Ruud H Knols

University of Zurich | UZH

Introduction Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus may benefit from exergaming training. Exergaming, technology-driven physical activities requiring participants to be physically active or exercise to play the game, allows combining cognitive with motor training. This trial aimed to primarily evaluate the feasibility of an exergame-based traini...

Introduction Physical exercise showed to be beneficial for frail older adults on haemodialysis (HD). However, there are several obstacles hindering the regular practice of exercise, such as transportation difficulties, lack of time, fatigue and comorbidities. E-health in this regard has many potential advantages and could be useful for motivating H...

Purpose: The walk ratio (WR)—the step-length/cadence relation—is a promising measure for gait control. GPS-running watches deliver clinically relevant outcomes including the WR. The aim of this study was to determine test-retest agreement, reliability and concurrent validity of an outdoor WR assessment using a GPS-running watch. Methods: Healthy ad...

Purpose: The walk ratio (WR)—the step-length/cadence relation—is a promising measure for gait control. GPS-running watches deliver clinically relevant outcomes including the WR. The aim of this study was to determine test-retest agreement, reliability and concurrent validity of an outdoor WR assessment using a GPS-running watch. Methods: Healthy a...

Background Postural balance is compromised in people with low back pain, possibly by changes in motor control of the trunk. Augmenting exercising interventions with sensor-based feedback on trunk posture and movements might improve postural balance in people with low back pain. Objective We hypothesized that exercising with feedback on trunk movem...

We evaluated the feasibility of personalized motor-cognitive exergame training added to usual care in chronic stroke patients.

Early mobilization, which includes active / passive motion in bed along with mobilization out of bed, is recommended to prevent the development of intensive care unit acquired-weakness (ICU-AW) for patients with critical illness on the intensive care unit. To date, the impact of passive motion of the lower extremities in sedated and ventilated pati...

Motor-cognitive intervention concepts are promising to counteract residual gait and cognitive impairments in chronic stroke. There is, however, considerable variation in motor-cognitive intervention types, which may lead to different effects. This systematic review strived to summarize and compare the effects of different motor-cognitive interventi...

Purpose: Exergame training may be beneficial for improving long-term outcome in stroke patients. Personalized training prescription applying progression rules, is missing. We adapted a theory-based taxonomy for a rehabilitation approach using user-centered exergames. The aims were primarily to investigate the feasibility of this rehabilitation appr...

Background: Monitoring phasic responses of heart rate variability (HRV) in terms of HRV reactivity [i. e., the absolute change from resting state to on-task (i.e., absolute values of HRV measured during exercise)] might provide useful insights into the individual psychophysiological responses of healthy middle-aged to older adults (HOA) to cognitiv...

BACKGROUND Postural balance is compromised in people with low back pain, possibly by changes in motor control of the trunk. Augmenting exercising interventions with sensor-based feedback on trunk posture and movements might improve postural balance in people with low back pain. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that exercising with feedback on trunk movem...

Background Inflammatory myopathies (IMs) are a group of rare conditions characterized by proximal and often symmetrical muscle weakness and reduced muscle endurance. The recommended medical treatment is based on corticosteroids in combination with immunosuppressants. This anti-inflammatory therapy serves to inhibit and prevent inflammation but does...

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Messungen bilden die Grundlage des wissenschaftsbasierten therapeutischen Vorgehens. Messfehler sind jedoch ein verbreitetes Problem. Um Fehlerquellen zu ermitteln, sind erweiterte statistische Modelle notwendig. Im Gegensatz zur klassischen Testtheorie ermöglicht die Generalisierbarkeitstheorie, mehrere Fehlerquellen gl...

Purpose: To investigate usability and acceptance of a newly developed interactive, tablet-based exercise application (app) and to explore personal opinions of therapists when using this app in the clinical setting. Methods: Twenty participants (10 therapists and 10 inactive healthy adults) tested usability of this app performing different test task...

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die Implementierung von Frühmobilisation in der Akutversorgung bei Patienten mit Schädel-Hirn-Trauma (SHT) könnte sowohl in Bezug auf die funktionelle Erholung als auch auf die Hospitalisationsdauer von großer Bedeutung sein. Derzeit fehlen hierzu jedoch detaillierte, replizierbare Interventionsbeschreibungen. Ziel Der B...

Purpose To investigate the feasibility of an exergame-driven high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and its effects on cardiovascular fitness in untrained community dwelling older adults. Methods Twelve older participants [10 women, age 72.3 (SD: 4.44) years] performed a high-intensity interval exergame intervention three times a week for 4 weeks...

The Myositis Activity Profile (MAP) is the only disease-specific questionnaire to assess limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with inflammatory myopathy (IM). Because a German version does not currently exist, this study’s aim was to translate the MAP and assess reliability and construct validity of the new version. Therefore...

Key points. Exercise-based core stability training interventions demonstrate considerable emphasis on traditional types of strength training components and only few exercise programs consider motor learning components to enhance function in older adults. It remains unclear whether additional motor learning components are more beneficial for effecti...

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how stroke patients with unilateral spatial neglect experience; (a) performance in activities of daily living; (b) alterations in bodily perceptions; and (c) personal hopes and expectations, looking at the period between stroke onset and discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Materia...

Introduction: This systematic review aimed to assess the replicability of physical exercise interventions in lung transplantation patients. For replicability we focused on (1) the description of training principles, (2) the description of FITT components and adherence to the interventions, (3) the amount of detailed information given on the physica...

Manual muscle testing (MMT) and hand-held dynamometry (HHD) are commonly used in people with inflammatory myopathy (IM), but their clinimetric properties have not yet been sufficiently studied. To evaluate the reliability and validity of MMT and HHD, maximum isometric strength was measured in eight muscle groups across three measurement events. To...

Supporting information-data_file_MMT8_HHD. (XLSX)

Elderly people at risk of developing cognitive decline; e.g., following surgery, may benefit from structured, challenging, and repetitive cognitive video training. This study assessed usability and acute effects of a newly developed bedside console (COPHYCON). Fifteen healthy elderly individuals performed a one-time 80-min intervention, including c...

Background: Visuospatial neglect due to stroke is characterized by the inability to perceive stimuli emerging in the area opposite to the side of brain damage. Besides adopting conventional rehabilitation methods to treat neglect symptoms, the use of virtual reality (VR) is becoming increasingly popular. We designed a series of 9 exergames aimed t...

Background: Use of exergames can complement conventional therapy and increase the amount and intensity of visuospatial neglect (VSN) training. A series of 9 exergames-games based on therapeutic principles-aimed at improving exploration of the neglected space for patients with VSN symptoms poststroke was developed and tested for its feasibility. O...

Background & aims Cancer cachexia is multifactorial and should be targeted using a multimodal form of intervention. The purpose of the present trial was to test the effects of a combined nutrition and physical exercise program on cancer patients with metastatic or locally advanced tumors of the gastrointestinal and lung tracts. Methods Patients we...

Aim: To assess the relative effects of different types of exercise and other non-pharmaceutical interventions on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in patients during and after cancer treatment. Design: Systematic review and indirect-comparisons meta-analysis. Data sources: Articles were searched in PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL and published meta-analys...

Objective: To examine discriminant validity and test-retest reliability of the Zürich maxi mental status inventory (ZüMAX) in patients with stroke. Background: The ZüMAX is a novel domain-specific cognitive assessment tool to screen for disturbances in neuropsychological function. The test can be used in stroke rehabilitation to estimate severit...

Introduction La fatigue liée au cancer (FLC) est l’un des symptômes les plus communs et les plus pénibles du cancer et de son traitement. Elle peut être présente avant le début du traitement et s’accentue généralement pendant celui-ci. Comparée à la fatigue ressentie par des individus sains, la FLC est plus importante, plus pénible et moins facilem...

Introduction L’exercice physique semble être efficace et sûr chez les patients atteints de myopathie inflammatoire (MI) [1]. Cependant, l’entraînement optimal n’est pas encore clairement défini. Pour obtenir un entraînement optimal, les principes d’entraînement doivent être pris en compte. Pour reproduire les résultats de recherche, il faut tenir c...

Introduction Cette revue avait pour objectif d’évaluer de manière systématique l’observation des principes fréquence, intensité, temps, type d’exercices (FITT) et l’assiduité aux séances de jeux d’entraînement sur console vidéo de patients d’un hôpital de soins aigus. L’étude avait également pour objectif de résumer les conclusions d’autres études...

Background The Myositis Activity Profile (MAP), a questionnaire to assess limitations of activities of daily life in patients with inflammatory myopathy (IM), was developed and tested on psychometric properties in Sweden and later on translated and validated in English1,2. To the best of our knowledge, there is no validated version available for Ge...

Background Inflammatory myopathies (IMs) are systemic autoimmune diseases, characterized by reduced muscle strength and endurance. Although IMs are relatively rare, patients' disabilities in daily life are substantial. Thus, there is a need for appropriate and reliable assessments to quantify muscle weakness. Although the manual muscle test (MMT) a...

Objective: This study was designed to summarize (1) the evidence from studies investigating the use of exergames in acute care settings, (2) the methodological quality of these studies, (3) the reporting of frequency, intensity, time, and type (FITT) of exergaming components and adherence, and (4) reporting of intervention details enabling study r...

Background: Measuring arm and hand function of the affected side is vital in stroke rehabilitation. Therefore, the Virtual Peg Insertion Test (VPIT), an assessment combining virtual reality and haptic feedback during a goal-oriented task derived from the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT), was developed. This study aimed to evaluate (1) the concurrent vali...

Background: Gait function may be impaired in patients with vestibular disorders, making gait assessment in the clinical setting relevant for this patient population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the discriminant validity of a gait assessment protocol between patients with vestibular disorders and healthy participants. Furthermore, tes...

Physical exercise seems to be a safe and effective intervention in patients with inflammatory myopathy (IM). However, the optimal training intervention is not clear. To achieve an optimum training effect, physical exercise training principles must be considered and to replicate research findings, FITT components (frequency, intensity, time, and typ...

Hintergrund Der Virtual Peg Insertion Test (VPIT) stellt ein neues und vielversprechendes Assessment der Arm-und Handfunktionen dar. Der Test liefert präzise Informationen über Bewegungsablauf, Koordination und Greifkraft der betroffenen oberen Extremität von Patienten nach einem Schlaganfall. Ziel Das Ziel dieses Forschungsprojekts war es, die Güt...

Background: There is increasing evidence for the beneficial effects of exercise training in stroke survivors. In order to reach the desired training effects, exercise training principles must be considered as this ensures the prescription of adequate exercises at an adequate dose. Moreover, exercise training interventions must be designed in a way...

According to the Constrained Action Hypothesis, motor learning is believed to be more efficient when an external focus (EF) of motor control is given to the performer instead of an internal focus (IF) of motor control. This systematic review investigated whether findings of studies focusing on the Constrained Action Hypothesis may be transferred to...

Cardiorespiratory fitness is one of the most important indicators of health and improves length of life. The attention and acceptance for endurance training in patients with several cancer diagnoses increased during the last decade. This review highlight’s the effect of endurance training in cancer patients by summarizing exemplary randomized clini...

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise in chronic stroke. Most motor and functional recovery occurs in the first months after stroke. Improving cardiovascular capacity may have potential to precipitate recovery during early stroke rehabilitation. Currently, little is known about the effects of ear...

Figure S5. Funnel plot of 3 trials comparing the effects of additional cardiovascular exercise on aerobic capacity in sub-acute stroke. Abbreviations: SE = standard error of SMD, SMD = standardised mean difference.

Review protocol.

Figure S7. Funnel plot of 5 trials comparing the effects of additional cardiovascular exercise on gait speed using the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT) in sub-acute stroke. Values are given in maximal gait speed (m/s) over 10 meters. Abbreviations: SE = standard error of SMD, SMD = standardised mean difference.

Figure S6. Funnel plot of 6 trials comparing the effects of additional cardiovascular exercise on walking endurance using the 6 Minutes Walk Test (6MWT) in sub-acute stroke. Abbreviations: SE = standard error of SMD, SMD = standardised mean difference.

Der Aspekt Ausdauer ist aus sportwissenschaftlicher und onkologischer Perspektive die Form motorischer Beanspruchung, deren Erforschung in den letzten Jahren große Fortschritte gemacht hat (Baumann u. Schüle 2008). Das Ausdauertraining ist ein fundamentaler Baustein des körperlichen Trainings und hat während der letzten Jahre einen wichtigen Stelle...

Patients who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) often experience physical and psychological problems, even long after treatment has been completed. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week outpatient physical exercise program, incorporating aerobic and strength exercises, as compared to a usual care control...

The use of wearable motion sensing technology offers important advantages over conventional methods for obtaining measures of physical activity and/or physical functioning in individuals with chronic diseases. This review aims to identify the actual state of applying wearable systems for monitoring mobility-related activity in individuals with chro...

Cancer patients may benefit from physical exercise programs. It is unclear, however, how sustained levels of physical activity are best achieved in this population. A systematic review was performed to summarize the current evidence of the effect of physical activity interventions on daily walking activity enhancement in cancer survivors, and to re...

This cross-sectional study investigated the degree of association between the results of ambulatory step activity monitoring (SAM), self-reported physical functioning (SRPF) and the 6-minute standardised walking test (6-MWT) in cancer patients with haematological malignancies. Method: Assessments of ambulatory SAM, SRPF and 6-MWT were assessed in 1...

To determine the relative and absolute reliability of the assessment of ambulatory walking activity during 2 consecutive weeks in patients with hematologic malignancies recovering at home from their medical treatment and to compare the physical activity level of hematologic cancer patients after high-dose chemotherapy with healthy subjects. Test-re...

Hand-held dynamometry is a portable and inexpensive method to quantify muscle strength. To determine if muscle strength has changed, an examiner must know what part of the difference between a patient's pre-treatment and post-treatment measurements is attributable to real change, and what part is due to measurement error. This study aimed to determ...

Muscle power assessed by isokinetic dynamometers has the potential for playing an important role in investigating functional status in older subjects. Researchers and clinicians are interested in the reliability of isokinetic test protocols for the confidential assessment of status, as this affects the interpretation of the results of an interventi...

The disease‐ or structure‐modifying effects of chondroitin sulfate (CS) have been the focus of only a small number of studies performed in vitro or in vivo in animal models of osteoarthritis (OA) or joint degradation in the last decades. Some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted on humans have integrated this feature as a primary or second...

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a frequent chronic musculoskeletal condition, encountered mostly in elderly people. The therapeutic approaches of knee OA is based on both nonpharmacological and pharmacological therapies. Regarding the pharmacological therapies, there is now a large panel of evidence to support the use of symptomatic slow‐acting drugs f...

To systematically review the methodologic quality of, and summarize the evidence from trials examining the effectiveness of physical exercise in improving the level of physical functioning and psychological well-being of cancer patients during and after medical treatment. Thirty-four randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials...

To systematically review educational or psychoeducational interventions for patients with rheumatoid arthritis focusing on long-term effects, especially health status. Two independent reviewers appraised the methodologic quality of the included randomized controlled trials, published between 1980 and July 2002. Validity scores of studies ranged fro...

Our aim was to determine several indexes of reproducibility for strength measurements with a hand-held pull-gauge dynamometer (MFB50K) in cancer patients. Two independent testers performed repeated measurements of maximal isometric elbow and knee strength. The measurements were gathered in a convenience sample of 40 patients (27 men, age 20-72 year...