Posterior neck weighting an innovative and novel head orthosis for forward head posture correction: Randomized controlled trial.

Background: Muscle activity of the anterior and posterior elements of the cervical spine, both together actively contribute to the balance of the head position over the neck. Increasing muscular tension of the one cervical muscle group could induce poor motor control of cervical spine joints, this might contribute to the anterior position of the head with neck, known as forward head posture (FHP). We propose posterior neck weighting as an innovative orthosis to correct head posture within FHP participants and improve co-related mechanical neck pain. Methods: Sixty-one participants with FHP; were randomly assigned to one of two groups posterior cervical weighing orthosis (PCWO) or deep cervical flexion (DCF) exercise. Each participant has been assessed for change in Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) as an indicator for FHP severity, and neck disability index (NDI). Results: Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test showed a statistically significant change difference regarding the degree of CVA improvements, and the score of NDI of pre-and post-intervention of the PCWO group (p < 0.0001), (p < 0.0001), and of the DCF group (p < 0.0001), (p = 0.0039), respectively. Mann-Whitney Test, showed a statistically significant difference between groups for CVA improvement (p < 0.0001), and NDI (p = 0.045). No correlation between CVA and NDI scores within the PCWO group (r = 0.129, p = 0.473), and within the DCF exercise group (r = 0.073, p = 0.71). Conclusion: PCWO is a novel and innovative neck orthosis that is considered a promising intervention to correct FHP and improve correlated neck disability.

Is High-Intensity Interval Training More Effective Than Moderate Continuous Training in Rehabilitation of Multiple Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to conduct meta-analysis to determine whether the high intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol is more beneficial in improving outcome measures compared to moderate continuous training (MCT) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). It also aimed to systematically review the exercise protocols differences. DATA SOURCES: A search strategy, locating HIIT in PwMS, was executed in six databases, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Central Cochrane, Pedro, and Ovid MEDLine. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized control trials of HIIT utilizing cycle ergometer or recumbent stepper as exercise modalities were included in analysis. Intervention arms should include at least two intervention arms, including HIIT in one arm, and MCT in the other group. DATA EXTRACTION: Data extracted from each study includes the following items: basic details of the study (such as author, date of publication, location, and study design), participant characteristics (sample size, mean age, sex, mean disease duration, and extended disability status scale), specifications of the HITT protocol (exercise modality, session duration, number of intervals/session, interval intensity, recovery intensity, recovery interval, and adverse effect), as well as primary outcomes at baseline and post-intervention (cardiorespiratory fitness, fatigue, body composition, cognitive functions, and blood biomarkers). DATA SYNTHESIS: 22 studies included in the systematic review, 11 were included in random effects model pooled analysis. There was a significant effect in favor of HIIT for VO2max of cardiorespiratory functions compared to MCT (ES=0.45 95%, CI [0.14, 0.76], P=.004), and for memory domain of cognitive functions (ES=0.34 95% CI [0.05, 0.63], P=.02). Statistical significance was not achieved for the other variables. CONCLUSION: HIIT and MCT yield similar results in terms of fatigue, body composition, cognitive functions, and blood biomarkers. However, VO2max of cardiorespiratory functions and memory domain of cognitive functions were in favor of HIIT protocol.

Comparative Assessment of Gait and Balance in Patients with Parkinson's Disease and Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Objectives: We aim to compare balance and gait parameters in patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) and normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Methods: A total of 13 patients with NPH, 20 with PD, and 13 healthy controls (HC) recruited in the study. Three IMU sensors (Ambulatory PD Monitoring Inc., OR, USA) were placed on the lumbar area and the feet of the participants. The balance evaluations comprised eight successive standing tasks; the modified clinical test of sensory interaction on balance test. These tasks involved standing with feet apart and eyes open as well as eyes closed on a firm and foam surface, standing with feet together and eyes open as well as eyes closed, and tandem stance with the right foot front and the left foot front. Functional evaluations of gait were conducted using the 10-M Walk Test (10 MWT), the 2 min-Walk Test (2 MWT), and the timed-up and go (TUG). Parameters of the gait and balance were analyzed and then compared. Results: NPH patients displayed a notable decrease in both stride length and gait speed as compared with both PD patients and healthy participants. The balance tests revealed that the NPH group demonstrated significantly poorer performance, specifically in the feet-apart eyes-closed foam-surface test, and the tandem stance test. During the tasks while eyes were open on firm and foam surfaces, PD and NPH groups showed an increase in root mean square sway, range, and mean velocity (p<0.05) of sway in the anteroposterior plane. In addition, during the TUG test, the NPH group exhibited a significant prolongation in the time needed to complete the task and a decline in turning velocity as compared to PD, but no notable difference was seen in comparison to the HC group. Conclusion: Our study indicated that the patients with NPH exhibited notably worse gait and balance measurements in comparison to both the PD patients and HC groups. These findings emphasize the significance of monitoring and managing gait and balance impairments in NPH patients. Sensor-based technologies may offer objective parameters for a more precise and efficient follow-up of these patients in terms of gait and balance.

Individual-based predominance of visual input in multisensorial integration for balance is correlated with proprioceptive drift in rubber hand illusion.

Rubber hand illusion (RHI) is a traditional task that examines multisensory integration. The visual capture of tactile stimulus given to the seen rubber hand was considered to predominate the sensory processing and interfere with the bottom-up proprioceptive and tactile inputs received from the unseen real hand that results in mislocalization of participants hand towards rubber hand, namely proprioceptive drift (PD). Another task that requires multisensorial integration and shows a predominance of visual input is the maintenance of body posture. However, if the predominance of visual input in one task is generalizable to another task is yet to be elucidated. We aimed to examine if individual dependency on visual inputs in multisensorial integration in balance correlated with PD in RHI. Twenty healthy participants were recruited for the study and completed the RHI task. The contribution of visual inputs to the static body balance was measured with the instrumented clinical test of sensory interaction for balance and indexed with Romberg Quotient (RQ). We found a moderate positive correlation between PD and RQ. Individuals with more dependence on visual information in maintaining body posture had higher PD in RHI. Our results indicate that there can be an individual-based dependence on particular domains of sensory input preserved during different tasks of multisensorial integration. Future studies must clarify whether this tendency relates to certain physical or physiological traits.

Comparison of bihemispheric and unihemispheric M1 transcranial direct current stimulations during physical therapy in subacute stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite the central origin of stroke affecting the primary motor cortex M1, most physical and occupational rehabilitation programs focus on peripheral treatments rather than addressing the central origin of the problem. This highlights the urgent need for effective protocols to improve neurological rehabilitation and achieve better long-term functional outcomes. OBJECTIVES: Our hypothesis was that the bihemispheric delivery of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is superior to unihemispheric in enhancing motor function after stroke, in both the upper and lower extremities. METHODS: 35 sub-acute ischemic stroke survivors were randomly divided into three groups: bihemispheric and unihemispheric treatment groups, or sham groups. Each participant received a 20-minute session of tDCS with an intensity of 2 mA during physical therapy sessions, three days a week, for four weeks. The outcomes were measured using Fugl-Meyer assessment scale, modified Ashworth scale, Berg balance scale, and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. RESULTS: One-way ANOVA test indicated a significant effect of both treatment protocols on the upper extremity (p = < 0.001) and lower extremity (p = .034) for motor measures, but there was no difference between the two (p = .939). Kruskal Wallis test for spasticity showed a significant improvement in both treatment groups for elbow (p = .036) and wrist flexors (p = .025), compared to the sham group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in spasticity between uni- and bihemispheric stimulation for elbow (p = .731) or wrist flexors (p = .910). CONCLUSION: There is no statistically significant difference in efficacy between bihemispheric and unihemispheric tDCS in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke. .

Could kyphotic posture disturb body balance in young healthy population?

BACKGROUND: Kyphosis is roughly a slight forward curvature of the spine. A slight kyphosis or posterior curvature is normal throughout the human body and is present in every individual. Hyperkyphotic is a kyphotic angle greater than 40° commonly measured on a lateral X-ray measured by the Cobb method between C7 and T12. Postural instability and loss of balance can result from shifting the center of mass beyond the support base's limits. Studies are showing that kyphotic posture affects the center of gravity and affects falls in the elderly, but there are limited studies on the effect of balance in young individuals. OBJECTIVES: the correlation between the balance and thoracic kyphosis angle has been investigated. METHODS: Forty-three healthy individuals over the age of 18 participated in the study. Participants who met the criteria were split into two groups based on their kyphosis angle. For measuring thoracic kyphosis, Flexi Curve is used. Objective evaluation of static balance was made with NeuroCom Balance Manager® static posturography device. RESULTS: In terms of mean difference, there was no significant difference between the kyphotic and control groups in the balance measures, and there was no correlation between the kyphosis angle and balance measures, according to statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: According to our study, no significant relationship was found between body balance and thoracic kyphosis in the young population.

Childhood sarcoidosis: diagnostic issues.

Childhood sarcoidosis is a rare granulomatous disorder that affects several systems including the lungs, skin, eyes, and bones. On histopathology, non-caseating granuloma is the classic feature. We present a case of late childhood sarcoidosis of the skin, lungs, and bones demonstrating granulomas with fibrinoid necrosis, making distinction from tuberculosis difficult.

Role of Aerobic Intestinal Pathogens of Fresh Water Fish in Transmission of Human Diseases.

A total of 101 fresh water fish Tilapia nilotica were bacteriologically investigated for pathogenic and potentially pathogenic organisms. True intestinal pathogens were obtained in 11.8% of the examined specimens including 7.9% with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and 3.9% with Salmonella species. Serological typing of Salmonella (4 strains) revealed the detection of Salmonella typhimurium (1 strain), S. wangata (2 strains), and S. newport (1 strain). Other potentially pathogenic organisms were isolated in considerable frequencies, Proteus spp. (43.5%) atypable E. coli (13.8%), Micrococcus spp. (11.8%) and Providencia (9.9%). Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Staphylococci were not detected in the examined samples.