This month, we look at how an imbalance of activity between the brain's hemispheres may relate to functional outcomes for people with subacute stroke. We also turn to the structure of the thigh bone, considering how the distribution of nerve conduits could inform techniques for managing chronic knee pain. Finally, we review the experiences of older adults using a digital program designed to support healthy brain aging. This issue features work from Jamie Fleet, Ricardo Viana, Robert Teasell, Sue Peters, Eldon Loh, and Manuel Montero-Odasso.

Following a stroke, damage to the brain's prefrontal cortex can contribute to impaired ankle function. Researchers used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to measure brain activity in nine participants during active ankle movement, passive ankle movement, and somatosensory stimulation.

A lack of knowledge about where pain-sensing nerves enter the end of the thigh bone complicates medical procedures for managing chronic knee pain. To address this, researchers photographed the knee-end of 19 human femurs and used imaging software to document the locations of the channels that allow these nerves to enter the bone.

Online programs can promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among older adults to lower their dementia risk. To explore the usability and perceived benefits of one such program, researchers had eight community-dwelling older adults test it for 12 weeks and conducted virtual focus groups at two time points.