Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

A Low-Cost Soft Robotic Hand Exoskeleton For Use In Therapy Of Limited Hand–Motor Function, Grant Rudd, Liam Daly, Vukica Jovanovic, Filip Cukov

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

We present the design and validation of a low-cost, customizable and 3D-printed anthropomorphic soft robotic hand exoskeleton for rehabilitation of hand injuries using remotely administered physical therapy regimens. The design builds upon previous work done on cable actuated exoskeleton designs by implementing the same kinematic functionality, but with the focus shifted to ease of assembly and cost effectiveness as to allow patients and physicians to manufacture and assemble the hardware necessary to implement treatment. The exoskeleton was constructed solely from 3D-printed and widely available of-the-shelf components. Control of the actuators was realized using an Arduino microcontroller, with a custom-designed shield …

The Effect Of Fibular Reposition Taping On Postural Control In Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Critically Appraised Topic, Bradley C. Jackson, Robert T. Medina, Stephanie H. Clines, Julie M. Cavallario, Mathew H. Hoch

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Clinical Scenario: History of acute ankle sprains can result in chronic ankle instability (CAI). Arthrokinematic changes resulting from CAI may restrict range of motion and contribute to postural control deficits. Mulligan or fibular reposition taping (FRT) has been suggested as a means to realign fibular positional faults and may be an effective way to improve postural control and balance in patients with CAI. Clinical Question: Is there evidence to suggest that FRT will improve postural control for patients with CAI in the affected limb compared with no taping? Summary of Key Findings: Three of the 4 included studies found no …

Treatment Of Auditory Processing In Noise In Individuals With Mild Aphasia: Pilot Study, Anastasia M. Raymer, Hilary M. Sandberg, Kathryn S. Schwartz, Ginger S. Watson, Stacie I. Ringleb

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

Purpose: Listening in noise challenges listeners with auditory comprehension impairments in aphasia. We examined the effects of Trivia Game, a computerized program with questions spoken in increasing levels of background noise with success in the game.

Methods: We piloted Trivia Game in four individuals with chronic aphasia and mild auditory comprehension impairments. Participants played Trivia Game for 12 twenty-minute sessions. In addition to the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB), we measured outcomes on Quick Speech in Noise (QSIN), a sentence repetition test, administered in auditory (AUD) and auditory+visual (AV) conditions as signal-to-noise ratio varied from 25 to 0 dB.

Results: All …

Effectiveness Of Surf Therapy For Children With Disabilities, Emily D. Clapham, Linda S. Lamont, Minsuk Shim, Shabnam Lateef, Cortney N. Armitano

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Few researchers have examined the effects of surf programs on children with disabilities. Due to previous research findings, surfing is being used, as the focus of physical activity intervention due to its numerous health and therapeutic benefits.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of an eight-week surfing intervention on various physical fitness measures in 71 children with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, global developmental delays, and cerebral palsy. The study also sought to compare the differences in overall fitness levels between the surf therapy group and an unstructured pool playgroup. Researchers …

Walking Biomechanics And Energetics Of Individuals With A Visual Impairment: A Preliminary Report, Hunter J. Bennett, Kevin A. Valenzuela, Kristina Fleenor, Steven Morrison, Justin A. Haegele

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Faculty Publications

Purpose.

Although walking gait in sighted populations is well researched, few studies have investigated persons with visual impairments (VIs). Given the lack of physical activity in people with VIs, it is possible that reduced efficiency in walking could adversely affect activity. The purposes of this preliminary study were to (1) examine the biomechanics and energetics utilized during independent and guided walking in subjects with VIs, and (2) compare gait biomechanics between people with VIs and sighted controls.

Methods.

Three-dimensional motion capture and force platforms were used during independent and guided walking at self-selected speeds. Joint angles, moments, external work, and …

A 4-Week Multimodal Intervention For Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability: Examination Of Disease-Oriented And Patient-Oriented Outcomes, Cameron J. Powden, Johanna M. Hoch, Beth E. Jamali, Matthew C. Hoch

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) experience disease- and patient-oriented impairments that contribute to both immediate and long-term health detriments. Investigators have demonstrated the ability of targeted interventions to improve these impairments. However, the combined effects of a multimodal intervention have not been evaluated for their effects on a multidimensional profile of health.

Objective To examine the effects of a 4-week rehabilitation program on disease- and patient-oriented impairments associated with CAI.

Design Controlled laboratory study.

Setting Laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants Twenty adults (5 males, 15 females; age = 24.35 ± 6.95 years, height = 169.29 ± 10.10 cm, …

Response Shift After A 4-Week Multimodal Intervention For Chronic Ankle Instability, Cameron J. Powden, Matthew C. Hoch, Beth E. Jamali, Johanna M. Hoch

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context The accurate evaluation of self-reported changes in function throughout the rehabilitation process is important for determining patient progression. Currently, how a response shift (RS) may affect the accuracy of self-reported functional assessment in a population with chronic ankle instability (CAI) is unknown.

Objective To examine the RS in individuals with CAI after a 4-week multimodal rehabilitation program.

Design Controlled laboratory study.

Setting Laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants Twenty adults (5 men, 15 women; age = 24.35 ± 6.95 years, height = 169.29 ± 10.10 cm, mass = 70.58 ± 12.90 kg) with self-reported CAI participated. Inclusion criteria were at …