Tarsus

This research aims to evaluate the effects of rehabilitative exergame exercises on foot muscle activity, balance, and mobility in healthy older adults aged 65 to 80 years living in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. The study is a randomized controlled trial including 40 participants who will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. It addresses the concern of age-related declines in physical mobility and balance that increase fall risk, exploring new interactive exercise methods combined with cognitive engagement. Participants in the intervention group will receive supervised exergame-based balance and foot muscle training sessions twice a week for eight weeks, with each session lasting 40 minutes including warm-up and cool-down periods. The control group will receive supervised conventional functional balance training with similar session duration and frequency. Both interventions focus on improving postural control, muscle activation, balance, and mobility through different exercise approaches. Throughout the study, participants will undergo assessments before and after the intervention, including cognitive and functional tests, surface electromyography sEMG during the Functional Reach Test to measure muscle activity, and biomechanical measurements using inertial sensors and force plates. Data will be analyzed to identify potential electrophysiological and biomechanical biomarkers related to balance and exercise outcomes. The total duration of participation is approximately eight weeks, with ongoing monitoring and evaluation of outcomes.

This research aims to compare the effects of high-volume and low-volume upper extremity exercises on physical and cognitive performance in sedentary adults aged 18 to 50 years. It explores how different intensities of upper limb exercises may impact overall health, physical ability, and cognitive function, addressing a gap in knowledge since most previous studies focused on lower body exercise. The study also considers upper extremity motor function as a potential marker for cognitive decline and healthy aging. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two exercise groups. The high-volume group performs sessions three times a week for eight weeks, including a 5-minute warm-up at 60%-70% of maximum heart rate on an arm ergometer, four 4-minute intervals at 90%-95% of maximum work, active recovery periods, and a 5-minute cool-down, totaling 35 minutes per session. The low-volume group also trains three times weekly for eight weeks, with a 5-minute warm-up at 40% maximum work, 25 minutes of active training at 60%-70% maximum work, and a 5-minute cool-down. Participants are involved in regular exercise sessions over eight weeks while researchers assess multiple outcomes. These include physical activity levels measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, maximal arm exercise capacity, cognitive tests such as the Stroop Test and reaction time, steadiness and postural sway assessments, and upper extremity muscle strength. The study monitors these measures to evaluate changes in both physical and cognitive performance, aiming to understand the benefits of upper limb exercise in sedentary adults.

Researchers are studying how watching cartoons and using a stress ball affect fear, anxiety, pain, and satisfaction in children aged 4 to 10 undergoing skin prick allergy testing. This randomized controlled trial includes 90 children divided into three groups to compare these non-drug distraction methods against routine care. The goal is to find ways to reduce distress during allergy testing in a pediatric outpatient setting. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups watching cartoons as a passive distraction, using a stress ball for active physical distraction, or receiving standard care without distraction. Each group has 30 children. The study takes place during allergy testing appointments, where interventions are applied and compared. Children, their parents, and observer nurses provide information using several scales measuring fear, anxiety, pain, and satisfaction. These assessments occur at three times two minutes before the test, immediately after while still in the procedure chair, and 15 minutes after testing during the skin reaction evaluation. The study aims to improve nursing care for children undergoing invasive diagnostic tests, with results shared through publications and conferences.