Bad Aibling

Researchers are studying dementia and mild cognitive impairment in Bavaria, focusing on people living at home with these conditions and their family caregivers. This study aims to improve understanding of the complexity, progression, and care needs of dementia in both urban and rural areas. The research includes people with mild cognitive impairment and mild to moderate dementia as defined by ICD-10 codes and is conducted through a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal registry. Participants include those with mild cognitive impairment or dementia and their family caregivers. Before joining, cognitive tests such as the Mini Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment are used to assess suitability. Participants are interviewed face-to-face at the start, after 6 months, 12 months, and then annually. Recruitment is through various institutions involved in dementia care, including clinics, counseling centers, and outpatient and inpatient facilities across Bavaria. During the study, participants provide detailed information on demographics, health, social and care situations, cognitive assessments, and quality of life measures at multiple timepoints over several years. Researchers collect data on medical history, medication use, cognitive function, social support, internet use, mobility, caregiver burden, and more. This long-term observation helps track changes and care needs up to ten years, with regular follow-up interviews and assessments throughout the study.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of early and intense walking sessions assisted by the Atalante exoskeleton in patients with hemiparesis who have poor or no ability to walk Functional Ambulation Category score of 0 or 1 between one and four months after a stroke. This trial compares the recovery of walking ability between patients using the exoskeleton plus conventional therapy and those receiving only conventional therapy. The goal is to see if more patients reach a walking ability score of 4 or higher after the intervention period. Participants are divided into two groups for a 6-week intervention. The Exo group will have three one-hour sessions per week using the Atalante exoskeleton combined with two conventional therapy sessions weekly, totaling 18 exoskeleton and 12 conventional sessions. The Control group will receive five conventional therapy sessions per week, totaling 30 one-hour sessions. Conventional therapy includes physiotherapy tasks such as limb practice and walking exercises. During the study, participants will be assessed on walking recovery without the exoskeleton, using measures like the Functional Ambulation Category score, walking speed, balance tests, muscle flexibility, and quality of life questionnaires. These assessments occur at multiple timepoints including the start, end of intervention, hospital discharge, and six months post-stroke. Researchers will also monitor anxiety, depression, patient and therapist satisfaction, and workload during sessions. The total study duration includes the 6-week intervention and follow-ups extending to six months.