INTRODUCTION Most falls in elderly adults occur during daily activities [1]. Many of these activities require successful movement transitions, such as from sitting to walking. Sit-to-walk (STW) requires a smooth transition from sit-to-stand (STS) to gait initiation at seat-off instant [2]. However, such smooth transition is not observed in elderly adults [3,4]. Compared to young individuals, el...

For FES control of incompletely paralyzed lower extremities, various rule-based methods have been proposed. However, the necessity for adequate reliability of sensors and walking phase detection have made such systems difficult to be widely used clinically. In this report, a simple "local EMG-driven FES" system is proposed and shown to be effective in knee extension FES for incomplete paralyses...

The forces under the foot while walking have been measured using a high sensitivity force-plate of the strip-suspended type combined with simultaneous filming of the sole of the foot. The recording of data and the calculation and plotting of results were much simplified by computer aid. Normal and abnormal feet, both barefoot and shod, were investigated in sixteen subjects. It was found that in...

OBJECTIVES The aim was to describe falls and the perceived causes, experienced by people with multiple sclerosis shortly after falling. DESIGN A qualitative study using content analysis and quantitative data to illustrate where and why people report falls most commonly. Semi-structured telephone interviews were performed. Interviews were conducted shortly (0-10 days) after a fall. SUBJECTS ...

In industrialized countries, regional disparities in healthcare and welfare services, increased medical expense caused by aging societies and shortages of medical staff have become serious problems. In Sweden, it is expected that about 25% of Swedes population will be older than 65 years old by 2060 [1]. For this purpose, robot technology (RT) is expected to be an important key to find solution...

OBJECTIVE To identify risk factors and predict falling in stroke patients. To determine the strength of general vs mobility screening for this prediction. DESIGN Prospective study. SUBJECTS Patients in the first 6 months after stroke. METHODS The following assessments were carried out: an interview concerning civil state and fall history, Mini-Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depressio...

Objective. To assess the prevalence, clinical and laboratory characteristics, and short-term outcomes of poststroke hip fracture (HF). Methods. A cross-sectional study of 761 consecutive patients aged ≥60 years (82.3 ± 8.8 years; 75% females) with osteoporotic HF. Results. The prevalence of poststroke HF was 13.1% occurring on average 2.4 years after the stroke. The poststroke group compared to...

BACKGROUND Five to ten million persons, are infected by HTLV-1 of which 3% will develop HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM) a chronic, disabling inflammation of the spinal cord. Walking, a fundamental, complex, multi-functional task is demanding of multiple body systems. Restricted walking ability compromises activity and participation levels in people with HAM (pwHAM). Therapy aims to improve m...

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of using a walking aid on temporal and spatial parameters of gait when used for balance versus support on the dominant and nondominant hand side. DESIGN Repeated measures observational study design. SETTING University gymnasium. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-seven healthy male and female adults of mean ± standard deviation age 44.74 ± 10.00 years. METHODS Five wa...

Individuals with central nervous system injuries are a large and apparently rapidly expanding population-as suggested by 2013 statistics from the American Heart Association. Increasing survival rates and lifespans emphasize the need to improve the quality of life for this population. In persons with central nervous system injuries, mobility limitations are among the most important factors contr...