and global variability between the sitting versus 90° positions. There was better sympathovagal balance in SCI and able-bodied control groups who performed the VR task between the sitting versus 90° positions. CONCLUSION: The use of a VR task seems to contribute to better sympathovagal balance, with the potential to reduce dysautonomia during postural changes.

The use of serial casting in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy: a study protocol

Introduction: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is characterized by a disorder of posture and movement, commonly leading to disabling orthopedic alterations, including muscle shortening, especially in the lower limbs. Stretching methods, performed gradually, are necessary to delay the impairment in function from muscle shortening. The use of serial casting aims to promote proper alignment, and an ideal and stable support base, in addition to better bone and joint health, leading to better posture, mobility, muscle function, and, subsequently, increased fitness and health.Objective: evaluate range of motion, postural control, and motor performance in children with CP, using serial casting, as well as to measure its effect on fitness through the autonomic nervous system (ANS).Methods: Sixty children and adolescents with CP, of both sexes, 3 to 12 years of age, will be divided into three groups: Groups A, B, and C, with 20 individuals each. Group A will use serial casting, Group B will use the orthosis continuously (with removal only allowed for bathing), and Group C will use the orthosis in their daily routine. Range of motion of the ankle of first and second resistance levels (R1 and R2), gross motor function measure (GMFM), and balance (measured by BERG scale) will be used in the initial and final assessments, and after 6 months and one year of follow-up. Timed-up-and-go (TUG), load distribution (baropodometry), motor performance measured through a real basketball game and the virtual MoveHero game, analysis of body angulation with "mydartfish", and cardiac autonomic modulation through heart rate variability will be assessed in three different situations: barefoot, with orthosis, and with casting.Conclusion: Serial casting demonstrates the potential to produce positive results in the treatment of individuals with CP regarding better alignment, with consequent motor and autonomic improvement.

Motor learning in visual impaired individuals during a coincident timing task in a non-immersive virtual reality / Aprendizagem motora em indivíduos com deficiência visual em uma tarefa de timing coincident em realidade virtual não imersiva

Introduction: virtual reality (VR) is used nowadays as an assessment and intervention tool in rehabilitation. One of the skills that can be assessed through VR is coincident timing (perceptual-motor ability to execute a motor response in synchrony with an external stimulus). Visually impaired (VI) people require this synchronization of movements with external objects in their daily and leisure activities. Objective: to investigate the performance of VI individuals in a VR coincident timing task. Methods: sixty individuals over 18 years of age participated in this study: 20 with VI, 20 without VI but blindfolded and 20 individuals without VI that used visual feedback (without blindfold). A semi-structured interview and a virtual coincident timing task were used. Results: although VI individuals started the task with the worst performance (Absolute error = VI group 945ms x blindfolded group 591ms x without blindfold group, 557ms), they improved performance throughout the task, as did the other groups, reducing the number of errors (mean absolute error= 698ms to 408ms). Furthermore, all groups presented increased task speed (mean variable error= last acquisition block 408ms x immediate transfer 227ms x late transfer 247ms). Conclusion: individuals with VI had difficulties at the beginning of the proposed task, but with practice they were able to adapt to the task with an improved of performance (observed by the decrease in error time). The auditory feedback was sufficient to allow adaptation to the task which improved participant performance with VI.

Introdução: A realidade virtual (RV) é usada atualmente como ferramenta de avaliação e intervenção na reabilitação. Uma das tarefas motoras possíveis de verificar desempenho por meio da RV é o timing coincidente (habilidade perceptivo-motora de executar uma resposta motora em sincronia com um estímulo externo). Essa sincronização de movimentos com estímulos externos é importante para pessoas com deficiência visual (DV) nas tarefas diárias e de lazer.Objetivo: Investigar o desempenho de indivíduos com DV em uma tarefa de timing coincident em RV não imersiva.Método: Participaram deste estudo 60 indivíduos maiores de 18 anos: 20 com DV, 20 sem DV mas vendados e 20 indivíduos sem DV que utilizaram feedback visual (não vendado). Foi utilizada entrevista semiestruturada e uma tarefa de timing coincident no computador. Resultados: O grupo DV iniciou a tarefa com o pior desempenho (erro absoluto = grupo DV 945ms x grupo vendado 591ms x grupo não vendado 557ms), mas melhoraram ao longo da tarefa. Apesar da dificuldade inicial do grupo com DV, todos os grupos reduziram o número de erros (erro absoluto médio = 698ms para 408ms). Além disso, todos os grupos aumentaram a precisão da tarefa (erro variável médio = último bloco de aquisição 408 ms x transferência imediata 227 ms x transferência tardia 247 ms).Conclusão: Indivíduos com DV apresentaram dificuldades no início da tarefa proposta mas com a prática conseguiram se adaptar a tarefa com melhora no desempenho (observado pela diminuição no tempo de erro). Ou seja, o feedback auditivo foi suficiente para possibilitar adaptação à tarefa e melhora de desempenho dos participantes com DV.

Autonomic Modulation in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy During a Computer Task: A Prospective Transversal Controlled Trial Assessment by Non-linear Techniques.

Introduction: Due to functional and autonomic difficulties faced by individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the use of assistive technology is critical to provide or facilitate functional abilities. The key objective was to investigate acute cardiac autonomic responses, by application of Heart Rate Variability (HRV), during computer tasks in subjects with DMD via techniques based on non-linear dynamics. Method: HRV was attained via a Polar RS800CX. Then, was evaluated by Chaotic Global Techniques (CGT). Forty-five male subjects were included in the DMD group and age-matched with 45 in the healthy Typical Development (TD) control group. They were assessed for 20 min at rest sitting, and then 5 min whilst performing the maze task on a computer. Results: Both TD and DMD subjects exhibited a significantly reduced HRV measured by chaotic global combinations when undertaking the computer maze paradigm tests. DMD subjects presented decreased HRV during rest and computer task than TD subjects. Conclusion: While there is an impaired HRV in subjects with DMD, there remains an adaptation of the ANS during the computer tasks. The identification of autonomic impairment is critical, considering that the computer tasks in the DMD community may elevate their level of social inclusion, participation and independence.

COVID-19 mortality and lethality in the state of Pará, legal Amazon, Brazil / Mortalidade e letalidate da COVID-19 no Estado do Pará, Amazônia legal, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: the growth of coronavirus indices in the North region highlights the region's historical social inequalities and the problems in accessing citizenship. OBJECTIVE: to analyze the mortality and lethality of COVID-19 in the state of Pará, Brazil. METHODS: this is an ecological study with a time series design of secondary data. All registered cases and deaths reported by COVID-19 in the period from March 2020 to June 2021, in the state of Pará, Brazil, were considered. The incidence and mortality and lethality rates were used. The daily percentage variation and their respective 95% confidence intervals were estimated. RESULTS: the total number of confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 in the state of Pará was 552,937 and 15,469, respectively, from March 2020 to June 2021. Incidence and mortality rates from March 2020 to June 2021 were, respectively, 6,407.9 and 179.3 per 100,000 inhabitants and the lethality was 43.3. Regarding the analysis of the daily trend of rates in the period from March 2020 to June 2021, both mortality and incidence increased. CONCLUSION: it was found that the behavior of the trend of rates in the first wave was increasing in the incidence of confirmed cases and the lethality decreasing, and in the second wave, the mortality and lethality rates were increasing.

INTRODUÇÃO: o crescimento dos índices do coronavírus na região Norte evidencia as desigualdades sociais históricas da região e os problemas no acesso à cidadania. OBJETIVO: analisar a mortalidade e letalidade da COVID-19 no estado do Pará, Brasil. MÉTODO: trata-se de um estudo ecológico com delineamento de série temporal de dados secundários. Foram consideradas todos os casos registrados e óbitos notificados por COVID-19 no período de março de 2020 a junho de 2021, no estado do Pará, Brasil. Foi utilizado a taxa de incidência, mortalidade e letalidade. Estimou-se a variação percentual diário e seus respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança. RESULTADO: o total de casos confirmados e óbitos por COVID-19 no estado do Pará foi de 552.937 e 15.469, respectivamente, no período de março de 2020 a junho de 2021. As taxas de incidência e mortalidade do período de março de 2020 a junho de 2021 foram, respectivamente, 6.407,9 e 179,3 por 100.000 habitantes e a letalidade foi 43,3. Com relação à análise de tendência diária das taxas no período de março de 2020 a junho de 2021 tanto a mortalidade quanto a incidência foram crescentes. CONCLUSÃO: constatou-se que o comportamento da tendência das taxas na primeira onda foi crescente na incidência de casos confirmados e a letalidade decrescente e, na segunda onda, as taxas de mortalidade e letalidade foram crescentes.

Epidemiological perspective of the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Amapá State, Northern Brazil / Perspectiva epidemiológica da evolução da pandemia da COVID-19 no Estado do Amapá, Norte do Brasil

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 impacted health systems worldwide; the virus quickly spread in Brazil, reaching its 27 Federative units peculiarly. The northern country region recorded the lowest number of cases and accumulated deaths from the disease. However, it is a region of sizeable territorial extension and low demographic density, marked by socioeconomic inequalities and vulnerable groups, such as indigenous tribes, riverine peoples, and quilombolas. Sociodemographic factors may contribute to the dissemination of the coronavirus in this territory; thus, studies are needed to analyze the epidemiological indicators related to the pandemic. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate incidence, mortality, and case fatality of COVID-19 trends in the state of Amapá, Brazil, from March 2020 to April 2021. METHODS: an ecological time-series study was conducted with publicly accessible data from the Health Department of the State of Amapá. Incidence and mortality rates per 100,000 inhabitants and percentage case fatality were calculated. Crude rates were calculated by municipalities, age, and sex, per month. The Prais-Winsten regression test was performed, and the trends of monthly rates were classified as increasing, decreasing, or flat. RESULTS: during the study period, there were 99.936 cases and 1,468 deaths accumulated by COVID-19 in the State of Amapá, Brazil. Macapá and Santana's cities, which have the highest demographic density and Human Development Index (HDI), had the highest number of cases and deaths. The most vulnerable population was elderly males aged 70 years or over; these individuals had the highest cumulative incidence, case fatality, and mortality rates. The second wave of the disease (October 2020 to April 2021) illustrated a more aggravating scenario, with increasing incidence and mortality rates. CONCLUSION: the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Amapá, Brazil, is in increasing evolution, which illustrates that non-pharmacological prevention measures and acceleration of vaccination must be strengthened to avoid the development of future waves of the disease.

INTRODUÇÃO: a COVID-19 impactou os sistemas de saúde em todo o mundo, rapidamente o vírus disseminou-se no Brasil, atingindo de modo distinto as 27 unidades Federativas do país. A região norte do Brasil registrou o menor número de casos e óbitos acumulados da doença. Entretanto, trata-se de região de grande extensão territorial e baixa densidade demográfica, marcada por desigualdades socioeconômicas, presença de população vulnerável como tribos indígenas, povos ribeirinhos e quilombolas. Os fatores sociodemográficos podem contribuir para a disseminação do coronavírus na região, assim, fazem-se necessários estudos que analisem os indicadores epidemiológicos relacionados à pandemia. OBJETIVO: avaliar as tendências da incidência, mortalidade e letalidade da COVID-19 no estado do Amapá, durante o período de março de 2020 a abril de 2021. MÉTODO: foi realizado um estudo ecológico de séries temporais, com dados de livre acesso, oriundos da Secretaria de Saúde do Estado do Amapá. Foi calculado a taxa de incidência e mortalidade por 100.000 habitantes e letalidade percentual. As taxas brutas foram calculadas por municípios, idade e sexo e por mês. Foi realizado o teste de regressão de Prais-Winsten, as tendências das taxas mensais foram classificadas em crescentes, decrescentes ou estacionárias. RESULTADOS: houve 99,936 casos e 1,468 óbitos acumulados por COVID-19 no Estado do Amapá durante o período estudado. As cidades de Macapá e Santana, que apresentaram densidades demográficas e Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH) mais elevados, apresentaram o maior número de casos e óbitos. A população mais vulnerável foi constituída pelos idosos do sexo masculino, com idade igual ou superior a 70 anos, estes indivíduos apresentaram as maiores taxas acumuladas de incidência, letalidade e mortalidade. A segunda onda da doença (outubro de 2020 a abril de 2021) ilustrou um cenário mais agravante, com crescentes nas taxas de incidência e mortalidade. CONCLUSÃO: a pandemia da COVID-19 no estado do Amapá está em crescente evolução, o que ilustra que medidas de prevenção não farmacológicas e aceleração à vacinação devem ser fortalecidas para evitar o desenvolvimento de futuras ondas da doença.

Evolution of mortality and lethality due to COVID-19 in the State of Roraima, Brazil, from march 2020 to july 2021 / Evolução da mortalidade e letalidade da COVID-19 no Estado de Roraima no período de março de 2020 a julho de 2021

INTRODUCTION: the context of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Brazilian North region is worrying. There is a lack of resources for Public Health, a low human development index, and poverty indicators above the national average OBJECTIVE: to analyze mortality and lethality from COVID-19 in the State of Roraima, Brazil METHODS: this is an ecological time-series study of secondary data on COVID-19 in Roraima, Northern Brazil, from March 2020 to July 2021. The incidence, mortality, and lethality rates due to COVID-19 were calculated. The Prais-Winsten regression model was used to calculate the time series trends. Trends were classified as increasing, decreasing, or stationary. The trend was considered static when the p-value was not significant (p>0.05 RESULTS: in the state of Roraima, from March 2020 to July 2021, there were 123,125 cases and 1,903 accumulated deaths due to COVID-19. The first wave (March 2020 to October 2021) of COVID-19 recorded the incidence rate (2,995.30 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants - July 2020) and mortality (56.32 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants - June 2020) higher lethality. However, in the second wave (November 2020 to July 2021), the highest lethality rate was observed (3.47% - February 2021). It was observed that during the first wave, the incidence rate of COVID-19 showed increasing trends. During this period, the mortality rate had a stationary tendency (p>0.05) and the percentage lethality with a decreasing trend (p<0.05). During the second wave, there was a more aggravating scenario for lethality, which changed from a daily reduction rate of 0.90% to stationary trends CONCLUSION: the pandemic in the state of Roraima is not yet under control, so it is necessary to strengthen strategies to mitigate the spread of the pandemic in the region and prevent the formation of new waves

INTRODUÇÃO: o contexto da pandemia da Covid-19 na região Norte é preocupante, visto que há falta de recursos para a Saúde Pública, baixo índice de desenvolvimento humano e indicadores de pobreza acima da média nacional OBJETIVO: analisar a letalidade e mortalidade por COVID-19 no Estado de Roraima, Brasil MÉTODO: trata-se de um estudo ecológico de séries temporais de dados secundários sobre a COVID-19 no estado de Roraima, região Norte do Brasil, no período de março de 2020 a julho de 2021. Foram calculadas as taxas de incidência, mortalidade e letalidade por COVID-19. Utilizou-se o modelo de regressão de Prais-Winsten para calcular as taxas de construção de séries temporais. As taxas foram classificadas como crescentes, decrescentes ou estacionárias. A tendência foi considerada estacionária quando o p-valor não foi significativo, (p>0,05 RESULTADOS: no estado de Roraima, durante o período de março de 2020 a julho de 2021, houve um total de 123.125 casos e 1.903 óbitos acumulados devido a COVID-19. A primeira onda (março de 2020 a outubro de 2021) da COVID-19 foi registrada a taxa de incidência (2.995,30 novos casos por 100.000 habitantes - julho de 2020) e de mortalidade (56,32 óbitos por 100.000 habitantes - junho de 2020) letalidade mais elevada. Entretanto, foi na segunda onda (novembro de 2020 a julho de 2021) que foi observada a taxa de letalidade mais elevada (3,47% - fevereiro de 2021). Observou-se que durante a primeira onda, a taxa de incidência da COVID-19 apresentou tendências crescentes. Neste período, a taxa de mortalidade encontrava-se com tendência estacionária (p>0,05) e a letalidade percentual com tendência decrescente (p<0,05). Durante a segunda onda, observou-se um cenário mais agravante para a letalidade, que transitou de uma taxa de redução diária de 0,90%, para tendências estacionárias CONCLUSÃO: a pandemia no estado de Roraima ainda não está controlada, assim faz-se necessário o fortalecimento de estratégias para mitigar o avanço da pandemia na região e evitar a formação de novas ondas

Influence of Different Types of Corticosteroids on Heart Rate Variability of Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy-A Pilot Cross Sectional Study.

Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) have an impairment of cardiac autonomic function categorized by parasympathetic reduction and sympathetic predominance. The objective of this study was to assess the cardiac autonomic modulation of individuals with DMD undergoing therapy with Prednisone/Prednisolone and Deflazacort and compare with individuals with DMD without the use of these medications and a typically developed control group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was completed, wherein 40 boys were evaluated. The four treatment groups were: Deflazacort; Prednisone/Prednisolone; no corticoid use; and typical development. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was investigated via linear indices (Time Domain and Frequency Domain) and non-linear indices Results: The results of this study revealed that individuals with DMD undertaking pharmacotherapies with Prednisolone demonstrated HRV comparable to the Control Typically Developed (CTD) group. In contrast, individuals with DMD undergoing pharmacotherapies with Deflazacort achieved lower HRV, akin to individuals with DMD without any medications, as demonstrated in the metrics: RMSSD; LF (n.u.), HF (n.u.), LF/HF; SD1, α1, and α1/α2, and a significant effect for SD1/SD2; %DET and Ratio; Shannon Entropy, 0 V%, 2 LV% and 2 ULV%. Conclusions: Corticosteroids have the potential to affect the cardiac autonomic modulation in adolescents with DMD. The use of Prednisone/Prednisolone appears to promote improved responses in terms of sympathovagal activity as opposed to Deflazacort.

Comparison Between Conventional Intervention and Non-immersive Virtual Reality in the Rehabilitation of Individuals in an Inpatient Unit for the Treatment of COVID-19: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

Background: The new human coronavirus that leads to COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) has spread rapidly around the world and has a high degree of lethality. In more severe cases, patients remain hospitalized for several days under treatment of the health team. Thus, it is important to develop and use technologies with the aim to strengthen conventional therapy by encouraging movement, physical activity, and improving cardiorespiratory fitness for patients. In this sense, therapies for exposure to virtual reality (VR) are promising and have been shown to be an adequate and equivalent alternative to conventional exercise programs. Aim: This is a study protocol with the aim of comparing the conventional physical therapy intervention with the use of a non-immersive VR software during COVID-19 hospitalization. Methods: Fifty patients hospitalized with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 will be divided in two groups under physiotherapy treatment using conventional or VR intervention: Group A: participants with COVID-19 will start the first day of the protocol with VR tasks in the morning and then in the second period, in the afternoon, will perform the conventional exercises (n = 25) and Group B: participants with COVID-19 will start the first day with conventional exercises in the morning and in the second period, in the afternoon, will perform activity with VR (n = 25). All participants will be evaluated with different motor and physiologic scales before and after the treatment to measure improvements. Conclusion: Considering the importance of benefits from physical activity during hospitalization, VR software shows promise as a potential mechanism for improving physical activity. The results of this study may provide new insights into hospital rehabilitation. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04537858. Registered on 01 September 2020.

Serious Game Platform as a Possibility for Home-Based Telerehabilitation for Individuals With Cerebral Palsy During COVID-19 Quarantine - A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: There is a need to maintain rehabilitation activities and motivate movement and physical activity during quarantine in individuals with Cerebral Palsy (CP). OBJECTIVE: This paper sets out to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of using computer serious game in a non-immersive virtual reality (VR) implemented and evaluated completely remotely in participants with CP for Home-Based Telerehabilitation during the quarantine period for COVID-19. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 44 individuals participated in this study between March and June 2020, 22 of which had CP (14 males and 8 females, mean age = 19 years, ranging between 11 and 28 years) and 22 typically developing individuals, matched by age and sex to the individuals with CP. Participants practiced a coincident timing game1 and we measured movement performance and physical activity intensity using the rating of perceived exertion Borg scale. RESULTS: All participants were able to engage with the VR therapy remotely, reported enjoying sessions, and improved performance in some practice moments. The most important result in this cross-sectional study was the significant increasing in rating of perceived exertion (through Borg scale) in both groups during practice and with CP presenting a higher rating of perceived exertion. CONCLUSION: Children with CP enjoyed participating, were able to perform at the same level as their peers on certain activities and increased both their performance and physical activity intensity when using the game, supporting the use of serious games for this group for home therapy and interactive games. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: https://Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04402034. Registered on May 20, 2020.

Motor learning through a non-immersive virtual task in people with limb-girdle muscular dystrophies / Aprendizagem motora por meio de tarefa virtual não imersiva em pessoas com distrofia muscular de cinturas

INTRODUCTION: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) are neuromuscular and genetic disorders that progress with weakness and damage of the proximal muscles, developing with loss of functionality. Virtual reality environments are suggested as an effective alternative for performance of daily life activities. However, there is no evidence in the literature on the use of virtual reality in this populationOBJECTIVE: Assess motor performance through a motor learning protocol in a coincident timing taskMETHODS: 10 participants with LGMD and 10 healthy individuals were selected and included in the study to perform a non-immersive virtual reality task divided into three phases: acquisition (20 attempts), retention (5 attempts), and transfer (5 attempts, with speed increaseRESULTS: It is observed that the accuracy of movement improves from the beginning to the end of the acquisition (p = 0.01); however, there is a marginal difference between the groups in block A1 (p = 0.089). Regarding the variability of touches, observed by the variable error, both groups improved performance in all phasesCONCLUSION: Even with lower performance than the control group at the beginning of the practice, individuals with LGMD showed the potential to optimize motor function during the practice of a non-immersive virtual reality activity and were able to match their performance with the control group after a few attempts

INTRODUÇÃO: As distrofias musculares de cinturas (DMC) são distúrbios neuromusculares e genéticos que progridem com fraqueza e dano dos músculos proximais, desenvolvendo-se com perda de funcionalidade. Sugere-se ambientes de realidade virtual como uma alternativa eficaz para o desempenho das atividades da vida diária. No entanto, não há evidências na literatura sobre o uso da realidade virtual nessa populaçãoOBJETIVO: Avaliar o desempenho motor através de um protocolo de aprendizagem motora em uma tarefa de timing coincidenteMÉTODO: 10 participantes com DMC e 10 indivíduos saudáveis foram selecionados e incluídos no estudo para realizar uma tarefa de realidade virtual não imersiva dividida em três fases: aquisição (20 tentativas), retenção (5 tentativas) e transferência (5 tentativas, com aumento de velocidadeRESULTADOS: Observou-se que a acurácia do movimento melhorou do início ao final da aquisição (p = 0,01); no entanto, existe uma diferença marginal entre os grupos no bloco A1 (p = 0,089). Em relação à variabilidade de toques, observada pelo erro variável, ambos os grupos melhoraram o desempenho em todas as fasesCONCLUSÃO: Mesmo com desempenho inferior ao grupo controle no início da prática, os indivíduos com DMC mostraram potencial para otimizar a função motora durante a prática de uma atividade de realidade virtual não imersiva e foram capazes de corresponder seu desempenho com o grupo controle após poucas tentativas

Effect of Combined Therapy of Virtual Reality and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children and Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy: A Study Protocol for a Triple-Blinded Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and therapy-based virtual reality (VR) have been investigated separately. They have shown promise as efficient and engaging new tools in the neurological rehabilitation of individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). However, the recent literature encourages investigation of the combination of therapy tools in order to potentiate clinic effects and its mechanisms. Methods: A triple-blinded randomised sham-controlled crossover trial will be performed. Thirty-six individuals with gross motor function of levels I to IV (aged 4-14 years old) will be recruited. Individuals will be randomly assigned to Group A (active first) or S (sham first): Group A will start with ten sessions of active tDSC combined with VR tasks. After a 1-month washout, this group will be reallocated to another ten sessions with sham tDCS combined with VR tasks. In contrast, Group S will carry out the opposite protocol, starting with sham tDCS. For the active tDCS the protocol will use low frequency tDCS [intensity of 1 milliampere (mA)] over the primary cortex (M1) area on the dominant side of the brain. Clinical evaluations (reaction times and coincident timing through VR, functional scales: Abilhand-Kids, ACTIVLIM-CP, Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-PEDI- and heart rate variability-HRV) will be performed at baseline, during, and after active and sham tDCS. Conclusion: tDCS has produced positive results in treating individuals with CP; thus, its combination with new technologies shows promise as a potential mechanism for improving neurological functioning. The results of this study may provide new insights into motor rehabilitation, thereby contributing to the better use of combined tDCS and VR in people with CP. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04044677. Registered on 05 August 2019.

Virtual reality head-mounted goggles increase the body sway of young adults during standing posture.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing virtual reality head-mounted goggles (VR) on body sway in young adults. We run two experiments, in which we compared the body sway while standing during the conditions of 1) wearing and non-wearing VR with eyes-opened (experiment #1), 2) wearing and no-wearing VR with eyes-closed (experiment #2), and 3) wearing VR with eyes-opened when the scene was turned on and off (experiment #2). Forty-four (experiment #1) and fifteen (experiment #2) young adults were instructed to remain as still as possible on a force plate for 60-s and performed three trials in each quiet standing condition. The center of pressure (CoP) displacement, mean velocity, root mean square (RMS), area and median frequency of sway were calculated in both experiments. In the experiment #1, wearing VR condition with eyes-opened largely increased the AP and ML CoP displacement, AP mean velocity, AP and ML RMS, and area (p < 0.05) compared to non-wearing VR with eyes-opened. In the experiment #2, no differences were found for any conditions (eyes-closed and eyes-opened with turned on and off VR scene). In conclusion, wearing VR head-mounted goggles increased body sway of young adults during standing postural task, when the individuals were with eyes-opened. However, the effects of wearing VR head-mounted goggles on body sway disappeared when the individuals were with eyes-closed or the google scene was turned off the scene compared to not wearing VR head-mounted goggles with eyes-closed or turned on scene, respectively.

Análise da velocidade e acurácia de movimentos em indivíduos após acidente vascular encefálico / Speed and accuracy of movement in individuals after stroke

The Stroke might cause alterations in movement control due to the sequels of this process. Objective: Analyze the speed-accuracy trade-off of upper limb movement in individuals with sequels of Stroke through a computer software. Method: It is about a cross-sectional study, the sample was composed of 46 individuals divided into two groups: individuals post-stroke, between the ages of 35 and 83 years old, in which 10 were women and 14 were men; and 22 healthy controls aligned by age and sex, in which 8 were women and 14 were men, evaluated through the instruments: Mini mental state examination, Orpington prognostic scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale, dynamometer, box of blocks and throught the software "Fitts Reciprocal Aiming Task v.2.0. (Horizontal)", that seeks to understand the motor control of the upper limb, verifying the speed and accuracy of movement through a computer task. Results: The individuals with sequels of Stroke showed a loss in the strength of the palmar grip and manual function. Besides, they showed a longer time in movement in all index of difficulty compared to Control group. However, they showed a similar behaviour to the healthy individuals throughout the execution of the index of difficulty. Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that the individuals with sequels of Stroke showed a deficit of the motor control of the upper limb, compared to the healthy individuals, however, these showed the same behavior, with a bigger deficit in the accuracy of movement

The Stroke might cause alterations in movement control due to the sequels of this process. Objective: Analyze the speed-accuracy trade-off of upper limb movement in individuals with sequels of Stroke through a computer software. Method: It is about a cross-sectional study, the sample was composed of 46 individuals divided into two groups: individuals post-stroke, between the ages of 35 and 83 years old, in which 10 were women and 14 were men; and 22 healthy controls aligned by age and sex, in which 8 were women and 14 were men, evaluated through the instruments: Mini mental state examination, Orpington prognostic scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale, dynamometer, box of blocks and throught the software "Fitts Reciprocal Aiming Task v.2.0. (Horizontal)", that seeks to understand the motor control of the upper limb, verifying the speed and accuracy of movement through a computer task. Results: The individuals with sequels of Stroke showed a loss in the strength of the palmar grip and manual function. Besides, they showed a longer time in movement in all index of difficulty compared to Control group. However, they showed a similar behaviour to the healthy individuals throughout the execution of the index of difficulty. Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that the individuals with sequels of Stroke showed a deficit of the motor control of the upper limb, compared to the healthy individuals, however, these showed the same behavior, with a bigger deficit in the accuracy of movement