Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation最新文献

{"title":"Exploring brain activity differences in functional constipation using fNIRS: a case-control study.","authors":"Weishuyi Ruan, Fangchao Wu, Zhiping Liao, Zhaoqing Li, Zhihui Huang, Da Wang, Gulinazi Rouzi, Yan Hao, Jinna Hu, Jingyi Wang, Ying Zhang, Jianhua Li","doi":"10.1186/s12984-026-02060-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-026-02060-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Functional constipation (FCon) involves central nervous system dysregulation, particularly in brain regions responsible for visceral sensation, emotional processing, and autonomic control. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), we examined brain activity alterations in FCon patients to elucidate brain-gut interactions.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Patients with constipation meeting Rome IV criteria were recruited from Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, while healthy controls were enrolled from the local community. The cortical regions of interest (ROIs) included the prefrontal cortex (PFC), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), broca's area, primary motor cortex (M1), supplementary motor area (SMA)/premotor cortex (PMC), and primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Participants were monitored during resting state and three defecation-related tasks: imagined defecation, simulated defecation and anal sphincter contraction. Functional connectivity (FC) strength and regional brain activation (HbO concentration changes) were compared between groups and across tasks.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>64 patients and 64 healthy controls (50% females each) were included. There was no significant difference in average FC between groups (P = 0.757). In both groups, simulated defecation and anal sphincter contraction activated most ROIs more strongly than imagined defecation (P < 0.05). In healthy controls, anal sphincter contraction elicited significantly lower HbO than simulated defecation in the left Broca's area (P < 0.05); no significant differences between these two tasks were found in the FCon group. No significant between-group differences in HbO were found during any task. During imagined defecation, FCon patients showed a trend toward lower HbO across most ROIs, most notably in the right M1, with comparable levels in the right PFC. During simulated defecation, a similar trend of lower HbO in sensorimotor ROIs was observed alongside numerically higher HbO in the right PFC/DLPFC. During anal sphincter contraction, they showed numerically higher HbO across all ROIs. Progression curves further revealed a linear increasing pattern in FCon patients across tasks, contrasting with task-appropriate modulation in healthy controls.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This first fNIRS study reveals task-specific cortical dysregulation in FCon. Although between-group differences were not statistically significant, these trends and dynamic patterns identify sensorimotor and prefrontal cortical targets for future neuromodulation therapies. Trial registration ChiCTR2500104882.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13563780/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148338806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of virtual reality in the upper extremities function in children with Cerebral Palsy. A pilot randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Apiphan Iamchaimongkol, Siriluck Sangkrai, Pimtida Alberts, Amprai Surit, Warakorn Charoensuk, Suchada Noopim, Thunyanoot Prasertsakul, Tulyapruek Tawonsawatruk, Sivaporn Vongpipatana","doi":"10.1186/s12984-026-02043-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-026-02043-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the effect of the Virtual Reality (VR) in upper extremities function in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP).</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Pilot randomization study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 42 children with CP, aged 10 to15 years, were enrolled and randomly allocated into either an intervention group (n = 21) or a control group (n = 21) using a computer-generated block randomization sequence (block size of 4). There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. The intervention group received a VR training program, whereas the control group underwent conventional occupational therapy. Both interventions were administered in 45-minute sessions, three days per week, over five weeks. Pre- and post-intervention outcome measures included major upper extremity range of motion (ROM), the Box and Block Test (BBT), and the ABILHAND-Kids assessment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Post-intervention, both the VR and control groups demonstrated improvements across all measured outcomes, including upper-extremity ROM, BBT, and ABILHAND-Kids scores. Although no statistically significant between-group differences were observed in the overall cohort, a subgroup analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement in ABILHAND-Kids scores in favor of the VR intervention among children aged 10 to 12 years.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These preliminary findings indicate that the VR intervention does not result in statistically significant improvements in upper-extremity ROM and motor function compared with conventional therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13576196/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148330547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Decoding motor imagery related to major mimetic muscles from electroencephalography.","authors":"Haoran Sun, Mengkun Ding, Xiaofeng Shan, Shang Xie, Dongming Chang, Nianming Zuo, Zhigang Cai","doi":"10.1186/s12984-026-02065-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-026-02065-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Functional and aesthetic deficits in individuals with facial nerve paralysis (FNP) significantly impair their quality of life. By decoding motor intentions and controlling rehabilitation devices, motor imagery (MI)-based brain-computer interfaces can improve outcomes in people with peripheral paralysis. However, the electroencephalography (EEG) features underlying different facial MIs and their decodability remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of decoding facial MIs related to major mimetic muscles and to explore suitable decoding strategies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Following a preliminary comparison between block and event-related designs, 20 healthy participants performed four types of facial MIs (eyebrow raising, eye closing, lip puckering and grinning) in two modalities: kinesthetic and visual, from which event-related desynchronization/synchronization (ERD/S) features were extracted using time-frequency analysis. A deep learning model was then developed for both within-subject and cross-subject decoding and benchmarked against three mainstream EEG decoding models (EEGNet, DeepConvNet, and ShallowConvNet). Finally, the proposed decoding strategy was further evaluated on EEG data from six individuals with FNP.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Facial MIs induced prominent low-frequency ERD in the left prefrontal and right central-temporal regions, co-occurring with shorter and weaker ERS in higher frequencies. Regarding MI decoding, the model outperformed the baselines and achieved the highest average accuracy of 85.17% in within-subject classification of kinesthetic MI, with EEG features from the left frontal and parietal regions contributing more to decoding. Using this strategy, evaluation on patients yielded an average accuracy of 83.81% with halved training data, remaining at 76.46% after further channel reduction.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrated that major mimetic muscle-related MIs can be accurately recognized from EEG using deep learning, with within-subject classification of kinesthetic MI representing the most effective decoding strategy among the evaluated conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13560146/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148330485","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tai Ji for stroke rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial on improving upper limb function and cortico-muscular coupling in stroke patients.","authors":"Qiurong Xie, Yurong Li, Nan Zheng, Qi Zhang, Xiaoling Wang, Jia Luo, Yanxin Zhang, Jing Tao, Jia Huang","doi":"10.1186/s12984-026-02054-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-026-02054-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study investigates the impact of integrating Tai Ji into rehabilitation on sensorimotor cortex and upper limb muscle activation in stroke patients, addressing the current lack of research on its underlying mechanisms, despite its well-documented benefits for upper limb function.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eighty-four stroke patients were randomized into a Tai Ji group (n = 42) and a control group (n = 42). Additionally, a healthy reference group (n=[30]) was recruited to establish normative baseline synergy patterns. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation, while the Tai Ji group practiced 8-Form Tai Ji for 60 min, five times a week, over four weeks. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Neural and muscular activities were evaluated by analyzing the coherence and directional connectivity of synchronous electroencephalography and surface electromyography (EEG-sEMG) using Partial Transfer Entropy (PTE), which quantifies information flow between the sensorimotor cortex and muscles.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After 4 weeks, the Tai Ji group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in upper-limb motor function (FMA-UE total score and subscales) and activities of daily living (MBI) than the control group (P < 0.05). Neurophysiological analysis revealed that Tai Ji training enhanced descending functional connectivity from the contralateral motor cortex to key upper limb muscles and facilitated ascending connectivity from muscles to the sensory cortex (P < 0.05), changes associated with a shift toward normalization of pathological muscle synergy patterns. Furthermore, exploratory analyses indicated trend-level associations between improvements in specific motor functions (e.g., hand, wrist) and the modulation of these specific pathways.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Supplementing standard rehabilitation with a 4-week Tai Ji program was associated with significant improvement upper-limb limb motor function and activities of daily living in stroke patients. Mechanistically, these benefits were linked to a dual-process neural adaptation: strengthening of the descending corticomotor drive concurrent with facilitation of ascending sensory feedback and normalization of pathological muscle synergies. This bidirectional optimization of cortico-muscular connectivity may constitute a neurophysiological correlate of the observed functional improvements.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13560274/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148330539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation paired with task-specific training for improving walking and balance in chronic stroke: a double-blind, randomised controlled feasibility trial.","authors":"Ashraf N H Gerges, Jeric Uy, Lewis Ingram, Susan Hillier, Joanne Bouckley, Ellana Welsby, Ines Serrada, Taya Hamilton, Saran Chamberlain, Brenton Hordacre","doi":"10.1186/s12984-026-01952-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-026-01952-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) paired with task-specific training has shown promise for improving upper-limb motor recovery after stroke but its effects on gait and balance remain unclear. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of taVNS paired with task-specific training and explored preliminary effects on walking and balance outcomes in adults with chronic stroke.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A double-blinded, sham-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate active versus sham taVNS paired with task-specific training (15 one-hour sessions over six weeks). Feasibility metrics included recruitment, participant experience, adverse events (AEs), and blinding effectiveness. Clinical outcomes (walking speed, endurance, gait parameters, and balance) were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and ≥ 30 days post-intervention, supplemented by qualitative interviews.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-five adults with chronic stroke completed this study (18 males, mean age 64.99 ± 13.45 years; 41.80 ± 38.00 months post-stroke, 14 received active taVNS). Active taVNS was considered feasible and safe, with a 93% consent rate; 96% of participants found the intervention useful/helpful, and 100% found the stimulation acceptable. There were no serious AEs, with 16% of participants reporting mild side effects. Both groups improved across clinical outcomes. No statistically significant between-group differences were observed. Between-group effect sizes were small for gait, balance, disability, and self-efficacy, and small-to-moderate for walking endurance; however, confidence intervals crossed zero for all outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Active taVNS paired with task-specific training was feasible and well tolerated in chronic stroke. No definitive between-group effects were detected. Observed effect sizes should inform the design and sample size calculations of future adequately powered trials using optimised taVNS protocols.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13455390/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148330525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of a 12-week Tai Chi program on postural stability and gait biomechanics in prefrail older adults: a randomized controlled study.","authors":"Jiaxin Gao, Xueling Tu, Jianhao Chen, Sheng Huang, Zongxing Lu, Xiaofei Jia, Jingpeng Chang, Cai Jiang, Zhonghua Lin","doi":"10.1186/s12984-026-02057-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-026-02057-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Prefrailty is a reversible transitional stage of frailty and is associated with impaired postural stability and increased fall risk. Tai Chi may improve balance-related performance in older adults, but its effects on postural stability and gait biomechanics in prefrail populations remain insufficiently characterized.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, 68 prefrail older adults defined by the Fried Frailty Phenotype were allocated to a Tai Chi plus health education group or a health education control group. Sixty-four participants completed the study (mean age 71.1 years; 31 women; 33 men). The intervention group performed 24-form Tai Chi three times weekly for 12 weeks, while both groups received health education. Functional postural stability was assessed using the Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUGT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Static balance was evaluated using center-of-pressure (COP) measures, and gait biomechanics were assessed using three-dimensional gait analysis. Continuous outcomes were analyzed using baseline-adjusted ANCOVA, with complementary group × time interaction analyses. Exploratory change-score correlations were conducted within the intervention group, with full-sample sensitivity analyses adjusted for group assignment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After 12 weeks, the intervention group showed better postural stability than controls, including shorter TUGT time (P < 0.001), higher BBS (FDR q < 0.001) and SPPB scores (FDR q = 0.002), lower COP path length and sway velocity under eyes-open conditions (both FDR q = 0.003), and lower COP path length, sway ellipse area, and sway velocity under eyes-closed conditions (FDR q = 0.014-0.018). Gait analysis showed significant improvements in gait speed (FDR q = 0.033), gait profile score (GPS; FDR q < 0.001), gait deviation index (GDI; FDR q < 0.001), and hip rotation deviation (FDR q = 0.007), whereas other joint-specific kinematic variables were only nominally significant. Group × time analyses supported changes in TUGT, BBS, SPPB, gait speed, GPS, and GDI. Exploratory correlation analyses showed that changes in postural stability were mainly associated with changes in hip kinematics, step length, and selected ankle-related features; however, these associations did not remain significant after FDR correction.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A 12-week Tai Chi program improved functional performance and static postural control in prefrail older adults and was associated with favorable changes in gait speed and global gait-quality indices. Correlation findings should be interpreted as preliminary mechanistic clues. Larger studies with longer follow-up are needed. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2300073905, Registered on [2023-07-25]. https://www.chictr.org.cn .</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13584463/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148308516","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A multidimensional evaluation of the Atalante exoskeleton as an assistive locomotion device for individuals with complete paraplegia: a prospective longitudinal study in a controlled environment.","authors":"Eric Pantera, Nicolas Reneaud, Claude Bouscavert, Didier Pradon","doi":"10.1186/s12984-026-01966-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-026-01966-z","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Robotic exoskeletons are increasingly used in neurorehabilitation, yet evidence remains limited regarding their role as assistive locomotion devices within a compensatory rehabilitation framework, particularly in individuals with complete spinal cord injury. Multidimensional evaluations integrating safety, usability, and patient-reported experience are still scarce.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;To evaluate the Atalante self-balancing exoskeleton as an assistive locomotion device in individuals with complete paraplegia through a multidimensional analysis conducted in a controlled clinical environment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;This prospective, monocentric, longitudinal study included adults with chronic complete thoracic spinal cord injury (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade A, neurological level T6-T12). Participants underwent an intensive 6-week program comprising 60 supervised sessions of exoskeleton-assisted training including 40 m walking per session. Outcomes were assessed across three complementary dimensions: (1) safety (medical adverse events, safety-related technical incidents, near-falls); (2) techno-functional usability (donning/doffing performance, assistance levels, cumulative walking exposure); and (3) acceptability (patient-reported comfort and perceived safety using session-based visual analogue scales). Physiological responses were evaluated using exoskeleton-assisted 6-minute walk tests.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;Thirteen participants were enrolled; eleven completed the full protocol. One serious adverse event occurred, a tibial plateau fracture in a participant with severe osteoporosis (hip T-score - 3.8), leading to study withdrawal. No other serious medical adverse events were observed. Across 651 sessions, four near-fall events were recorded (0.61% of sessions and 0.16% per 10 m walked). Minor adverse events were transient, and no symptomatic orthostatic hypotension was reported. Oxygen consumption, walking speed, and cost of transport (p &gt; 0.05) remained stable between mid- and end-program assessments, while perceived exertion decreased significantly (p = 0.003). Donning time decreased from 790 [475-966] s during the first session to 223 [159-259] s during the final sessions, and doffing time from 242 [152-275] s to 55 [50-69] s, with familiarization plateau points observed after 14 and 18 sessions, respectively. Harness comfort improved over time, whereas perceived safety remained globally stable, except for transient decreases following fall-prone gait events or technical disengagements.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;Under supervised clinical conditions, the Atalante exoskeleton demonstrated acceptable safety and feasibility as an assistive locomotion device for individuals with complete paraplegia, enabling hands-free upright indoor walking with low metabolic demand. Severe osteoporosis emerged as a critical risk factor, supporting systematic ","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13551954/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148317564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intention-driven functional electrical stimulation therapy using a wearable high-density electrode sleeve in chronic stroke: a case report.","authors":"Ian W Baumgart, Michael J Darrow, Nicholas J Tacca, Collin F Dunlap, Samuel C Colachis, Ashwini Kamath, Bryan R Schlink, Philip T Putnam, Joshua Branch, David A Friedenberg, Lauren R Wengerd, Eric C Meyers","doi":"10.1186/s12984-026-02051-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-026-02051-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been recognized for decades as a method to retrain the motor system after stroke. Benefits of FES rehabilitation can be enhanced by (1) combining FES with task-oriented therapy (i.e. FES therapy (FEST)), (2) timing FES with the user's volitional motor intention and (3) incorporating multiple trained tasks, as opposed to high repetitions of single tasks. Using a novel wearable FES technology, we tested therapy incorporating these elements in two chronic stroke survivors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Our group has developed the NeuroLife Sleeve, a wearable forearm sleeve that contains a high-density grid of embedded FES electrodes, that may be controlled by an operator or by the wearer's own electromyographic (EMG) signals. The system enables rapid software-based switching between stimulation configurations for different functional movements without repeated electrode repositioning. During eight weeks of FEST, intention-driven FES enabling multiple movements was delivered via operator control twice weekly and EMG control once weekly.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At the end of the therapy period, subjects A and B had both improved their scores: Box and Blocks Test (A: +5, B: +7), the Action Research Arm Test (A: +7, B: +12), the Fugl Meyer Upper Extremity section (A: +11, B: +9), and the 9-Hole Peg Test (A: 158 s, B: 54 s, both previously unable). Clinical improvements persisted during the 10-week follow-up period, during which FES exposure was reduced by more than 80%.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This case report provides a proof-of-concept demonstration of the NeuroLife Sleeve to support FEST and preliminary evidence that intention-driven FEST may support motor recovery in chronic stroke survivors. The NeuroLife Sleeve is a novel device designed to deliver this therapy through the easily donned wearable sleeve interface, support for both operator-triggered and EMG-controlled FES paradigms, and efficient transitions between tasks with programmable FES placement and parameters. Because both control modes were used throughout the intervention, the relative therapeutic contribution of each cannot be distinguished.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>We retrospectively registered the trial with ClinicalTrials.gov (16/01/2024, NCT06207240).</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13551793/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148317603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quantitative assessment of the 30-second sit-to-stand test using computer vision technology for physical therapists.","authors":"Chin-Ying Hsu, Ying-Po Hsu, Tien-Lung Sun, Chia-Hsuan Lee","doi":"10.1186/s12984-026-01970-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-026-01970-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Falls are a leading cause of disability and mortality in older adults. The 30-second sit-to-stand test (30STS) traditionally relies on repetition counts, limiting its ability to capture subtle postural control deficits. We applied computer vision and machine learning to extend this test into a multidimensional assessment framework for functional status discrimination.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty-two community-dwelling older adults (18 normal, 14 weak) performed two 30STS tests at baseline (June-July 2022) and follow-up (January-February 2023). Smartphone videos were processed using Keypoint R-CNN to extract 17 joint coordinates. Center of mass (CoM), kinematic parameters, and multiscale sample entropy (MSE) were derived. Paired t-tests assessed within-group changes; logistic regression, random forests, and support vector machines (SVM) evaluated classification using repeated stratified five-fold cross-validation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CoM extremal and shape metrics (maximum, minimum, skewness, kurtosis) were more sensitive than mean values, revealing transient instability and compensatory strategies in weak participants (p < 0.05). Kinematic analysis showed consistent control in normal participants, whereas weak participants adopted conservative amplitude-reducing strategies (e.g., acc-y CV, p = 0.022). MSE values suggested increased horizontal temporal complexity in the normal group, whereas reduced complexity was observed in the weak group, which may reflect altered movement coordination patterns. Random forests achieved the highest cross-validated performance within this cohort (AUC = 0.993); logistic regression was consistently strong (AUC ≈ 0.93, CA ≈ 0.90); SVM improved to high accuracy (AUC = 0.961, CA = 0.886).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Smartphone-based pose estimation expanded the 30STS from a repetition count to a multidimensional assessment, providing additional quantitative information beyond repetition count. This approach shows promise for longitudinal monitoring, community screening, and remote care, with machine learning models demonstrating preliminary feasibility within this cohort.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13326458/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148317645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of adding R-BoT + plus verticalization-based robotic locomotor training to conventional rehabilitation in patients with subacute stroke: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Kyung Han Kim, Yoo Kyeong Han, Jung Eun Son, Arum Jeon, Hyo Been Lee, Miae Lee, Seong Kyu Noh, Hak Byung Kim, Eo Jin Park, Seung Ah Lee, Sung Joon Chung, Dong Hwan Kim, Seung Don Yoo","doi":"10.1186/s12984-026-02053-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-026-02053-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Early recovery of gait and trunk control during the subacute phase after stroke is crucial for long-term functional outcomes. Robotic-assisted rehabilitation enabling upright positioning, weight-bearing, and repetitive stepping-like movements has emerged as a promising adjunct to conventional therapy. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether adding R-BoT + plus verticalization-based robotic locomotor training to conventional inpatient rehabilitation leads to greater improvement in gait independence than conventional rehabilitation alone. The secondary aims were to assess the effects of the intervention on trunk control, cognitive function, activities of daily living (ADL), balance, and lower-extremity motor function.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in an inpatient rehabilitation setting and enrolled patients with subacute stroke and severe gait impairment. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either R-BoT + plus verticalization robotic locomotor training combined with conventional rehabilitation or conventional rehabilitation alone. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation five times per week for 4 weeks. The experimental group also received R-BoT + plus verticalization-based robotic locomotor training with the same frequency and duration (20 sessions; 30 min per session). Outcomes were assessed at baseline (preintervention) and postintervention, with a 3-month follow-up for gait independence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients who received R-BoT + plus training demonstrated significantly greater improvement in the Functional Ambulation Category than the control group. Mixed-effects modeling showed sustained benefits favoring the experimental group at postintervention and at 3-month follow-up. Although the overall change in Trunk Control Test scores did not differ significantly between groups, an exploratory baseline-adjusted robust regression suggested that patients with lower baseline trunk control experienced significantly greater post-intervention improvement in the experimental group. Other functional outcomes, including cognition, balance, ADL, and lower-extremity motor function, improved in both groups without significant between-group differences.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>R-BoT + plus verticalization-based robotic locomotor training provides additional benefits for gait independence and trunk control when added to conventional rehabilitation in patients with subacute stroke, particularly among those with greater initial impairment.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>This study was prospectively registered at the Clinical Research Information Service (CRiS), Republic of Korea (registration number: KCT0010040).</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13563739/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148308265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}