Scope of spine movement during the cognitive – motor movement therapy in virtual reality in patients rehabilitation with selected central nervous system damages – preliminary results

Uszkodzenia ośrodkowego układu nerwowego (OUN) wiążą się z upośledzeniem określonych funkcji poznawczo – ruchowych w organizmie człowieka. Następstwa uszkodzenia mózgu mogą objawiać się czasową bądź trwałą niepełnosprawnością i/lub ograniczeniami neurobehawioralnymi. Poszukiwanie nowych metod diagnostyki i rehabilitacji OUN często prowadzi do wykorzystania Technologii Wirtualnej Rzeczywistości. Terapia wirtualna jest interaktywna w czasie rzeczywistym i pozwala na ruch w trzech wymiarach. Celem pracy była ocena ilościowa i jakościowa zakresów ruchomości wybranych odcinków kręgosłupa podczas wykonywania ćwiczeń ruchowo-poznawczych w wirtualnej rzeczywistości. Badania przeprowadzono z udziałem 5 osób z uszkodzeniami OUN, które poddano 2-tygodniowej rehabilitacji. Oceny terapii dokonano na podstawie zmian ruchomości poszczególnych odcinków kręgosłupa przed i po terapii. Wyniki potwierdzają nowe możliwości diagnostyczne tradycyjnej terapii połączonej z Technologią Wirtualnej Rzeczywistości.Central nervous system (CNS) damage is associated with the impairment of certain cognitive - motor functions in the human body. The consequences of brain damage can be manifested by temporary or permanent disability and / or neurobehavioral restrictions. The search for new methods of CNS diagnostics and rehabilitation often leads to the use of Virtual Reality Technologies. Virtual therapy is interactive in real time and allows traffic in three dimensions. The aim of the study was the quantitative and qualitative assessment of ranges of mobility of selected spinal segments during exercise and cognitive exercises in virtual reality. The research was carried out with the participation of 5 people with CNS damage, which underwent 2-week rehabilitation. The assessment of therapy was made on the basis of changes in the mobility of individual spine sections before and after therapy. The results confirm the new diagnostic possibilities of traditional therapy combined with the Virtual Reality Technology

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Hospitalized Cancer Patients—Study from Silesia, Poland

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common amongst cancer patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the use of CAM, beliefs about CAM and the purpose of using it amongst Polish cancer patients. Methods: The study included 864 cancer patients (median 63 years old), who were individually interviewed. The questionnaire was designed specifically for this study. Results: Amongst 732 patients who declared that they heard about CAM, 342 patients (46.7%) had used CAM; 91% of these patients had used it as a complementary therapy and 9% had used it as an alternative therapy. Patients younger in age, highly educated, professionally active, with longer medical history, and at more advanced cancer stages have, statistically, used CAM more often; 66% of participants could not state what the health effect of CAM is. Patients received information about CAM from the internet, friends, family and other patients. Only 18% of patients discussed using CAM with a doctor. Conclusions: CAM was popular amongst Polish cancer patients, especially in younger, educated and professionally active patients with longer cancer history at advanced stage. Patients used CAM as a complementary therapy for strengthening immune system, improving morphological and biochemical test parameters, reducing the side effects of conventional therapy and improving their well-being