Background/Objectives: One of the primary goals of neurorehabilitation after stroke is gait reeducation, as it provides the patient with greater autonomy and enhances their safety in daily activities. A preliminary clinical study was undertaken to determine whether robotic gait reeducation using the Lokomat device is more effective than conventional therapy in achieving gait symmetry. Methods: The research group consisted of 107 patients, with an average age of 63.54 years, all in the subacute stage of hemiparesis. These patients underwent 4 weeks of neurorehabilitation and were assigned into experimental and control groups. The patients in the experimental group underwent neurorehabilitation (20 sessions) and twice-weekly walking on the Lokomat device (10 sessions). The control group received equivalent neurorehabilitation and conventional gait reeducation. We monitored the return of ideal limb loading (to a 50:50 ratio) and the restoration of the step length on the paretic limb to a physiological length (73 cm), as well as the subsequent restoration of gait symmetry. The measurements were performed using the HP Cosmos Zebris Treadmill FDM-T device. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was conducted within each group to analyze the effectiveness of gait reeducation before and after therapy. To compare the results between the two groups, the Mann–Whitney test (α = 0.05) was employed. Results: There was no significant difference between the robotic and conventional therapy groups (p = 0.432 (>0.05)). A significant change occurred only in the control group in the 50:50 limb loading parameter (p = 0.042). There were no significant changes in the other parameters. Conclusions: Under the conditions of our study, robot-guided gait reeducation did not appear to be more effective than conventional therapy. The monthly duration of gait reeducation is insufficient to achieve a symmetrical gait in patients with spastic hemiparesis.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by core difficulties in social interaction, communication, and the presence of repetitive behaviours, among other symptoms. Music-based interventions integrated into physiotherapy may support emotional regulation in individuals with ASD. In this study, we incorporated music into the physiotherapeutic treatment of an 8-year-old boy diagnosed with ASD. Objective: The objective of applying music in physiotherapy of the patient with ASD was stimulation of sensory integration and proprioceptive perception and supporting communication and movement activity. Sample and methodology: The intervention consisted of three physiotherapy sessions, each lasting 40 minutes, in which music was incorporated. Pre- and post-session assessments focused on emotional regulation and movement activities relevant to autism. From a physiotherapeutic perspective, the patient with ASD exhibited predominant challenges in sensomotor integration and proprioceptive perception. At school, he experiences increased stress that negatively affects his attention and performance. Each session included 15 – 20 minutes of music therapy, with musical selections and activities tailored to the therapeutic objectives and planned in cooperation with the patient’s mother. Results: Improvements were observed in the patient’s physical and emotional responses. During the first session, muscle relaxation in the shortened lower limb and visible signs of reassurance were noted. In the second session, increased engagement and spontaneous emotional expression were evident, particularly during decision-making and problem-solving tasks. In the third session, enhanced proprioceptive perception was observed during exercises performed on the BOSU. Conclusion: The objective of integrating music into physiotherapy – to enhance sensory integration in a child with ASD – was successfully achieved. Across the sessions, the participant exhibited decreased muscular tension, greater engagement, and more active participation. Moreover, he demonstrated notable improvements in courage, patience, and sustained concentration during the therapeutic activities. These findings suggest that incorporating elements of music therapy into ongoing physiotherapy may be beneficial, as this combined approach appears to promote attentional control and relaxation over the long term.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects a child’s brain development and the processing of information. It is characterised by a deficit in social communication, restrictive and repetitive behaviours, social and occupational impairments, and other areas of functioning. The contribution focuses on the development of social and communication skills, sensory perception, and the development of attention and imagination in children with ASD. The objective of contribution is a general overview of evidence-based therapies with the potency to development of social skills and communication in children with ASD. We used the method of analysis and synthesis of relevant research and practice in therapeutic environments. There is a growing interest in non-pharmacological based interventions, using auditory and sensory integration practices, in the treatment of ASD. The proper care for a child with ASD includes the cooperation of a multidisciplinary team of experts in health departments (a child psychiatrist or a paediatric psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, clinical speech therapist, therapeutic pedagogue) supplemented by multiprofessional cooperation with experts as educators and psychologists. Therapies have an important place in the health care of children with ASD. They offer therapeutic procedures which expand the focus on the development of social interaction, communication, emotional development, behaviour modification, and sensory integration. They can alleviate ASD symptoms and include behavioural interventions, interventions aimed at speech and sensory integration. Key words: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), developmental needs, music therapy, play therapy, Snoezelen

Objective: The objective of the study was to analyse and compare the subjective quality of life (S-QoL) of women with physical disabilities (PDs) through satisfaction with the quality of life domains and the overall quality of life assessment. Methods: The sample comprised of women with PDs (n=137), divided into 4 age categories: 19-29 yrs. (n=53); 30-44 yrs. (n=25); 45-59 yrs. (n=24) and over 60 yrs. (n=35). The Subjective Quality of Life Analyses questionnaire and the WHO User Manual were used as a primary research method. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to assess the differences between QoLDs, Kruskal Wallis test to assess differences in S-QoL among four independent groups and Mann Whitney U-test between two age categories. Results: The highest satisfaction in all age categories of women was found in the social relations domain, and in the 19-29 yr-old women equally in the social relations and physical health domains. The highest dissatisfaction was reported with the psychological health and environment domains. The key finding is that the main differences are between the youngest category (aged 19-29 yrs) and the three older categories with regard to physical health, environment and overall QoL. Conclusions: It is necessary to continue this line of research with a greater focus on exploring the ways in which the psychological health domain can be improved as an integral part of S-QoL, and to also focus on the QoL indicators that make up the environment domain and search for ways to enhance these.

To determine the incidence of hamstring shortening and the occurrence of posterior thigh muscle injuries in relation to the strength of their eccentric muscle contraction in a group of professional sprinters and in a control group (general population). Based on the results, the aim is to identify individuals at risk of future posterior thigh muscle injuries. The sample consisted of 34 sprinters and 34 individuals from the general population. The sprinter group included 16 female sprinters and 18 male sprinters. The average age was 21.23 years (SD ±2.52). The average training age of the sprinters was 6.64 years (SD ±1.81). The control group consisted of 16 women and 18 men. The average age was 20.23 years (SD ±0.94). To determine the relationship between eccentric muscle contraction strength and the incidence of posterior thigh muscle injuries, the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment questionnaire (VISA-H), a test for hamstring shortening, and the Nordic Angle method used during the Nordic hamstring exercise were applied. We observed a significant difference in the strength of eccentric contraction of the posterior thigh muscles (p = 0.001) and in the total VISA-H questionnaire score (p = 0.002), both in favor of the sprinter group. No significant difference was found in the incidence of posterior thigh muscle injuries over the past year (p = 0.75). Similarly, no significant difference was confirmed in the testing of hamstring shortening (p = 0.73). From a preventive perspective, it is important to test the strength of eccentric contraction of the posterior thigh muscles in sprinters. It is equally important to monitor whether a sprinter shows symptoms of posterior thigh muscle injury, which could pose a complication in their athletic career. The implementation of targeted rehabilitation programs could have a preventive effect in reducing the risk of injuries in sprinters.