Effects of Game-Based Task-Oriented Circuit Training on Physical Functions of Stroke Survivors: A Pilot Study in A State Hospital in Kelantan, Malaysia

Despite being increasingly popular and commonly used in rehabilitation, both game-based exercise training and task-oriented circuit training have never been combined to provide a new training experience for stroke survivors undergoing rehabilitation. Past studies have assessed the effectiveness of these exercise approaches separately and reported positive outcomes. Combining the two training programs may create a more enriched environment and yield favorable outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of game-based task-oriented circuit training on the physical functions of stroke survivors. This research was a pretest-posttest experimental pilot trial involving 30 participants at post-acute and chronic stage post-stroke (mean age and standard deviation = 58.9 ± 6.6 years; mean Montreal Cognitive Assessment scoring = 23.4 ± 7.1) conducted at a state hospital in Kelantan, Malaysia between August 2019 to February 2020. All participants received game-based task-oriented circuit training using a “Checkercise Board” for 45 minutes, twice per week for 8 weeks. The outcome of the training was measured with regard to lower limb strength, functional stability and aerobic capacity, with the use of the 30-second chair rise test, Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) and 6-minute walk test, respectively. Analysis was done by the ‘intention-to-treat’ approach, using paired samples t-test to determine the differences between pre and post-training outcomes scores. All data was analyzed using the Statistics Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 23.0. The significance level was set at p < 0.05 and Cohen’s (d) was used to determine the effect size. Post-training, participants’ mean 30-second chair rise test, DGI and 6-minute walk test scores increased by 9%, 7% and 23% respectively compared to pre-treatment (p < 0.05), with medium effect size of 0.5 to 0.6. Game-based task-oriented circuit training effectively improves lower limb strength, functional stability and aerobic capacity of stroke survivors, and may be used as a therapy option for this population. A future study is needed to confirm these study finding.

The profession of bibliographer: Prospects in the digital era

The author examines the vectors for bibliographer profession within the professional infrastructure of digital economy. The need for interdisciplinary study of staffing in bibliography is substantiated, and the author’s approach is introduced. The predictive vectors for the bibliographer profession are discussed. The factors of bibliography professionalization are specified. The competence transformation and profession prospects due to digitalization are identified. The author applies her own methods to analyze information profession: the methods have been introduced in her preceding works. She investigates into the nature of socially transforming bibliographic activities, their limits, and interaction with other professions. Criteria of structural and functional stability of the profession, mechanisms and dynamics in the social professional structure are revealed. The author dissects and analyzes the concept of “digital bibliographer” as the new profession model. The tasks for bibliography on the stage of artificial intellect ideology integration are specified. Changing limits of the profession due to the bibliographical method universality are discussed.

Abnormal Stability of Dynamic Functional Architecture in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Preliminary Resting-State fMRI Study

Purpose: Static and dynamic analyses for identifying functional connectivity (FC) have demonstrated brain dysfunctions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, few studies on the stability of dynamic FC have been conducted among ALS patients. This study explored the change of functional stability in ALS and how it correlates with disease severity.Methods: We gathered resting-state functional magnetic resonance data from 20 patients with ALS and 22 healthy controls (HCs). The disease severity was assessed with the Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R). We used a sliding window correlation approach to identify dynamic FC and measured the concordance of dynamic FC over time to obtain the functional stability of each voxel. We assessed the between-group difference in functional stability by voxel-wise two-sample t-test. The correlation between the functional stability index and ALSFRS-R in ALS patients was evaluated using Spearman's correlation analysis.Results: Compared with the HC group, the ALS group had significantly increased functional stability in the left pre-central and post-central gyrus and right temporal pole while decreased functional stability in the right middle and inferior frontal gyrus. The results revealed a significant correlation between ALSFRS-R and the mean functional stability in the right temporal pole (r = −0.452 and P = 0.046) in the ALS patients.Conclusions: ALS patients have abnormal stability of brain functional architecture, which is associated with the severity of the disease.

Functional instability of the spine: selection measures for diagnosis and treatment using computer stability. Journal of Education, Health and Sport

Osteochondrosis of the spine is one of the most common chronic diseases of the human musculoskeletal system, in which there is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the vertebrae, intervertebral discs and ligaments.The aim of the study was to analyze the problems of pain and instability of the spine that occur in osteochondrosis, kinesiological methods of their diagnosis and treatment, and the criteria for selecting patients for the treatment of spinal instability.Material and methods of investigation. Literature sources were analyzed to substantiate the feasibility of selecting patients with disorders of functional stability of the spine and the use of computer stabiloplatform for diagnosis and treatment.Results. 4 groups of people were selected for examination and treatment. All individuals were selected from patients who applied to the Milon Center, which specializes in helping patients with kinesiodiagnostics and kinesiotherapy, therapeutic massage. All patients gave informed consent to use their examination and treatment data, if necessary, using a stabiloplatform. The first group included people who did not have osteochondrosis, but led a sedentary lifestyle, mostly traveling by car, ie were at risk of developing osteochondrosis. Their age was 22–28 years; the distribution by sex was - 12 men and 16 women. The second included patients who had hypermobility of the spine. Their age was 25-35 years; the distribution by sex was - 18 men and 23 women. The third group included patients with hypomobility of the spine. Their age was 28-45 years; the distribution by sex was - 15 men and 20 women. The fourth group included patients with spinal instability. Their age was 30-50 years; the distribution by sex was - 22 men and 32 women.Expected results. In each of the groups of subjects is expected to improve the functional stability of the spine, reduce disorders of the autonomic nervous system, reduce psychological disorders, improve sleep quality. The selection of the number of procedures is set individually, depending on the quality of the detected changes. Long-term results of stabilometry application are expected to be investigated.Conclusion. Osteochondrosis is a modern disease that leads to a deterioration in the quality of people of working age. The use of computer stabilometry can improve the functional stability of the spine.