The Virtual Kitchen

Videos extracted from the software "The Virtual Kitchen",original innovatuve VR software designed to support upper limb rehabilitation of people with Multiple Sclerosis, described in the paper "   An immersive virtual kitchen training system for people with multiple sclerosis: a development and validation study" published on "Journal of Clinical Medicine"</p

Static Posturography and Falls According to Pyramidal, Sensory and Cerebellar Functional Systems in People with Multiple Sclerosis

<div><p>Balance impairment is common in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and frequently impacts quality of life by decreasing mobility and increasing the risk of falling. However, there are only scarce data examining the contribution of specific neurological functional systems on balance measures in MS. Therefore, the primary aim of our study was to examine the differences in posturography parameters and fall incidence according to the pyramidal, cerebellar and sensory systems functional systems in PwMS. The study included 342 PwMS, 211 women and mean disease duration of 8.2 (S.D = 8.3) years. The study sample was divided into six groups according to the pyramidal, cerebellar and sensory functional system scores, derived from the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) data. Static postural control parameters were obtained from the Zebris FDM-T Treadmill (zebris^® Medical GmbH, Germany). Participants were defined as "fallers" and "non-fallers" based on their fall history. Our findings revealed a trend that PwMS affected solely in the pyramidal system, have reduced stability compared to patients with cerebellar and sensory dysfunctions. Moreover, the addition of sensory impairments to pyramidal dysfunction does not exacerbate postural control. The patients in the pure sensory group demonstrated increased stability compared to each of the three combined groups; pyramidal-cerebellar, pyramidal-sensory and pyramidal-cerebellar-sensory groups. As for fall status, the percentage of fallers in the pure pyramidal, cerebellar and sensory groups were 44.3%, 33.3% and 19.5%, respectively. As for the combined functional system groups, the percentage of fallers in the pyramidal-cerebellar, pyramidal-sensory and pyramidal-cerebellar-sensory groups were 59.7%, 40.7% and 65%, respectively. This study confirms that disorders in neurological functional systems generate different effects on postural control and incidence of falls in the MS population. From a clinical standpoint, the present information can benefit all those engaged in physical rehabilitation of PwMS.</p></div

Skills and competitive strategy in the UK fitness industry: SKOPE Research Paper No. 43, Autumn 2003

It is widely accepted that to produce high value products and services requires a well-trained and skilled workforce. This paper seeks to make a contribution to unpicking the relationship between business strategy and skills in the service sector by presenting research findings from the UK fitness industry. This sector has been fast growing and includes companies who compete on the basis of high quality, alongside those competing largely on cost. If the route to a high skills economy is to shift firms to higher quality products, then we would expect to find that the more up-market employers make use of a workforce with higher levels of skill. The research from the fitness industry questions this simple relationship, finding that there is no clear link between competitive strategy and skills. As quality is not necessarily the impetus for improving the skills of the workforce, the paper then briefly explores the possible skill implications of a number of other developments currently taking place in the industry

Definitions of the study groups.

<p>Definitions of the study groups.</p

Demographic and clinical characteristics of the study group according to the EDSS functional system groups (n = 342).

<p>Demographic and clinical characteristics of the study group according to the EDSS functional system groups (n = 342).</p

Posturography parameters and fall status of the study group according to the EDSS functional system groups (n = 342).

<p>Posturography parameters and fall status of the study group according to the EDSS functional system groups (n = 342).</p

Center of pressure path length (with eyes open) according to neurological functional system groups.

<p>Center of pressure path length (with eyes open) according to neurological functional system groups.</p

Posturography parameters and fall status of the study group according to the EDSS functional system groups (n = 342).

<p>Posturography parameters and fall status of the study group according to the EDSS functional system groups (n = 342).</p

Sway rate (with eyes open) according to neurological functional system groups.

<p>Sway rate (with eyes open) according to neurological functional system groups.</p

Sway rate (with eyes open) according to neurological functional system groups.

<p>Sway rate (with eyes open) according to neurological functional system groups.</p