Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation最新文献

{"title":"Systematic review of AI/ML applications in multi-domain robotic rehabilitation: trends, gaps, and future directions.","authors":"Giovanna Nicora, Samuele Pe, Gabriele Santangelo, Lucia Billeci, Irene Giovanna Aprile, Marco Germanotta, Riccardo Bellazzi, Enea Parimbelli, Silvana Quaglini","doi":"10.1186/s12984-025-01605-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01605-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Robotic technology is expected to transform rehabilitation settings, by providing precise, repetitive, and task-specific interventions, thereby potentially improving patients' clinical outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have been widely applied in different areas to support robotic rehabilitation, from controlling robot movements to real-time patient assessment. To provide an overview of the current landscape and the impact of AI/ML use in robotics rehabilitation, we performed a systematic review focusing on the use of AI and robotics in rehabilitation from a broad perspective, encompassing different pathologies and body districts, and considering both motor and neurocognitive rehabilitation. We searched the Scopus and IEEE Xplore databases, focusing on the studies involving human participants. After article retrieval, a tagging phase was carried out to devise a comprehensive and easily-interpretable taxonomy: its categories include the aim of the AI/ML within the rehabilitation system, the type of algorithms used, and the location of robots and sensors. The 201 selected articles span multiple domains and diverse aims, such as movement classification, trajectory prediction, and patient evaluation, demonstrating the potential of ML to revolutionize personalized therapy and improve patient engagement. ML is reported as highly effective in predicting movement intentions, assessing clinical outcomes, and detecting compensatory movements, providing insights into the future of personalized rehabilitation interventions. Our analysis also reveals pitfalls in the current use of AI/ML in this area, such as potential explainability issues and poor generalization ability when these systems are applied in real-world settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"22 1","pages":"79"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11984262/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144029237","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":"Healthcare practitioners and robotic-assisted rehabilitation: understanding needs and barriers.","authors":"Giovanna Nicora, Enea Parimbelli, Maria Cristina Mauro, Francesca Falchini, Marco Germanotta, Alessio Fasano, Giuseppina Sgandurra, Elena Beani, Emanuele Gruppioni, Francesca Bugané, Irene Giovanna Aprile, Silvana Quaglini","doi":"10.1186/s12984-025-01593-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01593-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Backgrounds: </strong>In recent years, numerous robotic devices, together with allied technologies, have been developed to support rehabilitation, both in research settings and industry. Although robotic-assisted rehabilitation and related technologies hold significant promise for supporting healthcare practitioners and enhancing patient care, their use in clinical practice remains limited. One of the motivations could be that final users' needs have not been given due consideration so far. As a matter of fact, understanding user needs and perceptions is crucial for designing these technological devices and for creating new organizational models within hospitals aiming to establish and maintain robotics-assisted rehabilitation gyms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We developed and distributed an online survey to the Italian community of healthcare practitioners working in rehabilitation, to depict the current landscape of robotic-assisted rehabilitation and to understand their opinions and demands across various domains and diseases. The questionnaire is divided into two main parts. The first section pertains to the respondents' demographics and professional experience. The second part includes questions about eight different categories of rehabilitative devices. For each category, practitioners can indicate whether they use a device in their practice, their perceptions, and any perceived barriers. Additionally, they can fill out a System Usability Scale for a specific device in that category.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We collected answers from 423 Italian rehabilitation professionals, including various clinical roles, that revealed significant insights into the use of robotics in rehabilitation. Gender distribution shows a high prevalence of female professionals. 40% of respondents reported being unfamiliar with any robotics devices. Advanced treadmills are the most known and used robots. Generally, usage and experience with devices are associated with positive attitudes towards robotics-assisted rehabilitation. Lack of financial resources and scientific evidence, as well as lack of opportunities and training, are the most reported barriers.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite a general positivity towards technology, there is a substantial lack of awareness about rehabilitation devices among professionals. The survey highlights the need for enhanced training and education on robotics in rehabilitation programs. Additionally, the limited focus on home rehabilitation is noted. The study emphasizes the importance of verifying both the effectiveness and economic sustainability of robotic devices in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"22 1","pages":"78"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11983797/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143999961","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":"Mechanical peripheral stimulation for the treatment of gait disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease: a multi-centre, double-blind, crossover randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Maria Francesca De Pandis, Carlo Tomino, Stefania Proietti, Rossella Rotondo, Maria Gaglione, Miriam Casali, Massimo Corbo, Lazzaro di Biase, Manuela Galli, Michela Goffredo, Fabrizio Stocchi","doi":"10.1186/s12984-025-01574-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-025-01574-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pharmacological, surgical and physical therapies ameliorate motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). Unfortunately, the progression of the disease induces deterioration in daily activities, especially in gait and balance. Invasive and non invasive medical devices have been developed to alleviate drug-resistant symptoms in patients with advanced PD, and automated mechanical peripheral stimulation (AMPS) has been proposed as a new rehabilitative approach.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This multicentre, double-blind, crossover randomized controlled trial included 83 participants with PD assigned to two groups: AMPS treatment (Gondola^® group, n = 40) and placebo treatment (SHAM group, n = 43). The intervention consisted of 6 sessions of stimulation over 3 weeks (AMPS or SHAM), interspersed with a wash-out period of 6 weeks, before switching groups. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of AMPS treatment on gait speed and gait-related disorders in subjects with PD.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Gondola^® device resulted in a moderate clinical impact on gait speed in people with PD since the improvement in walking speed exceeded the cut-off of 0.14 m/s in both treatments. The improvement in walking velocity was accompanied by a significantly longer stride length and a prominent increase in % stride length without altering gait cadence in the Gondola^® group compared with the SHAM group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>AMPS stimulation improved gait speed in people with PD. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03843268. Date of registration: 12 Feb 2019, retrospectively registered.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"22 1","pages":"77"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11978199/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143811170","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":"Exploring balance control mechanisms in people with multiple sclerosis in virtual reality environment: a systematic review.","authors":"Badriah Alayidi, Emad Al-Yahya, Donal McNally, Stephen P Morgan","doi":"10.1186/s12984-025-01612-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-025-01612-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Multiple sclerosis (MS) impairs balance control, affecting mobility and quality of life. Virtual reality (VR) offers a novel way to study balance mechanisms and potential rehabilitation. This review examines balance control in MS patients using VR, comparing responses in VR and non-VR settings with those of healthy controls.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This systematic review adhered to PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive searches were conducted across databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and ScienceDirect. Studies involving individuals with MS were analyzed to explore population characteristics and types of VR environments employed. Data extraction focused on participant demographics, clinical profiles, VR configurations, and reported outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The potential value of VR training in this population was explored via systematic review. 23 studies highlighted the potential of VR environments to explore balance mechanisms in MS. Diverse VR types, ranging from immersive to semi-immersive systems, were used to assess postural control, functional balance outcomes, gait, and mobility. Despite variability in methodologies and reported outcomes, changes in functional measures such as gait and balance were frequently observed. This variability underscores the need for standardized protocols to enhance the comparability and application of VR in MS rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This systematic review highlights the variability in assessed balance response outcomes in PwMS.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"22 1","pages":"75"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11974227/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143795713","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":"Precision neuroregulation combining liquid metal and magnetic stimulation.","authors":"Yuheng Wang, Junjie Lin, Kai Zhu, Yuhui Nie, Mengyuan Wang, Xiaoxu Ma, Xu Liu, Ruru Wang, Wenshu Mai, Fangxuan Chu, Ruixu Liu, Jiankang Wu, Jingna Jin, Xiaoqing Zhou, Ren Ma, Xin Wang, Tao Yin, Zhipeng Liu, Shunqi Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s12984-025-01575-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-025-01575-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Electromagnetic field-based neuroregulation technology is a crucial technique for treating central nervous system and peripheral nervous system disorders. However, the use of invasive electrodes has unavoidable problems such as the risk of inflammation due to high hardness, electrical connections and the need for batteries. On the other hand, non-invasive magnetic stimulation has limitations such as centimeter-level focal areas and shallow stimulation depth.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To enhance the precision and effectiveness of wireless magnetic stimulation, we employed a figure-8 magnetic stimulation coil (8-coil) to generate a magnetic field, combined with an injectable, highly conductive, and flexible liquid metal (LM) to produce a millimeter-scale focused electric field. A coaxial electric field measurement electrode was used to establish an agar phantom-based electric field measurement platform. The sciatic nerve of C57 mice was stimulated under acute anesthesia conditions, and electromyography (EMG) signals were collected to evaluate the enhancement of stimulation effects. Long-term safety was assessed through four weeks of implantation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Theoretical analysis and finite element simulations demonstrated that the combination of LM and the 8-coil generated a millimeter-scale enhanced vector electric field within the tissue. Measured electric field distributions closely aligned with theoretical and simulation results. In the sciatic nerve experiments on mice, 1 µL of LM under a 0.45 T magnetic field significantly increased EMG signals and leg movement amplitude by approximately 500%. Long-term implantation under magnetic stimulation revealed no adverse effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This method utilizes focused electric fields to improve the precision and effectiveness of neuro-magnetic stimulation. It holds promise as a novel approach for precise stimulation. Preliminary evidence was provided for the safety of in vivo LM implantation under external magnetic fields.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"22 1","pages":"76"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11974191/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143803635","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":"Correction: Distinct and additive effects of visual and vibratory feedback for motor rehabilitation: an EEG study in healthy subjects.","authors":"Ahmed Adham, Hugo Bessaguet, Lucas Struber, Diana Rimaud, Etienne Ojardias, Pascal Giraux","doi":"10.1186/s12984-025-01615-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-025-01615-x","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"22 1","pages":"74"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11974021/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143795712","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":"Association between lower extremity movement patterns and ACL loading in CAI patients across varied ankle sprain frequencies within a year.","authors":"Zeyi Zhang, Shengmeng Wei, Hanlin Shi, Youping Sun","doi":"10.1186/s12984-025-01552-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-025-01552-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To investigate the relationship between the biomechanical characteristics of lower extremity and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) loading during single-leg landing in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) who have different ankle sprain frequencies within a year.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The incidence of ankle sprains among 74 male participants was meticulously documented over a one-year period. The participants had an average age of 21.78 years, a height of 176.37 cm, and a weight of 72.61 kg. Subsequently, a one-year monitoring period was implemented to assess the incidence of ankle sprains among the participants. The participants were classified into five groups according to their documented frequency of ankle sprains. The categories were as follows: The 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 or more ankle sprain groups. Kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data were collected while participants performed a single-leg landing task. Lower extremity muscle force and ACL loading were modeled using OpenSim software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CAI patients with more than four ankle sprains had higher peak ACL loading during single-leg landing than those with only two or three ankle sprains (P < 0.05). Additionally, CAI patients with more than four ankle sprains exhibited a limited range of ankle dorsiflexion and biceps femoris muscle force, which was significantly correlated with ACL loading (P < 0.05). CAI patients with more than 5 ankle sprains had greater ankle inversion angle, inversion angular velocity, vertical ground reaction force (GRF), rectus femoris muscle strength, and lower gastrocnemius, soleus muscle force during single-leg landing, and these biomechanical indices were significantly correlated with ACL strain (P < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Based on these findings, it appears that experiencing four ankle sprains within a year might be a threshold for the development of knee compensation in CAI patients. This compensation could result in a significant increase in ACL loading. The study also found that CAI patients with more than four ankle sprains commonly exhibited altered motor characteristics such as limited ankle dorsiflexion angle, increased ankle inversion angle, excessive vertical GRF, and insufficient gastrocnemius and soleus muscle force during the landing phase. These characteristics might be responsible for the observed increase in ACL loading. In the future, clinical practice and scientific research may benefit from targeted interventions to prevent ACL injuries in CAI patients with different sprain histories, in accordance with the findings of this study.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"22 1","pages":"72"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11969755/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143788386","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":"Abnormal activity in the brainstem affects gait in a neuromusculoskeletal model.","authors":"Daisuke Ichimura, Makoto Sawada, Kenji Wada, Ritsuko Hanajima","doi":"10.1186/s12984-025-01596-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-025-01596-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The ability to start and stop locomotion in response to different situations is an essential survival strategy in mammals. Mammalian locomotion is controlled by central pattern generators in the spinal cord, which are modulated by higher centers, particularly by the stimulation of the midbrain locomotor region. The midbrain locomotor region consists of the pedunculopontine nucleus and cuneiform nucleus, each having different roles in animals. Optogenetic activation of the cuneiform nucleus increases locomotion activities, whereas that of pedunculopontine nucleus decreases them. In neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, patients exhibit disturbed locomotion controls, including freezing of gait, which is defined as \"a brief, episodic absence or marked reduction in the forward progression of the feet despite the intention to walk.\" However, the details and pathophysiological mechanisms of freezing of gait remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying freezing of gait using a two-dimensional neuromusculoskeletal model fixed on the sagittal plane. This model consisted of a body with seven links and 18 muscles as well as a neural system including the brainstem and spinal cord. We developed a normal condition model and then derived a model of abnormal brainstem activity by modifying the parameters of the pedunculopontine nucleus and cuneiform nucleus during the initial 3 s of walking.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The normal models walked successfully following internal parameter optimization using standard genetic algorithms. In an abnormal model, 156 freezing of gait events were detected among 40,000 parameter sets using a freezing of gait-identifying algorithm. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified four clusters of parameters, based on the intensities of the pedunculopontine nucleus and cuneiform nucleus activity, differentiated in physiological movement types during freezing of gait events that were similar to the clinical classification types of freezing of gait.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results indicate that pedunculopontine nucleus and cuneiform nucleus activities could be linked with freezing of gait and that different modifications of those activities could generate observed freezing of gait subtypes. Our models can provide insights relevant for understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of freezing of gait and are expected to assist in the classification of freezing of gait subtypes.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"22 1","pages":"73"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11969973/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143788299","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":"Can motion capture improve task-based fMRI studies of motor function post-stroke? A systematic review.","authors":"Zakaria Belkacemi, Liesjet E H van Dokkum, Andon Tchechmedjiev, Matthieu Lepetit-Coiffe, Denis Mottet, Emmanuelle Le Bars","doi":"10.1186/s12984-025-01611-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-025-01611-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Variability in motor recovery after stroke represents a major challenge in its understanding and management. While functional MRI has been used to unravel interactions between stroke motor function and clinical outcome, fMRI alone cannot clarify any relation between brain activation and movement characteristics.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>We aimed to identify fMRI and kinematic coupling approaches and to evaluate their potential contribution to the understanding of motor function post-stroke.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A systematic literature review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines on studies using fMRI and kinematics in post-stroke individuals. We assessed the internal, external, statistical, and technological validity of each study. Data extraction included study design and analysis procedures used to couple brain activity with movement characteristics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 404 studies found, 23 were included in the final review. The overall study quality was moderate (0.6/1). Thirteen studies used kinematic information either parallel to the fMRI results, or as a real-time input to external devices, for instance to provide feedback to the patient. Ten studies performed a statistical analysis between movement and brain activity by either using kinematics as variables during group or individual level regression or correlation. This permitted establishing links between movement characteristics and brain activity, unraveling cortico-kinematic relationships. For instance, increased activity in the ipsilesional Premotor Cortex was related to less smooth movements, whereas trunk compensation was expressed by increased activity in the contralesional Primary Motor Cortex.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our review suggests that the coupling of fMRI and kinematics may provide valuable insight into cortico-kinematic relationships. The optimization and standardization of both data measurement and treatment procedures may help the field to move forward and to fully use the potential of multimodal cortico-kinematic integration to unravel the complexity of post-stroke motor function and recovery.</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"22 1","pages":"70"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11966795/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143780140","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":"Wearable sensors for measuring spontaneous upper limb use in children with unilateral cerebral palsy and typical development.","authors":"Elena Beani, Mattia Franchi de 'Cavalieri, Silvia Filogna, Veronica Barzacchi, Matteo Cianchetti, Martina Maselli, Giada Martini, Valentina Menici, Giuseppe Prencipe, Elisa Sicola, Giovanni Cioni, Giuseppina Sgandurra","doi":"10.1186/s12984-025-01601-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12984-025-01601-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Unilateral Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a clinical condition which mainly involves the movement and muscle tone of one side of the body, often impacting the general manual function. While there are some clinical assessment tools aimed to quantify the Upper Limbs (UpLs) use and the manual abilities, acquiring information regarding the motor abilities outside the clinical environment, such as the UpLs use and their asymmetry during daily life, could provide a more complete evaluation of the child and open a new clinical reasoning. For this purpose, wearable sensors are one of the newest approaches for continuously monitoring UpLs functions without being invasive. The aim of this study was to use wearable sensors to compare spontaneous/daily UpLs usage and asymmetry with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) test, as well as comparing the daily UpLs usage behavior of children with UCP with respect to Typical Developing (TD) peers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eighty children (54 with UCP and 26 TD) wore an Actigraph sensor on each wrist during the AHA test and then at least for the following week of daily life. The amount of use of each hand and the asymmetry were analyzed during both the AHA and the following week of daily life using linear regression analysis and ANOVA models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant relationships were found between the asymmetry detected during the week and both the AHA scores and the asymmetry detected during the test. UCP and TD children week asymmetry distributions were significantly different; moreover, some differences were found when grouping them by MACS levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This paper proposes a new and easy technological methodology for monitoring UpLs behavior in daily life. Through wearable sensor data analysis, we demonstrate a linear correlation between asymmetry measured during smi-structured assessments and daily life. Additionally, we provide evidence of distinct patterns of UpLs usage between typically developing children and children with UCP in daily life.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>Clinical Trials.gov (NCT03054441).</p>","PeriodicalId":16384,"journal":{"name":"Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation","volume":"22 1","pages":"71"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11967128/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143780148","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}