
Power Wheelchair Joystick Use in Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral PalsySpasticityThere are over 750,000 individuals in the U.S. with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Up to 46% of adults with CP report limited mobility in their communities. However, upper limb spasticity and problems with movement can make the independent use of a wheelchair difficult. Forty percent of individuals who desire mobility via electric wheelchairs are precluded from using them because of problems with upper limb function. No studies to date have produced devices that definitively improve mobility for these individuals. We will recruit 22 subjects with Spastic CP and 22 age and gender matched control subjects without apparent disability from advertisements, mailings, and outpatient clinics. Both a conventional joystick (MSJ) and a novel joystick that is customized for each subject will each be used six different computer screen tasks that simulate driving a wheelchair on a path. We will compare subjects and joysticks based on driving performance. Understanding problems with driving will help us to design joysticks and other assistive devices, not only for CP but for Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Parkinson's Disease, stroke, or a variety of other disabilities.

Respiratory Muscle Strength and Function in Neuromuscular Disorders and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary...
Respiratory Muscle ParalysisUsing an extensive set of both volitional and non-volitional tests of respiratory muscle function and strength it is the aim of this study to identify disease-specific patterns of respiratory muscle impairment in different NMD and COPD establish which set of tests is predictive of sleep-disordered breathing or daytime hypercapnia in patients with NMD or COPD, respectively. to investigate the decline of respiratory muscle function in patients with progressive NMD and COPD along with sleep studies and capnography

Intrathecal Stem Cells for Cerebral Palsy Phase II
Cerebral PalsyThe purpose of this study is to determine whether the infusion of intrathecal autologous bone marrow total nucleated cells would improve the neurologic evolution of pediatric patients with quadriparetic cerebral palsy.

Genetic and Morphological Analysis of Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis
Thyrotoxic Periodic ParalysisThe study aims to analyze the genetic variance between thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) patients and pure hyperthyroidism individuals. Meanwhile, the investigators also intended to evaluate the morphological difference in effected skeletal muscles and investigate their relation with genetic variance.

Sit to Stand Movement in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral PalsySpastic3 moreThe aim of this study is to examine the relationship between trunk control and lower extremity selective motor control during the movement of sit to stand (STS) in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Laryngomicrosurgery Under NIDP General Anesthesia Supported by THRIVE
Vocal PolypLaryngomicrosurgery requires deep paralysis and general anesthesia to finish the procedure. After the procedure, patients need a long time to recover. In the present study, with the support of the transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange, laryngomicrosurgery would be finished under nonintubated deep paralysis (NIDP) general anesthesia. In this case series study, the investigators will test the safety and feasibility of such a technique.

Evaluation of Functional Status and Mental Functions of Adult Cerebral Palsy Patients
Cerebral PalsyIn adult cerebral palsy patients , a questionnaire study will be conducted to determine the functional level and to determine the effect on quality of life. In this survey, age, gender, demographic information of the patient, as well as additional diseases which can be seen together with cerebral palsy will be questioned.

Evaluation of Pediatric Balance Scale and Quantitative Balance Parameters in Patients With Cerebral...
Cerebral PalsySpastic1 moreThis study aims to evaluate Pediatric Balance Scale and quantitative balance and gait parameters assessed by Balance Master force plate in Cerebral Palsy (CP) patients who are ambulatory without an assistive device in daily life.

Validation of a French-language Version of Quality of Life Questionnaires in Patients With Peripheral...
Peripheral Facial ParalysisQuality of LifeFacial palsy is a serious and disabling disease whose drudgery and sensation are probably underestimated. Psychological, social and economic issues have major impacts although vital prognosis is not engaged in this pathology. Facial palsy remains a personal drama for patient. Consequences may take the form of: aesthetic deformation, modification of body image, with socio-professional consequences. Beside unsightly facial aspects, weakness of facial muscles can cause troubles in eating, drinking, talking, communicating personal emotions and communication. Facial palsy impacts patients' quality of life (QOL) and affects mental health. This wide multidimensional concept usually includes self-measures of physical and mental health. QOL is evaluated with general and specific scales. General scales allow to compare QOL of different diseases, when specific scales focus on one disease and consider all aspects related to this disease and therefore are more appropriate and sensitive in dimensions related to patient disease and health. "Facial disability Index" (FDi) and "Facial Clinimetric Evaluation" (FaCE) are the most used validated questionnaires to assess QOL of patients suffering from peripheral facial palsy (PFP). There is no existing validated questionnaire or scale in French version despite many French studies on PFP available. Using these questionnaires in French language requires translation and strict approval of the new language version. The aim of the study is to translate and validate French versions of specific scales of QOL in peripheral facial palsy patients: FDI and FaCE. Secondary objective is to evaluate QOL of patients depending on PFP etiology. Translation process will be done respecting internationally recognized rules. A pilot study will be performed on 5 physicians and 5 patients in order to validate the questionnaires translations. French versions obtained will be used for their validation on 80 patients suffering from PFP. Cronbach's alpha will be estimated to check internal consistency of FDI and FaCE scales. Test re-test reliability will be calculated with inter-class correlation, reiterating questionnaires one week later. Scores of FDI and FaCE scales will be compared to other clinical evaluation scales, estimating correlation coefficient. Social function of FDI and FaCE scales will be compared with general scale SF-36 scores, estimating a correlation coefficient.

Participation to Life of Children With Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral PalsyCerebral Palsy (CP) defined as a group of permanent impairments that is originating from non-progressive disorders that develop in the immature brain. CP leads activity limitations of movement and posture development. Motor problems in CP are usually accompanied by sensory and perceptual disorders, cognitive disorders, communication and behavioral disorders, epilepsy, and secondary musculoskeletal system problems. The first 20 years of life is characterized by rapid growth and specific changes in physical, social, and psychological development. Social participation and independence of children and youth are related to the changes in this period. Participation can be identified as being involved in life situations and it reflects the social aspect of functionality. The problems which can be come across in life situations are identified as participation limitation. In literature, no adequate study has investigated the functional inadequacy, activity and participation of children with CP; this project has been planned in order to specify the importance in rehabilitation interventions more detailed. This project aims to specify whether the functional levels correspond to the activity and participation limitations of children with CP living in Ankara city center and determine the effects of their functional status on activity, participation and quality of life. This investigation will be pioneer in indicating the activity and participation limitations of children with CP. According to the results, these limitations will be overcome and the quality of life of children with CP will be increased. The CP follow-up database in Ankara will be specified so their physical activity and participation levels will be followed periodically and CP profile will be determined in Ankara.