Papers by Author: Mihai Berteanu

Abstract: Given the large variability of pathological gait and the high specificity of gait phenotypes, it is very difficult to design a gait rehabilitation system able to adapt to the functional requirements of every person with ambulation disabilities, in every stage of the complex process of gait rehabilitation. Another approach is that of ambiental gait rehabilitation, with focus on adaptability, not on adaptation, on synthetical training, not on analytical training, on integrative training, not on step by step training. Our focus is not on controlling the movement itself, but on controlling the environment that shapes human functionality and assuring the appropriate level of support, resistance and persuasion, with consequent stimulation of the explorative behavior and the active involvement of the person in gait training. A mechatronic system designed for such a therapeutical approach has specific functional requirements.

Abstract: Vision is one of the most important senses. As a result of different medical conditions and of changes occurring with age, vision may be disturbed or even disappear completely. In many situations ophthalmologists prescribe glasses. However, there are other methods that can provide not compensation of the visual deficits, but visual rehabilitation, providing maintenance and improvement of the quality of eyesight. These include among others, the Bates method. This method is based on the assumption that vision exercises can keep the eye muscles in good shape and maintain appropriate nutritive and oxygen supply to the eye, making possible vision without eye glasses. The paper presents an application that supports the implementation of the sight exercises by Bates concept and the results of a preliminary study applying this method.

Abstract: Annually, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke. Establishing the disability status after stroke is the key for the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine point of view. 90% of those who have suffered a stroke show multiple impairments. The post stroke walking pattern has a major impact on the patient’s activity and participation capacity and to regain a functional gait is one of the most important goals of the rehabilitation intervention. The instrumented gait analysis is the key for accurately assessing the efficiency of a gait rehabilitation program and may be an important tool for designing personalized training. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a complex rehabilitation program on the walking pattern in patients with after stroke hemiparesis.

Abstract: Facial paralysis is a common affliction for the Rehabilitation Medicine practitioner. This type of paralysis is a very disabling condition. The lost sensation and muscle control in the territory of the facial nerve can cause difficulty in speech, swallowing, closing the eye (it can cause blindness if not tended carefully), it ca also cause vertigo (sometimes it’s so severe that the patient is unable to stand or walk) or the loss of taste in the anterior two thirds of the tongue. In healthy individuals the skin temperature distribution is symmetric. Lesions of the facial nerve are associated with an alteration of the normal skin temperature pattern. Infrared thermography is a valuable auxiliary tool for differential diagnosis, as it objectivizes the infrared thermal distribution on the facial skin.

Abstract: Muscle pain can be elicited by any irritation of the nociceptors in the muscle or central sensitization in the central nervous system and represent a challenge for medical as well as for neurological rehabilitation. The most frequently described muscle pain syndromes are myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The use of infrared thermography in rehabilitation medicine for assessment of musculoskeletal disorders is not well documented in the current literature. This study is focused around MPS due to the more localized manifestations of this syndrome and it’s objective is to asses a correlation between the clinical findings, ultrasound examination and the thermal pattern of trigger points.

Abstract: The long term consequence of repeated haemarthrosis is the damage of joint tissue and irreversible haemophilic arthropathy, with severe gait related disability. Physical Therapy represents an inexpensive therapeutical intervention, with a central place in the management of the children with haemophilia, especially in the developing countries, where the profilactic substitution treatment is not established as standard procedure. Preventing and delaying the progress of the disease are essential objectives. The related interventions must be based on an appropriate assessment. The aim of our study is to investigate the relations between the joint damage – evaluated clinically and functionally, and the overall scores concerning the walking ability in children with haemophilia.

Abstract: Our multidisciplinary team decided to concentrate efforts in developing a new gait rehabilitation system, able to respond to most of the requirements of an ideal training system. Therefore, we identified the system’s necessary, we compared the costs and the benefits of the existing concepts and systems, and we developed the concept and the design of the system called RELIVE. Developing this system makes the object of a funded national research and development project.

Abstract: The kinematics of the human body is very complex. Every movement involves many joints, muscles and a special nervous control. The modern miniaturized inertial sensor systems prove to be valuable tools for rehabilitation medicine. We present the way a system of inertial sensors can be used to compare healthy and affected lower limb movements during gait.

Abstract: We have three generations of persuasive technology devices used in health care, up to now. The IS-ACTIVE system –Inertial Sensing System for advanced Chronic Condition Monitoring and Risk Prevention is a third generation system, using IT, inertial sensors, sensors for physiological parameters and a feedback device in order to improve the physical activity and subsequently, the health state and the quality of life for people affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory and cardiovascular disabling medical conditions.

Abstract: Advanced Rehabilitation Technology provides complex tools with both therapeutical and assistive function. Both designing and therapeutic use of these cybernetic organisms need a sustained interdisciplinary collaboration, the achievements in this domain being the result of the team work of software specialists, researchers from medical, kinematic, technical, electronic, military, sports fields, psychologists, philosophers, bioethics specialists, and not least, of the specialists from medical and neurological rehabilitation clinics and their patients.