Effects of the Surface Texture and Weight of a Pinch Apparatus on the Reliability and Validity of a Hand Sensorimotor Control Assessment

AIoT-Based Ergometer for Physical Training in Frail Elderly with Cognitive Decline: A Pilot Randomized Control Trial

Purpose

Reduced physical activity is reported in the elderly, especially in institutional residents. Institutionalized older adults exhibit a high prevalence of frailty. In this work, we developed an artificial intelligence of things (AIoT)-based feedback assistive strengthening ergometer (AIFASE), for the physical strengthening of the elderly with intelligent assistance.

Methods

We conducted a 12-week intervention in a long-term care facility. In total, 16 participants (84.38 ± 6.0 years; 4 males and 12 females) were recruited with 1:1 randomization of exercise to control groups. The muscle strength of the lower extremities, timed up and go test (TUG), and Short-form Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) of the participants were measured. The AIFASE system allows the clinical staff to record the personal physical performance of the elderly and generates personalized exercise prescriptions accordingly. AIFASE also displays the current usage status of all ergometers and the users’ physiological conditions. The algorithms were developed to generate warning alerts when the training workload was too large by personal physiological detection. AIFASE automatically customized the exercise prescription according to the user’s exercise performance.

Results

After a 12-week AIFASE intervention, the intervention group exhibited significant improvements in the strength of the hip flexor, Semi-Tandem Stand, and Tandem Stand.

Conclusion

In this study, we developed an AIoT ergometer that delivered customized physical training prescriptions to improve the physical performance of long-term care facility residents. We believe that the application of AIFASE will help improve the quality of institutional care.

Use of Sonophoresis with Corticosteroids in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a neuropathic disease. It is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal pathologies affecting the upper limbs. One of most frequently used non-surgical treatments is corticosteorids. There are several alternatives for corticosteroids administration. One of them is phonophoresis, this being an effective and painless method of treatment. A systematic review and meta-analysis have been conducted over the use of phonophoresis with corticosteroids for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome compared to other non-surgical treatment methods. Keywords from Medical Subjects Headings (MeSH) were used in the following databases: Wos, Scopus, CINHAL, SciELO and PeDro. A total of 222 potentially relevant articles were retrieved. Eleven articles analysing the efficacy of phonophoresis with corticosteroids in reducing pain symptoms in individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome were included, 10 of which were used to conduct the meta-analysis. A conclusion could not be reached as to the application of phonophoresis with corticosteroids being better than other treatment methods, except for the perception of pain and an improved motor and sensory nerve conduction in cases of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.

Hand-eye coordination, movement reaction time and hand tactile sensitivity depending on the practiced sports discipline

BACKGROUND

Practicing competitive sports, particularly those disciplines in which the upper limbs are involved in the movement, develops physical fitness and its special feature, namely the hand-eye coordination. Some sport disciplines require manipulation of an object. Using a sport equipment every day, several times, during training and matches must affect the characteristics of the skin of the palmar side of the hand. It may be presumed to affect the tactile sensitivity of the skin. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between hand-eye coordination and tactile sensitivity in basketball, volleyball, handball, football and combat sports players as compared to those who do not practice competitive sports.

METHODS

Overall, 121 men were subject to tests. The tactile sensitivity threshold was determined at three points of the palmar side of the hand using The Touch-Test™ Sensory Evaluators esthesiometer. The second test involved hand-eye coordination of the upper limbs and it was carried out using cross-type machine.

RESULTS

The greatest tactile sensitivity was shown in combat sports players. These players also demonstrated the shortest reaction time and the lowest number of errors in the motor coordination test. The correlation between tactile sensitivity and coordination was found to be the strongest in subjects not practicing sports.

CONCLUSIONS

The most interesting finding is that in the group of athletes using hands (team sports games and combat sports) the correlation between movement coordination and tactile sensitivity is weaker.