Purpose Hand impairment post-stroke is a very common and important rehabilitation goal for functional independence. Advanced therapy options such as an app. therapy provides repetitive training, which may be beneficial for improving fine motor function. This study aims to evaluate the effect of app-based therapy compared to conventional hand therapy in improving dexterity in individuals with stroke. Methodology In total, 39 individuals within the first year of stroke with Brunnstrom stage of hand recovery IV to VI were randomly divided into three groups. All three groups received 60 min of therapy for 21 sessions over a period of 30 days. Group A received conventional hand therapy; Group B received app. therapy, while Group C received conventional therapy along with the app. therapy. All participants were assessed on the Nine-Hole Peg Test and Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test at the beginning and after completion of 21 sessions of intervention. Kruskal–Wallis (H) test and Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analysis. Results All three groups improved on hand function post-treatment. However, Group C demonstrated significant improvement with 16%–58% increase in hand function performance on outcome measures (p < 0.05). Findings Findings of the present study demonstrate improvement in dexterity with the app. therapy and combination therapy, in comparison to conventional therapy alone in individuals with stroke. Originality This experimental study focuses the first time on a structured protocol using an enabling technology adjunct to conventional physical therapy to improve hand function in individuals with stroke, which opens up the further scope in Neurorehabilitation. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2020-0144/

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine intra and inter-session repeatability and reliability of OHM 3000 for reporting static and dynamic pressures in healthy Indian population. Methods: Using OHM 3000, twenty-eight healthy adults who did not present any gait abnormalities or musculoskeletal conditions were assessed one week apart for static and dynamic pressure. Bipedal stance test was used for assessing static variables- maximum pressure, average pressure, contact area, and weight distribution; whereas dynamic test was used for assessing dynamic variables- maximum pressure, average pressure, and contact area. Each participant performed three trials under supervision of each investigator. Results: Reliability was devised using ICC values and coefficient of variance for static and dynamic variables. ICC values for static and dynamic variables were reported to range between 0.88 to 0.94 and 0.61 to 0.98 respectively. Covariance values were reported to be lower than 13% in static and dynamic pressures recorded by both investigators. Conclusion: The study reports that OHM 3000 is a reliable device for assessing static and dynamic pressure in healthy adults demonstrating moderate to good reliability. KEYWORDS: Gait, Foot, Plantar Pressure.

BACKGROUND Emergency surgery is defined as non-elective surgery that is performed with the aim to prevent morbidity or fatal health consequences of a surgically treatable disease. 1,2 Aims and Objectives- To study and analyse the abdominal surgical emergencies in geriatric patients.  To assess the types of abdominal surgical emergencies that occur in geriatric age group of 60 and above.  To assess the type of surgical intervention done.  To study the complications faced in this group undergoing surgical intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this observational study, 113 patients were admitted from Dec. 2015 to May 2017 undergoing surgical intervention within 12 hours. Already diagnosed, conserved and post-operative cases referred to our hospitals were excluded. RESULTS 82% of the patients were from age group 60-70 years, where 64 were male and 36 were female patients in the study. There is a significant association between sex and comorbidities (p= 0.001), where 19% of males and 12% of females have hypertension followed by 18% of males and 9% of females having diabetes mellitus, suggesting male patients having more chances of having comorbidities. The proportion of patients having hypertension and diabetes is significantly higher than other comorbidities, i.e. 31% cases suffered from hypertension followed by 27% cases suffering from diabetes mellitus. By applying Z-test of difference between two proportions, the proportion of comorbidities of hypertension and diabetes is significantly higher than other comorbidities (p < 0.01), i.e. 31% cases suffered from hypertension followed by 27% cases suffering from diabetes mellitus. The most common symptom in the study population was Pain (71%). Others were Vomiting (15%), Constipation (7%), Melena (2%) and Fever (5%). By applying Z-test of difference between two proportions, the proportion of symptom of pain and vomiting is significantly higher, i.e. 71% cases and 15% cases respectively (p < 0.01). Many (69%) of the cases had sign of tenderness followed by 19% of the patients having absent peristalsis. By applying Z-test of difference between two proportions, the proportion of tenderness is significantly higher (p < 0.01). X-ray abdomen erect was done in 52% of the cases. In majority (52%) cases, ultrasonography of abdomen and pelvis was done. Closure of perforation (26%) was the most common procedure done followed by Adhesiolysis (17%) and Resection and Anastomosis (10%). In rest of the patients, other procedures were performed. Open Appendicectomy (18%), Liver Suturing, Open Cholecystectomy (10%) and Splenectomy (9%). By applying Z-test of difference between two proportions, the proportion of procedure closure of perforation is significantly higher (p < 0.01). In this study, maximum (28%) surgical emergencies were of intestinal perforation followed by intestinal obstruction (25%) and appendicitis (18%). Others were Spleen Injury (9%), Liver Injury (10%) and Cholelithiasis with Cholecystitis (10%). By applying Z-test of difference between two proportions, the propo...

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine differences in plantar pressure distribution and centre of pressure (COP) characteristics in normal and at feet individuals. Methods: Forty individuals (20 normal and 20 at feet) were included in this study for pressure analysis using OHM 3000 (Mumbai, India) pressure system. Dynamic pressure parameters were recorded for four regions- toes, forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot while walking. Dynamic parameters included maximum pressure, arch index, centre of pressure excursion index, and pressure time integral (PTI). The COP excursion for both the groups were macroscopically evaluated. The independent t-test was used for determining the pressure difference between both the groups. Results:The at feet group reported maximum pressure on the midfoot region relative to the normal foot group. The PTI was recorded higher over the midfoot and the toe region in the at feet group than those of the normal foot group. The COP excursion in dynamic state was observed to be traversing straight from the heel to the hallux in at feet group in contrary to the normal foot group which demonstrated a medial shift at the forefoot region. Conclusion: The study reports that the individuals with at feet exert increased plantar pressure on the midfoot region compared to that of the normal foot individuals. The COP excursion in at feet individuals during walking is straight compared to that in the normal foot individuals, which we believe is due to reduced medial longitudinal arch and hyper pronation at the foot.

Liposarcoma is categorised as a second most common soft tissue sarcoma with a peak incidence between the fourth and sixth decade of life with a slight preponderance towards male gender. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is a rare sarcoma accounting for only 2% of all soft tissue sarcomas. It is defined as the morphological progression of well-differentiated liposarcoma to a non-adipocytic sarcoma. Here, we present a case of primary dedifferentiated liposarcoma arising in the foot of an 80-year-old female who had presented with swelling over dorsum of foot since 1 year. Patient underwent wide surgical excision for the same followed by postoperative radiotherapy treatment. Liposarcoma is most common in the lower extremities; however, its presentation is rare over foot.