Jurgita Žižienė - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Jurgita Žižienė

Research paper thumbnail of Biomechaniniu raumens-skeleto modeliu grįstas vaikų eisenos tyrimas

Research paper thumbnail of Biomechaniniu raumens-skeleto modeliu grįstas vaikų eisenos tyrimas

Research paper thumbnail of Study of foot support during gait in healthy children from neighbouring countries

Technology and Health Care

BACKGROUND: Healthy children’s gait support patterns play a critical role in their development an... more BACKGROUND: Healthy children’s gait support patterns play a critical role in their development and overall well-being. Therefore, in order to develop a correct gait, it is necessary to constantly update knowledge. OBJECTIVE: To identify differences in gait support among children in neighbouring countries. METHODS: 44 healthy children from Poland and Lithuania (4–11 years old) participated in the study. The spatiotemporal and plantar pressure parameters of 88 neutrally aligned feet were analysed and compared. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between stance, single-limb support, double support, swing duration, cadence, and velocity, max. force and pressure in the forefoot, as well as in the times of occurrence of max. forces in all three zones. Defined that age is related (p< 0.05) to cadence (R= 0.32), swing phase (R= 0.53), max. force under the midfoot (R= 0.35) and the heel (R= 0.47), max. pressure under the forefoot (R=-0.52), midfoot (R=-0.63) and heel (R=-0.47)....

Research paper thumbnail of Quantitative body symmetry assessment during neurological examination

Technology and Health Care

BACKGROUND: A lack of movement coordination characterized by the undershoot or overshoot of the i... more BACKGROUND: A lack of movement coordination characterized by the undershoot or overshoot of the intended location with the hand, arm, or leg is often found in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Standardized as Finger-to-Nose (FNT) and The Heel-to-Shin (HST) tests are the most frequently used tests for qualitative examination of upper and lower body coordination. Inertial sensors facilitate in performing quantitative motion analysis and by estimating body symmetry more accurately assess coordination lesion and imbalance. OBJECTIVES: To assess the body symmetry of upper and lower limbs quantitatively, and to find the best body symmetry indices to discriminate MS from healthy individuals (CO). METHODS: 28 MS patients and 23 CO participated in the study. Spatiotemporal parameters obtained from six Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) were placed on the upper and lower extremities during FNT and HST tests. All data were analyzed using statistical methods in MATLAB. RESULTS: Asymmetry...

Research paper thumbnail of Classification of muscle activity patterns in healthy children using biclustering algorithm

Biomedical Signal Processing and Control

Research paper thumbnail of Biomechanical markers of impaired motor coordination

2020 International Conference Mechatronic Systems and Materials (MSM), 2020

This study is devoted to movement analysis from a biomechanical perspective to evaluate coordinat... more This study is devoted to movement analysis from a biomechanical perspective to evaluate coordination lesions. It aims to find the most characteristic biomechanical markers that would help to quantitatively evaluate impaired motor coordination without performing or supplementing clinical tests. A total of 54 (31 – multiple sclerosis (MS) and 23 – healthy (CO)) subjects performed the heel-to-shin test (HST) and correspondingly, kinematic parameters of lower extremity were measured by using six 9DOF wireless inertial sensors (IMUs). Three-dimensional data from IMUs was processed utilizing Madgwick's Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) algorithm. MS group was compared to CO, as well as impaired body side with an intact among MS subjects. Obtained results revealed following meaningful parameters for coordination between MS and CO ($p \lt 0.01)$: motion time, range of motion (ROMs) of the ankle, knee in the sagittal plane; hip in frontal plane; variability and SD variation. Following biomechanical indices, namely ROMs of the ankle, knee in the sagittal plane; hip in frontal plane; hip in transverse plane, were used for the evaluation of MS body sides’ ($p \lt 0.01$). Latter biomechanical markers clearly describe impaired motor coordination and enables distinguishing from the sound. New information precisely explain movement quality and it is useful for the assessment of the impairment.

Research paper thumbnail of An effect of spinal and ankle-foot orthoses on gait of spastic diplegic child: A case report

Technology and Health Care, 2021

BACKGROUND: In children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), the most common motor dysfunction is pa... more BACKGROUND: In children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), the most common motor dysfunction is pathological gait. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of measures for an individual CP case. METHODS: The case of one spastic diplegia child has been analyzed. Both lower extremities and spine were examined under three gait conditions: 1) barefoot, 2) with ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and thoracolumbosacral spinal orthosis (TLSO), and 3) with TLSO only. Spatiotemporal gait and kinematic parameters of the pelvic, hip, knee, ankle joints, and spine were obtained using Vicon Plug-in-Gait model. The difference (Δ) between the measured values and normative ranges was calculated to determine the efficiency of the orthoses. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in kinematic and spatiotemporal parameters comparing results between conditions and body sides. The effectiveness of the measures was confirmed by the smallest Δ values in the double and single support time with the AFOs/TLSO and...

Research paper thumbnail of Accuracy of Ground Reaction Force and Muscle Activation Prediction in a Child-Adapted Musculoskeletal Model

Sensors

(1) Background: Significant advances in digital modelling worldwide have been attributed to the p... more (1) Background: Significant advances in digital modelling worldwide have been attributed to the practical application of digital musculoskeletal (MS) models in clinical practice. However, the vast majority of MS models are designed to assess adults' mobility, and the range suitable for children is very limited. (2) Methods: Seventeen healthy and 4 cerebral palsy (CP) children were recruited for the gait measurements. Surface electromyography (EMG) and ground reaction forces (GRFs) were acquired simultaneously. The MS model of the adult was adapted to the child and simulated in AnyBody. The differences between measured and MS model-estimated GRFs and muscle activations were evaluated using the following methods: the root-mean-square error (RMSE); the Pearson coefficient r; statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis; the coincidence of muscle activity. (3) Results: For muscle activity, the RMSE ranged from 10.4% to 35.3%, the mismatch varied between 16.4% and 30.5%, and the coincidence ranged between 50.7% and 68.4%; the obtained strong or very strong correlations between the measured and model-calculated GRFs, with RMSE values in the y and z axes ranged from 7.1% to 17.5%. (4) Conclusions: Child-adapted MS model calculated muscle activations and GRFs with sufficient accuracy, so it is suitable for practical use in both healthy children and children with limited mobility.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of kinematic parameters of children gait obtained by inverse and direct models

PLOS ONE

The purpose of this study is to compare differences between kinematic parameters of pediatric gai... more The purpose of this study is to compare differences between kinematic parameters of pediatric gait obtained by direct kinematics (DK) (Plug-in-Gait) and inverse kinematics (IK) (AnyBody) models. Seventeen healthy children participated in this study. Both lower extremities were examined using a Vicon 8-camera motion capture system and a force plate. Angles of the hip, knee, and ankle joints were obtained based on DK and IK models, and ranges of motion (ROMs) were identified from them. The standard error of measurement, root-mean-squared error, correlation r, and magnitude-phase (MP) metrics were calculated to compare differences between the models’ outcomes. The determined standard error of measurement between ROMs from the DK and IK models ranged from 0.34° to 0.58°. A significant difference was found in the ROMs with the exception of the left hip’s internal/external rotation. The mean RMSE of all joints’ amplitudes exceeded the clinical significance limit and was 13.6 ± 4.0°. The b...

Research paper thumbnail of Changes in muscle activation pattern during gait among healthy children

Research paper thumbnail of Differences in temporal gait parameters between multiple sclerosis and healthy people

IFMBE Proceedings, 2017

Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes severe gait problems and there are limited studies to quantitative... more Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes severe gait problems and there are limited studies to quantitatively identify the specific gait parameters that are affected. The aim of the current study was to characterize the temporal gait parameters in MS patients and ascribe them to clinical variables, in order to enable target-oriented management. A total of 14 MS patients and 11 healthy controls (CO) were evaluated clinically by expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and quantitatively by the Timed 25 Foot Walk (T25FW) using non-invasive wireless inertial sensors. The self-selected walking velocity was used as a covariate in the analysis to ensure that group differences were not due to differences in walking velocity between the MS and CO groups. Reduced step time and cadence were seen in patients with MS. We also found significant correlations between biomechanical gait parameters and EDSS score, which provides a clinical rating of disease severity. Temporal gait variability noted as associated to slower walk in MS.

Research paper thumbnail of Skirtingų Reabilitacijos Metodų Poveikis Vaikų, Sergančių Cerebriniu Paralyžiumi, Motorinėms Funkcijoms Bei Eisenai

Cerebrinis paralyžius (CP) susijęs su besivystančių smegenų pažeidimu ir apima grupę pastovių jud... more Cerebrinis paralyžius (CP) susijęs su besivystančių smegenų pažeidimu ir apima grupę pastovių judėjimo ir laikysenos vystymosi sutrikimų, lemniačių kasdienio aktyvumo apribojimą [1,2]. Ši liga dažniausiai pasireiškia apatinių galūnių silpnumu bei sutrikusia eisena [3,4]. Tai viena iš dažniausių neįgalumo priežasčių vaikystėje [5]. Kineziterapija yra pagrindinė vaikų, sergančių CP, reabilitacijos procedūra, kurios metu stiprinant galūnių raumenis koreguojama eisena bei pagerėja vaikščiojimo funkcija, tačiau iki šiol nėra sukurta standartinių CP reabilitacijos programų [4]. Literatūroje nurodoma, kad galima nustatyti eisenos nuokrypio ir klinikinės išraiškos sąsajas, identifikuojant atskiras eisenos ciklo fazes. Šių žinių pritaikymas praktikoje galėtų lemti geresnį supratimą apie eisenos sutrikimų patofiziologiją bei pagerinti individualaus gydymo plano sudarymą [6].

Research paper thumbnail of Instrumented evaluation of upper extremity motor function for stroke rehabilitation applications

Research paper thumbnail of Exercise Abnormality Detection Using BlazePose Skeleton Reconstruction

Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2021, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Quantitative assessment of upper extremities motor function in multiple sclerosis

Technology and Health Care, 2018

BACKGROUND: Upper extremity (UE) motor function deficits are commonly noted in multiple sclerosis... more BACKGROUND: Upper extremity (UE) motor function deficits are commonly noted in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and assessing it is challenging because of the lack of consensus regarding its definition. Instrumented biomechanical analysis of upper extremity movements can quantify coordination with different spatiotemporal measures and facilitate disability rating in MS patients. OBJECTIVE: To identify objective quantitative parameters for more accurate evaluation of UE disability and relate it to existing clinical scores. METHODS: Thirty-four MS patients and 24 healthy controls (CG) performed a finger-to-nose test as fast as possible and, in addition, clinical evaluation kinematic parameters of UE were measured by using inertial sensors. RESULTS: Generally, a higher disability score was associated with an increase of several temporal parameters, like slower task performance. The time taken to touch their nose was longer when the task was fulfilled with eyes closed. Time to peak angular velocity significantly changed in MS patients (EDSS > 5.0). The inter-joint coordination significantly decreases in MS patients (EDSS 3.0-5.5). Spatial parameters indicated that maximal ROM changes were in elbow flexion. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have revealed that spatiotemporal parameters are related to the UE motor function and MS disability level. Moreover, they facilitate clinical rating by supporting clinical decisions with quantitative data.

Research paper thumbnail of Stroke-affected upper extremity movement assessment via continuous relative phase analysis

Measurement, 2017

Paper presents the quantified assessment of stroke-affected upper extremity (UE) coordination via... more Paper presents the quantified assessment of stroke-affected upper extremity (UE) coordination via continuous relative phase (CRP) analysis. 14 post-stroke patients were divided into 3 groups based on the severity of impairment according to Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). CRP was determined based on UE kinematics parameters measured using inertial measurement units fixed on arm, forearm and hand while subjects performed designated movement. UE movement cycles were analysed based on the metrics derived from phase planes, the phase angle and CRP plots, as well as the calculated range of motions and CRP variability rates. It was found that CRP variability is associated with impairment level, i.e. it is decreasing with a higher level of dysfunction. Therefore, the CRP might serve as measurable quantity and could be valuable for supporting clinical assessment and quantifying impairment severity of UE motor functions.

Research paper thumbnail of Alternative Method of Upper Extremity Function Assessment of Stroke Patients by Angular Kinematic Parameters

Journal of Mechanics in Medicine and Biology, 2017

This study focuses on the functional assessment of the upper extremity of stroke patients via ana... more This study focuses on the functional assessment of the upper extremity of stroke patients via analysis of angular kinematics features. Amplitudes and angular velocities of multi-joint movements more precisely describe functional state at different impairment levels. However, the arm movement as a whole could be analyzed by means of joint angle–angle diagrams, which illustrate the 2D trajectory of upper extremity during movement and show the visual ranges of upper extremity in different cycles of motion. The functional range of motion of each upper extremity segment in all patient groups for more accurate assessment of capability was calculated. Moreover, we calculated the area (S) between two curves in joint angle–angle diagrams as a novel index of the complete upper extremity movement range evaluation. Our findings correspond to clinical rates and upper extremity assessment based on joint angle–angle diagrams seems to be a promising method for accurate assessment and/or predicting ...

Research paper thumbnail of Estimation of temporal gait parameters of multiple sclerosis patients in clinical setting using inertial sensors

Proccedings of 11th International Conference Biomdlore 2016, 2016

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most frequent neurological disease causing permanent disability in... more Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most frequent neurological disease causing permanent disability in young adults. Subtle walking difficulties, such as reduced walking speed, step length, cadence and increased step width can be detected at an early stage of the disease. Main goal of this research is by using non-invasive wireless inertial sensors measure gait of MS patients in clinical setting and extract temporal biomechanical parameters that would allow objectively evaluate level of disability in MS patients. Analysis of 25-Foot walk showed that the duration of stance phase is approximately 1.6 times greater in MS group than in healthy control group, while the duration of swing phase in MS group is 1.3 times longer. In general, the MS patients are walking approximately 1.6 times slower.

Research paper thumbnail of Applications of inertial sensors in medicine: towards model-based rehabilitation of stroke

IFAC-PapersOnLine, 2015

Abstract Present work introduces to the concept of a quantitative assessment of stroke rehabilita... more Abstract Present work introduces to the concept of a quantitative assessment of stroke rehabilitation using an inverse dynamical analysis and inertial sensors for measurement of motor functions in a clinical setting. The application in medicine gives possibilities to evaluate quantitatively damaged motor functions via instrumented analysis thus proposing an additional tool for monitoring of rehabilitation process with a larger accuracy. The paper presents a simplified dynamical model of an upper extremity which allows estimating joint torques via inverse dynamics from measured arm's kinematics. The model serves as an initial step going towards patient-specific model-based rehabilitation in the future.

Research paper thumbnail of Sergančiųjų parkinsono ir esencialinio tremoro liga viršutinės galūnės biomechanikos tyrimas

Mokslas - Lietuvos ateitis, 2013

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative diseasewith symptoms of bradykinesia, rest... more Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative diseasewith symptoms of bradykinesia, rest tremor, rigidity and posturalinstability. PL is diagnosed by a clinician who qualitativelyevaluates patient’s visible symptoms during a physical exam. Inaddition, differentiating PD from essential tremor (ET) can bechallenging because their clinical symptoms are similar. Oncediagnosed, only qualitative tools such as the UPDRS are availableto monitor symptom severity and disease progression. Thepurpose of this study is to evaluate the changes of biomechanicalparameters of upper limb of subjects diagnosed either PD or ET,estimate differences and compare them with healthy subjectsin facilitate a creation of an additional instrumental clinical assessmentof PD subjects via biomechanical evaluation of motorfunction tool and develop methods and indices for differentiatingPD from ET. Santrauka Parkinsono liga (PL) yra lėtinė progresuojanti neurologinė liga, kuri išoriškai pasireiškia galvos bei...

Research paper thumbnail of Biomechaniniu raumens-skeleto modeliu grįstas vaikų eisenos tyrimas

Research paper thumbnail of Biomechaniniu raumens-skeleto modeliu grįstas vaikų eisenos tyrimas

Research paper thumbnail of Study of foot support during gait in healthy children from neighbouring countries

Technology and Health Care

BACKGROUND: Healthy children’s gait support patterns play a critical role in their development an... more BACKGROUND: Healthy children’s gait support patterns play a critical role in their development and overall well-being. Therefore, in order to develop a correct gait, it is necessary to constantly update knowledge. OBJECTIVE: To identify differences in gait support among children in neighbouring countries. METHODS: 44 healthy children from Poland and Lithuania (4–11 years old) participated in the study. The spatiotemporal and plantar pressure parameters of 88 neutrally aligned feet were analysed and compared. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between stance, single-limb support, double support, swing duration, cadence, and velocity, max. force and pressure in the forefoot, as well as in the times of occurrence of max. forces in all three zones. Defined that age is related (p< 0.05) to cadence (R= 0.32), swing phase (R= 0.53), max. force under the midfoot (R= 0.35) and the heel (R= 0.47), max. pressure under the forefoot (R=-0.52), midfoot (R=-0.63) and heel (R=-0.47)....

Research paper thumbnail of Quantitative body symmetry assessment during neurological examination

Technology and Health Care

BACKGROUND: A lack of movement coordination characterized by the undershoot or overshoot of the i... more BACKGROUND: A lack of movement coordination characterized by the undershoot or overshoot of the intended location with the hand, arm, or leg is often found in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Standardized as Finger-to-Nose (FNT) and The Heel-to-Shin (HST) tests are the most frequently used tests for qualitative examination of upper and lower body coordination. Inertial sensors facilitate in performing quantitative motion analysis and by estimating body symmetry more accurately assess coordination lesion and imbalance. OBJECTIVES: To assess the body symmetry of upper and lower limbs quantitatively, and to find the best body symmetry indices to discriminate MS from healthy individuals (CO). METHODS: 28 MS patients and 23 CO participated in the study. Spatiotemporal parameters obtained from six Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) were placed on the upper and lower extremities during FNT and HST tests. All data were analyzed using statistical methods in MATLAB. RESULTS: Asymmetry...

Research paper thumbnail of Classification of muscle activity patterns in healthy children using biclustering algorithm

Biomedical Signal Processing and Control

Research paper thumbnail of Biomechanical markers of impaired motor coordination

2020 International Conference Mechatronic Systems and Materials (MSM), 2020

This study is devoted to movement analysis from a biomechanical perspective to evaluate coordinat... more This study is devoted to movement analysis from a biomechanical perspective to evaluate coordination lesions. It aims to find the most characteristic biomechanical markers that would help to quantitatively evaluate impaired motor coordination without performing or supplementing clinical tests. A total of 54 (31 – multiple sclerosis (MS) and 23 – healthy (CO)) subjects performed the heel-to-shin test (HST) and correspondingly, kinematic parameters of lower extremity were measured by using six 9DOF wireless inertial sensors (IMUs). Three-dimensional data from IMUs was processed utilizing Madgwick's Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) algorithm. MS group was compared to CO, as well as impaired body side with an intact among MS subjects. Obtained results revealed following meaningful parameters for coordination between MS and CO ($p \lt 0.01)$: motion time, range of motion (ROMs) of the ankle, knee in the sagittal plane; hip in frontal plane; variability and SD variation. Following biomechanical indices, namely ROMs of the ankle, knee in the sagittal plane; hip in frontal plane; hip in transverse plane, were used for the evaluation of MS body sides’ ($p \lt 0.01$). Latter biomechanical markers clearly describe impaired motor coordination and enables distinguishing from the sound. New information precisely explain movement quality and it is useful for the assessment of the impairment.

Research paper thumbnail of An effect of spinal and ankle-foot orthoses on gait of spastic diplegic child: A case report

Technology and Health Care, 2021

BACKGROUND: In children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), the most common motor dysfunction is pa... more BACKGROUND: In children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), the most common motor dysfunction is pathological gait. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of measures for an individual CP case. METHODS: The case of one spastic diplegia child has been analyzed. Both lower extremities and spine were examined under three gait conditions: 1) barefoot, 2) with ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and thoracolumbosacral spinal orthosis (TLSO), and 3) with TLSO only. Spatiotemporal gait and kinematic parameters of the pelvic, hip, knee, ankle joints, and spine were obtained using Vicon Plug-in-Gait model. The difference (Δ) between the measured values and normative ranges was calculated to determine the efficiency of the orthoses. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in kinematic and spatiotemporal parameters comparing results between conditions and body sides. The effectiveness of the measures was confirmed by the smallest Δ values in the double and single support time with the AFOs/TLSO and...

Research paper thumbnail of Accuracy of Ground Reaction Force and Muscle Activation Prediction in a Child-Adapted Musculoskeletal Model

Sensors

(1) Background: Significant advances in digital modelling worldwide have been attributed to the p... more (1) Background: Significant advances in digital modelling worldwide have been attributed to the practical application of digital musculoskeletal (MS) models in clinical practice. However, the vast majority of MS models are designed to assess adults' mobility, and the range suitable for children is very limited. (2) Methods: Seventeen healthy and 4 cerebral palsy (CP) children were recruited for the gait measurements. Surface electromyography (EMG) and ground reaction forces (GRFs) were acquired simultaneously. The MS model of the adult was adapted to the child and simulated in AnyBody. The differences between measured and MS model-estimated GRFs and muscle activations were evaluated using the following methods: the root-mean-square error (RMSE); the Pearson coefficient r; statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis; the coincidence of muscle activity. (3) Results: For muscle activity, the RMSE ranged from 10.4% to 35.3%, the mismatch varied between 16.4% and 30.5%, and the coincidence ranged between 50.7% and 68.4%; the obtained strong or very strong correlations between the measured and model-calculated GRFs, with RMSE values in the y and z axes ranged from 7.1% to 17.5%. (4) Conclusions: Child-adapted MS model calculated muscle activations and GRFs with sufficient accuracy, so it is suitable for practical use in both healthy children and children with limited mobility.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of kinematic parameters of children gait obtained by inverse and direct models

PLOS ONE

The purpose of this study is to compare differences between kinematic parameters of pediatric gai... more The purpose of this study is to compare differences between kinematic parameters of pediatric gait obtained by direct kinematics (DK) (Plug-in-Gait) and inverse kinematics (IK) (AnyBody) models. Seventeen healthy children participated in this study. Both lower extremities were examined using a Vicon 8-camera motion capture system and a force plate. Angles of the hip, knee, and ankle joints were obtained based on DK and IK models, and ranges of motion (ROMs) were identified from them. The standard error of measurement, root-mean-squared error, correlation r, and magnitude-phase (MP) metrics were calculated to compare differences between the models’ outcomes. The determined standard error of measurement between ROMs from the DK and IK models ranged from 0.34° to 0.58°. A significant difference was found in the ROMs with the exception of the left hip’s internal/external rotation. The mean RMSE of all joints’ amplitudes exceeded the clinical significance limit and was 13.6 ± 4.0°. The b...

Research paper thumbnail of Changes in muscle activation pattern during gait among healthy children

Research paper thumbnail of Differences in temporal gait parameters between multiple sclerosis and healthy people

IFMBE Proceedings, 2017

Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes severe gait problems and there are limited studies to quantitative... more Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes severe gait problems and there are limited studies to quantitatively identify the specific gait parameters that are affected. The aim of the current study was to characterize the temporal gait parameters in MS patients and ascribe them to clinical variables, in order to enable target-oriented management. A total of 14 MS patients and 11 healthy controls (CO) were evaluated clinically by expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and quantitatively by the Timed 25 Foot Walk (T25FW) using non-invasive wireless inertial sensors. The self-selected walking velocity was used as a covariate in the analysis to ensure that group differences were not due to differences in walking velocity between the MS and CO groups. Reduced step time and cadence were seen in patients with MS. We also found significant correlations between biomechanical gait parameters and EDSS score, which provides a clinical rating of disease severity. Temporal gait variability noted as associated to slower walk in MS.

Research paper thumbnail of Skirtingų Reabilitacijos Metodų Poveikis Vaikų, Sergančių Cerebriniu Paralyžiumi, Motorinėms Funkcijoms Bei Eisenai

Cerebrinis paralyžius (CP) susijęs su besivystančių smegenų pažeidimu ir apima grupę pastovių jud... more Cerebrinis paralyžius (CP) susijęs su besivystančių smegenų pažeidimu ir apima grupę pastovių judėjimo ir laikysenos vystymosi sutrikimų, lemniačių kasdienio aktyvumo apribojimą [1,2]. Ši liga dažniausiai pasireiškia apatinių galūnių silpnumu bei sutrikusia eisena [3,4]. Tai viena iš dažniausių neįgalumo priežasčių vaikystėje [5]. Kineziterapija yra pagrindinė vaikų, sergančių CP, reabilitacijos procedūra, kurios metu stiprinant galūnių raumenis koreguojama eisena bei pagerėja vaikščiojimo funkcija, tačiau iki šiol nėra sukurta standartinių CP reabilitacijos programų [4]. Literatūroje nurodoma, kad galima nustatyti eisenos nuokrypio ir klinikinės išraiškos sąsajas, identifikuojant atskiras eisenos ciklo fazes. Šių žinių pritaikymas praktikoje galėtų lemti geresnį supratimą apie eisenos sutrikimų patofiziologiją bei pagerinti individualaus gydymo plano sudarymą [6].

Research paper thumbnail of Instrumented evaluation of upper extremity motor function for stroke rehabilitation applications

Research paper thumbnail of Exercise Abnormality Detection Using BlazePose Skeleton Reconstruction

Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2021, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Quantitative assessment of upper extremities motor function in multiple sclerosis

Technology and Health Care, 2018

BACKGROUND: Upper extremity (UE) motor function deficits are commonly noted in multiple sclerosis... more BACKGROUND: Upper extremity (UE) motor function deficits are commonly noted in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and assessing it is challenging because of the lack of consensus regarding its definition. Instrumented biomechanical analysis of upper extremity movements can quantify coordination with different spatiotemporal measures and facilitate disability rating in MS patients. OBJECTIVE: To identify objective quantitative parameters for more accurate evaluation of UE disability and relate it to existing clinical scores. METHODS: Thirty-four MS patients and 24 healthy controls (CG) performed a finger-to-nose test as fast as possible and, in addition, clinical evaluation kinematic parameters of UE were measured by using inertial sensors. RESULTS: Generally, a higher disability score was associated with an increase of several temporal parameters, like slower task performance. The time taken to touch their nose was longer when the task was fulfilled with eyes closed. Time to peak angular velocity significantly changed in MS patients (EDSS > 5.0). The inter-joint coordination significantly decreases in MS patients (EDSS 3.0-5.5). Spatial parameters indicated that maximal ROM changes were in elbow flexion. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have revealed that spatiotemporal parameters are related to the UE motor function and MS disability level. Moreover, they facilitate clinical rating by supporting clinical decisions with quantitative data.

Research paper thumbnail of Stroke-affected upper extremity movement assessment via continuous relative phase analysis

Measurement, 2017

Paper presents the quantified assessment of stroke-affected upper extremity (UE) coordination via... more Paper presents the quantified assessment of stroke-affected upper extremity (UE) coordination via continuous relative phase (CRP) analysis. 14 post-stroke patients were divided into 3 groups based on the severity of impairment according to Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). CRP was determined based on UE kinematics parameters measured using inertial measurement units fixed on arm, forearm and hand while subjects performed designated movement. UE movement cycles were analysed based on the metrics derived from phase planes, the phase angle and CRP plots, as well as the calculated range of motions and CRP variability rates. It was found that CRP variability is associated with impairment level, i.e. it is decreasing with a higher level of dysfunction. Therefore, the CRP might serve as measurable quantity and could be valuable for supporting clinical assessment and quantifying impairment severity of UE motor functions.

Research paper thumbnail of Alternative Method of Upper Extremity Function Assessment of Stroke Patients by Angular Kinematic Parameters

Journal of Mechanics in Medicine and Biology, 2017

This study focuses on the functional assessment of the upper extremity of stroke patients via ana... more This study focuses on the functional assessment of the upper extremity of stroke patients via analysis of angular kinematics features. Amplitudes and angular velocities of multi-joint movements more precisely describe functional state at different impairment levels. However, the arm movement as a whole could be analyzed by means of joint angle–angle diagrams, which illustrate the 2D trajectory of upper extremity during movement and show the visual ranges of upper extremity in different cycles of motion. The functional range of motion of each upper extremity segment in all patient groups for more accurate assessment of capability was calculated. Moreover, we calculated the area (S) between two curves in joint angle–angle diagrams as a novel index of the complete upper extremity movement range evaluation. Our findings correspond to clinical rates and upper extremity assessment based on joint angle–angle diagrams seems to be a promising method for accurate assessment and/or predicting ...

Research paper thumbnail of Estimation of temporal gait parameters of multiple sclerosis patients in clinical setting using inertial sensors

Proccedings of 11th International Conference Biomdlore 2016, 2016

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most frequent neurological disease causing permanent disability in... more Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most frequent neurological disease causing permanent disability in young adults. Subtle walking difficulties, such as reduced walking speed, step length, cadence and increased step width can be detected at an early stage of the disease. Main goal of this research is by using non-invasive wireless inertial sensors measure gait of MS patients in clinical setting and extract temporal biomechanical parameters that would allow objectively evaluate level of disability in MS patients. Analysis of 25-Foot walk showed that the duration of stance phase is approximately 1.6 times greater in MS group than in healthy control group, while the duration of swing phase in MS group is 1.3 times longer. In general, the MS patients are walking approximately 1.6 times slower.

Research paper thumbnail of Applications of inertial sensors in medicine: towards model-based rehabilitation of stroke

IFAC-PapersOnLine, 2015

Abstract Present work introduces to the concept of a quantitative assessment of stroke rehabilita... more Abstract Present work introduces to the concept of a quantitative assessment of stroke rehabilitation using an inverse dynamical analysis and inertial sensors for measurement of motor functions in a clinical setting. The application in medicine gives possibilities to evaluate quantitatively damaged motor functions via instrumented analysis thus proposing an additional tool for monitoring of rehabilitation process with a larger accuracy. The paper presents a simplified dynamical model of an upper extremity which allows estimating joint torques via inverse dynamics from measured arm's kinematics. The model serves as an initial step going towards patient-specific model-based rehabilitation in the future.

Research paper thumbnail of Sergančiųjų parkinsono ir esencialinio tremoro liga viršutinės galūnės biomechanikos tyrimas

Mokslas - Lietuvos ateitis, 2013

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative diseasewith symptoms of bradykinesia, rest... more Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative diseasewith symptoms of bradykinesia, rest tremor, rigidity and posturalinstability. PL is diagnosed by a clinician who qualitativelyevaluates patient’s visible symptoms during a physical exam. Inaddition, differentiating PD from essential tremor (ET) can bechallenging because their clinical symptoms are similar. Oncediagnosed, only qualitative tools such as the UPDRS are availableto monitor symptom severity and disease progression. Thepurpose of this study is to evaluate the changes of biomechanicalparameters of upper limb of subjects diagnosed either PD or ET,estimate differences and compare them with healthy subjectsin facilitate a creation of an additional instrumental clinical assessmentof PD subjects via biomechanical evaluation of motorfunction tool and develop methods and indices for differentiatingPD from ET. Santrauka Parkinsono liga (PL) yra lėtinė progresuojanti neurologinė liga, kuri išoriškai pasireiškia galvos bei...