Background: The incidence of stroke has increased globally, leading to mortality and disability. Approximately 30–66% of stroke survivors are unable to regain motor functions in the affected hand throughout their lives, which significantly impacts their functionality and daily activities. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of robotic glove-assisted task-oriented mirror therapy in comparison with task-oriented mirror therapy on the motor functions of the hand in sub-acute stroke. Methods: This was a non-blinded, randomised controlled trial conducted at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM) and Athlean Physical Therapy (APT), Islamabad. A total of thirty eligible participants were assigned randomly to Groups (A) and (B) through a pre-sealed envelope. Group (A) received robotic glove-assisted task-oriented mirror therapy. Group (B) received task-oriented mirror therapy. Intervention was given 30[Formula: see text]min daily after 30[Formula: see text]min of conventional treatment, five times a week for eight weeks. Outcomes were measured using the Box and Block Test (BBT), Fugl–Meyer Assessment scale Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT). Results: The mean age of all patients was ([Formula: see text]) years. Between-group analysis showed that the robotic glove-assisted task-oriented mirror therapy group had a significant difference in hand motor functions as compared to the task-oriented mirror therapy group, as measured by BBT, FMA-UE, and ARAT ([Formula: see text]). Within-group analysis of both groups showed a significant difference in pre- and post-treatment on all outcome measures ([Formula: see text]). Conclusion: The study concluded that robotic glove-assisted task-oriented mirror therapy, along with conventional physical therapy, is more effective than task-oriented mirror therapy in improving hand motor functions in patients with sub-acute stroke.
Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is associated with altered activation of the lower-limb muscles during functional tasks such as the single-leg squat (SLS). Although trunk position can influence the recruitment of the hip and knee muscles, the effects of different trunk lean angles on muscle activation ratios in individuals with PFPS remain unclear. Objective: This study aimed to examine how trunk lean angles of 0°, 15°, and 30° affect lower-limb muscle activation ratios during SLS in individuals with PFPS. Methods: Thirty-two adults with PFPS performed SLS at 60° of knee flexion under three trunk lean conditions (0°, 15°, and 30°) while surface electromyography was used to record the activation of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), gluteus medius (Gmed), gluteus maximus (Gmax), tensor fascia latae (TFL), semitendinosus (ST), and biceps femoris (BF). Muscle activity ratios, including VMO: VL, Gmed:TFL, quadriceps-to-hamstrings (Q:H), and Gmax:H were calculated, and a repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction was used to compare differences across trunk lean angles. Results: The Gmed:TFL ratio was significantly higher at 30° of trunk lean than at 0° and 15°, and the Q:H ratio decreased progressively as trunk lean increased ([Formula: see text]). No significant differences were observed in the VMO:VL or Gmax:H ratios across conditions. Conclusion: These findings suggest that increasing trunk lean during SLS may enhance Gmed activation relative to the TFL and may contribute to a decrease in the Q:H ratio, whereas VMO:VL and Gmax:H ratios appeared relatively unaffected by trunk lean angle. Performing SLS with greater trunk inclination may optimize lower-limb muscle coordination and may offer clinical benefits for individuals with PFPS.
Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an unfortunate and terrible condition that causes serious locomotor illness, spasticity, neurological pain, bowel-bladder problems, pressure ulcers, and a decline in functional capacities. Aerobic physical training is increasingly incorporated into rehabilitation programs; however, its specific effectiveness for individuals with SCI-related paraplegia remains unclear. Objectives: The objective of this review was to investigate the evidence on the effectiveness of aerobic physical training on rehabilitation outcomes in individuals with paraplegia following SCI. Methods: A narrative mini-review was conducted using PubMed, PEDro, CINAHL, and EMBASE. Randomised controlled trials and clinical trials published in English between 2011 and 2022 were included where “spinal cord injury” was identified as the primary concern and “aerobic training” was one of the treatment options. Results: The search identified 54 studies, from which 11 were considered potentially suitable. Ultimately, four studies were selected for the narrative review conclusions. The included studies reported improvements across several outcome domains, including aerobic capacity, walking performance, muscle strength, and psychological well-being. However, the evidence base was limited by small sample sizes, variability in training protocols, and short intervention durations. Aerobic physical training appears to have beneficial effects on physical and psychological outcomes in individuals with SCI-related paraplegia. Despite methodological variations and limited studies, evaluations indicate that aerobic exercise positively impacts patients with SCI. Conclusion: A longer rehabilitation program may be necessary to obtain more benefits from aerobic exercises in SCI patients. Further high-quality, long-term studies are needed to establish optimal aerobic training protocols for SCI rehabilitation.
Background: Arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) and altered neuromuscular control commonly arise after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and may persist both preoperatively and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), potentially impairing functional recovery. Objective: To synthesise randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence on functional rehabilitation interventions targeting neuromuscular control after ACLR, using electromyography (EMG)-derived outcomes. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus were searched from January 1, 2015, to December 4, 2025; duplicates were removed ([Formula: see text]). RCTs involving individuals undergoing ACLR (pre-operative) and/or following ACLR (post-operative) were included if they reported EMG-derived neuromuscular outcomes following functional rehabilitation. Due to heterogeneity in interventions, EMG normalisation, and outcome definitions, a structured narrative synthesis was performed. Results: Nine RCTs (total [Formula: see text]) were included. One trial examined preoperative blood flow restriction training (BFRT) preconditioning (5 sessions over 8 days before surgery), whereas the remaining interventions were delivered postoperatively. Jump training reduced quadriceps–hamstring co-contraction by 50% ([Formula: see text]). Preoperative BFRT preserved quadriceps endurance at 4 weeks post-ACLR compared with sham (sham reduction: [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]s) and increased root mean square (RMS) EMG amplitude by [Formula: see text] at week 4. Aquatic proprioceptive training improved muscle activation similarity and magnitude ([Formula: see text]). Sand-based training and cross-education interventions increased EMG activity during gait phases ([Formula: see text]). Vibration therapy and postoperative BFRT produced mixed or non-significant effects. Evidence for several intervention types was limited to single trials and should be interpreted cautiously. Conclusion: Functional rehabilitation strategies show limited but promising potential to improve neuromuscular outcomes following ACLR. Phase-specific approaches may be appropriate: early-phase interventions (e.g., BFRT preconditioning, vibration therapy, and cross-education) may help mitigate AMI and preserve neuromuscular capacity, whereas later-phase strategies (e.g., plyometrics and aquatic proprioceptive training) may support movement quality and motor control. Future RCTs should prioritise standardised EMG methodology and clinically meaningful endpoints (e.g., return-to-sport and reinjury).
