-
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Underarm throwing motions are crucial in various sports, including boccia. Unlike healthy players, people with profound weakness, spasticity, athetosis, or deformity in...
Underarm throwing motions are crucial in various sports, including boccia. Unlike healthy players, people with profound weakness, spasticity, athetosis, or deformity in the upper limbs may struggle or find it difficult to control their hands to hold or release a ball using their fingers at the proper timing. To help them, our study aims to understand underarm throwing motions. We start by defining the throwing intention in terms of the launch angle of a ball, which goes hand-in-hand with the timing for releasing the ball. Then, an appropriate part of the body is determined in order to estimate ball-throwing intention based on the swinging motion. Furthermore, the geometric relationship between the movements of the body part and the release angle is investigated by involving multiple subjects. Based on the confirmed correlation, a calibration-and-estimation model that considers individual differences is proposed. The proposed model consists of calibration and estimation modules. To begin, as the calibration module is performed, individual prediction states for each subject are updated online. Then, in the estimation module, the throwing intention is estimated employing the updated prediction. To verify the effectiveness of the model, extensive experiments were conducted with seven subjects. In detail, two evaluation directions were set: (1) how many balls need to be thrown in advance to achieve sufficient accuracy; and (2) whether the model can reach sufficient accuracy despite individual differences. From the evaluation tests, by throwing 20 balls in advance, the model could account for individual differences in the throwing estimation. Consequently, the effectiveness of the model was confirmed when focusing on the movements of the shoulder in the human body during underarm throwing. In the near future, we expect the model to expand the means of supporting disabled people with ball-throwing disabilities.
Topics: Humans; Movement; Shoulder; Biomechanical Phenomena; Male; Adult; Algorithms
PubMed: 38793826
DOI: 10.3390/s24102972 -
Toxics Nov 2023Nitrous oxide abuse may cause functional cobalamin deficiency and subsequent damage to the peripheral nerves, the spinal cord, and the brain, a symptom complex best...
Nitrous oxide abuse may cause functional cobalamin deficiency and subsequent damage to the peripheral nerves, the spinal cord, and the brain, a symptom complex best described by the term cobalamin neuropathy. Here, we report a case of cobalamin neuropathy with uncommon cerebral symptomatology following nitrous oxide intoxication and contextualize the symptomatology. A 22-year-old male with a history of mixed drug dependency presented at the emergency room after inhaling six 615 g cylinders, equal to ~1800 L, of nitrous oxide daily for two weeks. His main complaints were rapidly progressing paresthesias and gait difficulties, but he was also found to suffer from memory impairment and signs of extrapyramidal pathology in the form of dystonic posturing and athetosis. Neuroimaging demonstrated spinal cord hyperintensities consistent with subacute combined degeneration. The patient had low serum cobalamin and high plasma homocysteine, suggesting cobalamin neuropathy. After commencing treatment with parenteral hydroxocobalamin, plasma homocysteine normalized. The extrapyramidal symptoms disappeared during the first days of treatment, whereas the cognitive and peripheral symptoms only partially resolved over the following 20 days. This case highlights how neurological symptoms such as hyperkinetic movements and memory impairment may be associated with chronic nitrous oxide abuse. It is unclear to what extent these and other symptoms of cobalamin neuropathy are reversible, which underscores the public health concern.
PubMed: 38133360
DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120959 -
Journal of Functional Morphology and... Dec 2023Football for people with cerebral palsy is a para-sport involving ambulant athletes with impairments, such as hypertonia, ataxia, or athetosis. The objective of the...
Football for people with cerebral palsy is a para-sport involving ambulant athletes with impairments, such as hypertonia, ataxia, or athetosis. The objective of the present study was to describe the somatotype of a representative sample of international football players according to different functional profiles of cerebral palsy, including spastic diparesis, athetosis/ataxia, spastic hemiparesis, and minimum impairment criteria, and to compare it with non-disabled football players. A total of 144 international para-footballers and 39 non-disabled footballers participated in the study, and their somatotype was calculated using anthropometric measurements. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the groups to determine and assess the differences between the different functional profiles, and the analysis of anthropometric variables and body composition showed no differences. Regarding somatotype, a predominance of the mesomorphic component was observed in all subgroups, and differences in somatotype were also found between non-disabled footballers and para-footballers with spastic hemiparesis and minimum impairment criteria. This study suggests that there may be a degree of homogeneity in terms of somatotype among footballers with or without physical impairments, such as hypertonia, athetosis, or ataxia. Furthermore, it provides reference values of international-level para-football players for the different sport classes, which can help coaches and trainers monitor athletes' physical conditions.
PubMed: 38132721
DOI: 10.3390/jfmk8040166 -
Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements... 2023Movement disorders, particularly chorea, are uncommon in inborn errors of metabolism, but their identification is essential for improved clinical outcomes. In this... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Movement disorders, particularly chorea, are uncommon in inborn errors of metabolism, but their identification is essential for improved clinical outcomes. In this context, comprehensive descriptions of movement disorders are limited and primarily derived from single cases or small patient series, highlighting the need for increased awareness and additional research in this field.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted using the MEDLINE database and GeneReviews. The search included studies on inborn errors of metabolism associated with chorea, athetosis, or ballismus. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS
The systematic review analyzed 76 studies out of 2350 records, encompassing the period from 1964 to 2022. Chorea was observed in 90.1% of the 173 patients, followed by athetosis in 5.7%. Various inborn errors of metabolism showed an association with chorea, with trace elements and metals being the most frequent. Cognitive and developmental abnormalities were common in the cohort. Frequent neurological features included seizures, dysarthria, and optic atrophy, whereas non-neurological features included, among others, facial dysmorphia and failure to thrive. Neuroimaging and biochemical testing played crucial roles in aiding diagnosis, revealing abnormal findings in 34.1% and 47.9% of patients, respectively. However, symptomatic treatment efficacy for movement disorders was limited.
DISCUSSION
This study emphasizes the complexities of chorea in inborn errors of metabolism. A systematic approach with red flags, biochemical testing, and neuroimaging is required for diagnosis. Collaboration between neurologists, geneticists, and metabolic specialists is crucial for improving early detection and individualized treatment. Utilizing genetic testing technologies and potential therapeutic avenues can aid in the improvement of patient outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Chorea; Athetosis; Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Movement Disorders; Dyskinesias
PubMed: 37810989
DOI: 10.5334/tohm.801 -
Cureus Jul 2023Involuntary movement disorders include tremors, tics, myoclonus, athetosis, chorea, dystonia, and dyskinesia. Neuroleptic drugs have the propensity to cause...
Involuntary movement disorders include tremors, tics, myoclonus, athetosis, chorea, dystonia, and dyskinesia. Neuroleptic drugs have the propensity to cause extrapyramidal side effects. Lithium-induced coarse tremors are well documented and may occur at therapeutic serum concentrations (0.8-1.0 mEq/L) in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Treatment for coarse tremors due to lithium includes either dose reduction or non-selective beta-blockers. To our knowledge, there are only four case reports regarding the lithium-induced awakening of cell memory of involuntary movement disorders worldwide. In scientific literature, only two drugs have the propensity to reawaken past cell memory. These intriguing findings can have a wider application across fields such as past-life regression therapy, post-traumatic stress disorder, catharsis, or recall of sub-aural temporal high-frequency burst-erased memory-type of mind-altering techniques. We report a case of lithium-induced awakening of the cell memory of involuntary dyskinesia in a female who took treatment for bipolar disorder in the past.
PubMed: 37641744
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42592 -
Clinics and Practice Aug 2023Drug-induced movement disorders affect a significant percentage of individuals, and they are commonly overlooked and underdiagnosed in clinical practice. Many... (Review)
Review
Drug-induced movement disorders affect a significant percentage of individuals, and they are commonly overlooked and underdiagnosed in clinical practice. Many comorbidities can affect these individuals, making the diagnosis even more challenging. Several variables, including genetics, environmental factors, and aging, can play a role in the pathophysiology of these conditions. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) are the most commonly used classification systems in categorizing drug-induced movement disorders. This literature review aims to describe the abnormal movements associated with some medications and illicit drugs. Myoclonus is probably the most poorly described movement disorder, in which most of the reports do not describe electrodiagnostic studies. Therefore, the information available is insufficient for the diagnosis of the neuroanatomical source of myoclonus. Drug-induced parkinsonism is rarely adequately evaluated but should be assessed with radiotracers when these techniques are available. Tardive dyskinesias and dyskinesias encompass various abnormal movements, including chorea, athetosis, and ballism. Some authors include a temporal relationship to define tardive syndromes for other movement disorders, such as dystonia, tremor, and ataxia. Antiseizure medications and antipsychotics are among the most thoroughly described drug classes associated with movement disorders.
PubMed: 37623268
DOI: 10.3390/clinpract13040087 -
Child's Nervous System : ChNS :... Oct 2023Non-spastic movement disorders in children are common, although true epidemiologic data is difficult to ascertain. Children are more likely than adults to have... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Non-spastic movement disorders in children are common, although true epidemiologic data is difficult to ascertain. Children are more likely than adults to have hyperkinetic movement disorders defined as tics, dystonia, chorea/athetosis, or tremor. These conditions manifest from acquired or heredodegenerative etiologies and often severely limit function despite medical and surgical management paradigms. Neurosurgical management for these conditions is highlighted.
METHODS
We performed a focused review of the literature by searching PubMed on 16 May 2023 using key terms related to our review. No temporal filter was applied, but only English articles were considered. We searched for the terms (("Pallidotomy"[Mesh]) OR "Rhizotomy"[Mesh]) OR "Deep Brain Stimulation"[Mesh], dystonia, children, adolescent, pediatric, globus pallidus, in combination. All articles were reviewed for inclusion in the final reference list.
RESULTS
Our search terms returned 37 articles from 2004 to 2023. Articles covering deep brain stimulation were the most common (n = 34) followed by pallidotomy (n = 3); there were no articles on rhizotomy.
DISCUSSION
Non-spastic movement disorders are common in children and difficult to treat. Most of these patients are referred to neurosurgery for the management of dystonia, with modern neurosurgical management including pallidotomy, rhizotomy, and deep brain stimulation. Historically, pallidotomy has been effective and may still be preferred in subpopulations presenting either in status dystonicus or with high risk for hardware complications. Superiority of DBS over pallidotomy for secondary dystonia has not been determined. Rhizotomy is an underutilized surgical tool and more study characterizing efficacy and risk profile is indicated.
Topics: Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Child; Dystonia; Movement Disorders; Tremor; Dystonic Disorders; Neurosurgical Procedures; Globus Pallidus; Deep Brain Stimulation; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37522933
DOI: 10.1007/s00381-023-06100-1 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2023The purpose of this study was 1) to determine and compare kinetic parameters during the realization of a countermovement jump (CMJ) between footballers with cerebral...
The purpose of this study was 1) to determine and compare kinetic parameters during the realization of a countermovement jump (CMJ) between footballers with cerebral palsy (CP) and non-impaired footballers, and 2) to analyze the differences in this action between different players' impairment profiles and a group of non-impaired footballers. This study involved 154 participants comprising 121 male footballers with CP from 11 national teams and 33 male non-impaired football players recruited as the control group (CG). The footballers with CP were described according to the different impairment profiles (bilateral spasticity = 10; athetosis or ataxia = 16; unilateral spasticity = 77; minimum impairment = 18). All participants performed three CMJs on a force platform to record kinetic parameters during the test. The group of para-footballers presented significantly lower values than the CG in the jump height ( < 0.01, = -1.28), peak power ( < 0.01, = -0.84), and the net concentric impulse ( < 0.01, = -0.86). Concerning the pairwise comparisons between CP profiles and the CG, significant differences were found for the bilateral spasticity, athetosis or ataxia, and unilateral spasticity subgroups compared to the non-impaired players for jump height ( < 0.01; = -1.31 to -2.61), power output ( < 0.05; = -0.77 to -1.66), and concentric impulse of the CMJ ( < 0.01; = -0.86 to -1.97). When comparing the minimum impairment subgroup with the CG, only significant differences were found for jump height ( = 0.036; = -0.82). Footballers with minimum impairment presented higher jumping height ( = 0.002; = -1.32) and concentric impulse ( = 0.029; = -1.08) compared to those with bilateral spasticity. Also, the unilateral spasticity subgroup reports a higher jump height performance than the bilateral group ( = 0.012; = -1.12). These results suggest that the variables related to power production during the concentric phase of the jump are crucial for the performance differences between groups with and without impairment. This study provides a more comprehensive understanding of kinetic variables that would differentiate CP and non-impaired footballers. However, more studies are necessary to clarify which parameters better differentiate among different profiles of CP. The findings could help to prescribe effective physical training programs and support the classifier's decision-making for class allocation in this para-sport.
PubMed: 37179834
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1121652