manual dexterity

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuro-inflammatory disease resulting in disabilities that negatively impact patients' life quality. While current treatment options do not reverse the course of the disease, treatment using mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) is promising. There has yet to be a consensus on the type and dose of MSC to be used in MS. This work aims to study the safety and efficacy of two treatment protocols of MSCs derived from the umbilical cord (UC-MSCs) and their secretome. The study included two groups of MS patients; Group A received two intrathecal doses of UC-MSCs, and Group B received a single dose...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: As part of spinal fusion surgery, shaping the rod implant to align with the anatomy is a tedious, error-prone, and time-consuming manual process. Inadequately contoured rod implants introduce stress on the screw-bone interface of the pedicle screws, potentially leading to screw loosening or even pull-out. METHODS: We propose the first fully automated solution to the rod bending problem by leveraging the advantages of augmented reality and robotics...

INTRODUCTION: Although clinical and functional impairments in the lower limbs have been extensively studied in patients with MS, the upper limb (UL) are also frequently affected. Clinical impairment of the UL in patients with MS is very common with muscle strength and hand dexterity as critical factors in maintaining functional activities that are the basis for independence and quality of life in people with MS. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a training protocol using the Powerball® system in combination with conventional physiotherapy on muscle strength, coordination, fatigue, functionality, and quality of life in persons with MS over an 8-week period...

BACKGROUND: The surgical 3D exoscopes have recently been introduced as an alternative to the surgical microscopes in microneurosurgery. Since the exoscope availability is still limited, it is relevant to know whether even a short-term exoscope training develops the skills needed for performing exoscope-assisted surgeries. METHODS: Ten participants (six consultants, four residents) performed two laboratory bypass test tasks with a 3D exoscope (Aesculap Aeos®)...

The motor cortex comprises the primary descending circuits for flexible control of voluntary movements and is critically involved in motor skill learning. Motor skill learning is impaired in patients with Parkinson's disease, but the precise mechanisms of motor control and skill learning are still not well understood. Here we have used transgenic mice, electrophysiology, in situ hybridization and neural tract-tracing methods to target genetically defined cell types expressing D1 and D2 dopamine receptors in the motor cortex...

OBJECTIVES: Parkinson's disease is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. Tremor is one of the motor symptoms that can affect manual skills and have an impact on daily activities. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effect of upper limb training provided by a specific vibratory device (Armshake®, Move It GmbH - Bochum, Germany) on tremor and motor functionality in patients with Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, the training effect on global cognitive functioning is assessed...

BACKGROUND: Various reconstruction methods have been described in medical literature on scapular tumor resection depending on the type of resection and other factors. However the ideal method of reconstructions has been still debatable. The purpose of the current study was to assess whether polypropylene mesh reconstruction is superior as compared to non reconstructive group following total scapular resection.We also evaluated how our method of reconstruction fare as compared to reported reconstruction methods in the published literature...

Arborists work in high-risk environments, particularly when climbing trees, where a combination of grip strength and resistance to psychological stress are important attributes for safety. This study investigated the physical and cognitive activities of arborists combined with selected workload factors such as blood pressure, pulse, handgrip strength, and other anthropometric measurements, including manual dexterity and spatial awareness. The sample included 10 participants aged 17-48 years. Blood pressure was negatively correlated with handgrip strength after the activity had been performed...

Cable or zip ties are mass produced inexpensive nylon fasteners, which have a locking mechanism to prevent them from being loosened. Their use in medicolegal cases is infrequent, being involved in situations of neck compression or restraint. The Forensic Science SA Pathology Database (in Adelaide, Australia) and search engines PubMed, Google Scholar and Google were examined for cases where cable ties were documented as either causing death or being potentially lethal, being a contributor to death, or having been used for restraint purposes...

This case study delineates the proficient creation of a silicone finger prosthesis, tailored for a patient contending with partial digit amputation. The prosthesis was devised with the overarching goal of reinstating not only the physiological dexterity of the hand but also its aesthetic integrity and the patient's psychological equilibrium. The crafting process entailed a meticulous technique to replicate the intricate texture of the skin in order to guarantee a near normal appearance. Post-prosthesis integration, the patient exhibited enhancements in manual functionality and articulated a heightened self-assuredness because of the indiscernible prosthesis...

BACKGROUND: Motor learning is essential for performing specific tasks and progresses through distinct stages, including the rapid learning phase (initial skill acquisition), the consolidation phase (skill refinement), and the stable performance phase (skill mastery and maintenance). Understanding the cortical activation dynamics during these stages can guide targeted rehabilitation interventions. METHODS: In this longitudinal randomized controlled trial, functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to explore the temporal dynamics of cortical activation in hand-related motor learning...

Coordinated multi-joint limb and digit movements - "manual dexterity" - underlie both specialized skills (e.g., playing the piano) and more mundane tasks (e.g., tying shoelaces). Impairments in dexterous skill cause significant disability, as occurs with motor cortical injury, Parkinson's Disease, and a range of other pathologies. Clinical observations, as well as basic investigations, suggest that cortico-striatal circuits play a critical role in learning and performing dexterous skills. Furthermore, dopaminergic signaling in these regions is implicated in synaptic plasticity and motor learning...

Treating vascular diseases in the brain requires access to the affected region inside the body. This is usually accomplished through a minimally invasive technique that involves the use of long, thin devices, such as wires and tubes, that are manually maneuvered by a clinician within the bloodstream. By pushing, pulling, and twisting, these devices are navigated through the tortuous pathways of the blood vessels. The outcome of the procedure heavily relies on the clinician's skill and the device's ability to navigate to the affected target region in the bloodstream, which is often inhibited by tortuous blood vessels...

OBJECTIVE: To compare manual and powered toothbrushes in older adults and to culminate available clinical evidence concerning efficiency with respect to plaque removal and reduced gingivitis. BACKGROUND: Manual dexterity decreases with age, negatively impacting daily activities, including oral hygiene practices. Effective plaque control in this age group is directly related to nutrition and overall health. Therefore, developing oral health interventions tailored to the ageing population is essential...

INTRODUCTION: Telerehabilitation (TR) is a promising method for facilitating the delivery and access to post-stroke rehabilitation services. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the acceptability of TR and factors influencing its adoption by individuals with stroke and caregivers. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Six individuals with stroke and three caregivers participated in individual online interviews. An abductive thematic analysis was employed to analyze the qualitative data, using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT-2) model...

BACKGROUND: Stroke can impair manual dexterity, leading to loss of independence following incomplete recovery. Enhancing our understanding of dexterity impairment may improve neurorehabilitation. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to measure dexterity components in acute stroke patients with and without hand motor deficits, compare them to those of healthy controls (HC), and to explore the neural substrates involved in specific components of dexterity. METHODS: We used the Dextrain Manipulandum to quantify fine finger force control, finger selection accuracy, coactivation, and reaction time (RT)...

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSIndustrial robots have become an important aspect in modern industry. In the context of human-robot collaboration, enabling teleoperated robots to work in close proximity to local/onsite humans can provide new opportunities to improve human engagement in a distributed workplace. Interviews with industry stakeholders highlighted several potential benefits of such teleoperator-robot-human collaboration (tRHC), including the application of tRHC to tasks requiring both expertise and manual dexterity (e...

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, digital technology has been rapidly expanding in dental practice, which entails an early integration of digital dentistry into the preclinical dental curriculum. This study introduces first-year dental students to a digital carving exercise and investigates its role in enhancing their understanding and performance in traditional wax carving activities. Another objective was to explore the students' challenges and needs for support in the digital carving activity...

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the impact of robotic hand rehabilitation on hand function and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Children with cerebral palsy aged 7-16 years were divided into robotic rehabilitation (n = 9) or conventional rehabilitation (n = 10) groups for hand rehabilitation of 30 sessions. The primary outcomes were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity, and Box and Block Test. The secondary outcomes were the Manual Ability Classification System, Modified Ashworth Scale, hand grasp and finger strengths, ABILHAND-Kids, Functional Independence Measure for Children, and PedsQL Quality of Life Inventory-CP Module...

Pulmonary sleeve resection is a technically challenging procedure entailing expertise to perform via a minimally invasive approach. Robotic thoracic surgery with its three-dimensional high-definition imaging and true depth perception enables clarity of anatomical structures and, in conjunction with its articulated instruments, provides greater dexterity compared with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, allowing complex manoeuvres in limited spaces. We present the case of a 22-year-old woman who presented with recurrent chest infections, dyspnoea on exertion, cough, loss of appetite and weight loss...