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The impact of handedness on neural substrates of common tool processing and tool use skills as proxies to the mechanisms underlying modern reciprocal relationships among humans and their brains, the tools they create and use, and technologies they implement and utilise, has only recently started to be elucidated. Yet, as most of the reports on lateralisation of such processing or skills focused on a single task, and sharp divisions of participants into right-, left-, and mixed-handed, or non-righthanded for the latter two groups combined, little is known about interrelationships between the neuronal underpinnings of different skilled manual actions—e.g., manual praxis skills in the form of disparate hand-tool interactions, including their most common neural phenotypes in the population at large. Here, in 62 individuals with different handedness status, we studied the laterality of two praxic abilities involving common tools. Even though their neural substrates were expected to be closely linked, we identified numerous cases (in 7/28 righthanders [RH] – 25%, and in 6/21 lefthanders [LH] – 29% of participants) with hemispheric dissociations in the underlying mechanisms. They involved both right-lateralised functional grasp planning vs. left-lateralised visual tool use (8% of all tested cases, 3/28 RH: ~11%, and 2/21 LH: ~10%), and vice versa (13% of all cases, 4/28 RH: ~14%, and 4/21 LH: ~19% of participants). The laterality/organisation of these praxic skills was also compared to the laterality/organisation of productive language, with only few cases of dissociations identified. The observed phenotypes are discussed in the context of coevolutionary hypotheses linking ancient toolmaking and tool use skills, the associated cultural evolution, technological innovations, and language to the cortical expansion and functional lateralisation in human evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children experiencing neurodevelopmental delay have motor, linguistic, and cognitive problems that affect their skills in various domains, especially interpersonal ones. Since music therapy is based on musical exchange, these three case studies explore how child–music therapists' interactions change within and between sessions. Moreover, we evaluated whether the children's and parents' musical interaction changed in everyday life. Three children experiencing neurodevelopmental delay participated in 70 psychodynamic music therapy sessions, relying primarily on musical improvisation techniques. The initial (i.e. pre-test) and final sessions (i.e. post-test) were video recorded and codified with the Kategoriensystem Musik Therapie (KAMUTHE) in the 10th and 30th minutes. Videos were analyzed using the Behavioral Observation Research Interactive Software (BORIS). In addition, parents completed the Music in Everyday Life (MEL) Scale to evaluate how they experienced musical activities with their children. Reliable Change Indexes (RCIs) were calculated to assess significant changes in everyday musical activities. Based on video analysis, three children were more active at the 30th minute and the post-test, while Music Therapists stimulated them less. In addition, therapists adapted the activities and stimuli based on the children's responses. Based on RCIs, parents reported an increased musical engagement with two children. Music therapy might help children experiencing neurodevelopmental delays modify their interaction style and improve motor and interpersonal skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the perceptions and practices of fundamental movement skills (FMS), healthy eating habits and physical activity (PA) in early years professionals (EYP). An online mixed-method survey comprising questions relating to practices of FMS, healthy eating habits and PA was completed by 137 EYPs (128 females). Frequency analysis assessed and reported responses to fixed-response questions, and thematic analysis was used for open-ended questions. Results indicated that EYPs understood FMS and were compliant with national guidelines in relation to PA and healthy eating. However, EYPs identified considerable barriers to developing FMS, PA and healthy eating in preschoolers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Quintessenz der Zahntechnik is the property of Quintessenz Verlags GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND: Law enforcement is a profession of sedentary physical activity interspersed with physically demanding activity that requires high levels of fitness. It is imperative that agencies training law enforcement recruits maximise their fitness during their time at the academy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in physical fitness during academy training. METHODS: Retrospective data for 10 academy recruit classes, totalling 715 participants, were collected from a US law enforcement agency. The change in performance on two standardised tests were used as outcome measures. Comparisons were made between percentiles utilising one-way ANOVA and a linear mixed model (LMM). RESULTS: Overall, higher percentiles were found to have smaller improvements in physical fitness than lower percentiles. The results of the LMM support this supposition, showing that lower physical fitness scores resulted in greater improvements in a generalised fitness assessment (value = –0.45, standard error 0.02, p < 0.001) and an occupational assessment (value = –0.49, standard error = 0.02, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that recruits with lower physical fitness will see greater improvements during academy training. This could be due to a ceiling effect for the more fit but may also be due to recruits of higher physical fitness being under trained during academy. Utilising ability-based training and prescribing an appropriate workload to recruits of higher fitness may improve overall recruit fitness upon graduation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study explored the extent to which an interactive computer play system, Bootle Blast, supports motor learning in a clinical context and examined clinicians' perceptions of their therapeutic role in the system's use as an intervention tool. Methods: In this observational sequential explanatory mixed methods study, five children with cerebral palsy [mean age 9.4 years (SD, 0.5), Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I-III] used Bootle Blast during a single videorecorded therapy session with their treating clinicians (physical therapists, occupational therapists, and therapy assistants). Children played one Bootle Blast mini game independently (without clinician involvement) before clinicians carried out therapy sessions with the game as per usual care. The type and extent of motor learning strategies (MLS) delivered by Bootle Blast and clinicians were rated from video recordings by a trained assessor using the 22-item Motor Learning Strategies Rating Instrument. Semi-structured interviews with clinicians were conducted to gain insights into MLS use and clinicians' perceived role during Bootle Blast use. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed independently by two researchers using thematic analysis. Quantitative and qualitative data were merged and reported using narrative and joint display approaches. Results: Bootle Blast provided eight MLS, with clinicians adding or enhancing another eight. Four themes reflected clinicians' perspectives: (1) Bootle Blast disguises therapy as play, (2) clinicians give Bootle Blast the human touch; (3) home use of Bootle Blast is promising; and (4) Bootle Blast is not always the right fit but some shortcomings could be addressed. Agreement was found for nine MLS and disagreement for four MLS when quantitative and qualitative findings were merged. Discussion: Bootle Blast delivers several MLS as part of game play and clinicians can enhance and provide additional MLS to suit the child's needs/abilities. Further game refinements that were identified in this study may optimize its clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essential aspect of motor learning is generalizing procedural knowledge to facilitate skill acquisition across diverse conditions. Here, we examined the development of generalized motor learning during initial practice-dependent learning, and how distinct components of learning are consolidated over longer timescales during wakefulness or sleep. In the first experiment, a group of young healthy volunteers engaged in a novel motor sequence task over 36h in a two-arm experimental design (either morning-evening-morning, or evening-morning-evening) aimed at controlling for circadian confounders. The findings unveiled an immediate, rapid generalization of sequential learning, accompanied by an additional long-timescale performance gain. Sleep modulated accuracy, but not speed, above and beyond equivalent wake intervals. To further elucidate the role of sleep across ages and under neurodegenerative disorders, a second experiment utilized the same task in a group of early-stage, drug-naïve individuals with Parkinson’s disease and in healthy individuals of comparable age. Participants with Parkinson’s disease exhibited comparable performance to their healthy age-matched group with the exception of reduced performance in recalling motor sequences, revealing a disease-related cognitive shortfall. In line with the results found in young subjects, both groups exhibited improved accuracy, but not speed, following a night of sleep. This result emphasizes the role of sleep in skill acquisition and provides a potential framework for deeper investigation of the intricate relationship between sleep, aging, Parkinson’s disease, and motor learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the clinical efficacy of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and its influence on related biomarkers such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Method: 150 study subjects are randomly selected from KOA patients received treatment in the Third Hospital of Bethune Hospital from January 2022 to January 2023. After enrollment, patients are randomly numbered 1–100. 75 patients with odd and even numbers are included in the control group and the observation group, respectively. The former is cured with etocoxib, while the latter is treated with autologous PRP injection based on this. The clinical efficacy, relevant biomarkers (IL-1β, TNF-α, hs-CRP), and Lysholm knee score scale and Fugl Meyer assessment (FMA) scores are compared and analyzed. Results: The total effective rate of 94.67% (71/75) in the observation group was higher than 84.00% (63/75) in the other one group (P < 0.05). Before treatment, the comparison in IL-1β, TNF-α, hs-CRP, Lysholm knee joint score, and FMA scale score are with P > 0.05. When the treatment period is at 1 and 2 months, the IL-1β, TNF-α, hs-CRP levels within the group were lower than before treatment, while the Lysholm knee joint score and FMA scale score were higher than before treatment (P < 0.05). When the treatment period is at 1 and 2 months, the IL-1β, TNF-α, hs-CRP levels and the Lysholm knee joint and FMA scale scores in the observation group were lower and higher than those in the other one group, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The application of autologous PRP injection therapy in KOA patients can significantly improve their levels of related biomarkers, effectively improve knee joint function and motor function, and have good clinical efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ability to relearn a lost skill is critical to motor recovery after a stroke. Previous studies indicate that stroke typically affects the processes underlying motor control and execution but not the learning of those skills. However, these studies could be confounded by the presence of significant motor impairments. Furthermore, prior research involving the upper extremity indicates that stroke survivors have an advantage in offline motor learning when compared with controls. However, this has not been examined using motor acuity tasks (i.e., tasks focusing on the quality of executed actions) that have direct functional relevance to rehabilitation. Objective: Investigate how stroke affects leg motor skill learning during walking in stroke survivors. Methods: Twenty-five participants (10 stroke; 15 controls) were recruited for this prospective, case-control study. Participants learned a novel foot-trajectory tracking task on two consecutive days while walking on a treadmill. The task necessitated greater hip and knee flexion during the swing phase of the gait. Online learning was measured by comparing tracking error at the beginning and end of each practice session, offline (rest-driven) learning was measured by comparing the end of the first practice session to the beginning of the second, and retention was measured by comparing the beginning of the first practice session to the beginning of the second. Online learning, offline learning, and retention were compared between the stroke survivors and uninjured controls. Results: Stroke survivors improved their tracking performance on the first day (p = 0.033); however, the amount of learning in stroke survivors was lower in comparison with the control group on both days (p ≤ 0.05). Interestingly, stroke survivors showed higher offline learning gains when compared with uninjured controls (p = 0.011). Conclusions: Even stroke survivors with no perceivable motor impairments have difficulty acquiring new motor skills related to walking, which may be related to the underlying neural damage caused at the time of stroke. Furthermore, stroke survivors may require longer training with adequate rest to acquire new motor skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socioeconomic status (SES) tends to influence an individual's access to health care. It is commonly assumed that a poorer SES is associated with a weaker physical health status, especially in disadvantaged populations such as people with cerebral palsy (CP). However, to our knowledge, no study has looked at this assumption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe and compare the physical health status of ambulant adults with bilateral CP with different SES backgrounds. In addition, the physical health status of the ambulatory adults with CP was compared to well‐matched, typically developing adults. Twenty‐eight ambulatory adults with CP (gross motor functional classification system Level I/II/III: n = 11/12/5; SES low/middle/high: n = 10/9/9), and 28 matched typically developing adults were recruited for this study. No differences were observed between adults with CP from different SES backgrounds. Differences in physical health status between typically developing adults and ambulatory adults with CP in all SES backgrounds were found in passive range of motion (p < 0.05), muscle strength (p < 0.001), selectivity (p < 0.001), and muscle tone (p < 0.001) and balance (p < 0.05). The main finding of this study is that physical health status did not differ between ambulatory adults with CP from different SES backgrounds. This finding shows that SES does not always directly impact physical health status in ambulatory adults with CP and highlights the importance of an individual approach. Future research should determine the impact of SES on nonambulatory adults with CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young children can enhance their movements and develop motor abilities through play and education with guidance and practice. Understanding young children’s physical development and identifying potential growth areas require an analysis of their motor skills. In this study, we assess young children’s motor skills using a unique deep residual technique on the cloud-to-thing continuum. Seven kids were used to identify autistic movements. The dataset was gathered from the Tamimi Centre for Autism in Saudi Arabia. The data preprocessing to standardize the data’s scale using min–max normalization and removing noise-relevant features is extracted using principal component analysis (PCA). This step is crucial for ensuring the quality and reliability of the data used for subsequent analysis. The bumble bees mating optimization with deep residual algorithm (BBMO-DRN) is designed to handle the complexities of motor skill assessment. Finally, we explore the potential of cloud–fog–edge computing in data storing and processing young children’s motor skill development. The results showed that the proposed method performs better compared to the existing methods. This will make it possible to evaluate how well the suggested solution works in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and scalability. As a result, this proposed approach in evaluating young children’s motor skills is to improve data storage in the cloud to the thing continuum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder primarily affecting the elderly. Shunt surgery is the gold standard treatment, yet long-term outcome remains poorly investigated, especially concerning neuropsychological performance, motor skills and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of shunting in iNPH patients up to three years post-surgery. Methods: A cohort of 30 patients with iNPH who underwent shunt placement between January 2020 and February 2021 was followed up for three years. A standardized test battery assessed neuropsychological performance, quality of life, and motor skills. The patients were tested before and one, two and three years after surgery. Results: Motor skills, particularly lower body function, significantly improved post-surgery and remained improved even after three years. Upper body motor skills exhibited mixed results, with improvement in manual dexterity but not in finger tapping tests. Neuropsychological assessments revealed sustained improvement in certain aspects up to three years post-surgery, while a various degree of deterioration was observed in others. Quality of life, as measured by the Rankin Scale as well as Stein and Langfitt Grading, showed initial improvement post-surgery but declined over time. Conclusion: iNPH patients demonstrate sustained improvements in motor skills, neuropsychological function and quality of life after shunt surgery. In long-term, motor skill and certain neuropsychological aspects remained improved, quality of life and some other neurocognitive aspects declined progressively over the follow up period. These findings underscore the importance of long-term follow-up and highlight the need for further research to better understand iNPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the developmental trajectories in children who do not use canonical babbling (CB) at 10 months. The aim was to examine how speech, language, cognitive and motor abilities developed in children without CB. For 15 children identified as not having CB, consonant production, expressive vocabulary and general development were assessed at 12, 18 and 36 months from audio–video recordings. Twelve (79%) children still lacked CB at 12 months. At 18 months, six (40%) had parent-reported expressive vocabulary results below the 10th percentile, and two (14%) did not use dental/alveolar stops. The percentage of consonants correct for the group was at the level of peers at 36 months (89%, SD 0.17), but the group had fewer established target consonants than age norms. Most children had a small expressive vocabulary in comparison with Swedish age norms for younger children as well as with age-matched norms for other Nordic languages. The general development (Bayley-III) for three children (21%) who did not use speech was 1–2 SD below the average range in at least one domain (cognitive, language or motor), but the results for the whole group were within the average range. In conclusion, the heterogeneity in early consonant development in the study group resembles that of children in clinical groups with known risk for speech and language difficulties and the expressive vocabulary resembles that of children with delayed expressive vocabulary. For about one-fifth of the children, the absence of canonical babbling at age 10 months could be seen as an early sign of a more comprehensive developmental disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To explore the effects of different dose of aerobic exercise on motor function, balance, mobility, and quality of life in Parkinson's disease patients, aiming to provide insights into determining the optimal aerobic exercise dose for treating PD. Methods: Searching was conducted in four databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane. The dose of aerobic exercise intervention was evaluated based on the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine regarding the development and maintenance of cardiorespiratory health, muscle strength, and functional mobility in patients with PD. The exercise intervention dose of the included studies were first classified into high ACSM compliance and low ACSM compliance based on meeting 4/6 of the ACSM recommendations. The reliability of the results was then validated using the criterion of meeting 5/6 of the ACSM recommendations. Comparisons of the effects of aerobic exercise dose on Motor function, Balance, Mobility, and QOL in PD patients using standardized mean difference with 95% confidence intervals. Results: When using the 4/6 ACSM compliance criterion, 17 studies were categorized as high ACSM compliance and 12 as low ACSM compliance. The SMD ratios for high versus low ACSM compliance were: UPDRS-III (-0.79: -0.18), BBS (0.60: 0.05), TUG (-0.60: -0.60), and QOL (-1.05: -0.15). When using the 5/6 ACSM compliance criterion, 11 studies were categorized as high ACSM compliance and 19 as low ACSM compliance. The SMD ratios for high versus low ACSM compliance were: UPDRS-III (-0.95: -0.38), BBS (0.48: 0.37), TUG (-0.71: -0.55), and QOL (-0.7: 0.04). Conclusion: This study provides preliminary support for the potential of aerobic exercise to improve certain clinical symptoms in patients with PD. Furthermore, the results indicate that compliance to higher doses of aerobic exercise, as per ACSM standards, may contribute to improvements in motor function, balance, mobility, and quality of life for patients with PD. However, due to the heterogeneity in the studies and the influence of factors that have not yet been fully explored, these conclusions should be interpreted with caution. More highquality randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to further verify and clarify the effects of aerobic exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: With age, sensory, cognitive, and motor abilities decline, and the risk for neurodegenerative disorders increases. These impairments influence the quality of life and increase the need for care, thus putting a high burden on society, the economy, and the healthcare system. Therefore, it is important to identify factors that influence healthy aging, particularly ones that are potentially modifiable through lifestyle choices. However, large-scale studies investigating the influence of multi-modal factors on a global description of healthy aging measured by multiple clinical assessments are sparse. Methods: We propose a machine learning model that simultaneously predicts multiple cognitive and motor outcome measurements on a personalized level recorded from one learned composite score. This personalized composite score is derived from a large set of multi-modal components from the TREND cohort, including genetic, biofluid, clinical, demographic, and lifestyle factors. Results: We found that a model based on a single composite score was able to predict cognitive and motor abilities almost as well as a classical flexible regression model specifically trained for each single clinical score. In contrast to the flexible regression model, our composite score model is able to identify factors that globally influence cognitive and motoric abilities as measured by multiple clinical scores. The model identified several risk and protective factors for healthy aging and recovered physical exercise as a major, modifiable, protective factor. Discussion: We conclude that our low parametric modeling approach successfully recovered known risk and protective factors of healthy aging on a personalized level while providing an interpretable composite score. We suggest validating this modeling approach in other cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transseptal puncture (TSP) is a critical prerequisite for left-sided cardiac interventions, such as atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and left atrial appendage closure. Despite its routine nature, TSP can be technically demanding and carries a risk of complications. This study presents a novel, patient-specific, anthropomorphic phantom for TSP simulation training that can be used with X-ray fluoroscopy and ultrasound imaging. Methods: The TSP phantom was developed using additive manufacturing techniques and features a replaceable fossa ovalis (FO) component to allow for multiple punctures without replacing the entire model. Four cardiologists and one cardiology trainee performed TSP on the simulator, and their performance was assessed using four metrics: global isotropy index, distance from the centroid, time taken to perform TSP, and a set of 5-point Likert scale questions to evaluate the clinicians' perception of the phantom's realism and utility. Results: The results demonstrate the simulator's potential as a training tool for interventional cardiology, providing a realistic and controllable environment for clinicians to refine their TSP skills. Experienced cardiologists tended to cluster their puncture points closer to regions of the FO associated with higher global isotropy index scores, indicating a relationship between experience and optimal puncture localization. The questionnaire analysis revealed that participants generally agreed on the phantom's realistic anatomical representation and ability to accurately visualize the TSP site under fluoroscopic guidance. Conclusions: The TSP simulator can be incorporated into training programs, offering trainees the opportunity to improve tool handling, spatial coordination, and manual dexterity prior to performing the procedure on patients. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longitudinal assessments are needed to establish the simulator's impact on TSP performance and patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The ability to synchronize the perceptual and motor systems is important for full motor coordination and the core determinant of motor skill performance. Dance-related training has been found to effectively improve sensorimotor synchronization, however, the underlying characteristics behind these improvements still warrant further exploration. This study was conducted to investigate the behavioral and neuroactivity characteristics of ballroom dancers relative to those of non-dancers. Participants and methods: Thirty-two dancers (19.8 ± 1.8 years old) and 31 non-dancers (22.6 ± 3.1 years old) were recruited to perform a finger-tapping task in synchrony with audiovisual beat stimuli at two intervals: 400 and 800 ms, while simultaneously recording EEG data. Behavioral and neural activity data were recorded during the task. Results: The dancers employed a predictive strategy when synchronizing with the beat. EEG recordings revealed stronger brain resonance with external rhythmic stimuli, indicating heightened neural resonance compared to non-dancers (p < 0.05). The task was more challenging with an 800-ms beat interval, as observed through both behavioral metrics and corresponding neural signatures in the EEG data, leading to poorer synchronization performance and necessitating a greater allocation of attentional resources (ps < 0.05). Conclusion: When performing the finger-tapping task involving audiovisual beats, the beat interval was the primary factor influencing movement synchronization, neural activity and attentional resource allocation. Although no significant behavioral differences were observed between dancers and non-dancers, dancers have enhanced neural resonance in response to rhythmic stimuli. Further research using more ecologically valid tasks and stimuli may better capture the full extent of dancers' synchronization abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Method Results Interpretation To investigate the impact of cerebellar haemorrhage (CBH) and atrophy in infants born extremely preterm with intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) on neurodevelopment at 2 years of age.This retrospective case–control study included infants born at less than 28 weeks' gestation with IVH over a 10‐year period. CBH, along with the assessment of cerebellar size, using magnetic resonance imaging, were studied. The impact of injuries on neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years' corrected age was conducted, using multivariable regression analysis for comprehensive evaluation.In a cohort of 103 patients, 69 (67.0%) showed CBH with a median grade of 1 (interquartile range = 0–3). At the corrected age of 2 years, CBH was significantly associated with impaired cognitive and motor outcome. CBH emerged as an independent predictor of poor cognitive and motor development, as well as cerebral palsy. Cerebellar atrophy, affecting 30 (29.1%) infants, was linked to a significantly worse outcome across all domains. Conversely, an increase in cerebellar size was correlated with improved motor development.Infants born extremely preterm with IVH and concomitant CBH exhibited significant cognitive and motor impairment. The severity of developmental delay correlated with the grade of CBH. These findings hold potential to support the prediction of long‐term outcome and parental counselling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning sensorimotor trajectories through flexible neural representations is fundamental for robots as it facilitates the building of motor skills as well as equipping them with the ability to represent the world as predictable temporal events. Recent advances in deep learning led to the development of powerful learning from demonstration (LfD) systems such as Conditional Neural Movement Primitives (CNMPs). CNMPs can robustly represent skills as movement distributions and allow them to be 'recalled' by conditioning the movement on a few observation points. In this study, we focus on improving CNMPs to achieve a higher resource economy by adopting a divide-and-conquer approach. We propose a novel neural architecture called Coupled CNMP (C-CNMP), that couples the latent spaces of a pair of CNMPs that splits a given sensorimotor trajectory into segments whose learning is undertaken by smaller sub-networks. Therefore, each sub-network needs to deal with a less complex trajectory making the learning less resource-hungry. With systematic simulations on a controlled trajectory data set, we show that the overhead brought by the coupling introduced in our model is well offset by the resource and performance gain obtained. To be specific, with CNMP model as the baseline, it is shown that the proposed model is able to learn to generate trajectories in the data set with a lower trajectory error measured as the mean absolute difference between the generated trajectory and the ground truth. Importantly, our model can perform well with relatively limited resources, i.e., with less number of neural network parameters compared to the baseline. To show that the findings from the controlled data set well-transfer to robot data, we use robot joint data in an LfD setting and compare the learning performance of the proposed model with the baseline model at equal complexity levels. The simulation experiments show that with also the robot joint data, the proposed model, C-CNMP, learns to generate the joint trajectories with significantly less error than the baseline model. Overall, our study improves the state of the art in sensorimotor trajectory learning and exemplifies how divide-and-conquer approaches can benefit deep learning architectures for resource economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The rate of adjustment in a movement, driven by feedback error, is referred to as the adaptation rate, and the rate of recovery of a newly adapted movement to its unperturbed condition is called the de-adaptation rate. The rates of adaptation and de-adaptation are dependent on the training mechanism and intrinsic factors such as the participant’s sensorimotor abilities. This study investigated the facilitation of the motor adaptation and de-adaptation processes for spatiotemporal features of an asymmetric gait pattern by sequentially applying split-belt treadmill (SBT) and asymmetric rhythmic auditory cueing (ARAC). Methods: Two sessions tested the individual gait characteristics of SBT and ARAC, and the remaining four sessions consisted of applying the two interventions sequentially during training. The adjustment process to the second intervention is referred to as “re-adaptation” and is driven by feedback error associated with the second intervention. Results: Ten healthy individuals participated in the randomized six-session trial. Spatiotemporal asymmetries during the adaptation and post-adaptation (when intervention is removed) stages were fitted into a two-component exponential model that reflects the explicit and implicit adaptation processes. A double component was shown to fit better than a single-component model. The decay constants of the model were indicative of the corresponding timescales and compared between trials. Results revealed that the explicit (fast) component of adaptation to ARAC was reduced for step length and step time when applied after SBT. Contrarily, the explicit component of adaptation to SBT was increased when it was applied after ARAC for step length. Additionally, the implicit (slow) component of adaptation to SBT was inhibited when applied incongruently after ARAC for step time. Discussion: These outcomes show that the role of working motor memory as a translational tool between different gait interventions is dependent on (i) the adaptation mechanisms associated with the interventions, (ii) the targeted motor outcome of the interventions; the effects of factors (i) and (ii) are specific to the explicit and implicit components of the adaptation processes; these effects are unique to spatial and temporal gait characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In spite of rapid advances in evidence-based treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), community access to rigorous gold-standard diagnostic assessments has lagged far behind due to barriers such as the costs and limited availability of comprehensive diagnostic evaluations. Digital assessment of attention and behavior has the potential to lead to scalable approaches that could be used to screen large numbers of children and/or increase access to highquality, scalable diagnostic evaluations, especially if designed using user-centered participatory and ability-based frameworks. Current research on assessment has begun to take a user-centered approach by actively involving participants to ensure the development of assessments that meet the needs of users (e.g., clinicians, teachers, patients). Methods: The objective of this mapping review was to identify and categorize digital mental health assessments designed to aid in the initial diagnosis of ADHD as well as ongoing monitoring of symptoms following diagnosis. Results: Results suggested that the assessment tools currently described in the literature target both cognition and motor behaviors. These assessments were conducted using a variety of technological platforms, including telemedicine, wearables/sensors, the web, virtual reality, serious games, robots, and computer applications/software. Discussion: Although it is evident that there is growing interest in the design of digital assessment tools, research involving tools with the potential for widespread deployment is still in the early stages of development. As these and other tools are developed and evaluated, it is critical that researchers engage patients and key stakeholders early in the design process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This single group pre and posttest study evaluated the feasibility of a new 10-week group-based motor skills enhancement intervention: “Moving Together,” and associated use of the Challenge assessment and Gait Outcomes Assessment List (GOAL). Participant attendance/completion and satisfaction with the assessments and intervention were evaluated, and a first estimate of associated motor skill-related changes obtained. Ten ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (7–14 years) and their parents participated. Ninety percent of Challenge sessions were attended and 82.5% of GOAL questionnaires completed. Program attendance was 83% overall. Satisfaction with assessments was high for the Challenge and moderate for the GOAL, and intervention satisfaction was high. Mean change scores (95% CI) post-intervention for the Challenge and GOAL were 4.2 (−11.4 to 3.1) and 3.6 (−14.4 to 4.0) points (/100) respectively. Challenge and GOAL use was feasible and appropriate for “MovingTogether” and associated with gains in motor skill performance and functional abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motor competence (MC) is conceptually defined as a multidimensional latent construct that covers the proficient performance in motor skills and its underlying mechanisms This study aimed to statistically provide arguments that MC is a network of interconnected constructs, such as FMS, coordination, and its underlying mechanisms, which are responsible for preschoolers’ proficiency in motor tasks. Participated 102 preschoolers (65 girls, M age = 4.22 ± 0.19) who were assessed for the Test of Gross Motor Development − 2nd edition, the Motor Competence Assessment, and the Supine-to-Stand. Data were explored using Exploratory Graph Analysis, using the EGAnet package in RStudio. A four-dimensional structure (61.2% of interactions) comprising tasks of the different protocols was underlined, in which all the nodes presented stable and adequate indexes (≥0.65; TEFI = –2.67). Four dimensions of MC were highlighted, namely Dimension 1, which combined movements for locomotor patterns; Dimension 2, comprising three process-oriented measures of object control skills to project objects; Dimension 3, which comprised of skills which require body coordination to displace body through space; and Dimension 4, composed by object control skills evaluated through product-oriented measures. For a better understanding of MC, the assessment of these different aspects that comprises MC should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke, a major cause of disability, disrupts brain function and motor skills. Previous research has mainly focused on reorganization of the motor system post-stroke, but the effects on other brain areas and their influence on recovery is poorly understood. Here, we use functional neuroimaging in a nonhuman primate model (23 male Cynomolgus Macaques), we explore how ischemic stroke affects whole-brain cortical architecture and its relation to spontaneous behavioral recovery. By projecting patterns of cortical functional connectivity onto a low-dimensional manifold space, we find that several regions in both sensorimotor cortex and higher-order transmodal cortex exhibit significant shifts in their manifold embedding from pre- to post-stroke. Furthermore, we observe that changes in default mode and limbic network regions, and not preserved sensorimotor cortical regions, are associated with animal behavioral recovery post-stroke. These results establish the whole-brain functional changes associated with stroke, and suggest an important role for higher-order transmodal cortex in post-stroke outcomes. Using advanced brain imaging in male macaques, the authors show that both motor and higher-order brain regions, such as those involved in emotion and cognition, show significant changes after stroke, which are linked to better recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infant cerebral blood flow (CBF) delivers nutrients and oxygen to fulfill brain energy consumption requirements for the fastest period of postnatal brain development across the lifespan. However, organizing principle of whole-brain CBF dynamics during infancy remains obscure. Leveraging a unique cohort of 100+ infants with high-resolution arterial spin labeled MRI, we find the emergence of the cortical hierarchy revealed by the highest-resolution infant CBF maps available to date. Infant CBF across cortical regions increases in a biphasic pattern featured by initial rapid and subsequently slower rate, and break-point ages increasing along the limbic-sensorimotor-association cortical gradient. Increases in CBF in sensorimotor cortices are associated with enhanced language and motor skills, and frontoparietal association cortices with cognitive skills. The study discovers emergence of the hierarchical limbic-sensorimotor-association cortical gradient in infancy and offers standardized reference of infant brain CBF and insight into the physiological basis of cortical specialization and real-world infant developmental functioning. Here, the authors show the emergence of limbic-sensorimotor-association cortical hierarchy along with behavioral development during human infancy is underlaid by the spatiotemporal dynamics of cerebral blood flow meeting brain energy change demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical functioning can be increased in people with stroke by using a mobile health application. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of a 10-week community-based program using the WalkWithMe (WWM) application in people with late sub-acute and chronic stroke in Benin. An interventional pilot study with mixed methods research design was used examining the application of an unsupervised individualized mobile Health (mHealth) instructed training program. Main outcome included the application usage, safety, adherence, perceived enjoyment, mHealth quality, patient experiences and pre-post efficacy measures. Nine adults, five males, median age of 60 years and time since stroke of 12 months participated in this study. For most participants adherence with the application was over 70%. However, some usability problems were observed due to incorrect understanding and use by participants and technical problems. The application was very fun, stimulating and enjoyable. Significant improvements were found with median (pre/post measures) of locomotors skill (1.4/3.4); impairments (38/40), Barthel Index (85/95), activity limitation (2.1/3.1), and quality of life (194/218). A trend towards significant improvement was found with 6 minutes walking test (181/220, p = 0.06). The WWM application is perceived as a potential approach to increase physical activity and functioning among people with stroke in Benin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with reduced motor competence (MC) have reported differences in their walking performance when compared to their typically developed peers, albeit, with inconsistent results. Research questions: What is the effect of reduced balance on walking performance in adolescent boys and girls under cognitive-motor interference conditions? This cross-sectional study assessed motor competence, in adolescents aged 13–14 years, using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2nd edition and walking performance from gait parameters derived from an inertial measurement unit placed over the estimated centre of mass. Each participant performed two 10 m straight-line walks at their self-selected speed. These consisted of a walk with no distractions and a cognitive-motor interference walk (reciting the alternate letters of the alphabet out loud). A two-way mixed ANOVA was used to assess for significant interactions. 365 adolescents, (low balance = 58, typical balance = 307) participated in this study (boys = 204, girls = 161). Significant interactions were reported between MC groups and walking condition for walking speed in boys (F (1,195) = 5.23, p = 0.02, η p 2 = 0.03) and girls (F (1,154) = 4.05, p = 0.046, η p 2 = 0.03). Both sexes with low balance reduced their walking speed to a greater extent than their typically developed peers under cognitive-motor interference conditions compared to the single-task walk. In addition, boys with low balance reported increased stride length variability (F (1,198) = 4.40, p = 0.037, η p 2= 0.02) compared to typically developed peers. Adolescents with low balance report altered walking. Our data could support a better understanding of the relationship between balance and gait and may help the development of interventions to support those with difficulties. • Girls and boys with low balance reduce walking speed under CMI conditions. • Boys with low balance have increased SL variability compared to TD peers. • Walking under CMI conditions may identify reduced balance in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive-motor dual-task walking results a decrease in walking performance of patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and it is known as dual-task cost (DTC). However, there is a lack of evidence about the effects of dual-tasks with hierarchical difficulty on DTC in PwMS. This study aimed to investigate the effect of task difficulty on DTC during cognitive-motor dual-task walking in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). 32 PwMS and 32 healthy controls were included. The 6-meter walking test (6-Meter WT) with comfortable speed was used as single-task walking condition. For dual-task conditions, walking tasks and cognitive tasks at two difficulty levels (simple and difficult) were combined and DTC for four cognitive-motor dual-task walking conditions as simple motor-simple cognitive (SM-SC), simple motor-difficult cognitive (SM-DC), difficult motor-simple cognitive (DM-SC) and difficult motor-difficult cognitive (DM-DC) were calculated. The 6-Meter WT was used also for simple dual-task walking task. The 6-Meter WT was applied by walking in a narrow base condition for creating a difficult dual-task walking task. For cognitive task difficulty, participants were asked to count backwards by 3 as simple cognitive task and by 7 as difficult cognitive task. DTC was higher in PwMS than control subjects. DTC in all conditions were different (SM-SC

Motor ability decline remains a major threat to the quality of life of the elderly. Although the later stages of aging co-exist with degenerative pathologies, the long process of aging is more complicated than a simple and gradual degeneration. To combat senescence and the associated late-stage degeneration of the neuromuscular system, it is imperative to examine changes that occur during the long process of aging. Prior to late-stage degeneration, age-induced changes in the neuromuscular system trigger homeostatic plasticity. This unique phenomenon may be important for the maintenance of the neuromuscular system during the early stages of aging. In this review, we will focus on age-induced changes in neurotransmission at the neuromuscular junction, providing the potential mechanisms responsible for these changes. The goal is to highlight these key elements and their role in regulating neurotransmission, facilitating future research efforts to combat late-stage degeneration in the neuromuscular system by preserving the functional and structural integrity of these elements prior to the late stage of aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of biomechanical modeling, the development of a prosthetic hand with dexterity comparable to the human hand is a multidisciplinary challenge involving complex mechatronic systems, intuitive control schemes, and effective body interfaces. Most current commercial prostheses offer limited functionality, typically only one or two degrees of freedom (DoF), resulting in reduced user adoption due to discomfort and lack of functionality. This research aims to design a computationally efficient low-level control algorithm for prosthetic hand fingers to be able to (a) accurately manage finger positions, (b) anticipate future information, and (c) minimize power consumption. The methodology employed is known as model-based predictive control (MBPC) and starts with the application of linear identification techniques to model the system dynamics. Then, the identified model is used to implement a generalized predictive control (GPC) algorithm, which optimizes the control effort and system performance. A test bench is used for experimental validation, and the results demonstrate that the proposed control scheme significantly improves the prosthesis' dexterity and energy efficiency, enhancing its potential for daily use by people with hand loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The associations among increased pain sensitivity, obesity, and systemic inflammation have not been described as related to BBB dysfunctions. To analyze the metabolic, behavioral, and inflammatory effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) and ultrastructural modifications in brain regions, we used an in vivo experimental model. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of two conditions, an ad libitum control group or an HFD (60%)-fed group, for eight weeks. At the end of the protocol, glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed. Additionally, we analyzed the response to a normally innocuous mechanical stimulus and changes in motor coordination. At the end of the protocol, HFD-fed rats presented increased HOMA–IR and metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence. HFD-fed rats also developed an increased nociceptive response to mechanical stimuli and neurological injury, resulting in impaired motor function. Hypothalamus and cerebellum neurons from HFD-fed rats presented with nuclear swelling, an absence of nucleoli, and karyolysis. These results reveal that HFD consumption affects vital brain structures such as the cerebellum, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. This, in turn, could be producing neuronal damage, impairing cellular communication, and consequently altering motricity and pain sensitivity. Although direct evidence of a causal link between BBB dysfunction and sensory-motor changes was not observed, understanding the association uncovered in this study could lead to targeted therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To increase the number of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) programs provided by rehabilitation services. Methods: A before-and-after implementation study involving nine rehabilitation services. The implementation package to help change practice included file audit–feedback cycles, 2-day workshops, poster reminders, a community-of-practice and drop-in support. File audits were conducted at baseline, every three months for 1.5 years, and once after support ceased to evaluate maintenance of change. CIMT participant outcomes were collected to evaluate CIMT effectiveness and maintenance (Action Research Arm Test and Motor Activity Log). Staff focus groups explored factors influencing CIMT delivery. Results: CIMT adoption improved from baseline where only 2% of eligible people were offered and/or received CIMT (n = 408 files) to more than 50% over 1.5 years post-implementation (n = 792 files, 52% to 73% offered CIMT, 27%–46% received CIMT). Changes were maintained at 6-month follow-up (n = 172 files, 56% offered CIMT, 40% received CIMT). CIMT participants (n = 74) demonstrated clinically significant improvements in arm function and occupational performance. Factors influencing adoption included interdisciplinary collaboration, patient support needs, intervention adaptations, a need for continued training, and clinician support. Conclusions: The implementation package helped therapists overcome an evidence-practice gap and deliver CIMT more routinely. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) is a highly effective intervention for arm recovery after acquired brain injury, recommended in multiple clinical practice guidelines yet delivery of CIMT in practice remains rare. A multifaceted implementation package including clinician training workshops, a community of practice, drop in support and regular audit and feedback cycles improved delivery of CIMT programs in practice by neurorehabilitation teams. Stroke survivors and people with brain injury who received a CIMT program in usual practice demonstrated clinically important improvements in arm function, dexterity and occupational performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To effectively evaluate the gross motor ability of autistic children, we proposed a method of computerised evaluation of gross motor skills (CEGM). The CEGM integrates Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) method and OpenPose technology to automatically detect key joints and return a score. Ten items were selected for evaluation based on the gross motor subtest of the Psychoeducational Profile – Third Edition (PEP-3) scale, including upper limb movement, lower limb movement, and body coordination performance. 30 autistic participants (males: 23, female: 7) with an average age of 5.00 years were recruited in this study. Then we compared the results of evaluation using CEGM and the original PEP-3 gross motor subtest in autistic children. The results showed that in the evaluations using CEGM and PEP-3, Cronbach's α coefficients and Spearman-rank correlation coefficients were all greater than 0.80, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were all greater than 0.90, indicating good agreement in evaluating the gross motor ability of autistic children. Moreover, compared to the PEP-3, the evaluation using CEGM provided precise quantitative indicators (trajectory, velocity, and angle of joint). Therefore, our findings demonstrate that CEGM can be used in the initial evaluation of the gross motor ability of autistic children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While complementary feeding can be challenging, little emphasis has been placed on the introduction to food texture/pieces, especially in terms of neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study aims to determine the association between the timing of introduction to food pieces during infancy and neurodevelopment in early childhood. We hypothesized that late introduction to food texture/pieces relates to unfavorable neurodevelopmental outcomes. Methods: Families (n = 18329) were recruited from the general population during the nationwide ELFE (Étude Longitudinale Française depuis l'Enfance) birth cohort in France, and 8511 were selected for a complete case analysis. Age at introduction to food pieces was determined based on repeated assessments during the first year. A range of neurodevelopmental outcomes among children were assessed using validated instruments, i.e. composite scores at 1 and 3.5 years, and a score for language acquisition at 2 years. Risk for developmental delay at 3.5 years was defined based on a developmental quotient (DQ) below 90 according to the child's chronological age and the respective composite score at this age. We used linear regression modelling to evaluate associations between age at introduction to food pieces and the standardised neurodevelopmental scores, while logistic regression models were used in the analyses according to the risk for developmental delay. Results: Our findings highlight consistent associations between late introduction to food pieces (i.e., after 10 months, compared to early (before 8 months)) and lower estimates of standardised neurodevelopmental scores at ages 1, 2 and 3.5 years (-0.35 [-0.40; -0.30], -0.15 [-0.20; -0.10] and − 0.18 [-0.23; -0.13], respectively). Infants introduced to pieces late were also more likely to be at risk for developmental delay according to DQ < 90 (OR [95%CI] = 1.62 [1.36; 1.94]). Conclusions: This study shows that late introduction to food pieces (> 10 months) is related to lower neurodevelopmental scores. Given the challenges that complementary feeding may pose, concerted efforts are required to enhance our understanding of the sensory aspects of early diets and to ultimately provide guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objectives Materials and Methods Results Conclusions The increase of bilateral cochlear implantation (CI) in recent years has made it essential to comprehend the effects of CI on otolith function. This study aimed to investigate the development of gross motor and otolith function in patients with inner ear malformations (IEMs) using vestibular‐evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs).Overall, 78 patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) (age 5.7 ± 4.1 years) were divided into two groups based on the presence (IEM group, n = 39) or absence (control group, n = 39) of IEMs. VEMP testing was performed both before and 1–3 months after CI, and the evaluation of gross motor development was carried out.The mean ages for achieving head control and independent walking were delayed in the IEM group compared with the control group (p = 0.02). The preoperative cervical VEMP (cVEMP) and ocular VEMP (oVEMP) response rates were higher in the control group (60% and 86.95%) than in the IEM group (57.69% and 74.35%) (p < 0.05). Additionally, abnormal cVEMP was associated with delayed acquisition of independent walking (p = 0.017). Saccular and utricular functions after CI were lost by 40% and 31.75%, respectively, in patients who elicited preoperative VEMPs waveform (n = 25).Among SNHL patients, balance development is more delayed in patients of IEMs than in patients without IEMs. The cVEMP and oVEMP waveforms differed greatly between the two groups. The otolith‐vestibular nerve conduction pathway can be affected by CI, potentially leading to otolith function impairment. Therefore, it is essential to assess otolith and balance functions before CI, and this evaluation should be considered an integral part of clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a leading cause of long-term disability in children worldwide where severe cases may require complete dependence on caregivers for mobility, self-care, and social participation. The demand for caregiving may negatively impact the level of life satisfaction of the caregivers, especially the mothers. This study was thus carried out to evaluate the level of life satisfaction of mothers of children with CP, its association with perceived social support, and the motor function of their children. Method: The study involved 58 mothers of children with CP and their children. The level of life satisfaction, perceived social support, and socioeconomic status of the mothers were assessed using the satisfaction with life scale, the multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and the modified Kuppuswamy Socioeconomic Scale, respectively. The motor function of the children with CP was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Result: About 38% of the mothers of children with cerebral palsy were fully satisfied with their lives. There was no significant association among the level of life satisfaction, perceived social support of mothers of children with CP, and the motor function of their children. Conclusion: Six out of ten mothers of children with cerebral palsy are somewhat dissatisfied with life. It was recommended that measures to relieve factors leading to dissatisfaction with life should be put in place by national health policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study analyzed the relationship between oral motor and cognitive functions in community-dwelling older Korean adults. Methods: Study participants included 113 community-dwelling older adults with a mean age of 73.84 years. Subjects' cognition was assessed using the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and tongue, cheek, and lip pressures were assessed using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument. Tongue and masseter thicknesses were measured using an ultrasound device (Sonon, Healcerion, Roseville, CA, USA). The occlusal force was measured using a specialized device (Innobyte, Kube Innovation, Montreal, QC, Canada), and the number of lost teeth was directly verified by a dental hygienist. Results: Results of analysis of cognitive function according to demographic characteristics of older community-dwelling adults revealed a significant difference in cognitive function according to education level and employment status. Cognitive function demonstrated a positive correlation with oral motor function, including pressure on the cheek, lips, and tongue, thickness of the masseter and tongue, occlusal force, number of lost teeth, and age. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that demographic characteristics and cheek, lip, tongue, and masseter functions did not affect cognition, whereas occlusal force and number of lost teeth significantly affected cognition. In this study, oral motor function, excluding occlusal force and number of lost teeth, did not affect cognition. Conclusions: Future studies, however, are required to analyze the relationship between oral motor function and cognition in older adults with a wider range of such functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bloodletting is a non-pharmacological treatment commonly used for acute stroke in traditional East Asian medicine. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of bloodletting in acute stroke recovery. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of eight electronic databases up to 4 June 2024 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Review Manager 5.4 was used for the meta-analysis, with methodological quality assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the GRADE approach. Results: Seventeen RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. The bloodletting group showed statistically significant improvements in neurological deficits compared to the non-bloodletting group, as measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (mean difference [MD]: −2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −3.13 to −1.02) and the treatment effective rate (risk ratio: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.22). Motor function also improved significantly in both upper (Fugl-Meyer Assessment, MD: 12.20, 95% CI: 9.67 to 14.73) and lower extremities (MD: 3.86, 95% CI: 2.16 to 5.56). The effect on daily living activities was not significant overall, but benefits were observed in patients treated within three days of stroke onset (Barthel Index, standardized MD: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.01 to 1.69). No significant differences in the frequency of adverse events were observed between the groups. Conclusion: Bloodletting may be an effective and safe adjunctive therapy for patients with acute stroke receiving conventional Western medical treatment. However, further research is necessary because of the small sample sizes and low quality of the included studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis research examined how changes in task constraints impacted the throwing patterns of children. The study involved 24 children, with an equal number of males and females, aged 5 and 6. The primary task constraints were the orientation of the target (horizontal or vertical hoops) and the size of the ball (diameters of 6 cm or 12 cm). We observed throwing patterns and analyzed kinematic changes in the preferred throws’ components. Initially, some children transitioned from using two hands to using one hand, and from underhand to overarm throws, particularly when using the larger balls. However, the preferred pattern for most children was one-hand overarm throwing. The kinematic analysis revealed that the participants adapted their throwing technique based on the size of the ball and the orientation of the hoop. The most significant adjustments occurred in the forearm component in response to changes in the target orientation. Notably, when aiming for a vertical hoop, distinct modifications were observed, including elevating the humerus and pulling the hand backward. These findings support the dynamical systems theory, which explains how movement patterns vary during motor development. The study also discussed the potential benefits of using constraints for skill acquisition in physical education settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social and neurocognitive impairments, with mutations of the SHANK3 gene being prominent in patients with monogenic ASD. Using the InsG3680 mouse model with a Shank3 mutation seen in humans, we revealed an unknown role for Shank3 in postsynaptic oligodendrocyte (OL) features, similar to its role in neurons. This was shown by impaired molecular and physiological glutamatergic traits of InsG3680-derived primary OL cultures. In vivo, InsG3680 mice exhibit significant reductions in the expression of key myelination-related transcripts and proteins, along with deficits in myelin ultrastructure, white matter, axonal conductivity, and motor skills. Last, we observed significant impairments, with clinical relevance, in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived OLs from a patient with the InsG3680 mutation. Together, our study provides insight into Shank3's role in OLs and reveals a mechanism of the crucial connection of myelination to ASD pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the pursuit of occupational legitimacy by Korean tattooists, a profession considered illegal in South Korea. Based on in-depth interviews with 10 Korean tattooists, it explores how they navigate legal and cultural challenges, developing their skills and identities through practice. The process of professional specialization among institutionally marginalized tattooists manifests itself in an unusual form of professional skill development that inevitably requires the relentless refinement of manual skills. The author introduces the concept of unyielding tenacity, which refers to the tattooists’ attitude of persistent practice in the face of harsh conditions created by social constraints. Repetitive practice immerses them in their actions, helping them understand their work, address shortcomings, and question the injustice of the social constraints they face. This points out that before tattooists can adopt the strategy of gaining occupational legitimacy through the artification of their work, a prerequisite is the repetitive performance of their craft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Method Results Conclusions When re‐learning a motor skill, practicing a variety of treatment targets promotes error processing and the exploration of motor control strategies, which initially disrupts accuracy during training (motor performance), but ultimately enhances generalization, retention, and transfer (motor learning). Cough skill training (CST) is feasible and efficacious to improve cough strength; however, previous studies have used the same practice target during training.Our goal was to examine the impact of CST with variable practice on motor performance, motor learning, and respiratory system adaptations.The study was a prospective three‐visit single group design. Twenty individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) and concomitant dysphagia and dystussia completed two sessions of CST involving three randomized practice targets. Cough, lung volume, and airway clearance outcomes were assessed before and after treatment sessions with long‐term retention evaluated after 1 month.Peak expiratory flow rate improved after CST with variable practice for voluntary single (β = 0.35 L/s) and sequential (β = 0.22 L/s) cough, which were maintained after 1 month without treatment. The ability to expel material from the upper airway demonstrated a small magnitude of improvement (β = −1.87%). During CST, participants altered lung volume based on the treatment target and lung volume decreased during reflex cough after completing CST.Individuals with PD demonstrated improvements in several aspects of motor learning after two sessions of CST with variable practice. Increasing lung volume may not be an implicit strategy to upregulate voluntary cough strength in this treatment paradigm. The findings support the need for larger investigations exploring the potential benefits of this CST approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wrist function is a top priority for transradial amputees. However, the combined functional, biomechanical, and cognitive impact of using a powered prosthetic wrist is unclear. Here, we quantify task performance, compensatory movements, and cognitive load while three transradial amputees performed a modified Clothespin Relocation Task using two myoelectric prostheses with and without the wrists. The two myoelectric prostheses include a commercial prosthesis with a built-in powered wrist, and a newly developed inexpensive prosthetic wrist for research purposes, called the "Utah wrist", that can be adapted to work with various sockets and prostheses. For these three participants, task failure rate decreased significantly from 66% ± 12% without the wrist to 39% ± 9% with the Utah wrist. Compensatory forward leaning movements also decreased significantly, from 24.2° ± 2.5 without the wrist to 12.6° ± 1.0 with the Utah wrist, and from 23.6° ± 7.6 to 15.3° ± 7.2 with the commercial prosthesis with an integrated wrist. Compensatory leftward bending movements also significantly decreased, from 20.8° ± 8.6 to 12.3° ± 5.3, for the commercial with an integrated wrist. Importantly, simultaneous myoelectric control of either prosthetic wrist had no significant impact on cognitive load, as assessed by the NASA Task Load Index survey and a secondary detection response task. This work suggests that functional prosthetic wrists can improve dexterity and reduce compensation without significantly increasing cognitive effort. These results, and the introduction of a new inexpensive prosthetic wrist for research purposes, can aid future research and development and guide the prescription of upper-limb prostheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each individual's movements are sculpted by constant interactions between sensorimotor and sociocultural factors. A theoretical framework grounded in motor control mechanisms articulating how sociocultural and biological signals converge to shape movement is currently missing. Here, we propose a framework for the emerging field of ethnokinesiology aiming to provide a conceptual space and vocabulary to help bring together researchers at this intersection. We offer a first-level schema for generating and testing hypotheses about cultural differences in movement to bridge gaps between the rich observations of cross-cultural movement variations and neurophysiological and biomechanical accounts of movement. We explicitly dissociate two interacting feedback loops that determine culturally relevant movement: one governing sensorimotor tasks regulated by neural signals internal to the body, the other governing ecological tasks generated through actions in the environment producing ecological consequences. A key idea is the emergence of individual-specific and culturally influenced motor concepts in the nervous system, low-dimensional functional mappings between sensorimotor and ecological task spaces. Motor accents arise from perceived differences in motor concept topologies across cultural contexts. We apply the framework to three examples: speech, gait and grasp. Finally, we discuss how ethnokinesiological studies may inform personalized motor skill training and rehabilitation, and challenges moving forward. This article is part of the theme issue 'Minds in movement: embodied cognition in the age of artificial intelligence'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The period of early childhood bears significant importance from the lifespan perspective. Children from marginalized Roma communities face several risk factors that endanger their early development. Based on the gaps in available evidence, the aim of the RomaREACH research project (Research on Early Childhood in marginalized Roma communities) is, therefore, to explore the complex mechanisms influencing psychomotor development in the first 3 years of a child's life in marginalized Roma communities, and to translate and adapt instruments for measuring development and parenting in marginalized Roma communities and assess their psychometric qualities and suitability Methods: The project comprises two parts. The first part is a validation study of the translated Caregiver-Reported Early Development Instrument (CREDI) and the Comprehensive Early Childhood Parenting Questionnaire (CECPAQ), tools for the assessment of early development and of parenting strategies and practices. The second part is a longitudinal cohort study, in which the relationships of risk and protective factors with development are explored. Discussion: The RomaREACH project is a multicomponent study of social determinants of health and development in early childhood that can provide new evidence on the relationship of risk and protective factors with early development. Such young children from difficult-to-reach marginalized Roma communities are rarely included in research, and information about the scope and the extent of inequities in health and development in the period of early childhood is scarce. The expected results of the RomaREACH project have the potential to influence policy and practice by providing validated tools and evidence-based insights that can help mitigate the developmental risks faced by children in marginalized Roma communities and contribute to improving developmental outcomes and equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion More than 60% of paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) cases are of uncertain variants.The aim was to elucidate novel genetic contribution to PKD.A total of 476 probands with uncertain genetic causes were enrolled for whole‐exome sequencing. A method of case–control analysis was applied to identify the candidate genes. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording was applied to verify the electrophysiological impact of the identified variants. A mouse model with cerebellar heterozygous knockout of the candidate gene was developed via adeno‐associated virus injection, and dystonia‐like phenotype inducement and rotarod tests were performed. In vivo multiunit electrical recording was applied to investigate the change in neural excitability in knockout mice.Heterozygous variants of potassium inwardly rectifying channel subfamily J member 10 (KCNJ10) clustered in PKD patients were compared with those in the control groups. Fifteen variants were detected in 16 of 522 probands (frequency = 3.07%). Patients with KCNJ10 variants tended to have a milder manifestation compared to those with PRRT2 (proline‐rich transmembrane protein 2) variants. KCNJ10 variants partially altered the transmembrane location of inwardly rectifying potassium channel 4.1 (Kir4.1). The Kcnj10 expression is consistent with the natural course of PKD. Variants resulted in different degrees of reduction in cell Kir4.1 currents, and mice with heterozygous conditional knockout of Kcnj10 in the cerebellum presented dystonic posture, together with poor motor coordination and motor learning ability in rotarod tests. The firing rate of deep cerebellar nuclei was significantly elevated in Kcnj10‐cKO mice.We identified heterozygous variants of KCNJ10 in PKD. Impaired function of Kir4.1 might lead to abnormal neuronal excitability, which attributed to PKD. © 2024 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deficiencies in the electron transport chain (ETC) lead to mitochondrial diseases. While mutations are distributed across the organism, cell and tissue sensitivity to ETC disruption varies, and the molecular mechanisms underlying this variability remain poorly understood. Here we show that, upon ETC inhibition, a non-canonical tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle upregulates to maintain malate levels and concomitant production of NADPH. Our findings indicate that the adverse effects observed upon CI inhibition primarily stem from reduced NADPH levels, rather than ATP depletion. Furthermore, we find that Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and ME1, the key mediators orchestrating this metabolic reprogramming, are selectively expressed in astrocytes compared to neurons and underlie their differential sensitivity to ETC inhibition. Augmenting ME1 levels in the brain alleviates neuroinflammation and corrects motor function and coordination in a preclinical mouse model of CI deficiency. These studies may explain why different brain cells vary in their sensitivity to ETC inhibition, which could impact mitochondrial disease management. Mitochondrial diseases caused by ETC deficiencies affect cells differently. Here, the authors show that ETC inhibition activates a non-canonical TCA cycle to maintain NADPH levels, which explains the differential sensitivity observed between astrocytes and neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A woman in her 30s with a history of multiple bone fractures unexpectedly became pregnant and delivered a full-term baby through cesarean section, despite suffering from excruciating pain without any apparent cause or specific treatment. The patient was referred to our endocrine clinic following childbirth. Blood tests revealed a life-threatening low level of serum phosphate, normal 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration, low TmP/GFR ratio, and elevated FGF23 levels. A PET/CT scan with Gallium-68 Dotatate identified an abnormal tumor in the right calcaneus. Her FGF23 level returned to normal soon after surgical removal of the tumor, which was confirmed to be chondroblastoma. Her child's cognitive and motor skills typically developed from the newborn to preschool age. He exhibited excellent long-term growth, without any signs of rickets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By 2030, one in six people worldwide will be at least 60 years old, with associated sensorimotor changes that complicate daily activities. Aging suits simulate these conditions for younger individuals to enhance their empathy and understanding of older adults' challenges. Research on aging suits has recently increased, withevidence that these suits impair younger adults' motor performance; but, for a greater understanding of the motorchanges induced by aging suits, and, to identify any factors that may modify them, more research is needed. In this research, we explored how the presentation of the suit and the wearer's physical activity level affected motor performance. We divided 95 younger adults into two groups: (a) one informed about the suit's aging properties (aging suit group); and (b) one in which participants were told that it was a posture training suit (posture training group). Each group was further divided into low and high physical activity levels by a median-split method. Participants completed two fine motor tasks (i.e., placing and building bricks) and two gross motor tasks (i.e., heel-to-toe walking and figure-of-eight walking/running) with and without the suit. The aging suit significantly affected motor performance on all tasks, but participants aware that it was an aging suit performed worse on the figure-of-eight walking/running task than participants who thought it was a posture training suit. In addition, for the same motor task, the groups engaged in low physical activity were more affected by wearing the suit than those engaged in high physical activity. Thus, how aging suits are presented and the general activity level of wearers significantly influenced the aging suits' effects on motor performance. The findings from this study can guide future researchers in validating the use of these suits in larger studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]