Background and Objectives: The consequences of stroke have a significant impact on self-sufficiency and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation has the potential to impact these modalities, but information on timing, volume, and intensity is not yet available. The aim of this randomized controlled trial (1:1) was to evaluate the impact of conventional rehabilitation combined with VR on self-care and domains of HRQoL in patients ≤6 months post-stroke. Materials and Methods: The intervention group completed a total of 270 min of conventional VR + rehabilitation sessions. The control group underwent conventional rehabilitation only. Primary assessments with the WHO disability assessment schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2) questionnaire were conducted before rehabilitation (T0), after completion of the intervention (T1), and at the 4-week follow-up (T2); secondary outcomes included self-sufficiency and balance assessments. Results: Fifty patients completed the study (mean age 61.2 ± 9.0 years, time since stroke 114.3 ± 39.4 days). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in WHODAS 2, self-sufficiency, and balance scores (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In the experimental group, there was a statistically significant difference in WHODAS 2, assessment of self-sufficiency, and balance scores before and after therapy (p < 0.05). VR appears to be a suitable tool to supplement and modify rehabilitation in patients after stroke.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of immersive virtual reality used as a short-term multifaceted activity with a focus on motor and cognitive function in patients with Parkinson’s Disease. The sub-objective focused on quality of life in the study group of patients. Materials and Methods: Nineteen patients (64.2 ± 12.8 years) were included in this study. Inclusion criteria for this study: adult patients in Hoehn and Yahr’s stage 1–3, cooperative, with stable health status, independent and mobile. IVR therapy was performed twice a week for 20 min for one month. Input and output measurements were taken within 14 days of starting or ending therapy. The 10 Meter Walk test was used to examine and assess both comfortable and fast walking, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) + s dual task was applied to quickly assess the highest possible level of functional mobility. The Berg Balance Scale test (BBS) was used to assess balance with a 14-item balance scale containing specific movement tasks. The standardized Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) was used to assess quality of life. Data were processed in the PAST program using a nonparametric paired Wilcoxon test. The significance level was set at α = 0.05. The value of the r score was used to evaluate the effect size. Results: A significant reduction in the time in the fast walk 10MWT (p = 0.006; r = 0.63) and TUG (p < 0.001; r = 0.80) parameter were found after therapy. Significant improvement in the BBS score was found after applied therapy (p = 0.016; r = 0.55). In the PDQ-39 questionnaire, significant improvements were found in the study group after therapy in the domains of mobility (p = 0.027; r = 0.51) and emotional well-being (p = 0.011; r = 0.58). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate a positive effect of virtual reality therapy on balance and gait, which is also good in terms of reducing the risk of falls in the study group. Therapy also promoted quality of life in the study group.

In this retrospective study, we used data from the hospital information system (HIS) to evaluate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on rehabilitation care at the University Hospital of Ostrava (UHO). From March 2020 to December 2021, 5173 COVID-19 cases were hospitalized at UHO. Cases within individual groups and categories are shown in a flowchart. The average patient age was 64.9 ± 16.9 years. The mean BMI value was 30.6 ± 6.8 in the rehabilitated group, which was significantly higher compared to that among the non-rehabilitated cases 29.1 ± 6.9 (p < 0.001). Among the admitted patients, 16.6% required artificial pulmonary ventilation (APV), 1.8% extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and 11.9% high-flow oxygenation (HF). The days of rehabilitation ranged from 1–102 days. Among all rehabilitated patients, 92.0% (n = 1302) had a hospitalization duration ranging from 1–15 days and 8.0% (n = 114) longer than 15 days. Overall, rehabilitation care plays an important role in providing exercise, mobilization, and rehabilitation interventions to survivors of critical illness associated with COVID-19, enabling the early and functional return to home, and it must, therefore, be integrated into the clinical care of patients with COVID-19.

Starting point: Hallux valgus affects the physiological loading of the foot during walking. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effect of physiotherapeutic intervention on the degree of hallux valgus angle in standing and foot load during walking in individuals with hallux valgus. Group: The study included 9 female participants (age 41.9±2.3 years; height 169.6±5.8 cm; weight 71.8±16.7 kg; hallux valgus angle 37.8±11.6°) which had no history of lower limb injuries or other serious medical conditions. Methods: The measurements were taken before the physiotherapeutic intervention, after ten therapy sessions, and three months after the therapy ended. A goniometer was used to evaluate the hallux valgus angle under load during standing with the feet placed hip-width apart. The foot load during walking was assessed using a dynamic treadmill, h/p/cosmos® Rehawalk®, with zebris software. Therapy sessions were conducted once a week for a total of ten sessions, with additional exercises performed individually at home according to the therapist's instructions. Results: After the intervention and three months post-intervention, there was a significant reduction in the hallux valgus angle in standing compared to the initial measurement. During walking, there was significantly higher force loading on the rearfoot during weightbearing following initial contact, and on the forefoot during toe-off. Conclusions: Therapy aimed at re-educating foot function and involving hallux in the physiological walking pattern optimized the position of the hallux and supported functional stabilization of the first ray during foot roll-off and propulsion during walking in the observed group of participants.

C?lem studie bylo zjistit, zda v?skyt b?i?n? diast?zy m??e ovlivnit postaven? doln?ch kon?etin a zat??en? chodidla p?i ch?zi u d?t? mlad??ho ?koln?ho v?ku. V?zkumn? soubor tvo?ilo 16 d?t? mlad??ho ?koln?ho v?ku, kter? byly podle rozestupu b?i?...