Functional Ability Research Articles

Conceptualisation and measurement of healthy ageing: Insights from a systematic literature review.

Conceptualisation and measurement of healthy ageing: Insights from a systematic literature review.

Remote screening protocol for functioning and contextual factors (e-Followkids) in Brazilian children with biological risk in the first 2 years: A longitudinal prospective study.

Remote screening protocol for functioning and contextual factors (e-Followkids) in Brazilian children with biological risk in the first 2 years: A longitudinal prospective study.

The association of cervical and lumbar mobility with functional ability in axial spondyloarthritis: Insights from the CASTRO registry using Inertial Measurement Unit system.

The association of cervical and lumbar mobility with functional ability in axial spondyloarthritis: Insights from the CASTRO registry using Inertial Measurement Unit system.

Effects of a subacute high-intensity rehabilitation program in older adult inpatients following intramedullary nailing for hip fractures.

Effects of a subacute high-intensity rehabilitation program in older adult inpatients following intramedullary nailing for hip fractures.

Haplotype-specific interactions of Phragmites australis with Spartina alterniflora under salt stress.

Haplotype-specific interactions of Phragmites australis with Spartina alterniflora under salt stress.

Synthetic strategy for multimodal -NH2 functionalized chitosan-based materials towards sustainable evolution.

Synthetic strategy for multimodal -NH2 functionalized chitosan-based materials towards sustainable evolution.

Efficacy of localized muscle vibration on lower extremity functional ability in patients with stroke: A randomized controlled trial.

Efficacy of localized muscle vibration on lower extremity functional ability in patients with stroke: A randomized controlled trial.

Cerdulatinib Improves Sensorimotor Function and Memory Ability in Mice Suffering from Ischemic Stroke through Targeting Caspase-3-Dependent Apoptosis

Cerdulatinib Improves Sensorimotor Function and Memory Ability in Mice Suffering from Ischemic Stroke through Targeting Caspase-3-Dependent Apoptosis

Picture description and functional communication rating correlates in variants of primary progressive aphasia

ABSTRACT Background Generalization of speech-language pathology treatment is an important goal in clinical practice and research. Functional communication rating scales are often used to investigate potential treatment effects in daily life. Connected speech samples more closely reflect meaningful changes in communication as a result of treatment than test/re-test outcomes. Little attention has been directed to this relationship in aphasia due to neurodegenerative etiologies. Aims We investigated whether correlations between ratings on the Georgetown University Center for Aphasia Research and Rehabilitation Functional Communication Scale (CARR-FCS) and total content units (CUs) from spoken descriptions of the Cookie Theft Picture from the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (CTP-BDAE), versus correlations with scores on the Boston Naming Test (BNT), differed among variants of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) at baseline testing and 6–12 month follow-up (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02675270). At baseline and follow-up, for semantic variant PPA (svPPA), we hypothesized that performance on picture description will correlate more strongly with the CARR-FCS, compared to confrontation naming, as those with svPPA tend to have especially poor performance on confrontation naming [compared to logopenic variant PPA (lvPPA) and nonfluent agrammatic PPA (nfaPPA)], a task that may not be reflective of functional communication ability because communication via other means (e.g. circumlocutions) is not captured. We did not expect to find this effect in lvPPA or nfaPPA because, although anomia is present in all PPA variants, it is less severely compromised in these variants. At follow-up, for nfaPPA, we hypothesized that performance on picture description will correlate more strongly with the CARR-FCS, compared to confrontation naming, because those with nfaPPA can have a marked decline in confrontation naming due to worsening apraxia of speech. Methods and Procedures At two time points, we calculated correlation coefficients between care partners’ ratings on the CARR-FCS and total CUs from spoken descriptions of the CPT-BDAE and BNT scores of individuals with PPA. We compared the size of the correlations. Outcomes and Results Correlations were significantly stronger between total CUs and ratings on the CARR-FCS, compared to BNT scores and CARR-FCS ratings, for svPPA at both time points, but were not significantly different for lvPPA and nfaPPA. Conclusions These findings suggest that, while confrontation naming performance may be a proxy for functional communication in lvPPA and nfaPPA, a measure of connected speech is more representative of functional communication in svPPA because confrontation naming is typically more impaired in svPPA than in either of the other two variants.

TIME-DEPENDENT ANALYSIS OF WAVE OVERTOPPING: DISTRIBUTION OF INDIVIDUAL VOLUMES IN VARIABLE WATER LEVELS

The rising probability of extreme wave and storm surge events poses ever greater risks to coastal structures and populations (Toimil et al., 2020). Central to the assessment of function ability of these coastal structures and cost-effectiveness in their construction is the wave overtopping. In this context, two aspects of wave overtopping are distinguished: the average wave overtopping discharge and the individual wave overtopping volume. Understanding both aspects are essential for a proper safety assessment. Recent studies emphasize the need to delve deeper into these aspects, especially by exploring the overtopping volumes of individual waves and in particular the maximum value, Vmax (Koosheh et al., 2021). Storms are dynamic events, and their effect on the still water level (SWL) can be represented as a time-varying hydrograph. As SWL changes during a storm, it is expected that also the (maximum) individual wave overtopping volumes are variable during storm events. Typically, in laboratory experiments, wave overtopping of coastal defense structures has been investigated for constant water level (CWL) conditions and a predetermined structural exposure time frame. In this approach, any variable water level (VWL) conditions are largely ignored, except in few recent studies (Pepi et al. 2022; Kerpen et al., 2020). The impact of this oversight can be substantial, as (smaller) individual wave volumes in the early stages of a storm, when the SWL rises, can pre-load or saturate the dike, potentially weakening it before the largest overtopping volumes occur during the storm's peak. No research exists yet on the study of individual overtopping volumes for a VWL situation.

Comparing Demographic Effects on Current and Novel Neuropsychological Measures in Older Adults with and without Alzheimer's Disease.

Comparing Demographic Effects on Current and Novel Neuropsychological Measures in Older Adults with and without Alzheimer's Disease.

Feasibility of an Exercise Training Program Among Patients With Newly Diagnosed Advanced Breast Cancer.

Cancer patients' physical exercise rehabilitation aims to restore and improve their functional abilities, physical independence, and quality of life. However, exercise rehabilitation is underutilized among patients with advanced cancer. A non-randomized, individual exercise rehabilitation program for patients with newly diagnosed advanced breast cancer was conducted. The primary goal was the feasibility (recruitment and compliance) of physical exercise. Secondary objectives were the levels of physical activity and performance, quality of life, and body composition. The patients were screened between March 2015 and January 2017. The inclusion criteria were age 35-75 years, WHO performance status ≤2, and capability for physical exercise. The six-month intervention consisted of an individual exercise training program. Physical performance and body composition were followed by objective measurements, and the quality of life by self-reported questionnaires. Physical activity levels were monitored with a self-reported survey and pace-counter. Of the 139 screened patients, 68 (49%) were included. Fifty-six (82%) participants completed the intervention. Despite the decreased physical activity (-6 Metabolic equivalent hours per week), the endurance and muscle functioning scores improved; the six-minute walking distance (+3,4%; p=0.040), the mean fitness score (+4,4%; p=0.015), and the mean muscle mass phase angle (+3,3%; p=0.034). Physical performance scores remained unchanged. Quality of life showed improvement in the domain of physical functioning (p=0.04), role functioning (p=0.02), social functioning (p=0.02), and vitality (p=0.017). Fatigue was also significantly reduced (p=0.011). Physical exercise intervention is feasible during first-line treatment among patients with advanced breast cancer. An individual rehabilitation program helps support physical fitness, performance, and quality of life and further prevents functional decline.

Relationship Between Visual Functions and Independence in ADLs and IADLs Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Examining an older adult cohort to determine how different types of visual impairment affect independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) is an important first step to better understand how to support older adults with specific types of visual dysfunction and enhance their functional abilities. To examine the relationship between distance visual acuity, near visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity and individual ADLs (dressing, toileting, bathing, eating) and IADLs (laundry, shopping, making hot meals, money management, self-management of medications) among community-dwelling older adults. A retrospective, cross-sectional design was used to analyze the relationship between visual function and independence in ADLs and IADLs. We retrieved data for 4,947 people included in the National Health and Aging Trends Study in 2022. We used a series of multivariable logistic regression analyses and estimated the relationship between visual function and independence in specific ADLs and IADLs. Near visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were statistically associated with specific ADLs and IADLs. Distance visual acuity was significantly associated with specific IADLs but was not significantly associated with any ADLs. Certain visual impairments were associated with specific ADLs and IADLs and therefore should be considered in the care of community-dwelling older adults. Plain-Language Summary: Normal aging can cause vision to decline. Visual impairment and blindness are expected to nearly double by 2050. Vision is a key component of independence for specific activities of daily living (ADLs; such as dressing, toileting, bathing, eating) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs; such as laundry, shopping, making hot meals, money management, self-management of medications). This study examined the relationship between visual impairments and individual ADLs and IADLs among community-dwelling older adults. The study found that certain visual impairments were associated with specific ADLs and IADLs and therefore should be considered in the care of community-dwelling older adults. This study also provides evidence that specific visual impairments are closely linked to older adults' ability to perform ADLs and IADLs. The findings confirm the importance of addressing visual function in occupational therapy practice to support the independence of community-dwelling older adults.

The development of theory of mind in autistic children: contribution of executive function, syntactic structure and lexical development

Purpose Understanding the role played by executive functions and language in theory of mind skills in child development is a major research challenge, as it could provide important knowledge for clinical practice and fundamental research. Thus, the underlying issue to be addressed is which among the two variables of executive function and language abilities contributes more to explaining theory of mind skills in children, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study investigated the relationship between the three variables and aimed to deepen knowledge on executive functions and language regarding theory of mind abilities in ASD children. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 15 ASD children and 32 children with typical development performed an expressive and a receptive vocabulary task, a syntax and a morphosyntax task, a false belief task and three executive function tasks assessing inhibition, cognitive flexibility and working memory. Findings The results showed that autistic children performed significantly less well than typically developing peers in all except the two vocabulary tasks. Correlational analyses showed a significant correlation between theory of mind and morphosyntax in autistic participants. There was also a significant correlation between theory of mind and receptive vocabulary for children with typical development. Originality/value Better understanding the role of language abilities in theory of mind skills in child development is crucial. The original contribution is allowing more precision on how syntactic structure of language is involved in autistic children’s mastery of false belief tasks.

Neuropsychological and clinical variables associated with cognitive trajectories in patients with Alzheimer's disease

BackgroundThe NeuroArtP3 (NET-2018-12366666) is a multicenter study funded by the Italian Ministry of Health. The aim of the project is to identify the prognostic trajectories of Alzheimer's disease (AD) through the application of artificial intelligence (AI). Only a few AI studies investigated the clinical variables associated with cognitive worsening in AD. We used Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores as outcome to identify the factors associated with cognitive decline at follow up.MethodsA sample of N = 126 patients diagnosed with AD (MMSE >19) were followed during 3 years in 4 time-points: T0 for the baseline and T1, T2 and T3 for the years of follow-ups. Variables of interest included demographics: age, gender, education, occupation; measures of functional ability: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental (IADLs); clinical variables: presence or absence of comorbidity with other pathologies, severity of dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating Scale), behavioral symptoms; and the equivalent scores (ES) of cognitive tests. Logistic regression, random forest and gradient boosting were applied on the baseline data to estimate the MMSE scores (decline of at least >3 points) measured at T3. Patients were divided into multiple splits using different model derivation (training) and validation (test) proportions, and the optimization of the models was carried out through cross validation on the derivation subset only. The models predictive capabilities (balanced accuracy, AUC, AUPCR, F1 score and MCC) were computed on the validation set only. To ensure the robustness of the results, the optimization was repeated 10 times. A SHAP-type analysis was carried out to identify the predictive power of individual variables.ResultsThe model predicted MMSE outcome at T3 with a mean AUC of 0.643. Model interpretability analysis revealed that the global cognitive state progression in AD patients is associated with: low spatial memory (Corsi block-tapping), verbal episodic long-term memory (Babcock's story recall) and working memory (Stroop Color) performances, the presence of hypertension, the absence of hypercholesterolemia, and functional skills inabilities at the IADL scores at baseline.ConclusionThis is the first AI study to predict cognitive trajectories of AD patients using routinely collected clinical data, while at the same time providing explainability of factors contributing to these trajectories. Also, our study used the results of single cognitive tests as a measure of specific cognitive functions allowing for a finer-grained analysis of risk factors with respect to the other studies that have principally used aggregated scores obtained by short neuropsychological batteries. The outcomes of this work can aid prognostic interpretation of the clinical and cognitive variables associated with the initial phase of the disease towards personalized therapies.

Cross sectional analysis of factors associated with low intrinsic capacity among Malaysians ageing with HIV in ambulatory care.

Intrinsic capacity (IC) is a component of WHOs model for Health Ageing and a key determinant of an individual's functional ability as they age. However, little is known about what factors negatively influence IC among people with HIV (PWH). Cross-sectional study. Participants included PWH (≥35 years and on ART for a minimum of 12 months) attending HIV care in University Malaya Medical Centre. IC scores were computed based on five key domains (sensory, mobility, cognition, vitality and mood). Pareto analyses was performed to determine the domains impaired in the majority of participants, and multivariable linear regression to explore factors associated with low IC. The median age in the 202 PWH were 50 years (IQR:44-57 years) and median IC score was 5.60 (IQR:4.80-5.80, max 6). Deficits in vitality were observed in 52.8% of participants, followed by cognition (18.8%) and mood (18.1%). Factors associated with low IC scores after adjusting for demographic and socio-economic factors included multimorbidity (-0.130, 95%CI: -0.181,-0.079, p = 0.000) and polypharmacy (-0.077, 95%CI: -0.119,-0.036, p = 0.000), metabolic syndrome (-0.360, 95%CI: -0.568,-0.153, p = 0.001), renal disease (-0.450, 95%CI: -0.871,-0.029, p = 0.036), and diabetes (-0.337, 95%CI: -0.590,-0.085, p = 0.009), social isolation (0.021, 95%CI: 0.003,0.039, p = 0.025), loneliness (-0.063, 95%CI: -0.114,-0.013, p = 0.014) and high hsCRP (-0.028, 95%CI: -0.054,-0.002, p = 0.034). Poor social connectedness and multimorbidity, particularly metabolic syndrome and renal disease, are significant risk factors for low IC scores among PWH in our setting. This study provides critical insights into potential strategies to improve trajectories of healthy ageing in PWH.

Discriminative ability of functional performance tests on risk of falling among older adults with knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study.

Identifying fall risk among older adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA) is essential for targeted prevention. Although functional tests assessing mobility, strength, and balance are widely used, no consensus exists on the most effective test to identify fall risk in this population. This study aimed to compare functional performance tests and fall risk between older adults with and without knee OA, compare the tests in older adults with and without fall risk in both groups, and determine cutoff scores for these tests to identify fall risk among older adults with knee OA. This cross-sectional study included 106 participants aged ≥ 60 years (53 in each group). The participants completed the Thai falls risk assessment test and performed 5 functional performance tests, including the timed-up and go test (TUGT), functional reach test, alternate-step test (AST), 5 times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), and 10-meter walk test (10MWT). The independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare outcomes, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify the optimal cutoff scores. Older adults with knee OA had a higher fall risk and performed significantly worse on the TUGT, AST, FTSST, and 10MWT than those without knee OA. The TUGT and AST scores effectively distinguished the fall risk between older adults with and without knee OA. cutoff scores of 10.5 and 24.5 seconds for the TUGT and AST, respectively, had acceptable area under curve values, effectively discriminating fall risk among older adults with knee OA. Older adults with knee OA exhibit a higher risk of falls and reduced functional abilities. The TUGT and AST may serve as useful fall-risk screening tools among this population.

Socio-Cultural Dynamics and Environmental Influences on Cognitive Development During Puberty: A Descriptive Study of Generation

Abstract - This descriptive study investigates the interplay between socio-cultural dynamics and environmental influences on the cognitive development of Generation Alpha girls (born 2010-2025) during puberty in rural Kannur district, Kerala. Using a mixed-methods approach combining structured interviews (n=126), cognitive assessments, and ethnographic observations conducted over eight months, the research explores how traditional rural value systems interact with modernisation to shape cognitive development during this critical transition period. Key findings reveal that socio-cultural factors, including family educational practices, community engagement, and cultural expectations, significantly impact abstract reasoning, memory function, and executive processing abilities. Environmental influences, particularly access to educational technology, peer group dynamics, and physical environment quality, demonstrated substantial correlations with both academic performance (r=0.68, p<0.01) and behavioural adaptations (r=0.57, p<0.01). The study highlights the unique challenges faced by Generation Alpha girls in navigating traditional expectations while adapting to rapidly evolving technological and social landscapes. These findings contribute to understanding the complex factors affecting cognitive development during adolescence in rural settings and provide a foundation for developing culturally-sensitive educational interventions. Key Words: cognitive development, puberty, Generation Alpha, rural education, socio-cultural dynamics, environmental influences, academic performance, behavioural changes

Management Fisioterapi pada Kasus Osteoarthritis Lutut dengan Terapi Latihan Penguatan: Case Report

In individuals with osteoarthritis (OA), the knee is one of the main causes of functional limitations and pain in older adults. As a result, it will cause chronic knee joint pain, stiffness, decreased quality of life and physical disabilities such as difficulty walking, climbing stairs, and sitting and getting up from a chair. Impaired muscle function and decreased fitness can potentially be treated with exercise therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of providing physiotherapy interventions combined with exercise therapy in cases of knee OA. The research method used a case report with single subject research conducted at Bagas Waras Klaten Hospital in April 2025. Subjects were given therapy interventions 3 times in 2 weeks with Infrared, TENS, Massage therapy and exercise therapy modalities, namely hip abductor strengthening exercise and quadriceps strengthening exercise. The results showed a decrease in pain evaluated using VAS, increased muscle strength using MMT, increased LGS using a goniometer, and increased functional ability using WOMAC. Suggestions for patients with knee OA include doing hip abductor strengthening exercise and quadriceps strengthening exercise therapy to help reduce pain and increase muscle strength so they can perform daily functional activities better.

Effect of creatine monohydrate on motor function in children with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a rare, progressive muscle disease with no available disease-modifying therapy. Creatine monohydrate (CrM) has been shown to improve muscle strength in individuals with muscular dystrophies but has not been tested in young people with FSHD. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of CrM on motor function in children with FSHD. In a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind crossover trial, powdered CrM at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day (maximum 10 g daily) was compared with placebo in two 12-week treatment periods with a 6-week washout between crossover arms. The primary outcome measure was the Motor Function Measure for Neuromuscular Disease (MFM-32) with secondary outcomes assessing safety, endurance, strength, patient-reported outcome measures, and muscle morphology measurements as assessed by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thirteen children were enrolled (mean (standard deviation, SD) 12.2 (2.67) years of age) and 11 patients completed both trial treatment periods. In an intention-to-treat analysis, no clinically meaningful difference was seen between treatment groups as measured by the mean difference in MFM-32 (0.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.71 to 1.08). However, there was an improvement in 6-minute walk distance of 27.74 m (95% CI -1.41 to 56.88) and trends to improvement in the FSHD-Composite Outcome Measure for Pediatrics (FSHD-COM Peds), 10 meter walk/run, and in MRI measures. There were no serious adverse events. Serum creatinine increased by a mean 12.63 μmol/L (95% CI 1.14 to 24.12) post-CrM treatment, though this was presumed to reflect increased creatinine production. No participants discontinued CrM due to adverse events. CrM is safe and well tolerated in children with FSHD. Although CrM had no effect on motor function as measured by the MFM-32 compared with placebo, there were trends toward improvement in the 6-minute walk distance and other secondary outcome measures. This study confirms the feasibility of conducting clinical trials in children with FSHD. Further assessment of the efficacy of CrM in pediatric FSHD is warranted in a larger randomized controlled clinical trial. Future studies may benefit from stratifying population cohorts according to functional ability or by MRI fat infiltration measurements.