(1) Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability. To identify the best treatment strategies for people with stroke (PwS), the aim of the current study was to compare the effects of training on a treadmill with functional electrical stimulation (TT-FES) with training on a treadmill (TT), and to analyze the effects of sequence of training on mobility and the parameters of walking ability. (2) Methods: Prospective, longitudinal, randomized and crossover study, in which 28 PwS were distributed into groups, namely the A-B Group (TT-FES followed by TT) and B-A Group (TT followed by TT-FES), using the foot drop stimulator, and were measured with functional tests. (3) Results: We found improved mobility, balance, non-paretic limb coordination, and endurance only in the group that started with TT-FES. However, sensorimotor function improved regardless of the order of training, and paretic limb coordination only improved in the B-A Group, but after TT-FES. These data indicate that the order of the protocols changed the results. (4) Conclusions: Although biomechanical evaluation methods were not used, which can be considered a limitation, our results showed that TT-FES was superior to isolated training on a treadmill with regard to balance, endurance capacity, and coordination of the non-paretic limb.

Individuals with Cerebral Palsy (CP) present with sensorimotor dysfunction which make the control and execution of movements difficult. This study aimed to verify the speed-accuracy trade-off in individuals with CP. Forty eight individuals with CP and 48 with typical development (TD) were evaluated (32 females and 64 males with a mean age of 15.02 ± 6.37 years: minimum 7 and maximum 30 years). Participants performed the “Fitts’ Reciprocal Aiming Task v.1.0 (Horizontal)” on a computer with different sizes and distance targets, composed by progressive indices of difficulty (IDs): ID2, ID4a and ID4b. There were no statistical differences between the groups in relation to the slope of the curve (b1) and dispersion of the movement time (r²). However, the intercept (b0) values presented significant differences (F(1.95) = 11.3; p = .001]), with greater movement time in the CP group compared to the TD group. It means that for individuals with CP, regardless of index difficulty, found the task more difficult than for TD participants. Considering CP and TD groups, speed-accuracy trade-off was found when using different indices of difficulty (ID2 and ID4). However, when the same index of difficulty was used with a larger target and longer distance (ID4a) or with a narrow target and shorter distance (ID4b), only individuals with CP had more difficulty performing the tasks involving smaller targets. Marginally significant inverse correlations were identified between the values of b1 and age (r = −0.119, p = .052) and between r² and Gross Motor Function Classification System (r = −0.280, p = .054), which did not occur with the Manual Ability Classification System. We conclude that the individuals with CP presented greater difficulty when the target was smaller and demanded more accuracy, and less difficulty when the task demanded speed. It is suggested that treatments should target tasks with accuracy demands, that could help in daily life tasks, since it is an element that is generally not considered by professionals during therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03002285 , retrospectively registered on 20 Dec 2016.

Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) have an impairment of cardiac autonomic function categorized by parasympathetic reduction and sympathetic predominance. The objective of this study was to assess the cardiac autonomic modulation of individuals with DMD undergoing therapy with Prednisone/Prednisolone and Deflazacort and compare with individuals with DMD without the use of these medications and a typically developed control group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was completed, wherein 40 boys were evaluated. The four treatment groups were: Deflazacort; Prednisone/Prednisolone; no corticoid use; and typical development. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was investigated via linear indices (Time Domain and Frequency Domain) and non-linear indices Results: The results of this study revealed that individuals with DMD undertaking pharmacotherapies with Prednisolone demonstrated HRV comparable to the Control Typically Developed (CTD) group. In contrast, individuals with DMD undergoing pharmacotherapies with Deflazacort achieved lower HRV, akin to individuals with DMD without any medications, as demonstrated in the metrics: RMSSD; LF (n.u.), HF (n.u.), LF/HF; SD1, α1, and α1/α2, and a significant effect for SD1/SD2; %DET and Ratio; Shannon Entropy, 0 V%, 2 LV% and 2 ULV%. Conclusions: Corticosteroids have the potential to affect the cardiac autonomic modulation in adolescents with DMD. The use of Prednisone/Prednisolone appears to promote improved responses in terms of sympathovagal activity as opposed to Deflazacort.

Introdução: Diferenças relacionadas ao peso e as habilidades motoras em crianças em idade escolar ainda apresentam controversias. Objetivo: Analisar a relação entre desenvolvimento motor e nível de atividade física com o índice de massa corporal (IMC) de escolares com excesso de peso. Métodos: Foram avaliados 85 escolares de ambos os sexos, de 6 a 10 anos, de Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brasil. Os instrumentos utilizados foram a classificação do IMC/idade, a Escala de Desenvolvimento Motor e o Questionário do Nível de Atividade Física Modificado e Adaptado. A amostra foi dividida em dois grupos: grupo com excesso de peso (GEP), com 50 escolares com diagnostico nutricional de sobrepeso e obesidade; e grupo com normopeso (GNP), com 35 escolares eutroficos. Para analise dos dados obtidos foram utilizados: Shapiro Wilk (normalidade), teste t de Student não pareado ou Mann Whitney (amostras independentes), teste de Spearman (correlação) e teste do χ2 (proporção), com nível de significância p<0,05. Resultados: O GEP apresentou resultados inferiores significantes no desenvolvimento motor geral (91,32±10,68 versus 97,14±9,06; p=0,010), nas áreas de motricidade fina – QM1 (93,21±21,59 versus 103,1±13,12; p=0,0138) e motricidade global – QM2 (90,31±23,54 versus 112,6±16,07; p<0,0001). Observou-se correlação positiva significativa entre o nível de atividade física e o desenvolvimento motor no GEP, nas áreas de equilibrio – QM3 (0,35080; p=0,0125) e organização espacial – QM5 (0,41820; p=0,0025). Conclusão: O GEP, quando comparado com o GNP, demonstrou resultados inferiores no quociente motor geral (QMG), QM1 e QM2.

Introdução: Alterações no controle motor são as primeiras que podem aparecer, comprometendo a aprendizagem de habilidades motoras e o desenvolvimento do indivíduo. Objetivo: Verificar e comparar o desenvolvimento e o controle motor de crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados em abrigos com aqueles que convivem em ambiente familiar. Métodos: Foram avaliados 54 crianças e adolescentes, divididos em Grupo Abrigo (GA) e Grupo Controle (GC). A avaliação do desenvolvimento psicomotor foi feita pela Bateria Psicomotora; o controle motor, pela tarefa computacional Fitts Reciprocal Aiming Task v.1.0 (Horizontal). Resultados: Na análise do desenvolvimento motor, foram encontradas pontuações inferiores do GA, porém, ambos os grupos apresentaram perfis “bons”. Além disso, foi encontrado aumento significante do tempo de movimento de ID2 para ID4a, com manutenção do ID4a para ID4b, e ID4b para ID6. Conclusão: Os indivíduos do GA apresentaram desenvolvimento psicomotor adequado para a idade, com deficit no controle motor, e maior tempo de movimento em relação ao GC, demostrando maior dificuldade na velocidade.

Introduction. Individuals affected by stroke often lead to loss of autonomy, dependence in activities of daily living, and social disruption, possibly leading to a reduced quality of life. Most survivors present residual sensory-motor deficits that interfere with the performance of functional activities. Reducing complications and improving the functional recovery of these individuals is an important starting point for rehabilitation professionals. Objective. To analyze the effect of the new Yamamoto scalp acupuncture (SA) YNSA on Qi, 5 elements and acupuncture of meridians in chronic stroke patients. Method. This is a quasi-experimental pilot study composed of nine chronic stroke patients. All participants diagnosed with chronic stroke aged from 38 to 79 years underwent energetic electrodiagnosis. Patients received a SA session on the contralateral hemisphere of the damaged side corresponding to the motor and sensory area for 30 minutes. The Shapiro-Wilk test was applied, followed by the paired t-test. Results: There was a significant reduction in the Yin, Fire (Pericarium) and Fire (heart). The following organs and viscera also presented a reduction: lung, right pericardium, left small intestine, and right spleen. Conclusions. It is concluded that AE YNSA can promote Qi balance, reduction in the fire element and reduction in the action of some acupuncture meridians in chronic stroke patients in the analysed sample.