Pierfrancesco Leonforte

Dr. Pierfrancesco Leonforte

University of Catania, Catania, Sicilia, Italy
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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Journal Article
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Rita ChiaramonteRita Chiaramonte
Rita Chiaramonte
MBMarco Bonfiglio
Marco Bonfiglio
PLPierfrancesco Leonforte
Pierfrancesco Leonforte
GCGiovanna Loriana Coltraro
Giovanna Loriana Coltraro
Claudia Savia GuerreraClaudia Savia Guerrera
Claudia Savia Guerrera
MVMichele Vecchio
Michele Vecchio
This systematic review aims to reveal the effectiveness of proprioceptive exercise combined with dual-task training in stroke patients. The research was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to evaluate studies of rehabilitation interventions with proprioceptive and dual-task exercises in patients with stroke. The keywords for the search were: “stroke” AND “proprioception” OR “proprioceptive” AND “rehabilitation” OR “training” OR “exercises” AND “dual-task” OR “task-performance” with the following inclusion criteria: comparative studies of rehabilitation interventions with proprioceptive and dual-task exercises in stroke patients. Of the 104,014 studies identified, 23 were included according to the inclusion criteria. Proprioceptive and dual-task exercises stimulate and promote postural balance, gait, and quality of life and reduce the risk of falls in stroke patients compared with traditional rehabilitation programs. In conclusion, this systematic review suggests that proprioceptive exercise combined with dual-task training is needed to improve balance and recover gait. Moreover, it provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on the various proprioceptive treatments with contextual dual-task exercises for imbalance after stroke, providing a guide for choosing a complete rehabilitation protocol that combines these two techniques.

14 January 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Michele VecchioMichele Vecchio
Michele Vecchio
Rita ChiaramonteRita Chiaramonte
Rita Chiaramonte
EBEnrico Buccheri
Enrico Buccheri
STSofia Tomasello
Sofia Tomasello
PLPierfrancesco Leonforte
Pierfrancesco Leonforte
Alessandro de SireAlessandro de Sire
Alessandro de Sire
Background: The evolution of technology has continuously redefined the landscape of rehabilitation medicine. Researchers have long incorporated virtual reality (VR) as a promising intervention, providing immersive therapeutic environments for patients. The emergence of the metaverse has recently further expanded the potential applications of VR to augment the possibilities in rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is a crucial aspect of healthcare, and technological advancements have allowed new approaches to aid in this process. One such approach is the metaverse, a virtual world where users can interact with each other and their surroundings in a simulated environment. This comprehensive review aimed to analyze the scientific evidence using the term “metaverse” in rehabilitation and its potential patient benefits. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search from the inception to September 2024 in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database to identify studies investigating the term “metaverse” and its role in rehabilitation. We then assessed these studies based on their methodology, patient population, technology used, and therapeutic outcomes. Results: Out of 81 articles, 55 remained after removing duplicates. After screening the title, abstract, and full text, we included five articles. Conclusions: Results from these studies suggested potential benefits in various rehabilitative areas, such as cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, pain management, and physical performance improvement among the elderly. The metaverse presents promising avenues for enhancing rehabilitation outcomes. While VR’s effectiveness is well established, the metaverse, being a newer concept, necessitates further studies for a more comprehensive understanding.