NeuroRehabilitation - Volume 46, issue 1

Authors: Pettemeridou, Eva | Kennedy, Mary R.T. | Constantinidou, Fofi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to significant neuropsychological impairment, further affecting quality of life (QOL). OBJECTIVE: Investigate the effects of chronic moderate-to-severe TBI on Executive Functions (EF), Self-awareness (SA), QOL, and the associations between them. METHODS: 33 males with moderate-to-severe TBI (ages 18–51; time since injury 1–19 years) were compared to 24 non-injured males, matched on age and education. EF measures included the Rey Complex Figure Test (copy), the Trail Making Test A & B, the Symbol Digits Modalities Test, and the Control Oral Word Association Test. SA was assessed using the Dysexecutive Questionnaire …Revised, and the Self-Regulation Skills Interview. QOL and health-realted QOL were assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF and the QOL after Brain Injury, respectively. RESULTS: TBI participants scored lower on EF, and SA, reported less satisfaction regarding physical health and greater satisfaction with environmental support, than controls. TBI survivors scoring lower on EF, exhibited lower SA. Lower SA correlated with greater satisfaction regarding cognitive skills, self-perception, and overall HRQOL. Lower EF performance correlated with greater satisfaction in social relationships. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term effects of TBI on EF, SA and QOL seem to support the role of EF and SA on QOL, and therefore, the need for personalized interventions in improving recovery outcome. Show more

Keywords: Cognitive dysfunction, neuropsychological assessment, patient outcome assessment, recovery of function, health-related quality of life, closed head injury

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-192963

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 109-118, 2020

Authors: Alghwiri, Alia A. | Khalil, Hanan | Al-Sharman, Alham | El-Salem, Khalid

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Balance and gait impairments are common disorders in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC) is one of the important measures of balance confidence that can be used in people with MS. The Arabic version of the ABC was developed and validated in other than MS population. OBJECTIVE: To examine the psychometric properties of the Arabic Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (A-ABC) among patients with MS. METHODS: A multicenter, reliability design was used to administer the A-ABC to a convenience sample of people with MS. The test-retest reliability of the A-ABC item …and total scores were examined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Additionally, the validity of the A-ABC with Arabic Berg Balance Scale (A-BBS), Arabic Dynamic Gait Index (A-DGI), and Barthel Index (BI) was assessed using Spearman Correlation Coefficient (r ). Moreover, the minimal detectable change for the A-ABC was established in people with MS. RESULTS: Eighty nine patients with MS (mean [SD] age = 38 [10]; female = 58) were enrolled. The internal consistency of the A-ABC was 0.96 while the minimal detectable change was 11.28. The A-ABC (mean [SD] = 61 [29]) had significant correlations with A-BBS (r  = 0.76, P  < 0.05), A-DGI (r  = 0.65, P  < 0.05), BI (r  = 0.63, P  < 0.05), and age (r  = –0.37, P  < 0.05). Fifty-two patients (58%) completed the A-ABC twice with one week interval. Excellent test-retest reliability of the A-ABC item (ICC≥0.90) and total scores [ICC = 0.98; 95% CI (0.96–0.99)] was found. CONCLUSIONS: The Arabic Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale showed very good psychometric properties and can be utilized with Arabic-speaking patients with multiple sclerosis. Show more

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, activities-specific balance confidence scale, reliability, validity

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-192900

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 119-125, 2020

Authors: Kim, Jong Keun | Park, Hyo Sik | Bae, Jin Seok | Jeong, Yong Sung | Jung, Kang Jae | Lim, Jong Youb

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is one of the effective treatments for neuropathic pain. Little is known about the effects of multi-session theta burst stimulation, one of the new paradigms of rTMS. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of multi-session intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on central neuropathic pain, using evaluation tools specific to neuropathic pain. METHODS: Patients with central neuropathic pain diagnosed using Neuropathic Pain Special Interest Group guidelines were recruited. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to either a real or sham iTBS group. Each patient underwent 5 sessions …of iTBS; before and after completion of the 5 sessions, participants were evaluated using the self-completed Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (S-LANSS), the numeric rating scale (NRS), the neuropathic pain symptom inventory (NPSI), and the neuropathic pain scale (NPS). RESULTS: S-LANSS, NRS, NPSI, and 3 of 4 NPS combination scores decreased significantly in the real iTBS group but not in the sham iTBS group. No adverse effects were reported during or after iTBS sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-session iTBS was associated with a significant decrease in neuropathic pain, indicating its effectiveness as a treatment for patients with central neuropathic pain. Show more

Keywords: Theta burst stimulation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, central neuropathic pain

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-192958

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 127-134, 2020

Authors: Levack, William

Article Type: Other

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Communication impairments are a common challenge for children with non-progressive motor disorders and their parents. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of parent-mediated communication interventions for improving the communication skills of preschool children with non-progressive motor disorders. METHODS: To summarize a rehabilitation-relevant Cochrane Review conducted by Pennington et al. RESULTS: Two studies were identified, involving 38 children and their mothers. These studies provided very low quality evidence that parent-mediated communication might improve parental responsiveness to their children’s communication efforts, but no evidence it influence the children’s communication or participation. Small samples sizes, low study …numbers, and lack of reporting on some outcomes limited the conclusion that could be drawn from this review. CONCLUSIONS: High quality adequately powered trials of parent-mediate communication interventions for children with communication impairments arising from non-progressive motor disorders should be encouraged. Show more

Keywords: Preschool child, motor disorders, communication impairment, parents

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-209001

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 135-137, 2020