Abnormalities of mental rotation of hands associated with speed of information processing and executive function in chronic schizophrenic patients

Aim: Deficits in mental imagery ability have been reported in patients with schizophrenia. However, there is scarce evidence about the correlation between impairment in mental rotation and other cognitive deficits in the patients. The aim of this study was to assess mental rotation ability, along with other measures of cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: The performance of 29 patients with schizophrenia was compared with 29 healthy controls. Mental rotation was measured with the Hand Rotation Task, and cognitive functions were measured with the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). Results: On Hand Rotation Task, the patients were significantly slower and less accurate compared to controls. Moreover, mental rotation accuracy was significantly correlated with all the BACS domains except verbal memory. In multiple regression analysis, the two BACS subscales, Tower of London and Symbol Coding tasks, were significant predictors and accounted for 41% of the variance in accuracy in the patients. Conclusion: These results support previous findings showing dysfunction of the posterior parietal cortex in schizophrenia, which is involved in general mental rotation, as well as other cognitive processes

Neural Evidence for Compromised Mental Imagery in Individuals With Chronic Schizophrenia

Mental imagery impairment has been reported in schizophrenia. The present study aimed to investigate the neural evidence for mental imagery impairment in patients with schizophrenia. The study participants included 20 patients with chronic schizophrenia and 18 healthy control subjects. Event-related potentials were recorded during a mental hand rotation task, in which participants were instructed to judge the laterality of hands displayed in different orientations. The performances of patients were significantly less accurate and slower than control subjects on hand rotation task. Moreover, the patients showed significantly reduced rotation-related negativity amplitude for mental rotation effect. The results demonstrate mental imagery impairment in patients with schizophrenia at both the behavioral and neural level

The reliability and validity study of the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Motor imagery (MI) has been recently considered as an adjunct to physical rehabilitation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It is necessary to assess MI abilities and benefts in patients with MS by using a reliable tool. The Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ) was recently developed to assess MI ability in patients with stroke and other disabilities. Considering the different underlying pathologies, the present study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the KVIQ in MS patients. Method: Fifteen MS patients were assessed using the KVIQ in 2 sessions (5-14days apart) by the same examiner. In the second session, the participants also completed a revised MI questionnaire (MIQ-R) as the gold standard. Intra-class correlation coeffcients (ICCs) were measured to determine test-retest reliability. Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed to assess concurrent validity with the MIQ-R. Furthermore, the internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and factorial structure of the KVIQ were studied. Results: The test-retest reliability for the KVIQ was good (ICCs: total KVIQ=0.89, visual KVIQ=0.85, and kinesthetic KVIQ=0.93), and the concurrent validity between the KVIQ and MIQ-R was good (r=0.79). The KVIQ had good internal consistency, with high Cronbach’s alpha (alpha=0.84). Factorial analysis showed the bi-factorial structure of the KVIQ, which was explained by visual=57.6% and kinesthetic=32.4%. Conclusions: The results of the present study revealed that the KVIQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing MI in MS patients

Comparing the Effects of Three Methods of Foot Massage on Movement Performance, Risk of Falling, and Quality of Life (QoL) In Men With Blindness

Background and Aims  Weakness in receptors involved in proprioception can limit the range of motion of the ankle and knee, as one of the most important causes of lower limb movement disorder and the risk of falling. People with sensory disorders such as visual impairment, have limitations in performing daily activities, and their physical activity, muscle strength, cardiovascular endurance, balance, and athletic performance decrease. This study aims to compare the effects of three foot massage techniques on movement performance, risk of falling, and quality of life of visually impaired men, and assess the persistence of their effects.Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with a pretest/posttest/follow-up design. Thirty men with blindness were randomly divided into three intervention groups including foot massage with a ball (n=10), foot massage with a brush (n=10), and foot massage with hands(n=10). They received foot massage for 21 days, massage day for 10 minutes (5 minutes for each foot). The Tinetti test was used to assess movement performance. The timed up & go test was used to measure the risk of falling, and the 36-item short form survey (SF-36) was used for evaluating the quality of life in the pretest, posttest, and follow-up (Short-term persistence) phases. One-way analysis of variance was used for between-group comparisons and repeated measures analysis of variance was used for within-group comparisons.Results There was no significant difference among groups in the quality of life and the risk of falling. There was a significant difference among them only in movement performance, where the group received foot massage with hands had higher performance. The results of repeated measures analysis of variance for the factor of time showed that the three methods improved movement performance, quality of life and reduced the risk of falling. All three methods had a significant effect on the study variables (P<0.05).Conclusion Three methods of foot massage have a significant effect on movement performance, risk of falling, and quality of life of men with blindness, by strengthening their proprioception receptors

Abnormalities of Motor Imagery and Relationship With Depressive Symptoms in Mildly Disabling Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

The effectiveness of motor imagery (MI) as an adjunct to physical rehabilitation has previously been shown. Motor imagery ability can be affected by neurologic disorders that affect motor and cognitive function. This study was designed to assess MI ability in persons with mildly disabling relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) based on the functional and cognitive dysfunctions. Methods: Twenty-two participants with RRMS and 23 age-, gender-, and education-matched comparison subjects were evaluated by a battery of MI tasks, including a kinesthetic and visual imagery questionnaire, a mental hand rotation task, and a visual guided pointing task. Results: There was no significant difference in MI vividness between the participants with MS and the comparison group, but the accuracy and temporal correspondence of MI in the participants with MS differed significantly from those in the comparison group. Depression scores were significantly higher in participants with MS (P < 0.001), and depression was significantly correlated with disability (r = 0.4; P < 0.05). The correlation between accuracy of MI in the participants with MS and their cognitive ability was significant (r = 0.57; P < 0.05). The MI duration of participants with MS was significantly correlated with their disability (r = 0.59; P < 0.05) and their cognitive ability (r = −0.38; P = 0.009). Discussion: The preservation of MI ability was observed in participants with RRMS; however, abnormalities in accuracy and temporal aspects of MI were observed even in the participants with mild disease. Abnormalities in temporal aspects and accuracy of MI were related to disability and cognitive ability, respectively. In participants with MS, depression should be considered as a confounding factor for the MI task results. Conclusions: Our finding could be considered in the application of MI during the rehabilitation of persons with MS

Numerical distance effect in patients with schizophrenia

There is growing evidence showing that mental representation of numbers is impaired in patients with schizophrenia. Yet, no study has examined the distance effect in the patients. We assessed the distance effect using two number size comparison tasks, with different number references (5 and 7) in 23 patients and 28 healthy individuals. Response times and error rates significantly increased when the distances between the centered references and the targets decreased in both groups. However, patients responded significantly slower and had more error rates compared to controls. Our finding indicates distance effect in patients is similar to the controls, indicating an automatic numerical processing is preserved in patients with schizophrenia

Comparing the effects of differential and visuo-motor training on functional performance, biomechanical, and psychological factors in athletes after ACL reconstruction: a randomized controlled trial

Variation during practice is widely accepted to be advantageous for motor learning and is, therefore, a valuable strategy to effectively reduce high-risk landing mechanics and prevent primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Few attempts have examined the specific effects of variable training in athletes who have undergone ACL reconstruction. Thereby, it is still unclear to what extent the variations in different sensor areas lead to different effects. Accordingly, we compared the effects of versatile movement variations (DL) with variations of movements with emphasis on disrupting visual information (VMT) in athletes who had undergone ACL reconstruction. Forty-five interceptive sports athletes after ACL reconstruction were randomly allocated to a DL group (n = 15), VT group (n = 15), or control group (n = 15). The primary outcome was functional performance (Triple Hop Test). The secondary outcomes included dynamic balance (Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT)), biomechanics during single-leg drop-landing task hip flexion (HF), knee flexion (KF), ankle dorsiflexion (AD), knee valgus (KV), and vertical ground reaction force (VGRF), and kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK)) assessed before and after the 8 weeks of interventions. Data were analyzed by means of 3 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA followed by post hoc comparison (Bonferroni) at the significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Significant group × time interaction effects, main effect of time, and main effect of group were found for the triple hop test and all eight directions, SEBT, HF, KF, AD, KV, VGRF, and TSK. There was no significant main effect of group in the HF and triple hop test. Additionally, significant differences in the triple hop test and the seven directions of SEBT, HF, KF, KV, VGRF, and TSK were found between the control group and the DL and VMT groups. Between group differences in AD and the medial direction of SEBT were not significant. Additionally, there were no significant differences between VMT and the control group in the triple hop test and HF variables. Both motor learning (DL and VMT) programs improved outcomes in patients after ACL reconstruction. The findings suggest that DL and VMT training programs lead to comparable improvements in rehabilitation

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stability Exercises on Balance and Walking Function in the Elderly

Objectives: Walking and balance control are determining factors in the independence of the elderly because they are the main components of daily physical activity. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stability (DNS) training on balance and gait function in the elderly. Methods: This study had a pre-test/post-test design. It was a quasi-experimental study performed on 30 older men aged 60-70 years in Qom Province, Iran, in 2021. The elderly was randomly divided into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The Experimental Group (EG) participated in three 45-min sessions of dynamic neuromuscular stability training every week for 6 weeks, and the Control Group (CG) continued their normal daily routine. Berg balance scale (dynamic balance), modified stork stand (static balance), and temporal and spatial gait parameters were used to collect information before and after applying the training protocol. The obtained data were analyzed using ANCOVA statistical method and the paired t test. Results: There were significant differences between pre-test and post-test in EG regarding the variables of dynamic balance, static balance (P=0.001), and gait function, but in the CG, no significant difference was observed for these variables (P>0.05). Also, there was a significant difference between the mean scores obtained in the balance and gait tests between the two groups (P<0.05), and EG performed better in the post-test. Discussion: DNS training due to the great variety of movement in different parts of the body and the effect on improving strength, flexibility, range of motion, and physical fitness can also improve balance and gait function in the elderly. According to the present study results, one of the best ways to reduce the costs and physical, psychological, and social problems caused by aging is to use DNS training for the elderly

Comparison of the Effect of Eight Weeks Resistance, Balance, and Combined Training Program on Balance, Gait, and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pretest-Posttest Intervention

Introduction: Exercise therapy is a supplementary method for the rehabilitation of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of an 8-week balance, resistance, and combined (balance-resistance) exercise program on balance, gait, and quality of life (QOL) in women with MS. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 30 women with MS (mean ± standard deviation of age: 34.6 ± 4.1) were randomly divided into balance, resistance, and combined exercise groups. The Berg Balance Scale, six-minute walk test (6MWT), Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) questionnaire, and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were used, respectively, to evaluate balance, gait, and QOL. Patients underwent 3 separate intervention protocols for 8 weeks. The ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc test, and paired t-test were used for statistical analysis (P < 0.05). Results: Balance and resistance exercises improved balance and resistance and combined exercises improved gait, but they did not significantly affect the patients’ QOL. Conclusion: It can be concluded that balance and resistance exercises have a positive effect on balance and combined and resistance exercise has positive effects on gait; thus, they can be recommended as a supplementary rehabilitation intervention for women with MS