Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality Exercise Therapy for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury Using the Leap Motion Controller.

In this article, we present a case study involving a patient with spinal cord injury (SCI), resulting in tetraplegia and subsequent loss of upper limb function. The subject of our study was a 23-year-old woman with incomplete tetraplegia stemming from a cervical spinal cord injury. Our primary objective was to enhance hand function and grip strength. Throughout the intervention, we observed substantial enhancements in hand function, range of motion, and muscle power. Notably, the patient exhibited a favorable response to the therapy, demonstrating commendable adherence and active participation. To create an optimal training environment tailored to the patient's needs, we employed the Unity 3D game engine in conjunction with a Leap Motion controller sensor. This combination facilitated the development of a semi-immersive virtual training environment. The utilization of this technology aimed to simulate a conducive training atmosphere for the rehabilitation of hand function. Based on our study outcomes, we advocate for the incorporation of leap motion-related exercises in the treatment of hand functional loss and weakness. The promising results observed in this case study prompt the recommendation for further large-scale studies to validate and substantiate our findings. Such investigations would contribute to the establishment of evidence-based practices and enhance the understanding of the efficacy of Leap Motion technology in addressing upper limb impairments associated with spinal cord injuries.

Pelvic MRI in spinal cord injury patients: incidence of muscle signal change and early heterotopic ossification.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pelvic MRI muscle signal changes and their association with early heterotopic ossification (HO) in patients with spinal cord injuries. SETTING: National Spinal Injuries Unit, Stoke Mandeville, UK. METHODS: Forty patients were imaged with at least two interval magnetic resonance (MR) studies of the pelvis in the first 6 months following a spinal cord injury. Scans were reviewed and scored for heterotopic ossification, muscle signal change and extent of muscle involvement. RESULTS: Muscle signal change was present in 28 (70%) on the initial MRI and 31 (77%) by the second study. Six patients developed MR changes of prodromal or immature heterotopic ossification (15%). No restricted diffusion was demonstrated and no patient developed mature HO. Patients developing MR changes of early HO were more likely to have grade 3 muscle changes. CONCLUSION: Increased T2 muscle signal is common following cord injury, is frequently progressive in the subacute period and is associated with complete injury and early MR signs of heterotopic ossification.

Leg extension test, sEMG and vibratory stimuli to assess functional recovery following knee joint surgery.

OBJECTIVE: the purpose of this study was to introduce new procedure to determine the magnitude of functional recovery after knee surgery. DESIGN: we compared the performance in the leg extension test and the response in the sEMG activity to vibration in the operated to the non-operated leg. Thirty-eight patients with knee operation and 14 healthy subjects participated in these experiments. RESULTS: during leg extension test, the mechanical power of the operated leg showed a lower value (P<0.001) than the contralateral one, while no differences were noted in the sEMG activity. The sEMG activity during vibration treatment was higher in the operated compared to non-operated leg (P<0.001). It has been suggested that the reduced motility trigger functional adaptations that are exhibited via the vibration test. CONCLUSIONS: results of our study suggest that combination of vibration and sEMG recordings may detect the impairment as well as monitoring progress of the rehabilitation programs.