Head posture mediates the association of cognition with hand grip and pinch strength in older adults: an examination using structural equation modeling.

BACKGROUND: The association of cognition with hand grip and pinch strength has been well-recognized in older adults. The authors sought to explore: (1) associations among forward head posture (FHP), cognition, and hand grip and pinch strength in older adults; and (2) the mediator role of FHP in these pathways using structural equation modeling (SEM). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 88 older adults (70.5% male; mean age = 68.75±3.87 years). Cognition was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), head posture by the Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) obtained from photographic analysis, hand grip strength by a handheld dynamometer, and pinch strength by a pinch meter. Using the two SEMs, a potential mediator role of the CVA was investigated. While the MMSE was addressed as an independent variable in both models, hand grip and pinch strength were addressed as dependent variables in model 1 and model 2, respectively. RESULTS: The correlations between the CVA and MMSE (r = 0.310), hand grip strength (r = 0.370), and pinch strength (r = 0.274 to 0.292) were statistically significant (p < 0.001). In addition, significant associations were found between the MMSE and hand grip and pinch strength, ranging from 0.307 to 0.380 (p < 0.001). The mediation analysis showed that the standardized total (ß = 0.41, p < 0.001) and indirect (mediated) effects (ß = 0.12, p = 0.008) of the MMSE on hand grip strength were significant in model (1) The results were similar for model (2) The standardized total (ß = 0.39, p = 0.001) and indirect effects (ß = 0.10, p = 0.026) of the MMSE on pinch strength were significant. As a partial mediator in both models, the CVA explained 29% and 26% of the total effect in models 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CVA was associated with the MMSE, hand grip strength, and pinch strength, and CVA partially mediates the association of the MMSE with grip and pinch strength in older adults, indicating that cognition had an effect on grip and pinch strength through an indirect path via head posture. This finding reveals that evaluating head posture and providing corrective therapeutic interventions as needed may be beneficial in reducing the negative impact of decreased cognition on motor functions in older adults.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Sensory Processing and Motor Development in Preterm Infants.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between sensory processing and motor development in preterm infants. METHOD: We included 30 preterm and 30 term infants with corrected and chronological ages between 10 and 12 mo. We used the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants to evaluate sensory processing and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale to evaluate motor development. RESULTS: The Spearman correlation test indicated a strong positive relationship between sensory processing and motor development in preterm infants (r = .63, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Given the relationship between sensory processing and motor development in the preterm group, the evaluation of sensory processing and motor development in preterm infants was considered necessary for the effective implementation of physiotherapy assessment and interventions.

Image analyses of artificially damaged carbon/glass/ epoxy composites before and after impact load.

In recent years, there has been a widespread utilization of composite materials, particularly in critical sectors such as aircraft manufacturing, where errors can have significant consequences. This has generated a need for effective protection of composite materials both during and after production. Detecting internal damage in composite materials, which is often visually imperceptible, becomes crucial and can be assessed using non-destructive testing methods. In this study, glass and carbon woven fabric-reinforced epoxy composites intentionally embedded with artificial damages during manufacturing were subjected to impact tests. The composite materials were scanned using the ultrasonic method to detect damages before and after the impacts. Particularly in glass fiber-reinforced composites (GFRP), the damaged area in the artificially damaged glass lamella sample (G/AL) was calculated to be 4-5 times higher than in the undamaged sample (G/UD). Damaged area values in GFRP were calculated as 72.88 mm2 in the G/UD sample, 143.74 mm2 in the G/AC sample, and 315.93 mm2 in the G/AL sample. While the samples with artificial damage in carbon fiber-reinforced composites (C/AL, C/AC) were perforated during the impact tests, the undamaged samples (C/UD) were not. The images obtained were evaluated using image processing algorithms and were employed in damage analysis. In conclusion, the applied method and the developed image processing algorithm yielded successful results in analyzing barely visible damages and detecting damaged areas.

Using the center of pressure movement analysis in evaluating spontaneous movements in infants: a comparative study with general movements assessment.

BACKGROUND: Researchers have attempted to automate the spontaneous movement assessment and have sought quantitative and objective methods over the past decade. The purpose of the study was to present a quantitative assessment method of spontaneous movement using center-of-pressure (COP) movement analysis. METHODS: A total of 101 infants were included in the study. The infants were placed in the supine position on the force plate with the cranial-caudal orientation. In this position, the recording of video and COP movement data were made simultaneously for 3 min. Video recordings were used to observe global and detailed general movement assessment (GMA), and COP time series data were used to obtain quantitative movement parameters. RESULTS: According to the global GMA, 13 infants displayed absent fidgety movements (FMs) and 88 infants displayed normal FMs. The binary logistic regression model indicated significant association between global GMA and COP movement parameters (chi-square = 20.817, p < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of this model were 85% (95% CI: 55-98), 83% (95% CI: 73-90), and 83% (95% CI: 74-90), respectively. The multiple linear regression model showed a significant association between detailed GMA (motor optimality score-revised/MOS-R) and COP movement parameters (F = 10.349, p < 0.001). The MOS-R total score was predicted with a standard error of approximately 1.8 points (6%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated the possible avenues for using COP movement analysis to objectively detect the absent FMs and MOS-R total score in clinical settings. Although the method presented in this study requires further validation, it may complement observational GMA and be clinically useful for infant screening purposes, particularly in clinical settings where access to expertise in observational GMA is not available.

Construct and discriminative validity and reliability of the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES) in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.

AIMS: One of the impairments evaluated in children with cerebral palsy (CP), which perhaps has been least investigated, is reduced selective motor control. The aim of the present study was to determine construct validity, discriminative validity, and intra- and interrater reliability of the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES). METHODS: Thirty-three children with unilateral CP, with a mean age of 11.5 ± 3.3 years, at level I to IV according to the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), participated. The children were video-recorded and scored using the SCUES. The videos were scored twice to determine the intra- and interrater reliability. Reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient, the standard error of the measurement (SEM), and the smallest real difference (SRD). Differences in the SCUES scores were determined between the less- and more-affected arm and across all MACS levels for discriminative validity. Construct validity of the SCUES was established by the MACS, and the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTT). RESULTS: SCUES scores were significantly different between the less- and more-affected arm (p < .001) and between the arm joints. SCUES scores were also significantly different among MACS levels (p < .001). The SCUES was strongly correlated with the JTT (Spearman's rho = -0.80, p < .001) and MACS (rho = -0.78, p < .001). Intra- and interrater reliability were excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] > 0.75) for all joints of the more-affected extremity. The SRDs at the 95% confidence level for intra- and interrater reliability were 2.11 and 1.16, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The SCUES is a valid and reliable tool to assess selective motor control of the upper extremity in children with unilateral CP.

Evaluation of the effects of using a baby walker on trunk control and motor development.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the use of baby walkers on trunk control and motor development in typically developing children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Demonstrating standard developmental steps, 29 children (14 females, 15 males; mean age 10±1 month) who used a baby walker and 19 children (10 females, 9 males; mean age 10±1 month) who did not use a baby walker were included. Motor skills were assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and trunk control using Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control. RESULTS: The motor development scores and trunk balance scores were found significantly lower in infants who used a baby walker compared with those not using a baby walker. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the use of baby walkers might adversely affect the motor development of infants and this may be due to impaired trunk control.