We aimed to compare the effects of robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) in patients with FAC < 2 (low initial functional ambulation category [LFAC]) and FAC ≥ 2 (high initial functional ambulation category [HFAC]) on sensorimotor and spasticity, balance and trunk stability, the number of steps and walking distance in subacute hemiparetic stroke. Fifty-seven patients with subacute hemiparetic stroke (mean age, 63.86 ± 12.72 years; 23 women) were assigned to two groups. All patients received a 30-min Walkbot-assisted gait training session, 3 times/week, for 6 weeks. Clinical outcomes included scores obtained on the Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), trunk impairment scale (TIS), and the number of walking steps and walking distance. Analysis of covariance and analysis of variance were conducted at p < 0.05. Significant main effects of time in both groups on number of walking steps and distance (p < 0.05) were observed, but not in MAS (p> 0.05). Significant changes in FMA, BBS, and TIS scores between groups (p < 0.05) were observed. Significant main effects of time on BBS and TIS were demonstrated (p < 0.05). Our study shows that RAGT can maximize improvement in the functional score of FMA, BBS, TIS, steps, and distance during neurorehabilitation of subacute stroke patients regardless of their FAC level.

The rate of obesity in adolescents has increased due to social distancing measures and school closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues have caused adolescents to change their lifestyles and eating habits. Furthermore, the growth in inactive behavior and computer screen or watching TV time, as well as the reduction in physical activity, could similarly be related with obesity. To overcome this problem, we recently developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based gesture recognition game application called Super Kids Adventure (SUKIA, Funrehab, Daejeon, Korea), which provides inexpensive and motivational game applications. This research is designed to assess the effects of SUKIA and Nintendo Switch (NINS) on calorie consumption, VO2 max, 6-minute walking test (6MWT) as well as body mass index (BMI), and the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale (RPE) in adolescents with obesity. A convenience sample of 24 adolescents with obesity were randomized into either the NINS or SUKIA groups 5 days/week for 3 weeks. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-tests were presented with significant level at p < 0.05, and the analysis indicated that SUKIA showed superior effects on calorie consumption, VO2 max, and RPE compared to NINS. Our results provide evidence that SUKIA can more effectively improve cardiopulmonary function and calorie consumption than NINS in adolescents with obesity during COVID-19.

Core stability mediated by the abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) has been proven to be an important component of neuromuscular motor control before movement. However, no previous research has investigated which position is best for performing ADIM to achieve optimal core stability. This study aimed to define the effectiveness of performing ADIM in three different positions (prone, supine, and hook lying) on abdominal muscle thickness in nonsymptomatic participants. In total, 30 nonsymptomatic participants (mean age: [Formula: see text] years) were randomly assigned to a trial sequence using the random sequence method. The clinical outcomes were transverse abdominis (TrA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) muscle thicknesses, which were evaluated using ultrasonography (US) and muscle thickness balance ratio. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the US data to determine if the resulting TrA, IO, and EO muscle thicknesses from the three different positions were statistically significant. Bonferroni correction was used as a post hoc test if statistical significance was found. The [Formula: see text] value was set to 0.013. One-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in the thickness of the TrA, IO, and EO muscles resulting from the different positions ([Formula: see text]). Post hoc analysis using Bonferroni correction revealed that the prone position resulted in greater changes than the supine and hook-lying positions ([Formula: see text], respectively). ANOVA did not show a significant change in the TrA, IO, and EO muscle thickness balance ratios ([Formula: see text], 0.44, and 0.59, respectively). The results provide innovative clinical evidence that performing ADIM in different positions (prone, supine, and hook lying) has different effects on abdominal muscle thickness in nonsymptomatic participants.

The present study aimed to determine a multimodal brain empowerment (MBE) program to mitigate the modifiable risk factors in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and its therapeutic effects are unknown. MBE encompassing (1) tDCS, light therapy, computerized cognitive therapy (TLC) and (2) robot-assisted gait training, music therapy, and core exercise (REM) interventions were randomly assigned to 20 healthy young adults and 20 older adults with MCI. The electroencephalography (EEG) power spectrum and topographic event-related synchronization (ERS) analysis were used to assess intervention-related changes in neural activity during the MBE program. Outcome: The EEG results demonstrated that both multimodal TLC and REM decreased delta waves and increased theta, alpha, and beta waves (p < 0.001). ERS showed increased neural activation in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes during TLC and REM. Such enhanced neural activity in the region of interest supports potential clinical benefits in empowering cognitive function in both young adults and older adults with MCI.

BACKGROUND: Effective and sustainable interventions are clearly needed for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients. Despite the clinical importance of the multimodal intervention approach, only one study using a multimodal approach demonstrated promising improvements in memory, attention, and executive functions, which also correlated with functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) changes in cerebral activation in 50 MCI patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the self-perception and anticipated efficacy of each element of the BRAIN-FIT multimodal intervention program (robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT), computerized cognitive therapy, music, light, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and diaphragmatic breathing exercises) and the correlation between memory, concentration, depression, and sleep in older adults with MCI. METHODS: One hundred participants (mean±standard deviation: 8.63±78.4 years; 47 women) with MCI were recruited from a major university medical center and community dementia relief center. The survey questionnaire comprised four domains with 21 questions, including four pertaining to general demographic characteristics, eight related to exercise and activity, three related to sleep, and nine related to the BRAIN-FIT program. Chi-squared test was used to analyze the Likert scale data. The descriptive frequencies were calculated. Additionally, Spearman’s rho statistics measure the rank-order association. The statistical significance was at P <  0.05. RESULTS: A strong correlation was observed between memory and concentration (r = 0.850, P = 0.000), memory and depression (r = 0.540, P = 0.000), memory and sleep (r = 0.502, P = 0.000), concentration and depression (r = 0.602, P = 0.000), concentration and sleep (r = 0.529, P = 0.000) and sleep and depression (r = 0.497, P = 0.000). The correlation between medical services and sleep (r = 0.249, P = 0.012) was moderate. The chi-square test revealed a significant difference in memory and low-intensity duration of exercise (χ2[3,N = 100] = 11.69, P = 0.01), concentration and high-intensity exercise duration (χ2[3,N = 100] = 10.08, P = 0.02), concentration with low-intensity exercise duration (χ2[3,N = 100] = 21.11, P = 0.00), depression with high-intensity (χ2[3,N = 100] = 10.36, P = 0.02), high-intensity duration of exercise (χ2[3,N = 100] = 10.48, P = 0.02); low-intensity (χ2[3,N = 100] = 7.90, P = 0.48), and low-intensity duration of exercise (χ2[3,N = 100] = 9.69, P = 0.02). Additionally, significant differences were observed between sleep and high-intensity (χ2[3, N = 100] = 10.36, P = 0.02), low-intensity (χ2[3, N = 100] = 18.14, P = 0.00), and low-intensity duration of exercise (χ2[3, N = 100] = 18.30, P = 0.00). Among the participants 5% answered RAGT, and 20% responded that they had experienced computerized cognitive therapy. Music therapy (20 %), diaphragmatic breathing exercises (45 %), and light therapy (10 %) were used. No patient had experienced tDCS. Conversely, 11% of the participants answered RAGT for programs they wanted to experience and 21% responded to computerized cognitive therapy. 25% of music therapy, 22% of diaphragmatic breathing exercises, 5% of light therapy, and 16% of tDCS participants said they wanted to experience it. Finally, 63% of the participants wanted to participate in the BRAIN-FIT program. CONCLUSION: The present study’s results provide clinical evidence-based insights into the utilization of BRAIN-FIT in MCI to maximize cognitive score improvement of memory, concentration, depression, and sleep. Therefore, when designing the BRAIN-FIT, six intervention items were set in proportion to the preference based on the survey, to reduce participants’ feeling of repulsion. The program was configured according to exercise intensity.