Ekso Exoskeletal Device Tested In 6 Patients With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Monitored by scientists at Kessler Foundation, six people with traumatic spinal cord injuries tested Ekso, the robotic exoskeleton from Ekso Bionics that enables wheelchair users to stand and walk. The six participated in one week of preliminary testing in October 2011. Five patients have paraplegia and one has quadriplegia; they ranged in age from 27 to 45 and had durations of injury from 4 months to 2 years. A video highlights their experiences.

Healthified Dark Chocolate Truffles

This simple, yet truly indulgent treat is a snap to make! The dark chocolate and cereal also makes it a wonderfully wholesome snack.

Physical Function Following Hip Replacement Surgery Improved By Walking Skills Program

Researchers in Norway report that patients who receive walking skills training following total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis show improved physical function. The physical therapy program displayed a positive effect on walking distance and stair climbing which continued 12 months following hip replacement surgery. Results of the study appear in Arthritis Care & Research, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

Study To See If Walking And/Or Memory Training May Prevent Memory Problems In People With Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Baltimore VA Medical Center have launched a study of exercise and computerized memory training to see if those activities may help people with Parkinson’s disease prevent memory changes. The type of memory that will be examined is known as “executive function;” it allows people to take in information and use it in a new way. Many Parkinson’s patients develop problems with executive function, which can prevent them from working and may eventually require a caregiver to take over more of the complex cognitive tasks of daily living.

Potential To Learn High-Performance Tasks With Little Or No Conscious Effort

New research published in the journal Science suggests it may be possible to use brain technology to learn to play a piano, reduce mental stress or hit a curve ball with little or no conscious effort. It’s the kind of thing seen in Hollywood’s “Matrix” franchise.

Melorheostosis in the Hand and Forearm

Originally posted in: American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation:

BY: Tekin, Levent MD,; Akarsu, Selim MD,; Durmu?, O?uz MD,; Kralp, Mehmet Zeki MD?

A 21-yr-old man was being seen for pain and weakness in his right fingers, hand, and forearm for the past 3 mos. Upon detailed questioning, he related that his symptoms ensued after excessive exercise (heavy lift, push-up, pull-up, rope climb, etc) but not during routine daily activities or during rest. The medical history was otherwise noncontributory. Upon physical examination, it was found that there was hyperesthesia/algesia on the dorsal side of the fourth and fifth fingers and the forearm on the right side. Secondary to pain, wrist flexion was limited.

When Agnes’ stroke hit, acting FAST saved her life

From The National Stroke Association
http://www.Stroke.org

On February 10, 2009, Agnes, a nurse manager at a hospital stroke unit went from being the stroke nurse to a stroke patient without warning.

Agnes is a 35-year nursing veteran and a key nursing advocate and partner in establishing the hospital’s stroke unit. Her enthusiasm and dedication to advances in stroke care piggy-backed off her experiences in the emergency department.

Her stroke occurred while relieving one of her nurses for meal break in her stroke unit. A blood clot embolized from her heart to the right middle cerebral artery. Thankfully, a person in the room where Agnes was working recognized the warning signs and symptoms and called an RRT (Rapid Response Team Code).