Significant Effect Of Session Research Articles

Acute effects of exergame-based calisthenics versus traditional calisthenics on state-anxiety levels in young adult men: a randomized trial.

PurposeThis study compared the acute effects of an exergame-based calisthenics (EXG) session versus a traditional calisthenics (TC) session on state anxiety levels in healthy adult men, and compared the mean heart rate, number of repetitions performed, enjoyment, and affective valence reported by the participants between sessions.MethodsThirty-six young adult men performed two 30-min sessions of physical exercise in random order (EXG and TC). The same exercise protocol was used for each session; however, the TC session was guided by an exercise science professional. State anxiety was assessed before and immediately after each session. Heart rate was monitored during the sessions. Enjoyment and affective valence were assessed immediately after the sessions. In addition, the number of repetitions performed was recorded.ResultsThere was no significant interaction between sessions (EXG vs. TC) and time (pre vs. post-session) (p = 0.102), no significant effect of session (p = 0.587), and no significant effect of time (p = 0.121). Participants presented a higher mean heart rate (+ 3.5%, p = 0.020) and number of repetitions performed (+ 43.7%, p < 0.001) in the TC session compared with the EXG session. There was no difference in enjoyment (p = 0.804) and affective (p = 0.195) valence between the EXG and TC sessions.ConclusionThe EXG and TC sessions did not reduce state anxiety levels. Nor did they increase enjoyment or affective valence in healthy young adult men. However, the TC session evoked a higher mean heart rate and higher training volume than the EXG session.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11332-021-00841-9.

Flavor education and training in olfactory dysfunction: a pilot study

PurposeOlfactory training is recommended in olfactory dysfunction (OD) showing promising results. OD patients frequently ask for training modifications in the hope of a better outcome. Also, a lack of knowledge of the flavor system is evident. This investigation sought to implement flavor education (FE) and encourage patients to experience flavors in terms of a flavor training (FT).MethodsIn included patients (n = 30), OD was either of postinfectious (86.7%) or posttraumatic (13.3%) cause. Chemosensory abilities were tested orthonasally (using Sniffin Sticks = TDI) and retronasally (using the Candy Smell Test = CST). Key points of flavor perception were demonstrated in an educative session. Subjects were instructed to consciously experience flavors out of a list of 50. Effects of FT were explored in two groups (group A and B), with group B starting FT 17 weeks later.ResultsFE was appreciated and drop-out rate stayed very low (one participant). Compliance was high and 30.4 ± 12.9 flavors were tried. Overall TDI scores improved in 10 patients (6 group A, 4 group B) in a clinically significant way (> 5.5). For group A (starting FT earlier) rm-ANOVA showed a significant effect of session (timepoint) on CST (p < 0.01).ConclusionFlavor education is demonstrated as feasible and appreciated in a clinical setting. FT seems to be a welcomed second-line therapy in patients with olfactory dysfunction. This study shows beneficial trends of FT; however, further studies with larger sample sizes and standardized training protocols are needed.

The influence of habitual consumption of chewing gums in the outcome of masticatory performance tests using two-coloured chewing gums

The aim of this study is to assess the influence of regular consumption of chewing-gums on the Masticatory Performance (MP); and to determine if increasing the consumption improves the MP of non-regular consumers. We recorded the chewing-gums consumption rate (CGC) and measured the MP of 265 participants (µ = 47.09, σ = 22.49 years) using the Variance of the Histogram of the Hue (VhH) image processing method. Then, participants were instructed to increase the consumption, and the MP was measured again (SESSION) two and four days after. Normality of MP was verified with Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. The association between the age and the consumption rate was measured with GEE and the eta-squared statistic. Finally, a 3 × 3 mixed ANOVA with SESSION as the within-subject factor and CGC as the between-subjects factor was run. Session-wise and group-wise comparison were performed with post hoc Bonferroni. No systematic error was detected for VhH (p = 1.00). Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests confirmed the normality of the distribution of MP (p > 0.05). There was a significant effect of SESSION on MP, F(1.746, 457.328) = 59.075, p < 0.001; furthermore, there were significant differences in MP between SESSIONs. Additionally, there was a significant effect of CGC on MP, with F (2, 356.53) = 564.73, p < 0.001. In conclusion, the chewing-gum consumption habits influence the two-coloured chewing gum mixing test. The apparent MP of non-regular consumers can be improved by prescribing a controlled increase in the consumption of chewing-gums for a few days.

Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Neurosurgical Patients Under Propofol Anesthesia: Detectability and Variability Between Patients and Between Sessions

Intraoperative assessment of functional connectivity (FC) provides a new possibility for mapping the eloquent brain region before, during, and after tumor resection. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic analysis of detectability of FC and its variation between subjects and sessions. FC was analyzed in 10 patients with pituitary adenoma under propofol anesthesia before and after tumor resection. FC of each session (20 sessions total) was correlated to a reference matrix of a group of healthy subjects to evaluate variations of overall, interhemispheric, and intrahemispheric FC between sessions. Resting-state patterns could be detected during anesthesia (F1,9= 112.14, P < 0.001). There was a significant effect of session (F1,9= 19.401, P= 0.002), which included a reduction in resting state from the first to second session. There was no effect of connection type (F2,8= 1.498, P= 0.280), and there was no interaction between connection type and session (F2,8= 0.187, P=0.833). The correlation between the observed reduction in resting-state activity between the sessions and the time span between sessions was not significant (r= 0.25, P= 0.29). FC of the first session showed a significant correlation to the initial dose of anesthesia (r= 0.7, P=0.007). However, there was no significant correlation between the total dose of propofol and FC of the second session (r= 1.7, P= 0.6). Significant FC could be detected under anesthesia but showed a significant decrease in the second session. To implement FC intraoperative brain mapping, further studies are required to optimize the depth sedation to obtain stable FC between sessions.

A feasibility study of combined intermittent theta burst stimulation and modified constraint-induced aphasia therapy in chronic post-stroke aphasia

The purpose of this feasibility study was to assess whether combined intermittent theta burst suppression (iTBS) applied to the ipsilesional hemisphere and modified constraint-induced aphasia therapy (mCIAT) are safe and logistically feasible within the time interval associated with iTBS induced long-term potentiation in patients with post-stroke aphasia. We also wanted to determine whether combining priming with iTBS and CIAT improves language functions after treatment. Twelve participants received fMRI (semantic decision/tone decision task) and neuropsychological testing of language skills at three time points - before starting the iTBS/mCIAT intervention (T1), immediately after completing 2-week long course of intervention (T2), and at 3-months follow-up (T3). ITBS was applied to the individually determined fMRI language "hot spot" located in the left fronto-temporal regions. There were no serious adverse events, and all mCIAT group therapy sessions (3-4 subjects each) were initiated within 30 minutes of the first group subject receiving iTBS. Neuropsychological assessments of language showed a significant effect of session on Western Aphasia Battery aphasia quotient (WAB-AQ; p = 0.04) and spontaneously correct responses on Boston Naming Test (BNT; p = 0.002), with improvement noted at T2 (p = 0.002) and T3 (p = 0.05) versus T1. FMRI showed significant changes between all timepoints. Post-hoc correlations showed associations between improvements in WAB-AQ from T2 to T3 and decreased BOLD signal in left inferior parietal lobe, and improvements in BNT from T1 to T3 with decreased signal in right inferior frontal gyrus. This study shows feasibility and safety for combining behavioral and neurostimulation interventions for chronic post-stroke aphasia. Observed changes in linguistic measures were relatively small. However, they were statistically significant and associated with parallel changes observed in the neuroimaging. Our findings support further development and testing of the combined mCIAT and iTBS protocol and comparisons to either CIAT/mCIAT or iTBS applied alone for the treatment of post-stroke aphasia.

Effect of topical lidocaine in the oral and facial regions on tactile sensory and pain thresholds

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to examine the effect of lidocaine application to the face, tongue and hand on sensory and pain thresholds of symptom-free subjects. DesignEighteen females (mean age 25.7 years, range 22–38) participated. Using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, the tactile detection threshold (TDT) and the filament-prick pain detection threshold (FPT) were measured on the cheek skin (CS), tongue tip (TT) and palm side of the thenar skin (TS). Subjects were tested in 2 sessions at a 1week interval in randomised order. Lidocaine (session A) or placebo gel (session B) was applied for 5min. The TDT and FPT were measured before and after application. ResultsThe TDT at all sites in session A significantly increased after 5min, but a significant session effect on the TDT was only found at the TT (P<0.01). On the other hand, there were significant session effects on the FPT at all sites (P<0.01). ConclusionThese results indicate that the pain threshold (FPT) is more susceptible to local anesthetics than the sensory threshold (TDT), but further study is needed to use topical lidocaine for the control of oral and facial pain in the clinic.

Perception of affordances during long-term exposure to weightlessness in the International Space station.

On Earth, visual eye height (VEH)--the distance from the observer's line of gaze to the ground in the visual scene--constitutes an effective cue in perceiving affordance such as the passability through apertures, based on the assumption that one's feet are on the ground. In the present study, we questioned whether an observer continues to use VEH to estimate the width of apertures during long-term exposure to weightlessness, where contact with the floor is not required. Ten astronauts were tested in preflight, inflight in the International Space Station, and postflight sessions. They were asked to adjust the opening of a virtual doorway displayed on a laptop device until it was perceived to be just wide enough to pass through (i.e., the critical aperture). We manipulated VEH by raising and lowering the level of the floor in the visual scene. We observed an effect of VEH manipulation on the critical aperture. When VEH decreased, the critical aperture decreased too, suggesting that widths relative to the body were perceived to be larger when VEH was smaller. There was no overall significant session effect, but the analysis of between-subjects variability revealed two participant profile groups. The effect of weightlessness was different for these two groups even though the VEH strategy remained operational during spaceflight. This study shows that the VEH strategy appears to be very robust and can be used, if necessary, in inappropriate circumstances such as free-floating, perhaps promoted by the nature of the visual scene.

A single session of exercise increases connectivity in sensorimotor-related brain networks: a resting-state fMRI study in young healthy adults.

Habitual long term physical activity is known to have beneficial cognitive, structural, and neuro-protective brain effects, but to date there is limited knowledge on whether a single session of exercise can alter the brain’s functional connectivity, as assessed by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). The primary objective of this study was to characterize potential session effects in resting-state networks (RSNs). We examined the acute effects of exercise on the functional connectivity of young healthy adults (N = 15) by collecting rs-fMRI before and after 20 min of moderate intensity aerobic exercise and compared this with a no-exercise control group (N = 15). Data were analyzed using independent component analysis, denoising and dual regression procedures. Regions of interest-based group session effect statistics were calculated in RSNs of interest using voxel-wise permutation testing and Cohen’s D effect size. Group analysis in the exercising group data set revealed a session effect in sub-regions of three sensorimotor related areas: the pre and/or postcentral gyri, secondary somatosensory area and thalamus, characterized by increased co-activation after exercise (corrected p < 0.05). Cohen’s D analysis also showed a significant effect of session in these three RSNs (p< 0.05), corroborating the voxel-wise findings. Analyses of the no-exercise dataset produced no significant results, thereby providing support for the exercise findings and establishing the inherent test–retest reliability of the analysis pipeline on the RSNs of interest. This study establishes the feasibility of rs-fMRI to localize brain regions that are associated with acute exercise, as well as an analysis consideration to improve sensitivity to a session effect.

Sleep during an antarctic overwintering: comparing an altitude base and a coastal station

Introduction The occurrence of sleep disturbances in Antarctic regions is a consistent finding in literature. Indeed, spending winter in Antarctica, exposed to total darkness, has been significantly associated with total hours of sleep, duration of the longest sleep event, time of sleep onset and quality of sleep. Considering the importance of light as a Zeitgeber, and the major role of the circadian rhythm in sleep-wake regulation, this hardly comes as a surprise. However, less is known about the potential side effect of the chronic exposure to hypobaric hypoxia, as experienced in stations at altitude, on these results. In the present study, we compared two different campaigns (winter and summer) over two different research station (Concordia – corrected altitude 3800 m and Dumont d’Urville – sea level). Materials and methods To do so, 24 h actigraphy recordings were collected over 8 expeditioners in Concordia and 16 expeditioners in Dumont d’Urville during winter and summer. Results The results showed that during the day time no differences were observed in the time spent to work ( p = 0.16), in the energy expenditure ( p = 0.066) and in the number of steps (p = .144). This indicates quite similar settings in terms of the generation of homeostatic sleep pressure due to physical activity. However, comparing both settings for night time yielded a significant group effect for the total sleep time (DDU > Concordia; p = 0.036), the sleep efficiency (DDU > Concordia; p = 0.035) and the wake after sleep onset (WASO) (DDU Concordia; p = 0.006). Moreover, a significant session effect was observed for the fragmentation of sleep (summer > winter; p = 0.003). All other parameters analyzed such as total sleep time? ( F 1), energy expenditure (F 1), time in bed (F 1), sleep onset (F 1) remained non-significant. Conclusion Our results show that the main differences in sleep parameters were associated to the effect of altitude and that seasonality only affected the fragmentation of sleep. We can thus conclude that the altitude parameter needs to be more carefully taken into account in the future investigation of sleep in extreme environment. Acknowledgements This work was financially supported by ESA/Prodex and Institut Paul-Emile Victor (IPEV). The authors are grateful to all participants.

Effect of experimental jaw muscle pain on bite force during mastication

Abstract Background/aims Muscular pain often impairs masticatory function in Temporomandibular disorder patients. The specific aim of this study was to investigate how the bite force during mastication is influenced by experimental muscle pain caused by infusion of glutamate into the masseter muscle. Methods 12 healthy adults participated, after providing informed consent. Customized metal frames of the intraoral bite force sensor were manufactured for all subjects, and placed on their preferred chewing side. To induce experimental pain, a sterile solution of glutamate (0.5 M) was infused into the posterior part of the masseter muscle. Isotonic saline (0.9%) was infused as a control (randomized, cross-over design). During chewing three different kinds of test food (two different size carrots and gummy), bite force, electromyographic (EMG) activity of bilateral masseter muscle and anterior temporalis muscle were recorded. The first and last five masticatory cycles were used for analyses. The outcome parameters were as follows; Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, impulse and duration from the bite force signal, duration and amplitude of EMG. Three-way ANOVAs with food (3 levels), sessions (5 levels: baseline, during glutamate, baseline 2, during isotonic saline, follow-up), cycles (2 × 5 levels) were carried out. Results Glutamate caused moderate levels of pain (mean VAS: 2.4 ± 0.9) whereas isotonic saline only caused low levels of pain (Mean VAS: 0.7 ± 0.5). The ANOVA of impulse data, as well as most EMG data, demonstrated a significant effect of session. Post hoc tests showed significantly higher impulse values of both the first and last five cycles in the glutamate session compared to baseline whereas the EMG activity was significantly decreased (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion Surprisingly, experimental pain induced by glutamate increased the bite force during mastication coupled with a decrease in EMG activity. This indicates a major reorganization of the motor control during painful mastication.

AQUISIÇÃO E REVERSÃO DE DISCRIMINAÇÕES EM RATOS DESNUTRIDOS

Uma deficiência nutricional resulta em alterações morfológicas, neuroquímicas e comportamentais. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a aquisição e a reversão de discriminação em ratos controles e desnutridos. As dietas contendo 16% (Controles – C) ou 6% de proteína (Desnutridos – D) foram oferecidas do nascimento até os 35 dias de idade, quando os dois grupos passaram a receber dieta comercial (recuperação alimentar para os D). Antes dos 85 dias de idade, quando foi iniciado o procedimento de discriminação, o peso corporal foi reduzido em 15% do peso ad libitum. Os estímulos discriminativos eram luz ou som: os grupos C e D foram distribuídos aleatoriamente para as condições de LUZ ou SOM. Após a modelagem da resposta de pressão à barra, as respostas passaram a ser reforçadas em esquema de razão variável (VR 12) durante o SD e extintas na ausência destes estímulos (S?). Após atingir o índice de 80 % na aquisição da discriminação, foi iniciada a reversão na função dos estímulos: as respostas passaram a ser reforçadas na ausência de LUZ ou de SOM. Os dois grupos mostraram um efeito significativo de sessões nas duas fases. Ambos os grupos, D e C, aprenderam as discriminações, chegando a índices de discriminação superiores a 80%, mas não foram observados efeitos de dieta nem de estímulo. A única diferença a ser apontada foi uma tendência de desempenho melhor na condição de SD LUZ do que em SOM, embora não tenham sido observadas diferenças entre ratos desnutridos e controles. Na reversão, o índice de discriminação caiu para valores ao redor de 30% na primeira sessão de reversão, sugerindo persistência do controle pelo estímulo discriminativo da fase anterior no início da reversão. Isso ocorreu igualmente para todos os grupos, embora a taxa de respostas dos ratos desnutridos na condição luz mostre uma reversão mais rápida do que a dos demais grupos. Esses dados apontam a necessidade de aprimoramento nos procedimentos para identificar se ocorrem alterações na aprendizagem de discriminação decorrentes da desnutrição. Palavras-chave: desnutrição proteica, discriminação de estímulos, reversão da discriminação, pressão à barra, ratos

Effects of chewing efforts on the sensory and pain thresholds in human facial skin: A pilot study

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of chewing efforts on sensory and pain thresholds of the orofacial skin of symptom-free subjects.Fourteen healthy volunteers were recruited. Using a stair-case method, the tactile detection threshold (TDT) and the filament-prick pain detection threshold (FPT) on the cheek skin (CS) and the skin overlying the palm side of the thenar skin (TS) were measured before and after chewing gum for 5min (Time 1: T1) and keeping the jaw relaxed for 5min (Time 2: T2) as a control.Both for the test and control situation, the TDT was higher in all measurement sites after 5min. As for the FPT, the reactions between T1 and T2 were quite opposite: the FPT increased and/or remained stable in T1, while, it decreased at all sites in T2. There were significant session effects (T1–T2) on the FPT at the left CS (P<0.01), right CS (P<0.05) and TS (P<0.05).The increase of TDT after chewing/no chewing could be due to habituation, while the decrease of FPT observed in the control situation might be due to sensitization, respectively. This potential sensitization, however, was not observed after chewing efforts. Further studies are needed to clarify the modulating effect of masticatory function on the trigeminal sensory system.

The effect of nonfunctional tooth contact on sensory and pain perception in patients with myofascial pain of the jaw muscles

PurposeThe aim of this study was to examine the effect of nonfunctional tooth contact on sensory threshold (tactile detection threshold: TDT) and pain thresholds (filament-prick pain detection threshold: FPT; pressure pain threshold: PPT) in the orofacial region of patients with myofascial pain of the jaw muscles. MethodsThe study was performed on 36 subjects: 20 normal subjects and 16 patients. Using a stair-case method, TDT and FPT were measured by Semmes–Weinstein monofilaments, on the cheek skin (CS) overlying the masseter muscles (MM) and on the skin overlying the palm side of the thenar skin (TS). PPT was measured at the central part of the MM using a pressure algometer. Each parameter was measured before and after keeping light tooth contact for 5min (session 1) and keeping the jaw relaxed for 5min (session 2) as a control. ResultsThere were significant effects of experimental condition (before–after 5min) on the TDT and FPT at several sites: after 5min, TDT was higher in all measurement sites except the left CS of the patients in session 2. As for the FPT, the reactions between CS and TS were quite opposite in both sessions: after 5min, the FPT at the CS decreased and/or remained, but the FPT at the TS increased and/or remained. Significant session effects (session 1–session 2) were only found on the FPT at the CS in patients. ConclusionSensitivity to FPT was more susceptible to tooth contact condition, especially in the patients.

Wallerian degeneration after spinal cord lesions in cats detected with diffusion tensor imaging

One goal of in vivo neuroimaging is the detection of neurodegenerative processes and anatomical reorganizations after spinal cord (SC) injury. Non-invasive examination of white matter fibers in the living SC can be conducted using magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging. However, this technique is challenging at the spinal level due to the small cross-sectional size of the cord and the presence of physiological motion and susceptibility artifacts. In this study, we acquired in vivo high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) data at 3T in cats submitted to partial SC injury. Cats were imaged before, 3 and 21 days after injury. Spatial resolution was enhanced to 1.5 × 1.5 × 1 mm(3) using super-resolution technique and distortions were corrected using the reversed gradient method. Tractography-derived regions of interest were generated in the dorsal, ventral, right and left quadrants, to evaluate diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and Q-Ball imaging metrics with regards to their sensitivity in detecting primary and secondary lesions. A three-way ANOVA tested the effect of session (intact, D3, D21), cross-sectional region (left, right, dorsal and ventral) and rostrocaudal location. Significant effect of session was found for FA (P<0.001), GFA (P<0.05) and radial diffusivity (P<0.001). Post-hoc paired T-test corrected for multiple comparisons showed significant changes at the lesion epicenter (P<0.005). More interestingly, significant changes were also found several centimeters from the lesion epicenter at both 3 and 21 days. This decrease was specific to the type of fibers, i.e., rostrally to the lesion on the dorsal aspect of the cord and caudally to the lesion ipsilaterally, suggesting the detection of Wallerian degeneration.

The effect of water height on stride frequency, stride length and heart rate during water treadmill exercise

Water treadmill exercise is often incorporated into rehabilitation programmes for horses yet little is known about the biomechanical and physiological responses to water walking. To establish whether stride frequency (SF) reached steady state as a result of 6 introductory water treadmill sessions and then to investigate the effect of increasing water height on SF, stride length (SL) and heart rate (HR). Nine horses with no previous experience of water treadmills completed 6 sessions of walking for between 15 and 30 min. Each horse was fitted with a leg mounted accelerometer to measure SF. The effect of session on SF was tested using univariate ANOVA. Eight horses completed 3 further sessions at each of the following water heights; proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP), carpus and ulna. SF, SL and HR at each water height were compared to a control (hoof height) using univariate ANOVA. When SF during introductory sessions 4-6 were compared, there was no significant effect of session on SF (P > 0.05). In the second part of the experiment, SF was 0.57 ± 0.03 strides/s at control, 0.54 ± 0.03 strides/s at the PIP joint, 0.51 ± 0.02 strides/s at the carpus and 0.52 ± 0.03 strides/s at the ulna. Stride frequency at carpal and ulna height was significantly lower than at control (P < 0.05). Stride length was 1.53 ± 0.09 m for control, 1.63 ± 0.10 m at the PIP joint, 1.71 ± 0.08 m at the carpus and 1.68 ± 0.10 m at the ulna. Stride length at carpal and ulna height was significantly greater than control (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between HR during control and any other water height (P > 0.05). Horses reached steady state gait within the first 6 sessions of water treadmill exercise. Walking in water at the level of the carpus or ulna resulted in a lower SF compared to walking in water at hoof height.

The effect of tooth clenching on the sensory and pain perception in the oro‐facial region of symptom‐free men and women

The aim of this study was (i) to examine the effect of light tooth contact as in diurnal tooth clenching on the tactile detection threshold (TDT), the filament-prick pain detection threshold (FPT) and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) in the oro-facial region and (ii) to examine the possible gender difference in this effect on the tactile and pain perception. Twenty healthy volunteers participated. The TDT and the FPT were measured by means of Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, on the cheek skin (CS) overlying the masseter muscles (MM) and on the skin overlying the palm side of the thenar skin (TS). The PPT was measured at the central part of the MM using a pressure algometer. Each parameter was measured before and after keeping light tooth contact for 5 min (session 1) and after keeping the jaw relaxed for 5 min (session 2) as a control. Although there were no significant session effects on any of the parameters, there were significant effects of experimental condition on the TDT in both men and women (P < 0.001). Men had a significant higher FPT of the left CS (P < 0.05) and TS (P < 0.01) and a significant higher PPT of the MM than women (P < 0.001). These results illustrate that sensitivity to pain (FPT, PPT) was higher in women than in men. Although there were no significant gender differences in habituation of sensory perception, the increase of TDT after clenching/no clenching was larger in women, which warrants further study.

Impairment-Based 3-D Robotic Intervention Improves Upper Extremity Work Area in Chronic Stroke: Targeting Abnormal Joint Torque Coupling With Progressive Shoulder Abduction Loading

The implementation of a robotic system (ACT(3D)) that allowed for a quantitative measurement of abnormal joint torque coupling in chronic stroke survivors and, most importantly, a quantitative means of initiating and progressing an impairment-based intervention, is described. Individuals with chronic moderate to severe stroke (n = 8) participated in this single-group pretest-posttest design study. Subjects were trained over eight weeks by progressively increasing the level of shoulder abduction loading experienced by the participant during reaching repetitions as performance improved. Reaching work area was evaluated pre- and postintervention for ten different shoulder abduction loading levels along with isometric single-joint strength and a qualitative clinical assessment of impairment. There was a significant effect of session (pre versus post) with an increase in reaching work area, despite no change in single-joint strength. This data suggests that specifically targeting the abnormal joint torque coupling impairment through progressive shoulder abduction loading is an effective strategy for improving reaching work area following hemiparetic stroke. Application of robotics, namely, the ACT(3D), allowed for quantitative control of the exercise parameters needed to directly target the synergistic coupling impairment. The targeted reduction of abnormal joint torque coupling is likely the key factor explaining the improvements in reaching range of motion achieved with this intervention.

Effect of oral diazepam on feeding behavior and activity of Hawai’i ’amakihi ( Hemignathus virens)

Feeding behavior and activity during captivity were studied in wild-caught Hawai’i ’amakihi, Hemignathus virens, to evaluate diazepam's hyperphagic and anxiolytic effects . Birds were captured in mist nets, given either oral diazepam (1 mg/kg) or an equivalent volume per weight of lactated Ringer's solution orally, and held in captivity for 6 h. Thirteen-minute focal animal samples were videotaped at the beginning of each hour. Feeding behaviors, grooming and picking events, changes in position, and body weights were recorded. Mean duration of feeding, percentage of time spent feeding, and number of feeding events were significantly higher for treatment birds than for controls, and significantly increased over time. Feeding duration was significantly correlated to weight change. Weight change was not significantly different between groups, but on average treatment birds lost less weight than control birds. No significant differences in grooming behaviors were found between the groups, but there was a session effect of increased grooming over time in both groups. Also, a significant session effect in movement events was apparent, with control birds becoming less active and treatment birds becoming more active over time. Results indicate diazepam increased feeding behaviors and movement in this passerine species during a short period of captivity.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR A TARGETED INTERVENTION FOR IMPROVING REACHING RANGE OF MOTION IN SEVERE HEMIPARETIC STROKE USING THE ARM

Purpose/Hypothesis: Abnormal upper extremity coordination can be expressed in the form of atypical muscle synergies that result in limited and stereotypic movement patterns such that when an individual with hemiparetic stroke attempts to support the arm against gravity there is a strong coupling with elbow flexion. These movement constraints are functionally disabling. While quantification of stroke-related impairments such as abnormal shoulder/elbow torque coupling has been thoroughly described in our laboratory under isometric and dynamic conditions, only recently have striking advances in rehabilitation robotics enabled us to develop a rehabilitation protocol that specifically targets discoordination in a quantifiable and repeatable fashion. We have developed and are employing the Arm Coordination Training 3D Device (ACT3D). This report documents preliminary evidence supporting the efficacy of an impairment-specific dynamic strengthening protocol for a group of individuals with chronic stroke and was taken as part of a larger randomized controlled study. Number of Subjects: Six individuals with stroke were trained to actively support their arm while reaching to various outward targets over a period of eight weeks. Materials/Methods: The intervention was progressed by increasing the level of required active limb support or gravitational loading experienced by the participant during reaching repetitions as performance improved. Functional work area was evaluated pre-and post-intervention for ten different support levels. Pre- and post-intervention clinical assessments were also taken by a blinded physical therapist as secondary outcomes. Results: Consistent with our previous work, there was a significant effect of limb support level such that as subjects were required to support up to and beyond the weight of their limb, there was a concurrent reduction in available work area. Notably, there was a significant effect of session on work area. Following the intervention, work area significantly increased for all limb support levels. There were also related improvements in the clinical assessment battery. Conclusions: This preliminary data suggests that specifically targeting the abnormal joint torque coupling impairment is an effective strategy for improving reaching work area following hemiparetic stroke. Clinical Relevance: Following the completion of this study physical therapists will have new evidence supporting the application of an impairment-targeted intervention for individuals with chronic and severe hemiparetic stroke.

Consistent Immediate Effects of Foot Orthoses on Comfort and Lower Extremity Kinematics, Kinetics, and Muscle Activity

In order to accommodate patients to new foot orthoses over time, two steps are required: The first is to obtain a baseline reading of the immediate effects across several weeks to ensure consistency. The second step is to look at changes with progressively longer wear periods similar to what occurs in general practice. This study addressed the first step. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the baseline reading of the immediate effects of foot orthoses on comfort and lower extremity kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity is consistent between days. Participants were 21 recreational runners who volunteered for the study. Three orthotic conditions (posting, custom-molding, posting and custom-molding) were compared to a control (flat) insert. Lower extremity kinematic, kinetic, and EMG data were collected for 108 trials per participant and condition in 9 sessions for each person for running at 4 m/s. Comfort for all orthotic conditions was assessed in each session using a visual analog scale. Statistically significant session effects were detected using repeated-measures ANOVA (α = .05). Three of the 93 variables had a significant session effect. A significant interaction between orthotic condition and session was observed for 6 of the 93 variables. The results of this study showed that the effects of foot orthoses on comfort, lower extremity kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity are consistent across a 3-week period when the wear time for each condition is restricted. Thus, foot orthoses lead to immediate changes in comfort, kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity with limited use. These immediate effects of foot orthoses on comfort, kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity are consistent between days.