8 research outputs found
Lokomat-Assisted Robotic Rehabilitation in Spinal Cord Injury: A Biomechanical and Machine Learning Evaluation of Functional Symmetry and Predictive Factors
No full textBackground: Lokomat-assisted robotic rehabilitation is increasingly used for gait restoration in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the objective evaluation of treatment effectiveness through biomechanical parameters and machine learning approaches remains underexplored. Methods: This study analyzed data from 29 SCI patients undergoing Lokomat-based rehabilitation. A dataset of 46 variables including range of motion (L-ROM), joint stiffness (L-STIFF), and muscular force (L-FORCE) was examined using statistical methods (paired t-test, ANOVA, and ordinary least squares regression), clustering techniques (k-means), dimensionality reduction (t-SNE), and anomaly detection (Isolation Forest). Predictive modeling was applied to assess the influence of age, speed, body weight, body weight support, and exercise duration on biomechanical outcomes. Results: No statistically significant asymmetries were found between left and right limb measurements, indicating functional symmetry post-treatment (p > 0.05). Clustering analysis revealed a weak structure among patient groups (Silhouette score ≈ 0.31). Isolation Forest identified minimal anomalies in stiffness data, supporting treatment consistency. Regression models showed that body weight and body weight support significantly influenced joint stiffness (p < 0.01), explaining up to 60% of the variance in outcomes. Conclusions: Lokomat-assisted robotic rehabilitation demonstrates high functional symmetry and biomechanical consistency in SCI patients. Machine learning methods provided meaningful insight into the structure and predictability of outcomes, highlighting the clinical value of weight and support parameters in tailoring recovery protocols
Barriers to Seeking Medical Care for Hemorrhoidal Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
No full textBackground: Despite their high prevalence and potential for significant morbidity, hemorrhoidal symptoms remain underreported and undertreated. Misconceptions and stigma may delay care-seeking behaviors and negatively influence patient outcomes. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study in Romania to assess public awareness, attitudes, and barriers related to hemorrhoidal disease. The survey included 185 participants and evaluated variables such as symptom severity, understanding of the condition, perceived stigma, and willingness to consult a physician. Results: Only 30.8% of participants had sought medical advice for hemorrhoidal symptoms. Younger age (p < 0.001), male sex (p = 0.013), and lower levels of perceived severity were significantly associated with reluctance to seek medical care. The most frequently reported barriers were embarrassment and fear of invasive diagnostic procedures. Colonoscopy and digital rectal examination were identified as major deterrents by 39.5% and 38.9% of respondents, respectively. Educational level influenced both the perceived understanding of the disease (p = 0.001) and comfort in discussing anal symptoms (p = 0.002). Gender preference for physicians was significantly associated with respondent sex (p = 0.007) but not with education or age. Conclusions: Hemorrhoidal disease remains a stigmatized and underestimated condition. Public health efforts should prioritize educational interventions, destigmatization campaigns, and improved physician–patient communication to facilitate earlier diagnosis and better disease management
Assessing the Efficacy of Laser Therapy and Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment for Chronic Wounds
No full text(1) Background: The management of persistent wounds is a topic of significant concern, particularly when they become chronic. Clinicians are focused on reducing the healing duration of chronic wounds and employing the most efficient treatments. Successful wound management requires an understanding of standard healing processes, the elements that can impede healing progress, and strategies to manage these impediments. (2) Methods: We participated in a study involving a cohort of 115 patients. Data were collected through subjective assessments via questionnaires, examining the comparative effects of laser therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on patients’ conditions and monitored the progression of chronic wounds. For the study, we utilized a branded laser equipped with a 12-watt probe to stimulate chronic wounds in 65 patients, while the PRP procedure was administered to 50 patients. (3) Results: We observed a greater improvement in local symptoms among the patients who received laser therapy compared to those in the PRP group. (4) Conclusions: We consider both therapies to be of significant importance due to their positive and beneficial effects, particularly on the symptomatology and progression of chronic wounds. Nevertheless, superior results were documented in patients who underwent laser therapy
Laser Therapy in Perianal Fistulas
No full text(1) Background: Perianal fistula represents a chronic local suppuration, and recurrent or incorrectly treated, this pathology has a negative effect on the life of patients. (2) Methods: A 12-month prospective study was conducted with a study group (patients at the second presentation) and a control group (patients at the first presentation). The BTL-6000 brand laser has 50 times the maximum power of conventional laser devices with an unmatched wavelength of 1064 nm and a tissue penetration power of up to 10 cm. It is highly effective in speeding up healing and pain management (3) Results: Transcutaneous high-intensity laser therapy of perianal fistulas proved effective with a promising positive impact on both symptomatology and local signs in the study group. As for the patients in the control group, 37 of them required a second hospitalization due to the recurrence of symptoms and to whom the same laser therapy was applied. (4) Conclusions: A beneficial and positive effect was observed in our study, mainly on the symptoms determined by the appearance of the perianal fistula, both in the short- and long-term. High-frequency laser therapy is of major importance, considering the lower costs compared to surgery as well as the discomfort created during local treatments
Magnetic resonance used as a differential diagnostic tool between inflammatory cancer of the sigmoid and acute sigmoid diverticulitis
No full textSigmoid diverticulitis is a common disease characterized by a well-standardized diagnostic approach and treatment. Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy worldwide, irrespective of gender. In 2020, CRC global-related mortality rate was estimated at 935 173 cases, with an incidence of 9.3% in men and 9.5% in women. The diagnosis of acute diverticulitis is always made by performing a contrast-enhanced-computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen. Current diagnosis guidelines do not recommend the use of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for further and more precise assessment of a suspected sigmoid diverticulitis diagnosed by CT. Early lower-gastrointestinal (lower-GI) endoscopy is rarely conducted; thus, the diagnosis delay could have a negative impact over the oncological outcome of the disease. Few and scarce data can be found related to this issue, with only a recent Swedish study paying attention towards early identification of neoplastic disease residing on a background of sigmoid diverticulitis, facilitated by MRI. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of systematically performing an abdominal MRI included in the primary assessment of acute diverticulitis already diagnosed by CT, in order to argument in favor of an early lower-GI endoscopy where a positive MRI for neoplasia is found
Electrospun Nanofibers in Wound Healing: Real-World Evaluation of Spincare™ Technology
No full text(1) Background: The increasing prevalence of chronic wounds, along with their significant healthcare burden, underscores the need for innovative and technologically advanced treatment strategies. Electrospun nanofiber-based dressings have emerged as a promising solution, mimicking the skin’s extracellular matrix and promoting efficient tissue regeneration. (2) Methods: This real-world, 10-month observational study conducted at CF Oradea Clinical Hospital enrolled 60 patients with chronic, non-healing wounds. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: 30 received standard vacuum-assisted wound therapy, serving as the control group. In contrast, 30 received treatment with Spincare™, a novel electrospinning technology that delivers a personalized nanofiber matrix directly onto the wound. Symptom progression, pain levels, and treatment adaptation were assessed using standardized questionnaires. (3) Results: Patients treated with Spincare™ demonstrated faster wound healing, especially in the epithelialization phase, with significantly improved pain scores and quality of life measures. The technology was well-tolerated and reduced the need for repeated hospitalizations. (4) Conclusions: Spincare™ represents an effective and innovative electrospun nanofiber solution for chronic wound management, accelerating healing and enhancing patient outcomes, particularly in individuals with underlying conditions such as peripheral arterial disease. These findings support the integration of electrospinning-based therapies in modern wound care protocols
Platelets Rich Plasma (PRP) Procedure in the Healing of Atonic Wounds
No full text(1) Background: Patients suffering from chronic wounds report physical, mental, and social consequences due to their existence and care. There is a global need for tissue repair strategies and, in our case, for chronic wound healing. PRP therapy is based on the fact that platelet-derived growth factors (PGF) support the three phases of the wound healing and repair cascade (inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling); (2) Methods: A comparative study was carried out on two groups of patients with atonic wounds totaling a total of 80 cases as follows: a study group in which the PRP procedure was applied and a control group in which the biological product was not injected. The study was carried out in the surgery clinic of the Clinical Hospital C.F. Oradea City; (3) Results: A much faster healing was achieved in the case of patients who benefited from the platelet-rich plasma injection therapy compared to the group of patients in whom this therapy was not used. Three weeks after the plasma injection, a considerable reduction of the wound was evident, with some of the patients presenting with a closed wound; (4) Conclusions: The effect of PRP on the healing of chronic wounds is promising in most cases. A positive effect was also highlighted in terms of reducing treatment costs by considerably reducing the materials used as well as the number of hospitalizations for the same pathology
Laser in the Treatment of Atonic Wounds
No full textAtonic wounds represent a major health problem, being frequently encountered in medical practice with consequences that have a negative impact on the patient’s daily life as well as their general condition. In this study, a brand laser with a 12-watt probe was used to stimulate patients’ wounds. We involved in this study a group of 65 patients, which was compared with a group of 30 patients, the latter not receiving this laser therapy. The data were accumulated from the questionnaire of subjective assessment of the laser impact on patients’ condition as well as from the local evolution. We noticed the improvement of the local symptomatology which was found to be more effective in the patients from the study group compared to the reference group. The beneficial and positive effects, mainly on the symptoms but also on the local evolution of atonic wounds, can be observed in our study. We consider that this therapy is of major importance considering the lower costs both from the shortening of hospitalization and the long-term use of various substances. The early reintegration of patients into daily life is an important benefit for them
