Alina Iliescu

Dynamics of Inflammatory Markers in Post-Acute Stroke Patients Undergoing Rehabilitation

Stroke is a pathological condition associated with an enhanced inflammatory response that has a multifactorial etiology. We evaluated the dynamic of plasma concentrations of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, soluble form of intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] during the rehabilitation of post-acute stroke patients (n = 20), in parallel with control subjects (n = 24). Stroke patients had significantly increased concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and Lp(a) when compared to healthy controls. It was found that the changes in the IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α concentrations associated with the pathological condition were statistically significant (χ2 = 4.81, p = 0.028, χ2 = 10.40, p = 0.005 and χ2 = 6.73, p = 0.034, respectively). The decrease of Lp(a) during the rehabilitation had statistical significance (p = 0.043), while the decrease of IL-1α had marginal significance (p = 0.071). IL-1α, TNF-α, and Lp(a) concentrations were significantly negatively correlated with the Barthel index values, suggesting that the decrease of these inflammatory markers was beneficial for patients’ recovery.

Rationale in Designing a New System for Gait Rehabilitation

Our multidisciplinary team decided to concentrate efforts in developing a new gait rehabilitation system, able to respond to most of the requirements of an ideal training system. Therefore, we identified the system’s necessary, we compared the costs and the benefits of the existing concepts and systems, and we developed the concept and the design of the system called RELIVE. Developing this system makes the object of a funded national research and development project.

Instrumented Gait Analysis for Assessing the Efficiency of a Complex Rehabilitation Program in Patients with Stroke – A Case Study

Annually, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke. Establishing the disability status after stroke is the key for the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine point of view. 90% of those who have suffered a stroke show multiple impairments. The post stroke walking pattern has a major impact on the patient’s activity and participation capacity and to regain a functional gait is one of the most important goals of the rehabilitation intervention. The instrumented gait analysis is the key for accurately assessing the efficiency of a gait rehabilitation program and may be an important tool for designing personalized training. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a complex rehabilitation program on the walking pattern in patients with after stroke hemiparesis.

Advanced technology for gait rehabilitation --- An overview

Most gait training systems are designed for acute and subacute neurological inpatients. Many systems are used for relearning gait movements (nonfunctional training) or gait cycle training (functional gait training). Each system presents its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of functional outcomes. However, training gait cycle movements is not sufficient for the rehabilitation of ambulation. There is a need for new solutions to overcome the limitations of existing systems in order to ensure individually tailored training conditions for each of the potential users, no matter the complexity of his or her condition. There is also a need for a new, integrative approach in gait rehabilitation, one that encompasses and addresses all aspects of physical as well as psychological aspects of ambulation in real-life multitasking situations. In this respect, a multidisciplinary multinational team performed an overview of the current technology for gait rehabilitation and reviewed the principles of ambulation training.

Systems for Whole Body Vibration - current state of technology

Whole-Body Vibration Therapy (WBVT) is known as “biomechanical stimulation” or “biomechanical oscilation”. Application of WBVT in recreational or therapeutic framework is used in order to increase muscle strength and athletic performance. Despite the rich history of this therapy, the mechanisms underlying its efficiency and advantages remain unclear. To develop a new WBVT device intended to improve muscle and bone condition, a bibliographical research has been performed, in order to provide a comprehensive image of the technology used nowadays for WBVT and its therapeutic benefits.

Deterioration by friction on contact surfaces of the total knee prosthesis

In order to assess the wearing of polyethylene with high molecular density in knee prosthesis due to friction processes, a mathematical model of the forces at work has been developed.

Assessing the Relationship between Joint Damage and Gait Impairment in Children with Haemophilic Arthropathy. A Clinical Study

The long term consequence of repeated haemarthrosis is the damage of joint tissue and irreversible haemophilic arthropathy, with severe gait related disability. Physical Therapy represents an inexpensive therapeutical intervention, with a central place in the management of the children with haemophilia, especially in the developing countries, where the profilactic substitution treatment is not established as standard procedure. Preventing and delaying the progress of the disease are essential objectives. The related interventions must be based on an appropriate assessment. The aim of our study is to investigate the relations between the joint damage – evaluated clinically and functionally, and the overall scores concerning the walking ability in children with haemophilia.

Elements of Gait Kinematic Analyze in CAMONAL Project

The kinematics of the human body is very complex. Every movement involves many joints, muscles and a special nervous control. The modern miniaturized inertial sensor systems prove to be valuable tools for rehabilitation medicine. We present the way a system of inertial sensors can be used to compare healthy and affected lower limb movements during gait.

Healthier by Safe Persuasion

We have three generations of persuasive technology devices used in health care, up to now. The IS-ACTIVE system –Inertial Sensing System for advanced Chronic Condition Monitoring and Risk Prevention is a third generation system, using IT, inertial sensors, sensors for physiological parameters and a feedback device in order to improve the physical activity and subsequently, the health state and the quality of life for people affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory and cardiovascular disabling medical conditions.