NeuroRehabilitation - Volume 48, issue 1

Authors: Lequerica, Anthony H. | Arango-Lasprilla, Juan Carlos | Krch, Denise | Corrigan, John D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: With structured interviews being an established method for assessing one’s exposure to traumatic brain injury across their lifetime, effective assessment tools are needed to serve the large population of Spanish speakers in the U.S. and abroad. OBJECTIVE: To obtain preliminary evidence of validity for a Spanish version of a web-based, structured interview designed to assess lifetime exposure to TBI. METHODS: A sample of 720 Spanish-speaking individuals between the ages of 18 through 65 from the continental U.S. (34.3%), South America (30.8%), the Caribbean (12.6%), Spain (12.4%), and Mexico and Central America (9.9%) completed an online …survey containing the Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method (Self-Administered-Brief; OSU TBI-ID SAB), Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory, and PROMIS Cognitive Concerns Scale. RESULTS: Indices of severity of worst TBI, time since most recent TBI, and multiple injuries demonstrated expected relationships with neurobehavioral symptoms such that greater symptom reporting was observed among those who had more severe injuries, more recent injuries, and multiple injuries over a period of time. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide preliminary evidence of validity for three of the indices derived from OSU TBI-ID SAB among Spanish-speaking individuals. Further study is needed to assess other aspects of this instrument to pave the way for further epidemiological studies involving lifetime exposure to TBI among Spanish-speaking individuals across the U.S., Spain, and Latin America. Show more

Keywords: Traumatic brain injury, measurement, validity, cross-cultural

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-201539

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 109-117, 2021

Authors: Radecka, Aleksandra | Knyszyńska, Anna | Łuczak, Joanna | Lubkowska, Anna

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The available literature lacks data about the influence of whole body cryotherapy (WBC) on muscle activity in patients with sclerosis multiplex (MS). OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the influence of the 20 WBC series on the surface electromyography (sEMG) signal and the relationship between it and the functional state in patients with MS. METHODS: The study group was 114 of MS patients (aged 45.24±11.88yr.,) which 74 of them received 20 of WBC. An assessment was made of: the hand grip (HGS), Timed 25-Foot Walk, Fatigue Severity Scale, sEMG signal from the dominant limb. RESULTS: After …a series of 20 WBC: in the rest electromyograms, an increase of extensor carpi radialis (ECR) and a decrease of flexor carpi radialis (FCR) amplitude were demonstrated (non-normalized signal ECR p  = 0.0001); significant differences in sEMG rest signals between ECR and FCR have decreased; for voluntary contraction in both assessed antagonistic muscle amplitude was significantly decreased (p  = 0.0005; p  = 0.0316, p  = 0.0185); an increase of HGS (p  < 0.001); gait improvement (p  = 0.001); decrease fatigue (p  = 0.024). No significant changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Series of 20 WBC improves the functional state and reduces fatigue in patients with MS, which may be due to adaptive changes in bioelectrical muscle activity. Show more

Keywords: Surface electromyography, whole-body cryotherapy, multiple sclerosis, hand grip strength, fatigue severity scale, timed 25-foot walk

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-201535

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 119-131, 2021

Authors: Kyeong, Sunghyon | Kim, Dae Hyun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine common structural and functional networks associated with asymmetric step length after unilateral ischemic stroke. METHODS: Thirty-nine chronic stroke patients were divided into two groups, based on the presence or absence of asymmetric step length. In each group, each lesion was mapped onto a brain magnetic resonance image. The structural and functional networks of brain regions connected to each lesion were identified using a public diffusion tensor and resting state function magnetic resonance image dataset. To identify brain regions associated with asymmetric step length, we conducted voxel-wise independent sample t …-tests for structural and function lesion network maps. RESULTS: At least 85% of lesions showed functional network overlap in the bilateral frontal lobe. Functional connectivity of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the contralesional hemisphere was significantly decreased in group 1 compared to that in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may have an important role in compensating for an asymmetric step length after a unilateral stroke. Show more

Keywords: Lesion network mapping, lesion network, step length asymmetry, functional connectivity, structural connectivity

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-201555

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 133-138, 2021

Authors: Toledo, Felippe | Thaler, Markus

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Action observation describes a concept where the subsequent motor behavior of an individual can be modulated though observing an action. This occurs through the activation of neurons in the action observation network, acting on a variety of motor learning processes. This network has been proven highly useful in the rehabilitation of patients with acquired brain injury, placing “action observation” as one of the most effective techniques for motor recovery in physical neurorehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to define an EEG marker for motor learning, guided through observation. METHODS: Healthy subjects (n  = 41) …participated voluntarily for this research. They were asked to repeat an unknown motor behavior, immediately after observing a video. During the observation, EEG raw signals where collected with a portable EEG and the results were later compared with success and fail on repeating the motor procedure. The comparison was then analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametrical data, with a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: A significant relation between motor performance and neural activity was found for Alpha (p  = 0,0149) and Gamma (0,0005) oscillatory patterns. CONCLUSION: Gamma oscillations with frequencies between 41 and 49,75 Hz, seem to be an adequate EEG marker for motor performance guided through the action observation network. The technology used for this paper is easy to use, low-cost and presents valid measurements for the recommended oscillatory frequencies, implying a possible use on rehabilitation, by collecting data in real-time during therapeutic interventions and assessments. Show more

Keywords: EEG-Marker, action observation network, motor learning, neurorehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-201508

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 139-148, 2021

Authors: Arienti, Chiara

Article Type: Other

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Several medicines have been shown to be effective in treating neuropathic pain, but they can have damaging side effects, therefore people are now trying herbal products to help relieve pain. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the Cochrane Review was to evaluate whether herbal products/preparations have an analgesic effectiveness in neuropathic pain and whether any side effects are associated with their use. METHODS: The population addressed were adults aged ≥18 years, suffering from chronic neuropathic pain. Studies that investigated the effects of herbal products/preparations for the relief of neuropathic pain compared to any or no interventions were …included. RESULTS: Included studies did not show that herbal products/preparations have reduced pain intensity of 30% or above and there was no observable reduction in the total pain score. CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to suggest that herbal products/preparations have any efficacy in any neuropathic pain conditions. The current evidence is of very low quality resulting in serious uncertainties about the estimates of effect observed. Show more

Keywords: Herbal medicine, neuropathic pain, rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-209009

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 149-152, 2021