Rehabilitation assisted by Space technology-A SAHC approach in immobilized patients-A case of stroke.

Autor:	Kourtidou-Papadeli C; Laboratory of Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering & Aerospace Neuroscience (BEAN), School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.; Greek Aerospace Medical Association and Space Research (GASMA-SR), Thessaloniki, Greece.; Aeromedical Center of Thessaloniki (AeMC), Kalamaria, Greece., Frantzidis C; Laboratory of Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering & Aerospace Neuroscience (BEAN), School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.; Greek Aerospace Medical Association and Space Research (GASMA-SR), Thessaloniki, Greece.; School of Computer Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom., Machairas I; Laboratory of Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering & Aerospace Neuroscience (BEAN), School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece., Giantsios C; Laboratory of Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering & Aerospace Neuroscience (BEAN), School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece., Dermitzakis E; Greek Aerospace Medical Association and Space Research (GASMA-SR), Thessaloniki, Greece.; Aeromedical Center of Thessaloniki (AeMC), Kalamaria, Greece., Kantouris N; Greek Aerospace Medical Association and Space Research (GASMA-SR), Thessaloniki, Greece., Konstantinids E; European Network of Living Labs, Brussels, Belgium., Bamidis P; Laboratory of Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering & Aerospace Neuroscience (BEAN), School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.; Greek Aerospace Medical Association and Space Research (GASMA-SR), Thessaloniki, Greece., Vernikos J; Greek Aerospace Medical Association and Space Research (GASMA-SR), Thessaloniki, Greece.; Thirdage LLC., New York, NY, United States.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Frontiers in physiology [Front Physiol] 2023 Jan 18; Vol. 13, pp. 1024389. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Jan 18 (Print Publication: 2022).
DOI:	10.3389/fphys.2022.1024389
Abstrakt:	Introduction: The idea behind the presentation of this case relates to utilizing space technology in earth applications with mutual benefit for both patients confined to bed and astronauts. Deconditioning and the progressiveness of skeletal muscle loss in the absence of adequate gravity stimulus have been of physiological concern. A robust countermeasure to muscle disuse is still a challenge for both immobilized patients and astronauts in long duration space missions. Researchers in the space medicine field concluded that artificial gravity (AG) produced by short-radius centrifugation on a passive movement therapy device, combined with exercise, has been a robust multi-system countermeasure as it re-introduces an acceleration field and gravity load. Methods: A short-arm human centrifuge (SAHC) alone or combined with exercise was evaluated as a novel, artificial gravity device for an effective rehabilitation strategy in the case of a stroke patient with disability. The results reveal valuable information on an individualized rehabilitation strategy against physiological deconditioning. A 73-year-old woman was suddenly unable to speak, follow directions or move her left arm and leg. She could not walk, and self-care tasks required maximal assistance. Her condition was getting worse over the years, also she was receiving conventional rehabilitation treatment. Intermittent short-arm human centrifuge individualized protocols were applied for 5 months, three times a week, 60 treatments in total. Results: It resulted in significant improvement in her gait, decreased atrophy with less spasticity on the left body side, and ability to walk at least 100 m with a cane. Balance and muscle strength were improved significantly. Cardiovascular parameters improved responding to adaptations to aerobic exercise. Electroencephalography (EEG) showed brain reorganization/plasticity evidenced through functional connectivity alterations and activation in the cortical regions, especially of the precentral and postcentral gyrus. Stroke immobility-related disability was also improved. Discussion: These alterations were attributed to the short-arm human centrifuge intervention. This case study provides novel evidence supporting the use of the short-arm human centrifuge as a promising therapeutic strategy in patients with restricted mobility, with application to astronauts with long-term muscle disuse in space. Competing Interests: JV is the director and founder of Thirdage LLC. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. (Copyright © 2023 Kourtidou-Papadeli, Frantzidis, Machairas, Giantsios, Dermitzakis, Kantouris, Konstantinids, Bamidis and Vernikos.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
Externí odkaz:	Zobrazit plný text záznamu