Block Test Research Articles

Effectiveness of Gel from Andaliman Fruit (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.) Extract on Wound Inflammation.

&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Pain is caused by damaged tissue on the outside or inside of an organ and it is regulated by chemicals. Synthetic drugs are used to ease pain because they are analgesics in the field of medicine. Traditional medicine is known to help people all over the world, in both rich and developing nations. The Andaliman fruit, or &lt;i&gt;Zanthoxylum acanthopodium&lt;/i&gt; DC., comes from a spice plant that grows naturally in Toba Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. This study aims to determine the formulation of the nanoherbal analgesic spray gel preparation of Andaliman fruit (&lt;i&gt;Zanthoxylum acanthopodium&lt;/i&gt; DC.) in terms of its effectiveness as a pain reliever. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; There were three amounts of spray gel made, namely 5, 10 and 15% and tests were done to see how well they worked. &lt;i&gt;Staphylococcus aureus&lt;/i&gt; bacteria were used in the bacterial blocking test. To test how well painkillers worked, five groups of mice were used. Using a hot iron, tests for anti-inflammatory activity and wound healing were done. The tissue was then watched for 14 days and analysed using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stains. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The 15% concentration reduces pain and the time it takes for the body to respond to it. The clear zone size is the same as (K&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt;) and it can lower the number of inflammatory cells and help wounds heal by adding fibroblast and collagen cells. These findings are supported by significant data results (p<0.05, p = 0.018). &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; Finally, analgesic gel spray made from the Andaliman fruit at a 15% concentration can help with pain and also be antibacterial, reduce inflammation and help wounds heal.&lt;/p&gt.

Development and validation of the coffee task: a novel functional assessment for prosthetic grip selection

BackgroundLack of standardized assessments that explicitly quantify performance during prosthetic grip selection poses difficulty determining whether efforts to improve the design of multi-grip hands and their control approaches are successful. In this study, we developed and validated a novel assessment of multi-grip prosthetic performance: The Coffee Task.MethodsIndividuals without limb loss completed the Box and Block Test and two versions of the Coffee Task – Continuous and Segmented - with a myoelectric prosthetic emulator. On different days, participants selected prosthetic grips using pattern recognition and trigger control. Outcomes of the Continuous and Segmented Coffee Task were completion time and number of errors, respectively. Two independent raters assessed outcomes of the Coffee Task using video recordings to determine inter-rater reliability. Known-group validity was assessed by comparing outcomes with the emulator to those with an intact limb. Convergent validity was assessed through the correlation of the Coffee Task outcomes and those of the Box and Blocks Test. Responsiveness to changes with practice and control approach were assessed using the standardized response mean (SRM).ResultsInter-rater reliability was high for both versions of the Coffee Task (Intra-class coefficient > 0.981). Coffee Task outcomes were moderately correlated with the Box and Blocks outcomes (|r| ≥ 0.412, p ≤ 0.007). Participants completed the Coffee Task faster with their intact limb than with the emulator (p < 0.001). Both versions of the Coffee Task were responsive to changes with training (SRM ≥ 0.81) but not control approach (SRM ≤ 0.12).ConclusionsThe Coffee Task is reliable, has good known-group and convergent validity, and is responsive to changes due to practice. Future work should assess whether the Coffee Task is feasible and reliable for people with upper limb loss who use multi-grip prostheses.

Radiofrequency Denervation of the Spine and the Sacroiliac Joint: A Systematic Review based on the Grades of Recommendations, Assesment, Development, and Evaluation Approach Resulting in a German National Guideline.

Systematic review of the literature and subsequent meta-analysis for the development of a new guideline. This manuscript summarizes the recommendations from a new clinical guideline published by the German Spine Society. It covers the current evidence on recommendations regarding the indication, test blocks and use of radiofrequency denervation. The guidelines aim is to improve patient care and efficiency of the procedure. A multidisciplinary working group formulated recommendations based on the Grades of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument. 20 clinical questions were defined for guideline development, with 87.5% consensus achieved by committee members for one recommendation and 100% consensus for all other topics. Specific questions that were addressed included clinical history, examination and imaging, conservative treatment before injections, diagnostic blocks, the injected medications, the cut-off value in pain-reduction for a diagnostic block as well as the number of blocks, image guidance, the cannula trajectories, the lesion size, stimulation, repeat radiofrequency denervation, sedation, cessation or continuation of anticoagulants, the influence of metal hardware, and ways to mitigate complications. Radiofrequency (RF) denervation of the spine and the SI joint may provide benefit to well-selected individuals. The recommendations of this guideline are based on very low to moderate quality of evidence as well as professional consensus. The guideline working groups recommend that research efforts in relation to all aspects of management of facet joint pain and SI joint pain should be intensified.

U-Rate-UE; Measuring Perceived Recovery of the Affected Upper Extremity in Adults Post-stroke

ObjectiveTo establish initial validity of “U-Rate-UE”, a single-question scale regarding perceived recovery of the stroke affected upper extremity (UE). DesignA retrospective longitudinal study of data collected at rehabilitation admission, 6 weeks, and 6 months since stroke. SettingStroke rehabilitation and community-based. ParticipantsA convenience sample of 87 individuals, median (interquartile range) age 71.5 (65-80) years, 15.0 (12-20) days post-stroke. InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresThe affected UE was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment, grip strength, Action Research Arm Test, the Box and Block Test (BBT), and The Rating of Everyday Arm-Use in the Community and Home. Participants also rated how much they perceive that their affected UE recovered from the stroke using U-Rate-UE; 0-100 (no to full recovery). Longitudinal changes in U-Rate-UE ratings were assessed. In addition, at 6 weeks and 6 months post-stroke, the change in BBT was calculated and participants were grouped into achieved/did not achieve the minimal detectable change (MDC). Correlations between U-Rate-UE to the other UE assessments were assessed at all 3 timepoints. ResultsSignificant changes in U-Rate-UE were seen over time (P<.05). At 6 weeks and 6 months, participants who achieved BBT-MDC rated their recovery significantly higher than participants who did not. U-Rate-UE was moderately-strongly significantly correlated to UE assessments (rho=.61-.85, P<.001). ConclusionsThe U-Rate-UE is supported for use with UE assessments contributing to comprehensive clinical understanding of the recovery of the affected UE in adults post-stroke.

Effectiveness and brain mechanism of multi-target transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on motor learning in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundTranscranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has proven to be an effective treatment for improving cognition, a crucial factor in motor learning. However, current studies are predominantly focused on the motor cortex, and the potential brain mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects are still unclear. Given the interconnected nature of motor learning within the brain network, we have proposed a novel approach known as multi-target tACS. This study aims to ascertain whether multi-target tACS is more effective than single-target stimulation in stroke patients and to further explore the potential underlying brain mechanisms by using techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsThis study employs a double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized controlled trial design with a 2-week intervention period. Both participants and outcome assessors will remain unaware of treatment allocation throughout the study. Thirty-nine stroke patients will be recruited and randomized into three distinct groups, including the sham tACS group (SS group), the single-target tACS group (ST group), and the multi-target tACS group (MT group), at a 1:1:1 ratio. The primary outcomes are series reaction time tests (SRTTs) combined with electroencephalograms (EEGs). The secondary outcomes include motor evoked potential (MEP), central motor conduction time (CMCT), short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Box and Block Test (BBT), and blood sample RNA sequencing. The tACS interventions for all three groups will be administered over a 2-week period, with outcome assessments conducted at baseline (T0) and 1 day (T1), 7 days (T2), and 14 days (T3) of the intervention phase.DiscussionThe study’s findings will determine the potential of 40-Hz tACS to improve motor learning in stroke patients. Additionally, it will compare the effectiveness of multi-target and single-target approaches, shedding light on their respective improvement effects. Through the utilization of techniques such as TMS and MRI, the study aims to uncover the underlying brain mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic impact. Furthermore, the intervention has the potential to facilitate motor learning efficiency, thereby contributing to the advancement of future stroke rehabilitation treatment.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300073465. Registered on 11 July 2023.

Fiber Synergy of Polyvinyl Alcohol and Steel Fibers on the Bond Behavior of a Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composite.

Based on multi-scale characteristics inherent in the cracking process of cementitious composites, fibers with different geometric dimensions are simultaneously used to restrain the formation and development of cracks at different scales. Accordingly, hybrid fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (HyFRCCs) exhibit excellent bond behavior and deformation capacity in terms of tension and compression, accompanied by higher damage tolerance. Using these benefits of the mechanical properties of HyFRCCs, the structural performance of HyFRCC structures under complex loading conditions can be improved. To objectively evaluate the contributions of all fibers to the mechanical properties of HyFRCCs, steel macro-fibers, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) micro-fibers were used to design several reinforced cementitious composites. Four of the specimens were mono-fibrous cementitious composites, three specimens were cementitious composites reinforced with hybrid fibers, and one was a non-fibrous cementitious composite. The synergy effect of the steel and PVA fibers was analyzed using various fiber combinations. The results indicated a significant enhancement of the bonding properties of HyFRCCs through the incorporation of PVA and steel fibers. Specifically, the peak bond strength, peak slip displacement, and residual bond strength exhibited increments ranging from 31.0% to 41.7%, 60.6% to 118.4%, and 34.6% to 391.3%, respectively, in comparison to the reference test block. Notably, the combined presence of the PVA and steel fibers consistently demonstrated a positive confounding effect on the residual bond strength. However, negative confounding effects were observed in terms of the peak bond strength and peak slip displacement, particularly with 1.0% steel fiber content and 0.5% PVA fiber content.

Use of low-cost virtual reality in the treatment of the upper extremity in chronic stroke: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundChronicity and lack of motivation often go together during the upper limb rehabilitation process in stroke. Virtual reality is a useful tool in this context, providing safe, intensive, individualised treatments in a playful environment. B-cost, easy-to-use devices with personalised and motivating games for a specific population seem to be the most effective option in the treatment of the upper limbs.MethodsA randomised clinical study with follow-up was carried out to assess the effectiveness of the Leap Motion Controller® device in improving the functionality of the upper limb in patients with chronic stroke. Patients (n = 36) were randomised into a control group that performed conventional therapy and an experimental group that combined the virtual reality protocol with conventional therapy. The outcome measures used were grip strength; the Block and Box Test; the Action Research Arm Test; the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand; as well as a Technology Satisfaction Questionnaire and adherence to treatment.ResultsInter-group statistical analysis showed no significant differences except in subsection D of the Action Research Arm Test. Intra-group analysis showed significant differences in both groups, but the experimental group reached significance in all long-term variables. Satisfaction and adherence levels were very high.ConclusionsThe Leap Motion Controller® system, as a complementary tool, produces improvements in grip strength, dexterity and motor function in patients with chronic stroke. It is perceived as a safe, motivating, and easy-to-use device.Clinical Registration: NCT04166617 Clinical Trials.

Effect of Action Observation Training and Bimanual Arm Training on Hand Function for Children with Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy

Background: The background of the study focuses on addressing the challenges in hand function that thesechildren face due to their condition. Action observation training aims to leverage the brain’s mirror neuronsystem to improve motor skills by observing and imitating actions. Bimanual arm training involves coordinatedmovement of both arms to enhance functional abilities.Purpose: The study compared the effects of action observation training and bimanual arm training on handfunction in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.Materials and Methods: A total of 30 children were chosen according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thesubjects were separated into two groups: action observation training (AOT) and bimanual arm training (BAT). TheFugl Meyer assessment scale (FMA) and the Box and Block test (BBT) were used for evaluating the result.Results: Both groups were homogenous at baseline, with a p value of 0.7866 in FMA and 0.6002 in BBT. Theresult of this study demonstrated that the action observation training group showed a better improvement thanbimanual arm training with a p value of &lt; 0.0001.Conclusion: This study concluded that AOT improved hand function in cerebral palsy children.

Comparison of Some Properties between Commercially Available Gypsum Products

Gypsum models are often used in dental healthcare, and there is an increased need for manipulation of master casts in extensive reconstructions requi ring a material that is not easily abraded or damaged with dimensional accuracy, accurate reproduction of details, and the use of a voids free surface master model. This study was conducted to compare between commercially available type III and type IV dental stones in some of their properties. Four groups were compared: Zhermack and Geastone of Type III dental stone, and Zhermack and Bluejey of Type IV improved dental stone. Ten specimens were fabricated for each material from a rubber ring w ith dimensions of 20mm height and 30mm diameter. Dimensional stability, reproduction of details, surface porosity, and surface hardness were evaluated for the different gypsum products. Results of this study show that for the dimensional stability there was an increase in dimension more than that of the test block and was only highly significant for groups Z3 and Z4. The surface hardness for groups Z3 and Z4 was significant higher than groups G3 and B4 in all of time intervals except after 24h for groups Z4 and B4 this was insignificant. Surface porosity test and reproduction of details test, both revealed no significant difference between the test groups. As conclusion the Zhermack dental stone products, type III &amp; IV, showed higher surface hardness than Zeus dental stone products, type III &amp; IV (Geastone and Bluejey). On the other hand we found that Zeus dental stone products showed good dimensional stability than the Zhermack dental stone products. All stone products provided similar scores for details reproduction, and were similar in relation to surface porosity.

Efficacy test for intermittent theta burst stimulation during motor rehabilitation in patients post‐stroke in a tertiary centre in Hong Kong

AbstractAimStroke represents a significant cause of long‐term disability in adults. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non‐invasive brain stimulation method known for its potential to enhance motor recovery. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a standardised rTMS protocol initially utilised in patients with depression, has garnered attention in the realm of stroke rehabilitation. This study seeks to establish the efficacy profile of iTBS in motor rehabilitation for patients with subacute or chronic stroke.Patients and methodsThis study is a prospective cohort trial in which eligible patients with stroke were recruited into the iTBS group. Ten sessions of iTBS were conducted, followed by physiotherapy. An equal number of matched controls were recruited into the conventional physiotherapy group. The differences in various scoring systems related to motor performance at 6 months were analysed using independent two‐sample t test.ResultsForty patients were enrolled in the study. At 6 months, iTBS demonstrated a statistically significant improvement compared with conventional physiotherapy across various scoring systems, including motor power grading (47.4% vs 0%, P &lt; .0001), Upper Extremity Fugl–Meyer Assessment (19.8% vs 0.7%, P &lt; .0001), Box and Block Test (25.6% vs 1.7%, P = .007) and Barthel Index (17.8% vs 0.1%, P = .0002). No major adverse events were reported in the iTBS group at 6 months.ConclusioniTBS resulted in significant improvement in motor performance across various domains at 6 months compared with conventional physiotherapy alone. This method proves to be a safe approach for motor rehabilitation.

Setup for the Quantitative Assessment of Motion and Muscle Activity During a Virtual Modified Box and Block Test.

The ability to move allows us to interact with the world. When this ability is impaired, it can significantly reduce one's quality of life and independence and may lead to complications. The importance of remote patient evaluation and rehabilitation has recently grown due to limited access to in-person services. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly resulted in strict regulations, reducing access to non-emergent healthcare services. Additionally, remote care offers an opportunity to address healthcare disparities in rural, underserved, and low-income areas where access to services remains limited. Improving accessibility through remote care options would limit the number of hospital or specialist visits and render routine care more affordable. Finally, the use of readily available commercial consumer electronics for at-home care can enhance patient outcomes due to improved quantitative observation of symptoms, treatment efficacy, and therapy dosage. While remote care is a promising means to address these issues, there is a crucial need to quantitatively characterize motor impairment for such applications. The following protocol seeks to address this knowledge gap to enable clinicians and researchers to obtain high-resolution data on complex movement and underlying muscle activity. The ultimate goal is to develop a protocol for remote administration of functional clinical tests. Here, participants were instructed to perform a medically-inspired Box and Block task (BBT), which is frequently used to assess hand function. This task requires subjects to transport standardized cubes between two compartments separated by a barrier. We implemented a modified BBT in virtual reality to demonstrate the potential of developing remote assessment protocols. Muscle activation was captured for each subject using surface electromyography. This protocol allowed for the acquisition of high-quality data to better characterize movement impairment in a detailed and quantitative manner. Ultimately, these data have the potential to be used to develop protocols for virtual rehabilitation and remote patient monitoring.

Influence of cognition on the correlation between objective and subjective upper limb measures in people with multiple sclerosis.

A comprehensive assessment of upper limb (UL) function is mandatory in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), and the use of multiple objective and subjective measures is advisable. Findings on the role of cognitive impairment on the assessment of UL function are scant and inconclusive. The present study investigated the influence of cognitive function on the distribution of objective and subjective UL measures and on their association. In the cross-sectional study, subjects with a diagnosis of MS, age ≥ 18years, right-hand dominance, no presence of orthopedic UL impairment, or other neurological diseases were recruited. The assessment protocol included the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT), Box and Block Test (BBT), and hand grip strength (HGS), a validated PROM (MAM-36), and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Two hundred forty-six PwMS were recruited (158 females, mean age = 51.65 ± 13.45years; mean EDSS = 5.10 ± 1.88) Subject with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment (SDMT ≤ - 2 SD of normative values) scored lower on the 9-HPT and higher on the BBT and MAM-36 when compared with subject with no cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment showed a small but significant effect on the association between 9-HPT scores and the MAM-36. Findings suggest that cognitive impairment is associated with subjects' performance on 9-HPT, BBT, and MAM-36 (but not HGS), resulting in scores indicating a poorer UL function. Interestingly, cognitive impairment slightly affected the congruence between subjective and objective UL measures, although only minor differences in the correlation pattern across groups reporting different cognitive performances emerged.

Evolutionary patterns and microscopic mechanisms of strength in mine tailings backfilled with waste glass

In order to promote the sustainable use of resources and reduce the waste of waste glass and tailings resources. The present study focuses on a fluorite mine as the research subject, utilizing coarse tailings, fine tailings, cement substitute-curing agent, and recycled waste glass as the primary raw materials. It investigates the changes in compressive strength of coarse tailing with varying sand- binder ratios and glass content at 3-day, 7-day, and 28-day intervals when the filling slurry concentration is set at 77% and the ratio of coarse tailings to fine tailings is maintained at 2:1. The findings indicate that there is minimal impact on the compressive strength of test blocks when using a sand binder ratio of 4:1 and a glass sand content below 10%. However, once the glass sand content exceeds 10%, a significant decline in compressive strength occurs. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images reveal ettringite crystal formation in test blocks with both 0% and 25% glass sand content due to high levels of Na2O in the glass sand. This leads to internal expansion within test blocks resulting in reduced strength. Notably, when using a sand-binder ratio of 8:1 along with a glass sand content of 25%, early strength characteristics are observed for test blocks. Furthermore, incorporating glass sand has little influence on late-stage strength for backfill when employing either an 8:1 or 12:1 sand-binder ratio. Based on this experiment conducted under conditions including mass concentration of 77%, the optimal waste-glass-to-mine-tailings-filling-sand-binder-ratio is determined as 8:1with a corresponding glass content of 25%.

Ab. No. 42 Effect of Visual Perceptual Skills Training on Manual Dexterity and Functional Abilities in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Series

Introduction: Globally, prevalence of ASD is rising alarmingly. Evidence synthesis on effective intervention strategies is crucial to bridge the knowledge gap. In addition to disruption in communication and social interaction, motor signs like impaired manual dexterity are frequently associated in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aims to investigate the positive impact of visual perceptual skills training along with functional training as these skills are closely related to daily activities and academic skills. Methods: Three school-aged children (between 8-12 years of age) diagnosed with ASD were included. Motor clumsiness was the primary concern of parents. Intervention was based on principles of sensory integration. It comprised functional training along with visual perceptual skills training including figure-ground discrimination, design copying, visual scanning, visual closure, and visual-motor integration. Manual dexterity was assessed by the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) and Box and Block Test (BBT) before intervention and after 12 weeks of intervention. Besides, functional changes in activities like feeding, buttoning, writing, and copying from the board at inclusive schools were gauged. Result: All children showed improvement in manual dexterity as assessed by the 9HPT scores that changed from 49 to 40 seconds, 42 to 35 seconds, 45 to 37 seconds, respectively. In addition, BBT scores improved from 38 to 44 blocks, 41 to 49 blocks and 39 to 46 blocks, respectively. Independence in feeding and buttoning increased, apart from better efficiency in copying from board and writing. Conclusion: Visual perceptual skills training helped in improving manual dexterity in children with ASD. Moreover, independence in daily activities and academic skills were enhanced. Implications: This case series reveals that the effect of this approach is clinically significant in real life settings. However, it must be investigated on a larger population.

Hand function after neonatal stroke: A graph model based on basal ganglia and thalami structure

IntroductionNeonatal arterial ischemic stroke (NAIS) is a common model to study the impact of a unilateral early brain insult on developmental brain plasticity and the appearance of long-term outcomes. Motor difficulties that may arise are typically related to poor function of the affected (contra-lesioned) hand, but surprisingly also of the ipsilesional hand. Although many longitudinal studies after NAIS have shown that predicting the occurrence of gross motor difficulties is easier, accurately predicting hand motor function (for both hands) from morphometric MRI remains complicated. The hypothesis of an association between the structural organization of the basal ganglia (BG) and thalamus with hand motor function seems intuitive given their key role in sensorimotor function. Neuroimaging studies have frequently investigated these structures to evaluate the correlation between their volumes and motor function following early brain injury. However, the results have been controversial. We hypothesize the involvement of other structural parameters. MethodThe study involves 35 children (mean age 7.3 years, SD 0.4) with middle cerebral artery NAIS who underwent a structural T1-weighted 3D MRI and clinical examination to assess manual dexterity using the Box and Blocks Test (BBT). Graphs are used to represent high-level structural information of the BG and thalami (volumes, elongations, distances) measured from the MRI. A graph neural network (GNN) is proposed to predict children’s hand motor function through a graph regression. To reduce the impact of external factors on motor function (such as behavior and cognition), we calculate a BBT score ratio for each child and hand. ResultsThe results indicate a significant correlation between the score ratios predicted by our method and the actual score ratios of both hands (p < 0.05), together with a relatively high accuracy of prediction (mean L1 distance < 0.03). The structural information seems to have a different influence on each hand’s motor function. The affected hand’s motor function is more correlated with the volume, while the ‘unaffected’ hand function is more correlated with the elongation of the structures. Experiments emphasize the importance of considering the whole macrostructural organization of the basal ganglia and thalami networks, rather than the volume alone, to predict hand motor function. ConclusionThere is a significant correlation between the structural characteristics of the basal ganglia/thalami and motor function in both hands. These results support the use of MRI macrostructural features of the basal ganglia and thalamus as an early biomarker for predicting motor function in both hands after early brain injury.

Effectiveness of MusicGlove on Motor and Psychological Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease: A Quasi-experimental Study

Introduction: Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease commonly experience both physical and psychological effects, which subsequently affect their ability to perform daily activities and overall wellbeing. MusicGlove is an emerging adjunct proposed to address the motor issues but also the psychological ones with references to improving motivation and participation in individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. Aim: To determine the effectiveness of the MusicGlove on hand dexterity and the psychological response in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was performed on 40 individuals with Parkinson disease January 2021 to June 2021 from local community settings in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu, India. They were recruited and divided into a control group (n=20) and experimental group (n=20). Hand dexterity and psychological responses were assessed using the Box and Block Test (BBT), Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), and Apathy Inventory (AI) as pre and post-test measures. Both groups received conventional occupational therapy for three weeks in total, and in addition to this, the experimental group received the MusicGlove. The control group included muscle stretching and strengthening activities with therapeutic putty and using activities such as connecting circles where the subject is given a sheet of paper with 25 circles, each containing 25 numbers or letters. They were asked to connect these in ascending, alternating numerical, and alphabetical order. Sessions were conducted for 30 minutes with two sets of repetitions. Descriptive statistics were used to examine data using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. Results: The study results revealed that there was no statistically significant difference found between the groups but clinically significant differences were found between the groups with posttest scores on motor symptoms that were measured by BBT: μ=- 1.2534, p=0.211 (BBT Dominant); μ=-0.9400, p-value=0.3472 (BBT Non Dominant), and psychological symptoms that were measured by BDI; (μ=-1.0445, p-value=0.2983) and AI; (μ=- 1.0445, p-value=0.9203). Conclusion: The study concluded that conventional occupational therapy along with MusicGlove was effective in improving hand dexterity and psychological responses in Parkinson’s disease patients. Also, further study needs to be conducted to warrant its long-term impact of intervention on hand dexterity and psychological responses.

Grain shape-protrusion-based modeling and analysis of material removal in robotic belt grinding

The accurate prediction of material removal (MR) remains a persistent challenge in the field of robotic belt grinding, particularly with the consideration of the stochastic nature of abrasive grains. Starting from the characteristics that abrasive grains with different shapes participate in grinding, this work presents a novel MR model that extends from microscopic grain-workpiece interaction to macroscopic wheel-curved surface contact. Specifically, the irregular shapes of single abrasive grains are generalized into four typical types, namely, semi-sphere, cone, equilateral-triangular pyramid, and square pyramid. Based on the effective abrasive grains determined by stochastic grain protrusion heights, the microscopic contact force and material removal volume shared by different effective individual abrasive grains are modeled and analyzed subsequently. Together with the macroscopic contact pressure solved by the Hertzian contact theory, the material removal model is derived by considering the geometrical characteristics of different-shaped abrasive grains. Finally, the grinding experiments on the Ti–6Al–4V test block and aero-engine blade were conducted under controllable grinding parameters, through which the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed model were validated, and the material removal characteristics with different structured abrasive belts were investigated.

An Exploration of the Memory Performance in Older Adult Hearing Aid Users on the Integrated Digit-in-Noise Test.

This study aimed to preliminarily investigate the associations between performance on the integrated Digit-in-Noise Test (iDIN) and performance on measures of general cognition and working memory (WM). The study recruited 81 older adult hearing aid users between 60 and 95 years of age with bilateral moderate to severe hearing loss. The Chinese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Basic (MoCA-BC) was used to screen older adults for mild cognitive impairment. Speech reception thresholds (SRTs) were measured using 2- to 5-digit sequences of the Mandarin iDIN. The differences in SRT between five-digit and two-digit sequences (SRT5-2), and between five-digit and three-digit sequences (SRT5-3), were used as indicators of memory performance. The results were compared to those from the Digit Span Test and Corsi Blocks Tapping Test, which evaluate WM and attention capacity. SRT5-2 and SRT5-3 demonstrated significant correlations with the three cognitive function tests (rs ranging from -.705 to -.528). Furthermore, SRT5-2 and SRT5-3 were significantly higher in participants who failed the MoCA-BC screening compared to those who passed. The findings show associations between performance on the iDIN and performance on memory tests. However, further validation and exploration are needed to fully establish its effectiveness and efficacy.

Insertion torque, flexural strength and surface alterations of stainless steel and titanium alloy orthodontic mini-implants: an in vitro study.

This study aimed to compare the insertion torque (IT), flexural strength (FS) and surface alterations between stainless steel (SS-MIs) and titanium alloy (Ti-MIs) orthodontic mini-implants. Twenty-four MIs (2 x 10 mm; SS-MIs, n = 12; Ti-MIs, n = 12) were inserted on artificial bone blocks of 20 lb/ft3 (20 PCF) and 40 lb/ft3 (40 PCF) density. The maximum IT was recorded using a digital torque meter. FS was evaluated at 2, 3 and 4 mm-deflection. Surface topography and chemical composition of MIs were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). General linear and mixed models were used to assess the effect of the MI type, bone density and deflection on the evaluated outcomes. The IT of Ti-MIs was 1.1 Ncm greater than that obtained for the SS-MIs (p= 0.018). The IT for MIs inserted in 40 PCF test blocks was 5.4 Ncm greater than that for those inserted in 20 PCF test blocks (p < 0.001). SS-MIs inserted in higher density bone (40 PCF) had significantly higher flexural strength than the other groups, at 2 mm (98.7 ± 5.1 Ncm), 3 mm (112.0 ± 3.9 Ncm) and 4 mm (120.0 ± 3.4 Ncm) of deflection (p< 0.001). SEM evidenced fractures in the Ti-MIs. EDS revealed incorporation of 18% of C and 2.06% of O in the loaded SS-MIs, and 3.91% of C in the loaded Ti-MIs. Based on the findings of this in vitro study, it seems that SS-MIs offer sufficient stability and exhibit greater mechanical strength, compared to Ti-MIs when inserted into higher density bone.

Maximizing stroke recovery with advanced technologies: A comprehensive assessment of robot-assisted, EMG-Controlled robotics, virtual reality, and mirror therapy interventions

Inconvenience caused by stroke brings physical disability found in many people which restricts their daily life activities. Globally, it was predicted that the prevalence of stroke will rise to 21.9 % by 2030. To improve the sensory and motor recovery of the stroke survivors, they required high attention for their controllability and adaptability. About 80 % of stroke victims have upper-limb motor deficits which affects their daily living activities. Due to technological advancement in rehabilitation engineering with new interventions, traditional physical therapy for stroke patients now translates into new rehabilitation strategies which help in fast recovery of motor tasks with intention motions. Electromyography (EMG) based stroke rehabilitation now being developed for enhancement and assessment of motion control in clinical settings. The integration of EMG-based intervention provides the feasibility to use the concept of myoelectric control with therapeutic settings. In this paper, the use of EMG-based robot aided therapy has been discussed and highlights the contribution of interventions for stroke rehabilitation. Furthermore, discussion also emphasis on virtual reality and mirror therapy and their latest interventions and approaches carried out by different investigators for the evaluations and assessment of stroke rehabilitation in lieu of considerations for improved functional motor task. The most widely used functional outcome measures for conducting clinical assessment of stroke patients in randomized control trials (RCTs) are Fugl-meyer assessment-upper extremity (FMA-UE), a score range from 0 to 66points, Fugl-meyer assessment for lower extremity (FMA-LE) has a score from 0 to 34 points, the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), a scale from 0 to 57 points, the Functional independence measure (FIM) has a scale of 18–126 points, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), a scale from 0 to 5 points and Box and block test (BBT). Furthermore, in most of the RCTs the statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 (95 % confidence interval). Moreover, future directions suggested that for real time autonomous detection of motion intentions, the EMG-based machine learning must be involved with robots, virtual reality and mirror therapy-based interventions to achieve 95 % accuracy that could leads to the development of intelligent rehabilitation interventions for stroke survivors.