Development of four-bar polycentric knee joint with stance-phase knee flexion.

A conventional 4-bar polycentric knee and solid ankle cushion heel foot (SACH foot) have been commonly used in developing countries. However, they cannot perform stance-phase knee flexion, which makes a person with an amputation walk unnaturally and with less stability. This research proposes a novel design of a 4-bar polycentric knee with stance-phase knee flexion ability (4BSF), which can perform both stance and swing-phase knee flexion, like able-bodied gait. In the proposed conceptual design, the instantaneous center of rotation (ICR) path is repositioned during the stance phase. The ICR was placed in front of the ground reaction force (GRF) to initiate knee flexion during the loading response. The prototype was validated by a single-subject pilot study at the Gait analysis laboratory. The results showed that a person with an amputation walks with stance-phase knee flexion using the proposed 4BSF. The maximum knee flexion angle is more than 10° during the stance phase. Furthermore, when the 4BSF was used with a SACH foot, the amount of time to achieve the foot flat was shorter, and the foot flat duration time was twice as long as the conventional 4-bar polycentric knee.

Effects of the Robot-Assisted Gait Training Device Plus Physiotherapy in Improving Ambulatory Functions in Patients With Subacute Stroke With Hemiplegia: An Assessor-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) device plus physiotherapy vs physiotherapy alone in improving ambulatory functions in patients with subacute stroke with hemiplegia. DESIGN: A prospective, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Patients with subacute stroke with hemiplegia admitted at the Rehabilitation Center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six patients with subacute stroke with hemiplegia (N=26). INTERVENTION: All patients received 30 training sessions (5 d/wk for 6 wk), which included conventional physiotherapy training (60 minutes) and ambulation training (60 minutes). In the ambulation training session, the RAGT device group received robotic training (40 minutes) and ground ambulation training (20 minutes). The control group received only ground ambulation training (60 minutes). The outcomes were assessed at the initial session and at the end of the 15th and 30th sessions. Comparisons within groups and between groups were conducted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome variables were the FIM-walk score and the efficacy of FIM-walk. RESULTS: The RAGT device group showed greater improvements from baseline than control in (1) the FIM-walk score at the end of the 15th session (P=.012), (2) the efficacy of FIM-walk at the end of the 15th session (P=.008), (3) walking distance in the 6-minute walk test at the end of the 15th session (P=.018), (4) the Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living (ADL) at the end of the 30th session (P<.001), and (5) gait symmetry ratio at the end of the 30th session (P=.044). Other gait parameters showed tendencies of improvement in the RAGT device group, but there were no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: RAGT devices plus physiotherapy showed early improvements in walking ability and Barthel ADL index compared with the ground level training plus physiotherapy in patients with subacute stroke with hemiplegia.

Differences between chronic low back pain patients in Germany and Thailand in terms of nature of disease and socioeconomic and psychological factors.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the most common causes of physical and psychological disabilities. The factors that affect low back pain (LBP) between Western and Eastern countries are different. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the factors associated with LBP and their impact in German and Thai CLBP participants. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 100 Thai and 100 German CLBP participants. Data were collected before the participants received treatment in the outpatient rehabilitation clinic. We used standardized questionnaires to assess the demographic and socioeconomic data, clinical features of the pain, the impact of pain during daily activities, and psychological consequences. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant difference between the two groups for minimal pain intensity (NRS German = 3.01, Thai = 1.83), and the participants' acceptable pain intensity (NRS German = 1.97, Thai = 3.88). The German participants had a higher negative impact score in their daily living compared to the Thai participants (German = 23.5, Thai = 10). Also, the German participants suffered more often from depression (CES-D score; German = 17, Thai = 4). However, the average back pain intensity was the same for both groups. CONCLUSION: German CLBP participants had significantly more depressive symptoms and pain-related impairments compared to the Thai participants. On the other hand, there were no differences in maximum and average pain severities.

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Plus Physical Therapy on Gait in Patients With Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to study the combined effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and physical therapy on the walking ability of patients with Parkinson disease (PD). STUDY DESIGN: The study used an experimental, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. RESULTS: After intervention, group 1 (only tDCS) demonstrated a significant increase in gait speed by 0.13 to 0.14 m/sec (17.8%-19.2%) and an increase in step length by 5.9 to 6.1 cm (14.0%-14.5%), whereas group 2 (tDCS and physical therapy) revealed a significant increase in gait speed by 0.10 to 0.13 m/sec (14.9%-19.4%) and step length by 4.5 to 5.4 cm (10.6%-12.8%) and group 3 (sham tDCS and physical therapy) showed a significant increase in gait speed by 0.09 to 0.14 m/sec (13.0%-20.3%) and step length by 3.0 to 5.4 cm (6.8%-12.3%). All these results lasted for at least 8 wks after intervention. Upon comparing the parameters of gait among the three groups at every follow-up visit, no significant difference was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Anodal tDCS or physical therapy could be used alone or together as a combination treatment to improve the walking speed of patients with Parkinson disease. The effects lasted for approximately 8 wks. The combination treatment was not superior to the use of tDCS or physical therapy alone.

Medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve: anatomical relationship with the medial epicondyle, basilic vein and brachial artery / Nervio cutáneo antebraquial medial: relación anatómica con el epicóndilo medial, vena basílica y arteria braquial

Medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve (MACN) courses in the medial arm to provide sensory innervation to the medial forearm. Its anatomy has been partly described since data regarding its branching pattern and distances to adjacent landmarks are still lacking. The purpose of this study was to provide morphometric anatomy of the MACN with comparisons between sides and sexes. Ninety-six upper extremities from 26 males and 22 females were dissected. We found that up to 5 branches of MACN pierced the deep fascia with the maximum of 4 reaching the interepicondylar line (IEL). Presence of 2 and 3 branches was found in the majority of cases (> 80%). The distances from these branches to the landmarks varied considerably. In case of no branch, the mean distances to the medial epicondyle (ME) and brachial artery (BA) were approximately 1.5 cm while those to the basilic vein (BV) were 0.7 cm in both sexes. Regardless of the branching pattern, the MACN could pass over or close (within 0.5 cm) to the ME, BV and BA. Asymmetry in the branching pattern was found in 50% of specimens. Sex but not side differences were observed in some measurement parameters. These data are crucial for not only localizing the MACN during nerve block and graft harvest but also avoiding the nerve injury during surgical procedures.

El recorrido del nervio cutáneo antebraquial medial (NCAM) proporciona la inervación sensorial medial del antebrazo. Su anatomía se ha descrito en parte, porque los datos relativos a su patrón de ramificación y distancias a puntos de referencia adyacentes son insuficientes. El propósito de este estudio fue proporcionar datos morfométricos sobre la anatomía del NCAM, comparando entre lados y sexos. Se disecaron 96 miembros superiores de 26 hombres y 22 mujeres. Se encontró que 5 ramos del NCAM traspasaron la fascia profunda y llegaron 4 hasta la línea interepicondilar (LIE). Presencia de 2 y 3 ramos se encontró en la mayoría de los casos (>80%). Las distancias de estos ramos a los puntos anatómicos variaron considerablemente. En caso de ausencia de ramos, la distancia medial al epicóndilo medial (EM) y arteria braquial (AB) fueron de aproximadamente 1,5 cm, mientras que a la vena basílica (VB) fueron 0,7 cm en ambos sexos. Independientemente del patrón de ramificación, el NCAM podría pasar sobre o cerca (a menos de 0,5 cm ) del EM, VB y AB. Asimetría en el patrón de ramificación se encontró en 50% de las muestras. Diferencias en algunos de los parámetros de medición se observaron según sexo, pero no por lado. Estos datos son relevantes para localizar el NCAM durante el bloqueo del nervio y la toma de injertos, sino también para evitar la lesión del nervio durante los procedimientos quirúrgicos.

Anatomy of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve in relation to the lateral epicondyle and cephalic vein.

The lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LACN) is the terminal sensory branch of the musculocutaneous nerve supplying the lateral aspect of forearm. Because of its close proximity to the biceps brachii tendon (BBT), the lateral epicondyle (LE), and the cephalic vein (CV), surgery and venipuncture in the cubital fossa can injure the LACN. Measurement data regarding the relative anatomy of LACN are scarce. We, therefore, dissected 96 upper extremities from 26 males and 22 females to expose the LACN in the cubital fossa and forearm. The LACN consistently emerged from the lateral margin of BBT. It then pierced the deep fascia distal to the interepicondylar line (IEL) in 84.4% with mean distances of 1.8 ± 1.1 and 1.2 ± 0.9 cm (male and female, respectively). At the level of IEL, the LACN in all cases was medial to the LE (5.9 ± 1.1 cm male and 5.2 ± 0.9 cm female). Two types of branching were observed: single trunk (78.1%) and bifurcation (21.9%). Asymmetry in the branching pattern was observed in 6 males and 1 female. Concerning the relationship to the CV, the LACN ran medially within 1 cm at the level of IEL in 78.7%. Moreover, in 10 specimens, the LACN was directly beneath the CV. In the forearm, the LACN tends to course medial to the CV. Significant differences in the measurement data between genders but not sides were found in some parameters. These data are important for avoiding LACN injury and locating the LACN during relevant medical procedures.

Anatomy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve related to inguinal ligament, adjacent bony landmarks, and femoral artery.

Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) generally emerges from the pelvis behind the inguinal ligament (IL) to the thigh. Because of its proximity to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and hip joint, the LFCN is prone to injuries during various procedures. Anatomy of this nerve is highly variable among studies. Moreover, measurement data regarding its branches including the differences between genders and sides are still lacking. This study was, therefore, done to clarify these issues. Eighty-five thighs from 43 cadavers of both genders were dissected at the inguinal region. Distances from each branch of the LFCN to palpable landmarks: the ASIS, pubic tubercle (PT) and femoral artery (FA) were measured along the IL. Up to four branches of the LFCN were found; however, the single trunk was the most common form (>65%). The common site of this pattern on the IL was within 2 cm medial to the ASIS but could be present at over 6 cm. The distances in case of bifurcation were mostly comparable to those of the single trunk. In contrast, the values varied considerably in the cases with three or more branches (three cases). Regarding side and gender, asymmetry in the branching pattern was found in one fourth of specimens. However, only some minor differences between genders or sides in the measurement data were seen. These findings suggest that asymmetry and multiple branches of the LFCN should be concerned. The measurement data are also useful for localizing the LFCN with higher accuracy.