@article{EngelMuellerKopinskietal.2017,
  author    = {Engel, Tilman and Mueller, Juliane and Kopinski, Stephan and Reschke, Antje and Mueller, Steffen and Mayer, Frank},
  title     = {Unexpected walking perturbations: Reliability and validity of a new treadmill protocol to provoke muscular reflex activities at lower extremities and the trunk},
  series = {Journal of biomechanics},
  volume    = {55},
  journal   = {Journal of biomechanics},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Oxford},
  issn      = {0021-9290},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.02.026},
  pages     = {152 -- 155},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Instrumented treadmills offer the potential to generate standardized walking perturbations, which are particularly rapid and powerful. However, technical requirements to release adequate perturbations regarding timing, duration and amplitude are demanding. This study investigated the test-retest reliability and validity of a new treadmill perturbation protocol releasing rapid and unexpected belt perturbations to provoke muscular reflex responses at lower extremities and the trunk. Fourteen healthy participants underwent two identical treadmill walking protocols, consisting of 10 superimposed one-sided belt perturbations (100 ms duration; 2 m/s amplitude), triggered by a plantar pressure insole 200 ms after heel contact. Delay, duration and amplitude of applied perturbations were recorded by 3D-motion capture. Muscular reflex responses (within 200 ms) were measured at lower extremities and the trunk (10-lead EMG). Data was analyzed descriptively (mean +/- SD). Reliability was analyzed using test-retest variability (TRV\%) and limits of agreement (LoA, bias +/- 1.96*SD). Perturbation delay was 202 14 ms, duration was 102 +/- 4 ms and amplitude was 2.1 +/- 0.01 m/s. TRV for perturbation delay, duration and amplitude ranged from 5.0\% to 5.7\%. LoA reached 3 +/- 36 ms for delay, 2 +/- 13 ms for duration and 0.0 +/- 0.3 m/s for amplitude. EMG amplitudes following perturbations ranged between 106 +/- 97\% and 909 +/- 979\% of unperturbed gait and EMG latencies between 82 +/- 14 ms and 106 +/- 16 ms. Minor differences between preset and observed perturbation characteristics and results of test-retest analysis prove a high validity with excellent reliability of the setup. Therefore, the protocol tested can be recommended to provoke muscular reflex responses at lower extremities and the trunk in perturbed walking. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GschwindBridenbaughReinhardetal.2017,
  author    = {Gschwind, Yves J. and Bridenbaugh, Stephanie A. and Reinhard, Sarah and Granacher, Urs and Monsch, Andreas U. and Kressig, Reto W.},
  title     = {Ginkgo biloba special extract LI 1370 improves dual-task walking in patients with MCI: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory study},
  series = {Aging clinical and experimental research},
  volume    = {29},
  journal   = {Aging clinical and experimental research},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {New York},
  issn      = {1594-0667},
  doi       = {10.1007/s40520-016-0699-y},
  pages     = {609 -- 619},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Background In patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), gait instability, particularly in dual-task situations, has been associated with impaired executive function and an increased fall risk. Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) could be an effective mean to improve gait stability. Aims This study investigated the effect of GBE on spatiotemporal gait parameters of MCI patients while walking under single and dual-task conditions. Methods Fifty patients aged 50-85 years with MCI and associated dual-task-related gait impairment participated in this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory phase IV drug trial. Intervention group (IG) patients received GBE (Symfona (R) forte 120 mg) twice-daily for 6 months while control group (CG) patients received placebo capsules. A 6-month open-label phase with identical GBE dosage followed. Gait was quantified at months 0, 3, 6 and 12. Results After 6 months, dual-task-related cadence increased in the IG compared to the CG (p = 0.019, d = 0.71). No significant changes, but GBE-associated numerical non-significant trends were found after 6-month treatment for dual-task-related gait velocity and stride time variability. Discussion Findings suggest that 120 mg of GBE twice-daily for at least 6 months may improve dual-task-related gait performance in patients with MCI. Conclusions The observed gait improvements add to the understanding of the self-reported unspecified improvements among MCI patients when treated with standardised GBE.},
  language  = {en}
}