Search the repository

A+ | A- | | SLO | ENG

Keywords: multimodal communication, parental communicative styles, hard-of-hearing (HH), family-centered early intervention (FCEI), children’s communicative efficacy, CC-CARE video analysis method, interactive child-caregiver laboratories, focus groups with parents, auditory rehabilitation, infants, hearing loss
Published in DiRROS: 29.12.2025; Views: 114; Downloads: 53
Full text (952,35 KB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Background and aims: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality. Depression and anxiety are common in CAD patients and negatively affect quality of life, physical functioning, and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs. This study aimed to identify possible associations with clinically relevant parameters, vascular function and blood biomarkers. Methods: Participants were consecutively recruited during cardiac rehabilitation intake visits at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana within 4 months of myocardial infarction (MI). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores were analyzed in relation to endothelial function (assessed with flow-mediated dilation), arterial stiffness, and blood biomarkers (fibrinogen, endocan, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF]) in post-MI patients. All vascular and biomarker assessments were performed within 5 days of questionnaire completion and prior to the start of rehabilitation. Results: There were 105 patients included in the study. The median age was 56 years (49–62), and 80.0% of participants were male. Clinically relevant anxiety and depression were present in 29.5% and 21.9% of participants, respectively. Anxiety was significantly associated with younger age, higher body mass index, and increased arterial stiffness, with total HADS scores negatively correlated with age. Endothelial function showed no significant associations with HADS scores. Vital signs showed no significant differences, except for slightly higher systolic blood pressure in those with clinically relevant depression. Fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in participants with anxiety and depression, while endocan and BDNF levels were lower in those with anxiety. Conclusion: Depression and especially anxiety are significantly associated with endothelial function and relevant biomarkers in post-MI patients. However, as HADS is a screening tool and not a diagnostic instrument, and given the study’s observational design, findings reflect associations rather than causality. Routine screening and targeted mental health support within CR programs might improve participation, enhance cardiovascular recovery, and optimize long-term outcomes. These findings underscore the clinical importance of psychological assessment in the early post-MI period and support the integration of mental health evaluation into cardiovascular care.
Keywords: anxiety, depression, cardiac rehabilitation, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, pulse-wave velocity, endothelial dysfunction
Published in DiRROS: 24.11.2025; Views: 219; Downloads: 116
Full text (1,14 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Motor imagery (MI) is fundamentally linked to the motor system. It improves motor learning and optimizes motor actions without physical execution, highlighting its unique role in rehabilitation programs and motor performance. Understanding the developmental trajectories of MI and the factors influencing its variability across ages could enable more effective, age-specific strategies for pediatric rehabilitation. This study assessed 65 children aged 7 to 14 years at two time points 1 year apart. MI ability was assessed using the Movement Imagery Questionnaire for Children, and physical fitness was evaluated using the SLOfit testing battery. Among the three perspectives assessed; internal visual imagery (IVI), external visual imagery (EVI), and kinesthetic imagery (KI), KI was unique in not correlating with age at both time points. The development of MI perspectives varied between athletes and non-athletes, with non-athletes showing a decline in IVI compared with athletes. This differential was further evidenced by significant differences in KI between the groups at the second assessment, with a similar trend observed at the first assessment. Of the physical fitness tests, only the 600-m run correlated consistently with KI at both assessments. Our findings suggest that regular participation in sports significantly affects KI performance, highlighting the importance of sports participation for the development of MI abilities in children. Future research should examine additional assessment points in different age groups and sport experience to better understand the development of MI and its potential implications for pediatric rehabilitation.
Keywords: motor imagery, physical fitness, childhood development, pediatric rehabilitation
Published in DiRROS: 28.10.2024; Views: 870; Downloads: 492
Full text (764,37 KB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Various physiotherapeutic methods and approaches play a significant role in the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease, including the use of enriched environments. Virtual reality (VR) as a type of enriched environment has the potential to create multiple sensory experiences and feedback, influencing various aspects of the patient’s information processing and response. The suitability for home use and the considerable impact on motivation highlight its advantages over alternative approaches. The objective of this review is to investigate the impact of VR-based exercise on balance outcomes among individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The inclusion criteria consisted Parkinson’s disease. The comparable improvements in balance observed between the experimental and control groups signify the potential effectiveness of VR-based exercises. This underscores the encouragement for further development in this technology, particularly focusing on fully immersive VR environments, which may yield superior effects in enhancing balance among individuals with Parkinson’s disease. of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effects of exercise in a VR environment on individuals’ static and dynamic balance outcomes. In order to gather relevant studies, we conducted a comprehensive search across three databases. From a dataset of 625 records, we conducted a comprehensive full-text screening based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. This process resulted in the inclusion of 14 RCTs in our review. The emerging evidence regarding exercising in a VR environment does not definitively prove its superiority over standard exercise routines. However, studies have demonstrated that both the experimental and control groups showed comparable improvements in enhancing static and dynamic balance among individuals with
Keywords: virtual reality, Parkinson's disease, balance, rehabilitation
Published in DiRROS: 16.04.2024; Views: 1037; Downloads: 599
Full text (552,71 KB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this study was to review the literature analyzing the effects of aerobic interval training in the rehabilitation of cardiovascular patients.Methods: Research data was collected considering the inclusion and exclusion cri-teria of the research studies published in English. In order for the study to be included in the analysis, it had to meet the following criteria: year of publication (2004–2022), respondents were people with cardiovascular disease, and the studies included in this review must contain data on disease, training programme and outcomes. Papers with-out full texts available and systematic review studies were excluded. The first search identified 71 articles. In the initial assessment carried out in accordance with the inclu-sion and exclusion criteria, 15 articles were found suitable and were included in the study, while 20 studies were excluded for being duplicates, 28 studies excluded for not having the full text available and eight for non-compliance. Results: The reviewed materials indicate that aerobic interval training has an im-pact on VO2 max, functional abilities, VO2 peak and functional capacity in the reha-bilitation of cardiovascular diseases, especially in the elderly. The duration of the pro-gramme in most studies has a similar time range from 10 to 16 weeks. The programmes that showed the best effects are related to aerobic interval training, from 2 to 3 times per week with moderate (50–60% of VO2 max) or high intensity (80–90% of VO2 max). Conclusion: Studies indicate that properly dosed physical activity contributes to a better lifestyle for people with cardiovascular diseases. All 15 studies showed positive effects of aerobic interval training in cardiovascular disease rehabilitation.
Keywords: aerobic exercise, interval training, rehabilitation, cardiovascular diseases
Published in DiRROS: 16.04.2024; Views: 932; Downloads: 587
Full text (522,55 KB)
This document has many files! More...