Efficacy of Electromechanically-Assisted Rehabilitation of Upper Limb Function in Post-Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of electromechanically-assisted rehabilitation of upper limb function in post-stroke patients. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS: Forty-eight stroke patients. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. The control group underwent occupational therapy training with conventional methods. The experimental group underwent electromechanically-assisted training using an end effector robot (Camillo®). Interventions were provided for 30 min per day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. Primary outcome was change in Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) before and after training. Secondary outcomes were changes in hand function, upper limb strength, spasticity, mental status and quality of life. RESULTS: Mean improvement in FMA was 1.17 (standard deviation (SD) 4.18) in the control group and 2.52 (SD 5.48) in the experimental group. Although FMA in the experimental group improved significantly after training, the improvement in FMA did not differ significantly between groups. Among the secondary outcomes, the Motricity Index (MI) improved significantly after training in the experimental group, and the change in MI between groups was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Electromechanically-assisted rehabilitation using Camillo® was not more effective than conventional occupation therapy for upper arm function.

Effect of Progressive Head Extension Swallowing Exercise on Lingual Strength in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Lingual strengthening training can improve the swallowing function in older adults, but the optimal method is unclear. We investigated the effects of a new progressive resistance exercise in the elderly by comparing with a conventional isometric tongue strengthening exercise. Twenty-nine participants were divided into two groups randomly. One group performed forceful swallow of 2 mL of water every 10 s for 20 min, and a total of 120 swallowing tasks per session at 80% angle of maximum head extension. The other group performed five repetitions in 24 sets with a 30 s rest, and the target level was settled at 80% of one repetition maximum using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). A total of 12 sessions were carried out by both groups over a 4-week period. Blinded measurements (for maximum lingual isometric pressure and peak pressure during swallowing) were obtained using IOPI before exercise and at four weeks in both groups. After four weeks, both groups showed a significant improvement in lingual strength involving both isometric and swallowing tasks. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in strength increase involving both tasks. Regardless of the manner, tongue-strengthening exercises substantially improved lingual pressure in the elderly with equal effect.

Changes in antioxidant activities and volatile compounds of mixed berry juice through fermentation by lactic acid bacteria.

The objectives of this study were to analyze antioxidant activities and identify volatile compounds in mixed berry juice after fermentation by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Antioxidant activity of the mixed berry juice increased significantly from 209.57±2.93 to 268.30±1.75 µmol TE/g after 24 h of fermentation. After LAB fermentation, 34 volatile compounds were identified. Among them, three compounds-benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, and vitispirane-showed significant changes in their concentrations. Peak areas of benzoic acid and benzaldehyde, which are known to possess antioxidant activities, increased by 64 and 188%, respectively, after fermentation. However, the peak area of vitispirane, which is the most abundant terpene compound in berry juices, decreased by 92% after fermentation.