RESUMEN

Robotic walking devices can be used for intensive exercises to enhance gait rehabilitation therapies. Mixed Reality (MR) techniques may improve engagement through immersive and interactive environments. This article introduces an MR-based multimodal human-robot interaction strategy designed to enable shared control with a Smart Walker. The MR system integrates virtual and physical sensors to (i) enhance safe navigation and (ii) facilitate intuitive mobility training in personalized virtual scenarios by using an interface with three elements: an arrow to indicate where to go, laser lines to indicate nearby obstacles, and an ellipse to show the activation zone. The multimodal interaction is context-based; the presence of nearby individuals and obstacles modulates the robot's behavior during navigation to simplify collision avoidance while allowing for proper social navigation. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the proposed strategy and the self-explanatory nature of the interface. The volunteers were divided into four groups, with each navigating under different conditions. Three evaluation methods were employed: task performance, self-assessment, and observational measurement. Analysis revealed that participants enjoyed the MR system and understood most of the interface elements without prior explanation. Regarding the interface, volunteers who did not receive any introductory explanation about the interface elements were mostly able to guess their purpose. Volunteers that interacted with the interface in the first session provided more correct answers. In future research, virtual elements will be integrated with the physical environment to enhance user safety during navigation, and the control strategy will be improved to consider both physical and virtual obstacles.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The decline in neuromusculoskeletal capabilities of older adults can affect motor control, independence, and locomotion. Because the elderly population is increasing worldwide, assisting independent mobility and improving rehabilitation therapies has become a priority. The combination of rehabilitation robotic devices and virtual reality (VR) tools can be used in gait training to improve clinical outcomes, motivation, and treatment adherence. Nevertheless, VR tools may be associated with cybersickness and changes in gait kinematics. This paper analyzes the gait parameters of fourteen elderly participants across three experimental tasks: free walking (FW), smart walker-assisted gait (AW), and smart walker-assisted gait combined with VR assistance (VRAW). The kinematic parameters of both lower limbs were captured by a 3D wearable motion capture system. This research aims at assessing the kinematic adaptations when using a smart walker and how the integration between this robotic device and the VR tool can influence such adaptations. Additionally, cybersickness symptoms were investigated using a questionnaire for virtual rehabilitation systems after the VRAW task. The experimental data indicate significant differences between FW and both AW and VRAW. Specifically, there was an overall reduction in sagittal motion of 16%, 25%, and 38% in the hip, knee, and ankle, respectively, for both AW and VRAW compared to FW. However, no significant differences between the AW and VRAW kinematic parameters and no adverse symptoms related to VR were identified. These results indicate that VR technology can be used in walker-assisted gait rehabilitation without compromising kinematic performance and presenting potential benefits related to motivation and treatment adherence.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of acute transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on physical and subjective responses in professional rowing during the 2,000-m time trial test. Methods: Seven rowers (age 20.86 ± 4.49 years; weight 71.66 ± 7.97 kg) participated in this randomized triple-blind trial with a crossover experimental design. The protocol consists of 2 days with different conditions (anodal and sham). The tDCS anodic stimulation conducted was 2 mA for 20 min in the left temporal cortex (2.5 cm from the F7 zone and 2.5 cm from the T3 zone), targeting the left insular cortex. In the sham moment, the participants experienced 30 s of stimulation. Afterward, they performed a standardized progressive warm-up for 15 min, following the Brazilian Rowing Confederation's assessment protocols, and rested for 3 min before the test started. All procedures were made on an indoor rowing machine, which allowed the capture of performance variables such as time performed, power in watts (W), pace (m/min), and stroke rate (strokes/min). The ratings of perceived exertion [Borg scale (CR-20)] were recorded in each 2-min during the test. Results: The results presented differences in power [Z: -2.371; p = 0.018; effect size (ES) = -0.896 (large)] and pace [Z: -2.371; p = 0.018; ES = -0.896 (large)] and time performance [Z: -1.612; p = 0.107; ES = -0.609 (large)] throughout the protocol for the anodal moment. Discussion: However, no differences for the other variables were found. According to the results, the current tDCS with the present protocol improved the physical performance at the 2,000-m time trial Test providing ergogenic aid.

RESUMEN

The search for increased performance and physical performance are linked to the use of ergogenic resources. The vertical jump is one of the measures commonly used to evaluate the performance of lower limbs in athletes. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, safe, economically viable technique that can modulate cortical excitability, which can influence the increase in the performance of athletes in general. This study aimed to investigate whether the use of tDCS on the primary motor cortex (M1) improves the performance of soccer players. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Twenty-seven players were randomized into three groups: Active tDCS group (n = 9), Sham group (n = 9), and control group (n = 9). Stimulation was applied at 2 mA for 15 min using a cephalic mount. Visual Pain Scale (VAS) and Subjective Recovery Scale (SRS) were monitored before and after tDCS. In addition, the participants performed the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) before and after the stimulation intercalated with Heart Rate (HR) and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE CR-10). No differences were found in any of the performance variables analyzed (p > 0.05) nor in the responses of HR (p > 0.05), RPE (p > 0.05), VAS (p > 0.05), and SRS (p > 0.05) between groups. The tDCS in M1 did not change the performance of the vertical jump, and there was no improvement in the subjective scales. New studies should also be developed with different stimulus intensities in different cortical areas and sports modalities.

RESUMEN

Introdução: as alterações relacionadas com a idade que ocorrem no sistema musculoesquelético, em especial, constituem maior fonte de preocupação para os indivíduos idosos, pois a diminuição da força muscular, associada à redução da flexibilidade articular, implica diretamente perda da capacidade funcional, limitando a realização das atividades de vida diária (AVDs) e comprometendo o bem-estar do indivíduo. Objetivo: avaliar os efeitos de um programa de exercícios aquáticos nas AVDs de idosos portadores de transtornos motores. Metodologia: participaram do estudo 29 idosos de ambos os sexos, com média de idade correspondente a 71,1 anos, portadores de transtornos motores que completaram um programa de exercícios aquáticos de cinco meses. A comparação dos resultados do pré-teste com o pós-teste de AVD foi feita pelo teste t de Student pareado, com nível de significância de p ≥ 0,05. Resultados: foram notadas melhorias significativas no tempo médio de execução em 44,3% para o teste “levantar-se do solo”, 25,5% para “sentar, levantar-se da cadeira e locomover-se pela casa” e 8,31% para “caminhar/correr de 800m”. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que o programa de atividades aquáticas contribuiu para a melhoria no tempo de execução dos testes aplicados, indicando um possível auxílio desse programa para a realização das AVDs de idosos portadores de transtornos motores.

Background: the skeletal muscle degeneration constitute greater source of concern for the aged individuals, since the reduction of the muscular strength, associated to reduction of the flexibility to articulate in the loss of the functional capacity, limiting the accomplishment of the activities of daily living (ADL’s) and compromising well-being of the individual. Purpose: to evaluate the effect of a program of aquatic exercises in the ADL’s in aged with movement disorders. Methods: twenty-nine individuals (mean age = 71.1 years) with movement disorders who completed a program of aquatic exercises of five months. The comparison of the results of ADL’s test before and after the program was made through paired Student’s t-test, with level of significance of p ≤ 0.05. Results: significant improvements were noticed in the middle time of execution in 44,3 % for test of “get up from the floor”, 25,5 % for it of “sitting and to stand up of the chair and to move around for the house”, and 8,31 % for it of “walk/race of 800m”. Conclusion: the results suggest that the program of aquatic activities contributed for the improvement in the time of execution of the applied tests, indicating a possible aid of this program for the accomplishment of the ADL’s of aged carriers of movement disorders.

Asunto(s)