Search Results (40)

This study presents a real-time hand tracking and collision detection system for immersive mixed-reality boxing training on Apple Vision Pro (Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA, USA). Leveraging the device’s advanced spatial computing capabilities, this research addresses the limitations of traditional fitness applications that lack precision for technique-based sports like boxing with visual-only hand tracking. The system is designed to provide objective feedback by recognizing boxing-specific gestures with sub-centimeter accuracy and validating biomechanical correctness during punch execution. A three-stage pipeline consisting of geometric filtering, biomechanical validation, and punch technique assessment rejects accidental or improper motions. Experimental evaluation involving 12 participants demonstrated a gesture recognition accuracy of 96.3% and a technique validation accuracy of 88.5%. The system consistently operated at 60 FPS with low latency and high robustness across diverse lighting conditions. These results indicate the potential of Apple Vision Pro as a platform for precision sports training and highlight the educational impact of mixed reality in democratizing access to high-quality boxing instruction. The proposed framework is extensible to other skill-based sports requiring fine motor control and real-time feedback. Full article

Background: The motor response to human visual stimuli is unique and differs from the reaction to light-based visual stimuli. While laboratory-based tests offer valuable insights into athletes’ basic perceptual–motor abilities, their translation to actual sports-specific tests is limited. Methods: Following a thorough warm-up, 44 collegiate-level male soccer players (age: 24.4 ± 2.5 y, mass: 63.01 ± 7.3 kg, stature: 167.62 ± 6.3 cm) from a tertiary institution completed the following tests: Sports Vision Test (20-light proactive speed test), 40 m sprint test (split times over 5, 10, 20 and 40 m), and a live Reactive Agility Test (RAT) entailing them to sprint, change direction either towards their dominant limb or non-dominant limb in response to a live tester, and sprint again. Results: Numerous moderate correlations were seen between the RAT and various sprint distances (r > 0.3, ES > 0.3, p < 0.05). The reaction speed relationship between the light-based (SVT) and live stimuli (RAT) test yielded a weak relationship (r > 0.4, ES > 0.5, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the light-based hand–eye coordination speed did not predict acceleration or top speed, while the total RAT time did explain 10.5% of top speed (40 m). No significant differences in the SVT average and total time were found among playing positions. Conclusions: The limited correlations observed indicate that light-based reaction training alone may not be sufficient to translate to field-based reactive agility; therefore, training should integrate perceptual–cognitive and motor demands. Future research should refine laboratory-based tests by incorporating contextual elements to enhance ecological validity and further investigate the transferability of these skills from controlled settings to real-world game scenarios. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that affects girls and is characterized by severe motor and cognitive impairments, the loss of purposeful hand use, and communication difficulties. Children with RTT, especially those aged 5 to 9 years, often struggle to develop the foundational skills necessary for adaptive functioning, such as eye contact, object tracking, functional gestures, turn-taking, and basic communication. These abilities are essential for cognitive, social, and motor development and contribute to greater autonomy in daily life. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of a structured telerehabilitation program and to provide preliminary observations of its potential utility for young girls with RTT, addressing the presumed challenge of engaging this population in video-based interactive training. Methods: The intervention consisted of 30 remotely delivered sessions (each lasting 90 min), with assessments at baseline (A), after 5 weeks (B1), and after 10 weeks (B2). Quantitative outcome measures focused on changes in eye contact, object tracking, functional gestures, social engagement, and responsiveness to visual stimulus. Results: The findings indicate that the program was feasible and well-tolerated. Improvements were observed across all measured domains, and participants showed high levels of engagement and participation throughout the intervention. While these results are preliminary, they suggest that interactive digital formats may be promising for supporting foundational learning processes in children with RTT. Conclusions: This study provides initial evidence that telerehabilitation is a feasible approach for engaging young girls with RTT and supporting adaptive skill development. These findings may inform future research and the design of controlled studies to evaluate the efficacy of technology-assisted interventions in this population. Full article

Background and Objectives: Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is revolutionizing stroke rehabilitation by offering innovative neuroengineering solutions to address neurological deficits. By bypassing peripheral nerves and muscles, BCIs enable individuals with severe motor impairments to communicate their intentions directly through control signals derived from brain activity, opening new pathways for recovery and improving the quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore the beneficial effects of BCI system-based interventions on upper limb motor function and performance of activities of daily living (ADL) in stroke patients. We hypothesized that integrating BCI into occupational therapy would result in measurable improvements in hand strength, dexterity, independence in daily activities, and cognitive function compared to baseline. Materials and Methods: An observational study was conducted on 56 patients with subacute stroke. All patients received standard medical care and rehabilitation for 54 days, as part of the comprehensive treatment protocol. Patients underwent BCI training 2–3 times a week instead of some occupational therapy sessions, with each patient completing 15 sessions of BCI-based recoveriX treatment during rehabilitation. The occupational therapy program included bilateral exercises, grip-strengthening activities, fine motor/coordination tasks, tactile discrimination exercises, proprioceptive training, and mirror therapy to enhance motor recovery through visual feedback. Participants received ADL-related training aimed at improving their functional independence in everyday activities. Routine occupational therapy was provided five times a week for 50 min per session. Upper extremity function was evaluated using the Box and Block Test (BBT), Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), and dynamometry to assess gross manual dexterity, fine motor skills, and grip strength. Independence in daily living was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed across all the outcome measures (p < 0.001). The strength of the stroke-affected hand improved from 5.0 kg to 6.7 kg, and that of the unaffected hand improved from 29.7 kg to 40.0 kg. Functional independence increased notably, with the FIM scores rising from 43.0 to 83.5. Cognitive function also improved, with MMSE scores increasing from 22.0 to 26.0. The effect sizes ranged from moderate to large, indicating clinically meaningful benefits. Conclusions: This study suggests that BCI-based occupational therapy interventions effectively improve upper extremity motor function and daily functions and have a positive impact on the cognition of patients with subacute stroke. Full article

Introduction: Mastering microsurgery requires advanced fine motor skills, hand–eye coordination, and precision, making it challenging for novices. Robot-assisted microsurgery offers benefits, such as eliminating physiological tremors and enhancing precision through motion scaling, which may potentially make learning microsurgical skills easier. Materials and Methods: Sixteen medical students without prior microsurgical experience performed 160 anastomoses in a synthetic model. The students were randomly assigned into two cohorts, one starting with the conventional technique (HR group) and one with robotic assistance (RH group) using the Symani surgical system. Results: Both cohorts showed a reduction in procedural time and improvement in SAMS scores over successive attempts, with robotic anastomoses demonstrating a 48.2% decrease in time and a 54.6% increase in SAMS scores. The decreases were significantly larger than the RH group (p < 0.05). The quality of the final anastomoses was comparable in both groups (p > 0.05). Discussion: This study demonstrated a steep preclinical learning curve for robot-assisted microsurgery (RAMS) among novices in a synthetic, preclinical model. No significant differences in SAMS scores between robotic and manual techniques after ten anastomoses. Robot-assisted microsurgery required more time per anastomosis, but the results suggest that experience with RAMS may aid in manual skill acquisition. The study indicates that further exploration into the sequencing of robotic and manual training could be valuable, especially in designing structured microsurgical curricula. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that causes the loss of motor, communicative, and cognitive skills. While no cure exists, rehabilitation plays a crucial role in improving quality of life. Virtual Reality (VR) has shown promise in enhancing motor function and reducing stereotypic behaviors in RTT. This study aims to assess the impact of VR training on upper limb motor skills in RTT patients, focusing on reaching and hand-opening tasks, as well as examining its role in motivation and engagement during rehabilitation. Methods: Twenty RTT patients (aged 5–33) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (VR training) and a control group (standard rehabilitation). Pre- and post-tests evaluated motor skills and motivation in both VR and real-world contexts. The VR training involved 40 sessions over 8 weeks, focusing on fine motor tasks. Non-parametric statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Results: Results indicated significant improvements in the experimental group for motor parameters, including reduced stereotypy intensity and frequency, faster response times, and increased correct performance. These improvements were consistent across VR and ecological conditions. Moreover, attention time increased, while the number of aids required decreased, highlighting enhanced engagement and independence. However, motivation levels remained stable throughout the sessions. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential of VR as a tool for RTT rehabilitation, addressing both motor and engagement challenges. Future research should explore the customization of VR environments to maximize the generalization of skills and sustain motivation over extended training periods. Full article

Background/Objectives: Patients with physical disabilities, like cerebral palsy, the most common movement disorder in childhood, can benefit from instrumental therapy using piano. Playing the piano promotes the interaction between different brain regions and integrates motor skills, sensory skills, musical hearing, and emotions. A pilot music study examined the effects of six months of piano lessons on hand motor skills and musical hearing in groups of children with motor disabilities. Methods: The allocation to the group was not randomized. Various tests, including the standardized Box and Block Test (BBT) and piano tests, assessed hand motor skills. Musical hearing was evaluated, and a questionnaire was used to determine the participants’ enjoyment and experience with the piano lessons. The regularity, tempo of keystrokes, and synchronization between the two hands were assessed and compared to evaluate the effects of six months of piano training. Results: After six months of piano training, statistically significant improvements were observed in the BBT, as well as in the regularity and tempo of the non-dominant hand. The children showed significant improvement in hand-motor control, moving 27.3% more cubes in the BBT. Regularity and tempo in piano playing, especially in the non-dominant hand, also improved. Moreover, 55% of the children better recognized the correct pitches of notes. Conclusions: Thus, this study supports the concept that piano lessons are an effective form of physical therapy for the development of hand motor skills and musical hearing. Full article

This paper presents the theoretical foundation, practical implementation, and empirical evaluation of a glove for interaction with 3-D virtual environments. At the dawn of the “Spatial Computing Era”, where users continuously interact with 3-D Virtual and Augmented Reality environments, the need for a practical and intuitive interaction system that can efficiently engage 3-D elements is becoming pressing. Over the last few decades, there have been attempts to provide such an interaction mechanism using a glove. However, glove systems are currently not in widespread use due to their high cost and, we propose, due to their inability to sustain high levels of performance under certain situations. Performance deterioration has been observed due to the distortion of the local magnetic field caused by ordinary ferromagnetic objects present near the glove’s operating space. There are several areas where reliable hand-tracking gloves could provide a next generation of improved solutions, such as American Sign Language training and automatic translation to text and training and evaluation for activities that require high motor skills in the hands (e.g., playing some musical instruments, training of surgeons, etc.). While the use of a hand-tracking glove toward these goals seems intuitive, some of the currently available glove systems may not meet the accuracy and reliability levels required for those use cases. This paper describes our concept of an interaction glove instrumented with miniature magnetic, angular rate, and gravity (MARG) sensors and aided by a single camera. The camera used is an off-the-shelf red, green, and blue–depth (RGB-D) camera. We describe a proof-of-concept implementation of the system using our custom “GMVDK” orientation estimation algorithm. This paper also describes the glove’s empirical evaluation with human-subject performance tests. The results show that the prototype glove, using the GMVDK algorithm, is able to operate without performance losses, even in magnetically distorted environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: To date, the health effects of karate have not been identified. Therefore, the aim of this article is to learn more about the health effects of karate training based on a review of current research. Methods: The Scopus database was searched from 2000 onwards for available articles related only to karate. The following intermediate phrases were not included: combat sport, fighting art, hand-to-hand combat, martial art, and self-defence system. The filter used was desk review analysis. Only 14 scientific articles (research papers and review papers) strictly on karate were found. The method of source material analysis and critical analysis of the source text was then used. Results: It was shown that kumite appears to require significantly more metabolic power than kata. Furthermore, the greater skill of karatekas is associated with their greater physical fitness, and long-term karate training attenuates the decline in dynamic visual acuity (DVA). The role of modified and individualised forms of karate training is also highlighted as important for the health of practitioners. Furthermore, long-term karate practice is associated with extensive modulation of immunological parameters. Karate training can also significantly improve motor skills. It can also play an important role in the development of willpower and personality traits that contribute to the well-being of its practitioners. Furthermore, nutritional and psychological interventions combined with karate training may improve cardiometabolic parameters, oxidative stress and inflammation. Karate training may also contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis and strengthen the left ventricular myocardium. Conclusions: It was found that there is a paucity of contemporary research on the health effects of karate training. In addition, they are limited to the individuals studied, so that generalisations about these effects in the general population of karate practitioners cannot be made. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fine motor movements are essential for daily activities, such as handwriting, and rely heavily on visual information to enhance motor complexity and minimize errors. Tracing tasks provide an ecological method for studying these movements and investigating sensorimotor processes. To date, our understanding of the influence of different quantities of visual information on fine motor control remains incomplete. Our study examined how variations in the amount of visual feedback affect motor performance during handwriting tasks using a graphic pen tablet projecting on a monitor. Methods: Thirty-seven right-handed young adults (20 to 35 years) performed dot-to-dot triangle tracing tasks under nine experimental conditions with varying quantities of visual cues. The conditions and triangle shape rotations were randomized to avoid motor training or learning effects. Motor performance metrics, including absolute error, time of execution, speed, smoothness, and pressure, were analyzed. Results: As visual information increased, absolute error (from 6.64 mm to 2.82 mm), speed (from 99.28 mm/s to 57.19 mm/s), and smoothness (from 4.17 mm²/s⁶ to 0.80 mm²/s⁶) decreased, while time of execution increased (from 12.68 s to 20.85 s), reflecting a trade-off between accuracy and speed. Pressure remained constant across conditions (from 70.35 a.u. to 74.39). Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated a moderate to strong correlation between absolute error and time of execution across conditions. The Friedman test showed significant effects of experimental conditions on all motor performance metrics except for pressure, with Kendall’s W values indicating a moderate to strong effect size. Conclusion: These findings deepen our understanding of sensorimotor integration processes and could potentially have implications for optimizing motor skills acquisition and training and developing effective rehabilitation strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Previous evidence has shown that American football headgear (e.g., facemasks, visors/eye shields) differentially impairs reaction time (RT) to visual stimuli, most notably in peripheral fields of view. However, this has only been established with stationary RT testing, which may not translate to gameplay situations that require gross motor skills. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to build upon previous findings to elucidate the effects of various American football headgear on gross motor visuomotor drill performance. Methods: Division 1 NCAA football players (n = 16) with normal/corrected-to-normal vision participated and completed two experiments (EXP), each with differing conditions: EXP1- Varying facemask reinforcement and EXP2- Varying visor/eye shield light transmittance. In EXP1, participants completed an agility test for the following conditions: baseline/no helmet (BL), helmet + light (HL), helmet + medium (HM), and helmet + heavy (HH) face mask reinforcement. In EXP2, participants completed an agility test for the following conditions: baseline/no helmet (BL), helmet + clear visor (HCV), helmet + smoke-tinted visor (HSV), and helmet + mirrored visor (HMV). For each condition in EXP1 and EXP2, participants completed a reactive agility task using a FITLIGHT trainer system where five poles were equipped with a total of ten LED sensors and were placed in a semi-circle 1 m around a center point. Participants were asked to step and reach with their hands to hit each ten lights individually as fast as possible upon illumination. Each reactive agility test was repeated for a total of three attempts. Results: Average reaction time was analyzed and compared between conditions and according to visual fields of interest (e.g., central vs. peripheral). Results from EXP1 showed that compared to BL, reactive agility was worsened by HL (p = 0.030), HM (p = 0.034), and HH (p = 0.003) conditions. No differences between facemask conditions existed for overall performance (p > 0.05). For EXP2, HCV (p < 0.001), HSV (p < 0.001), and HMV (p < 0.001) conditions resulted in worsened reactive agility performance compared to BL. No differences between visor conditions existed for overall performance (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Overall, these findings suggest that American football headgear impairs reactive agility, which could result in worsened game performance and safety. Future studies investigating training strategies to overcome impairments are warranted. Full article

Background/Objectives: Early interventions for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy (CP) are recommended, but limited evidence exists. Our objective was, therefore, to evaluate the effects of the family-centered and interprofessional Small Step early intervention program on motor development in infants at high risk of CP (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03264339). Methods: A single-subject research design was employed to investigate participant characteristics (motor dysfunction severity measured using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) and Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at three months of corrected age (3mCA) related to intervention response. The repeated measures Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 fine and gross motor composite (PDMS2-FMC and -GMC) and Hand Assessment for Infants (HAI) were analyzed visually by cumulative line graphs, while the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) was plotted against reference percentiles for various Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels. Results: All infants (n = 12) received the Small Step program, and eight completed all five training steps. At two years of corrected age (2yCA), nine children were diagnosed with CP. The children with the lowest HINE < 25 and/or AIMS ≤ 6 at 3mCA (n = 4) showed minor improvements during the program and were classified at GMFCS V 2yCA. Children with HINE = 25–40 (n = 5) improved their fine motor skills during the program, and four children had larger GMFM-66 improvements than expected according to the reference curves but that did not always happen during the mobility training steps. Three children with HINE = 41–50 and AIMS > 7 showed the largest improvements and were not diagnosed with CP 2yCA. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the Small Step program contributed to the children’s motor development, with better results for those with an initial higher HINE (>25). The specificity of training could not be confirmed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent guidelines on early intervention in children at high risk of cerebral palsy (CP) recommend parental involvement and family-centered home-based interventions with parents as primary trainers. Therapist coaching by home visitation is resource demanding, and telerehabilitation is a viable option for remote intervention and coaching. This study aims to describe parents’ experiences of engaging in Baby-mCIMT coached remotely. Their infants are at high risk of unilateral cerebral palsy and the parents have been the primary trainers in regard to home-based intervention, optimizing the use of the affected hand. Methods: A qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews with eight parents was employed. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The overarching theme “Parents in the driver’s seat—learning through remote coaching to create conditions to enhance the child’s motor skills” describes parents’ experiences as primary training providers. The following three underlying categories with subcategories were identified: (1) Baby-mCIMT coached remotely in an everyday context—practical and technical prerequisites; (2) the child’s response and the therapists’ coaching supports active parental learning; (3) capability and sense of control—strengthening and demanding aspects. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that Baby-mCIMT coached remotely empowered the parents as primary trainers, which provided them with opportunities for understanding and learning about their child and their development. The findings underscore the importance of responsive professional guidance and a strong therapist–parent relationship to succeed with the Baby-mCIMT program coached remotely and to manage the digital coaching format. Full article

Physiological hand tremors appear to be one of the most common types of tremors that occur during the lifespan. Activities most prominently affected by hand tremors are those involving the movement of small muscles, such as fine motor skills, which in turn could be influenced by several factors, including lateral dominance. The difference in skills due to lateral dominance is defined as inter-limb imbalance or inter-limb asymmetry. When this asymmetry is attributed to the tremor and the difference in tremor between the limbs, it could be defined as the inter-limb asymmetry of tremors. This study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of wobble-board hand exercise training on the inter-limb asymmetry of tremors. Thirty-two (eighteen males and fourteen females) participants (age: 25.2 ± 2.6 years, weight: 63.9 ± 10.5 kg, height: 1.66 ± 0.8 m, and BMI: 22.8 ± 2.3 kg/m²) were involved in the study. Before (PRE) and after (POST) the wobble-board hand exercises, postural hand tremor was evaluated using a tri-axial accelerometer fixed under the palm. Recordings were taken for 15 s. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the effects of hand exercises on inter-limb (dominant vs. non-dominant) asymmetry of tremor in testing time (PRE vs. POST) in relation to sex (male vs. female). The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Significant differences were found in physiological hand tremors between limbs (dominant vs. non-dominant) in the PRE evaluation (p = 0.03) independently from sex while no differences were found in the POST evaluation. A significant difference emerged in the PRE evaluation for males (p = 0.04) and females (p = 0.03) in relation to the testing time and preferred hand. This difference was no longer present in the POST evaluation. In conclusion, wobble-board hand exercises could represent an effective strategy to reduce inter-limb asymmetry. These results emphasize the importance of task-specific training to maximize the reduction in inter-limb asymmetry of tremors following wobble-board hand exercises. Full article

Background: Table tennis athletes have been extensively studied for their cognitive processing advantages and brain plasticity. However, limited research has focused on the resting-state function of their brains. This study aims to investigate the network characteristics of the resting-state electroencephalogram in table tennis athletes and identify specific brain network biomarkers. Methods: A total of 48 healthy right-handed college students participated in this study, including 24 table tennis athletes and 24 controls with no exercise experience. Electroencephalogram data were collected using a 64-conductive active electrode system during eyes-closed resting conditions. The analysis involved examining the average power spectral density and constructing brain functional networks using the weighted phase-lag index. Network topological characteristics were then calculated. Results: The results revealed that table tennis athletes exhibited significantly higher average power spectral density in the α band compared to the control group. Moreover, athletes not only demonstrated stronger functional connections, but they also exhibited enhanced transmission efficiency in the brain network, particularly at the local level. Additionally, a lateralization effect was observed, with more potent interconnected hubs identified in the left hemisphere of the athletes’ brain. Conclusions: Our findings imply that the α band may be uniquely associated with table tennis athletes and their motor skills. The brain network characteristics of athletes during the resting state are worth further attention to gain a better understanding of adaptability of and changes in their brains during training and competition. Full article