Maternal stimulation and early child development in sub-saharan Africa: evidence from Kenya and Zambia.

BACKGROUND: Despite major improvements in child survival over the past decade, many children in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain at risk of not reaching their developmental potential due to malnutrition, poor health, and a lack of stimulation. Maternal engagement and stimulation have been identified as some of the most critical inputs for healthy development of children. However, relatively little evidence exists on the links between maternal stimulation and child development exists in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This current paper aims to identify the associations between maternal stimulation and child development in Kenya and Zambia, as well as the activities that are most predictive of developmental outcomes in these settings. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive study using data from a prospective study in Kenya and Zambia. The study included three rounds of data collection. Children were on average 10 months old in round one, 25 months old in round two, and 36 months old in round three. The primary exposure variable of interest was maternal stimulation activities, which we grouped into cognitive, language, motor, and socio-emotional activities. The outcome of interest was child development measured through the Third Edition of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). Linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between overall maternal stimulation and domain-specific maternal stimulation and child development across the three rounds of the survey. RESULTS: Higher maternal stimulation scores were associated with higher ASQ scores (effect size = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.31) after adjusting for other confounders. For domain specific and child development (ASQ scores), the largest effect size (ES) was found for language stimulation (ES = 0.15) while weakest associations were found for socio-emotional domain activities (ES= -0.05). Overall maternal stimulation was most strongly associated with gross motor development (ES = 0.21) and the least associated with problem-solving (ES = 0.16). CONCLUSION: Our study findings suggest a strong positive link between maternal stimulation activities and children's developmental outcomes among communities in poor rural settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NA (not a clinical trial).

Motor Development in Children with Cerebral Palsy in Sweden-A Population-Based Longitudinal Register Study.

The aim was to explore longitudinal motor development in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Sweden with respect to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). In this national CP registry-based study, 2138 children aged 0.5-19 years participated (42% girls). The distribution with respect to GMFCS was I: 49%, II: 16%, III: 10%, IV: 14%, and V: 11%. In total, 5538 assessments (mean 2.7, min-max: 1-9) with the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 were included. Data were analysed using non-linear mixed-effects regression models, and the Stable Limit Model was selected to fit data. Five distinct curves of predicted gross motor development with respect to GMFCS levels were obtained. The achieved motor development was maintained over time. The estimated average GMFM-66 limit and the average age when 90% of the expected limits were reached were at GMFCS I: 88 at age 4.5; GMFCS II: 71 at age 4.2; GMFCS III: 54 at age 3.1; GMFCS IV: 38 at age 2.6, and at GMFCS V: 18 at age 0.9. In conclusion, this is the first national population-based study following motor development in CP. Five distinct curves reported in previous controlled research studies were confirmed. Our study adds knowledge about motor development captured in children's everyday context.

Effectiveness of electrical vestibular nerve stimulation on the range of motion in patients with Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was undertaken to observe the effectiveness of electrical vestibular stimulation on the range of motion (ROM) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: The present study was a randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04450550). The study participants were assessed at three points of time. After recording baseline cognitive functions, electrical vestibular nerve stimulation was administered to the intervention group and placebo stimulation was administered to the control group for 12 weeks. Post-intervention parameters were recorded after 6 weeks and after 12 weeks after the intervention in both control and intervention groups. A total of 30 cases of PD, including both males and females were recruited in the study by convenient sampling after obtaining written informed consent. All ROM and flexibility measurements were recorded using a universal goniometer and standard protocol with help of an experienced physiotherapist at our hospital. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the hip internal and external rotation right and left sides. There was a significant improvement in the hip extension right and left. There was a significant improvement in the ankle plantarflexion left and ankle dorsiflexion right and left followed by the intervention. There was a significant decline in the hip internal rotation on right and left sides. There was a significant decline in the hip extension and ankle dorsiflexion on the left side. CONCLUSIONS: The study results confirm the improvement of motor activities of patients with PD followed by vestibular stimulation. Further detailed studies are recommended to support the application of vestibular stimulation as an alternative therapy in the management of motor functions in patients with PD.

Motor competence, physical activity, and perceived motor competence: A relational systems approach.

Being and perceiving oneself as proficient in motor skills seems essential for an active lifestyle; conversely, being active and perceiving oneself as proficient may be associated with greater motor competence. By expanding the causal path view about the relationship between active and healthy developmental system elements, this study tested the mediation hypothesis of perceived motor competence in the relationship between motor competence and physical activity - in both ways - and moderation by developmental phase and sex. This cross-sectional study sampled healthy schoolchildren (n = 379; 8.2 ± 1.7 years; 54.9% boys). Physical activity (questionnaire), motor competence (tests included locomotor and object control skills) and perception of motor competence (a pictorial scale) were assessed. Maximum likelihood structural equation models with fit statistics confirmed the mediation in both ways. Unexpectedly, the relationship between motor competence and physical activity was inverse. Sex was a moderating variable (boys). In a systemic relational paradigm of human development, perceived motor competence, motor competence, and physical activity interact in an active and healthy behavioural system, but the complexities of understanding how these elements relate to one another across childhood point to the need for future longitudinal studies.

The Effects of Virtual Reality Training on Balance, Gross Motor Function, and Daily Living Ability in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of children with cerebral palsy (CP) has a serious impact on individuals, families, and society. As a new technology, virtual reality (VR) has been used in the rehabilitation of children with CP. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effect of VR training on balance, gross motor function, and daily living ability in children with CP. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched by computer, with the search period being from the establishment of each database to December 25, 2021, to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of VR training on balance, gross motor function, and daily living ability in children with CP. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to conduct quality assessment on the included literature, and RevMan software (version 5.3) was used to analyze data. RESULTS: A total of 16 articles were included, involving 513 children with CP. VR training can improve the balance function (Pediatric Balance Scale: mean difference 2.06, 95% CI 1.15-2.97; P<.001; Berg Balance Scale: mean difference 3.66, 95% CI 0.29-7.02; P=.03) and gross motor function (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.60, 95% CI 0.34-0.87; P<.001) of children with CP. However, there is still certain disagreement on the impact on daily living ability (SMD 0.37, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.78; P=.08); after removing the source literature with heterogeneity, VR training can improve the daily living ability of children with CP (SMD 0.55, 95% CI 0.30-0.81; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: VR training can significantly improve the balance function and gross motor function of children with CP, but the effect on the daily living ability of children with CP remains controversial.

Neuromodulatory roles of PIPER GUINEENSE and honey against Lead-Induced neurotoxicity in social interactive behaviors and motor activities in rat models.

Background: Piper guineense and honey contain antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that can help restore neuronal and other cell damage. To investigate the neuromodulatory roles of p. guineense and honey against lead toxicity on the hippocampus and cerebellum, impairing social behaviors and motor activities. Methodology: Thirty Wistar rats were separated into six groups of five rats each, marked with dye. Group A served as control; B was untreated lead; C was a medium dose of the extract (50 mg/kg) and honey (1000 mg/kg); D was a high dose of the extract (80 mg/kg) and honey (1500 mg/kg); E received extract (80 mg/kg), and F received honey (1500 mg/kg). All groups received 110 mg/kg of lead orally, except the control. Social interaction, antidepressant effects, and motor activities were studied using a sociability chamber (SC), Forced Swim Test (FST), and String methods. A blood sample was used to evaluate glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione oxide transaminase (GOT), while the lipid level was estimated using cerebellar homogenate. Neuronal damage, vacuolation, necrosis, cell degeneration, and alterations in both hippocampus and cerebellum marked untreated group, with decreased GPx and GOT activities followed by impaired motor activities, social behavior, memory, and motivation. Using SCT, group B spent significantly lesser time (47.60 ± 47.60) with stranger 1 compared to A (138.20 ± 34.05), while group C spent considerably more time with stranger 1 (86.80 ± 30.32) than group B at P ≥ 0.05. The treatment increased the enzyme level and restored histoarchitecture (Figures 1-12), improving motor activities, social behavior, memory, motivation, and social affiliation (Tables 3, 4, 2, and 6). The extract and honey may be helpful as neuromodulators in lead toxicity in a dose-dependent manner.

Efecto de un programa de Educación Física con actividades motrices para desarrollar el área motora en niños con discapacidad intelectual / Effect of a Physical Education program with motor activities to develop the motor area in children with intellectual disabilities

RESUMEN. El objetivo principal de esta investigación fue evaluar el efecto de un programa de educación física con actividades motrices en niños con discapacidad intelectual inscritos en el Centro de Atención Múltiple de la ciudad de Hermosillo, Sonora. Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo de diseño cuasi-experimental con medias repetidas pretest-postest no aleatorizado, siendo cada participante su propio control. La muestra por conveniencia estuvo conformada por 12 niños en un rango de edad de 7a 10 años (9 ±1.04). La evaluación se llevó a cabo por medio del Inventario de Desarrollo Battelle, el cual se aplicó al inicio y al final del programa, el cual tuvo una duración de tres meses. Se utilizó material didáctico reciclado para estimular los aspectos motrices que se deseaban. Los resultados muestran cambios significativos en la coordinación corporal y en locomoción (p=0.006). Se concluye que aplicar un programa de educación física con actividades motrices de manera regular, a niños con discapacidad, puede contribuir desarrollar de mejor manera las habilidades de motricidad superando su edad equivalente.

ABSTRACT. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of a physical education program with motor activities in children with intellectual disabilities enrolled in the Multiple Attention Center of the city of Hermosillo, Sonora. A quantitative study of quasi-experimental design with repeated means pretest-posttest non-randomized, with each participant being his/her own control was carried out. The convenience sample consisted of 12 children in an age range of 7to 10 years (9 ±1.04). The evaluation was carried out by means of the Battelle Development Inventory, which was applied at the beginning and at the end of the three-month program. Recycled didactic material was used to stimulate the desired motor aspects. The results show significant changes in body coordination and locomotion (p=0.006). It is concluded that applying a physical education program with motor activities on a regular basis to children with disabilities can contribute to better develop motor skills beyond their age equivalent.

Association between chronic diseases, multimorbidity and insufficient physical activity among older adults in southern Brazil: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Being active has been shown to have beneficial effects for the health of individuals with chronic diseases. However, data on the association between multimorbidity and physical activity are limited. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between chronic diseases, multimorbidity and insufficient physical activity among older adults in southern Brazil, according to sex. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional population-based and household-based study derived from the second wave (2013-2014) of the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study. METHODS: Insufficiency of physical activity (outcome) was ascertained using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (≤ 150 minutes/week). Eleven self-reported chronic diseases were identified. Multimorbidity was defined from the number of chronic diseases (none; 2 or 3; or 4 or more). The adjustment variables were age, schooling, marital status, income, smoking, alcohol consumption and cognition. Additionally, each chronic disease was adjusted for the others. Associations were tested using logistic regression (crude and adjusted). RESULTS: Among the 1197 participants (≥ 63 years), women (54.0%) were more likely than men (39.6%) to be insufficiently active. In the adjusted analysis, women and men with depressive symptoms, and men with diabetes, were more likely to be insufficiently active than those without symptoms. Multimorbid women were more likely to be insufficiently active, and the magnitude of the effect was strongest for 4 or more diseases. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the associations were sex-specific. Depressive symptoms and multimorbidity were associated with insufficient physical activity among women, while diabetes was associated with insufficient physical activity among men.

Quantitative Digitography Measures Fine Motor Disturbances in Chronically Treated HIV Similar to Parkinson's Disease.

Introduction: Motor and cognitive deficits were compared in aging, chronically treated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) people, people with mild-to-moderate stage Parkinson's disease (PD), and healthy controls. Methods: Groups consisted of 36 people with PD, 28 with HIV infection, and 28 healthy controls. Motor function was assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS-III) and a rapid alternating finger tapping (RAFT) task on an engineered keyboard known as Quantitative Digitography (QDG). Executive function, verbal memory, and visuospatial processing were assessed using standard neuropsychological tests. Results: HIV demonstrated RAFT deficits similar to PD such as reduced amplitude (P = 0.023) and greater amplitude variability (P = 0.019) in the index finger when compared to controls. This fine motor disturbance correlated with HIV's immune health, measured by their CD4+ T cell count (P < 0.01). The UPDRS did not yield motor differences between HIV and controls. Executive function and verbal memory were impaired in HIV (P = 0.006, P = 0.016, respectively), but not in PD; visuospatial processing was similarly impaired in HIV and PD (P < 0.05) although motor deficits predominated in PD. Conclusions: Fine motor bradykinesia measured quantitatively by QDG RAFT holds promise as a marker of motor decline related to current immune health in aging HIV patients and may be useful in longitudinal studies regarding mechanisms of immunosenescence vs. potential toxicity of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in this population. Additionally, motor and cognitive networks in HIV may be affected differently as the disease progresses as observed in the differential patterns of impairment between HIV and PD, providing insight into the mechanisms of brain deterioration in HIV.

Classifying the types of evidence produced on the Academia da Cidade Program: a scoping review / Classificando os tipos de evidências produzidas sobre o Programa Academia da Cidade: uma revisão de mapeamento

The Academia da Cidade program (ACP), linked to the Health Secretariat of Recife, Pernambuco since 2002, is a component of health policy focused on Primary Care and aims to promote physical activities, healthy eating and health education. The study aimed to map the scientific production on the ACP. This is a mapping review study with the following steps: (1) clarifying the research question; (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) selecting studies; (4) mapping the studies; (5) summarizing and reporting the results. Searches were made in the Virtual Health Library, Pubmed, Scielo and LILACS databases. Were excluded articles that did not address PAC (n = 17), review articles (n = 2), and articles that analyzed other programs (n = 2) and 16 articles were excluded because they did not present the ACP as the focus of the analysis. Eight studies were identified on this theme. The study identified that most articles focus on types I and II of evidence and that only one article presented the theoretical contribution of policy science in its theoretical scope. We conclude that more research is needed to contribute with more reliable frameworks and methodologies, in line with the public policy analysis process

O Programa Academia da Cidade (PAC), vinculado à Secretaria de Saúde do Recife, Pernambuco, desde o ano de 2002, é um componente da política de saúde voltado à Atenção Primária e tem como objetivo a promoção da prática de atividades físicas, alimentação saudável e educação para a saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi mapear a produção científica sobre o PAC. Trata-se de um estudo de revisão de mapeamento com as seguintes etapas: (1) esclarecer a pergunta da pesquisa; (2) identificar estudos relevantes; (3) selecionar estudos; (4) mapear os estudos; (5) resumir e reportar os resultados. Foram realizadas buscas nas bases de dados Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde, Pubmed, Scielo e LILACS. Foram excluídos artigos que não abordavam o PAC (n = 17), artigos de revisão (n = 2) e artigos que analisaram outros programas (n = 2) e 16 artigos foram excluídos por não apresentar o PAC como foco da análise. Foram identificados oito artigos científicos sobre o tema. Maior parte dos artigos se concentram nos tipos I e II de evidências e apenas um artigo apresentou aporte teórico da ciência política em seu escopo teórico. Conclui-se que mais investigações são necessárias para contribuir com frameworks e metodologias mais fidedignas e alinhadas com o processo de análise de políticas públicas

Association between poor vision and time spent in outdoor activity of students in Guangzhou / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the association of poor vision with time spent in outdoor activity among students from primary and middle schools, as well as from universities in Guangzhou, so as to provide targeted scientific basis for prevention and control of low vision.@*Methods@#According to the requirements of National Monitoring of Common Diseases and Health Risk Factors among Students Manual, a total of 2 908 students were selected in 1 urban area and 1 suburban county for monitoring and investigation in Guangzhou.@*Results@#The poor vision rate was 69.2% among students in Guangzhou, with girls (74.4%) > boys (64.2%), suburban country (76.3%) > urban areas (54.1%), university (95.0%) > vocational high school (82.5%) > regular high school (81.1%) > junior high school (73.4%) > primary school (45.6%). With the exception of primary students, the severe poor vision has the largest proportion in each age group. The proportion of spending less than 1 or 2 h for outdoor activities per day: girls>boys, suburban country > urban area, university and regular high school are higher. The poor vision rate of students who spent <2 h(72.3%) for outdoor activities daily was higher than those spent ≥2 h(65.6%). Compared with students who spent ≥2 h/d for outdoor activities, those spent < 2 h/d were at 1.24 times risk of being low vision(OR=1.24, 95%CI=1.04-1.48), controlling for the available confounders.@*Conclusion@#Poor vision rate of students in Guangzhou is high, occurring mainly with severe impairment and in younger age, the daily outdoor activity time is low. Girls, students from suburban country and junior high school should be considered as the emphasis for prevention and control of low vision.

Clinical tools designed to assess motor abilities in children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to list the tools used by rehabilitation professionals to test motor abilities in children with cerebral palsy (CP), to determine if these tools have psychometric properties specifically measured for CP, and to identify the main characteristics of these tools. METHOD: Web of Science, PEDro, PubMed/MEDLINE, Science Direct, and SciELO databases were searched to identify the tools. PubMed/MEDLINE was then searched to identify the studies assessing those tools' psychometric properties. The agreement-based standards for the selection of health measurement tools and the Terwee criteria were used to assess the quality and the results of each included study, respectively. RESULTS: Eighteen tools were identified. The psychometric properties of many of the tools used with children with CP have not been evaluated for this population. CONCLUSION: The psychometric properties evaluated often have a poor methodological quality of measurement. Overall, we suggest the tools with most empirical support to evaluate children with CP.

Which indicators for measuring the daily physical activity? An overview on the challenges and technology limits for Telehealth applications.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is one of the biggest drivers of preventable chronic diseases and healthcare costs in Worldwide. Different prevention activities are suggested. By monitoring daily energy expenditure (EE) could be possible make personalized diets and programming physical activity. In this, physical inactivity is one of the most important public health problems. Some studies refer the effort of the international community in promoting physical activities. Physical activity can be promoted only by increasing citizens' empowerment on taking care of their health, and it passes from the improving of individual information. Technology can offer solutions and metrics for monitoring and measuring daily activity by interacting with individuals, sharing information and feedbacks. OBJECTIVE: In this study we review indicators of total energy expenditure and weaknesses of available devices in assessing these parameters. METHODS: Literature review and technology testing EuNetHta core model. RESULTS: For the clinical aspects, it is fundamental to take into account all the factor that can influence the personal energy expenditure as: heart rate, blood pressure and thermoregulation (influenced by the body temperature). DISCUSSION: In this study we focused the attention on the importance of tools to encourage the physical activity. We made an analysis of the factor that can influence the right analysis of energy expenditure and at the same time the energy regime. A punctual monitoring of the exercise regime could be helpful in Telemedicine application as Telemonitorig. More study are needed to value the impact of physical activity tracker in Telemonitorig protocols. CONCLUSION: On the assessment of the energy expenditure, critical issues are related to the physiological data acquisition. Sensors connected with mobile devices could be important tools for disease prevention and interventions affecting health behaviors. New devices applications are potential useful for telemedicine assistance, but security of data and the related communication protocol limits should be taking into account.

Clinical interpretation of the Spinal Cord Injury Functional Index (SCI-FI).

OBJECTIVE: To provide validation of functional ability levels for the Spinal Cord Injury - Functional Index (SCI-FI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation hospital and community settings. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 855 individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury enrolled in 6 rehabilitation centers participating in the National Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Network. INTERVENTIONS: Not Applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Spinal Cord Injury-Functional Index (SCI-FI). RESULTS: Cluster analyses identified three distinct groups that represent low, mid-range and high SCI-FI functional ability levels. Comparison of clusters on personal and other injury characteristics suggested some significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results strongly support the use of SCI-FI functional ability levels to document the perceived functional abilities of persons with SCI. Results of the cluster analysis suggest that the SCI-FI functional ability levels capture function by injury characteristics. Clinical implications regarding tracking functional activity trajectories during follow-up visits are discussed.

More Falls in Cerebellar Ataxia When Standing on a Slow Up-Moving Tilt of the Support Surface.

We investigated how subjects with cerebellar ataxia (CA) adapt their postural stability and alignment to a slow and small tilt of the support surface allowing for online postural corrections. Eight subjects with CA and eight age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects participated in the study. Subjects stood eyes closed for 1 min after which the support surface was tilted 5° toes-up at a ramp velocity of 1°/s. The toes-up position was held for 2.5 min after which the surface rotated back down to level with identical tilt characteristics. As reflected by the large number of falls, subjects with CA had marked difficulty adapting their posture to the up-moving incline in contrast to control subjects. Subjects with CA who lost their balance had faster trunk velocity and excessive backward trunk reorientation beginning within the first second after onset of the tilting surface. In contrast, the down-moving tilt to level did not result in instability in CA subjects. These results suggest that instability and falls associated with CA derive from an inability to maintain trunk orientation to vertical while standing on a slow-moving or unstable surface. This study underscores the importance of the cerebellum in the online sensory control of the upper body orientation during small amplitude and slow velocity movements of the support surface.

Effects of motor tasks through photos and videos in patients after stroke / Efeitos da demonstração de tarefas motoras por fotos e vídeos em pacientes pós-acidente vascular encefálico

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of motor tasks through photos and videos in post-stroke patients. Participants were 12 patients and 10 control people. Five functional tasks were presented in four different sequences and participants had to indicate the ones which reached the goal correctly. By ANOVA it was found that the response time of the patients was greater than of the control group (photos = patients: 4833 ± 310 ms, control: 1112 ± 76 ms, p = .0001 and videos = patients: 3655 ± 242 ms, control: 2451 ± 270 ms, p = .0001). Patients performed better with videos (p = .001). These results may influence therapeutic strategies and enable a discussion about a possible impairment of the mirror neuron system. (AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os efeitos da demonstração de tarefas motoras através de fotos e vídeos em pacientes pós-AVE (acidente vascular encefálico). Participaram 12 pacientes e 10 controles. Cinco tarefas funcionais foram apresentadas em quatro sequências diferentes e os participantes indicavam aquela que alcançava o objetivo corretamente. Pela ANOVA verificou-se que o tempo de resposta dos pacientes foi maior (fotos = pacientes: 4833 ± 310 ms, controle: 1112 ± 76 ms, p = 0,0001 e vídeos = pacientes: 3655 ± 242 ms; controle: 2451 ± 270 ms, p= 0,0001). Os pacientes apresentaram melhor desempenho com os vídeos (p= 0,001). Estes resultados podem influenciar as estratégias terapêuticas e permitir uma discussão a respeito de um possível impedimento do sistema de neurônios-espelho. (AU)

Anticonvulsant and behavioral effects of muscimol in immature rats.

Potentiation of GABAergic inhibition is a mechanism of action of many antiepileptic drugs. The potential use of an agonist of GABAA receptors, muscimol, as an antiepileptic drug was studied in immature rats by assessing anticonvulsant activity and side effects on motor activities. Anticonvulsant action was tested in two models of seizures (pentetrazol-induced convulsions and cortical epileptic afterdischarges). Off target effect on motor performance was assessed in a battery of tests and in the open field in three age groups (12-, 18- and 25-day-old rats). Muscimol was administered in doses from 0.1 to 1mg/kg i.p. Only the 1 mg/kg dose exhibited marked anticonvulsant effect against pentetrazol-induced convulsions in 12- and 18-day-old rats, proconvulsant effect was observed in the second model in 18- and 25-day-old rats as prolongation of afterdischarges. Even the 0.5 mg/kg dose suppressed spontaneous locomotion and heavily compromised motor performance. The effect on motor activity was marked in the youngest group and decreased with age. Due to the low anticonvulsant potency and serious side effects, systemic administration of a competitive agonist of GABAA receptors in immature animals is not a promising strategy for new anticonvulsants.

Improving fine motor activities of people with disabilities by using the response-stimulation strategy with a standard keyboard.

The principle of this study was to use the finger-pressing position detection program (FPPDP) with a standard keyboard to improve the fine motor activities of disabled people through environmental stimulation. The FPPDP is a software solution which turns a standard keyboard into a finger-pressing position detector. By using this technique, this study tried to find out whether two students with developmental disabilities would be able to effectively perform fine motor activities through the triggering of environmental stimulation. This study was based on an ABAB design and the results showed that both participants demonstrated an obvious increase in terms of their willingness to perform target responses during the intervention phases. The practical and developmental implications of the findings are discussed.

Two Valid Measures of Self-rated Physical Activity and Capacity.

OBJECTIVES: Questionnaires on physical activity (PA) and physical capacity (PC) are valuable tools, as they are cost beneficial, and have high response rates. The validity of short versions of such questionnaires has not been examined satisfactorily. Therefore, we aimed at examining the validity of a set of questions coding for PA and PC. DESIGN: The questions were administered to 217 men and women attending a cardiac rehabilitation program. Participants also gave blood samples, measuring HDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), insulin, glucose, and microCRP. The relations between PA and PC and biological markers were examined by linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Measures for PC and for PA were identified by factor analysis, which proved internally consistent. TG, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) score, and mCRP were all significantly associated with the measures of PC and PA. CONCLUSIONS: The measures of PA and PC are valid compared with biological markers, allowing cost-beneficial and time-efficient evaluation of important measures for cardiovascular health.

Effect of Community-based Rehabilitation Stroke Unit on Functional Recovery of Stroke Patients / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To observe the effect of community-based rehabilitation stroke unit on the function of stroke patients. Methods 94 patients with stroke were divided into intervention group (n=47) and control group (n=47). The control group accepted routine community home care, while the intervention group accepted community-based rehabilitation stroke unit care. They were assessed with modified Barthel index (MBI), simple Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS) before and after intervention. Results There was not significant difference between the groups in scores of MBI, FMA and SDSS (P>0.05) before intervention. All the scores improved significantly in both groups (P<0.01) 3 months after intervention, and improved more in the intervention group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Community-based rehabilitation stroke unit can improve the functional recovery of stroke patients.