NeuroRehabilitation - Volume 50, issue 1

Authors: Du, Yupeng | Wei, Li | Lu, Ying | Gao, Hong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Swallowing disorders represent one of the most common complications after cerebral infarction. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of different frequencies of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on swallowing disorders after cerebral infarction. METHODS: Ninety patients with swallowing disorder after cerebral infarction were enrolled and randomly assigned to three groups: the 10 Hz frequency rTMS group (30 patients), the 5 Hz frequency rTMS group (30 patients), and the 1 Hz frequency rTMS group (30 patients); another 90 healthy persons without swallowing disorders were included as the control group. The Kubota’s water-swallow test, the video fluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS), and …the Electroencephalograph (EEG) were analyzed before and after treatment; the EEG of the control group was detected as the baseline. RESULTS: The Kubota’s water-swallow test scores were significantly decreased while the scores of pharynx period and the aspiration degree of VFSS significantly increased in 10 Hz frequency rTMS group than before treatment (P ≤0.05); the amplitudes of C3 of the EEG significantly increased in three frequency groups than before treatment (P ≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 10 Hz frequency of rTMS is effective for the treatment of swallowing disorder after cerebral infarction, the excitement of C3 area maybe the therapeutic target of rTMS on swallowing disorder after cerebral infarction. Show more

Keywords: Swallowing disorders after cerebral infarction, Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), Electroencephalograph (EEG), Frequency, C3 area

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-210176

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 115-122, 2022

Authors: Donati, Danilo | Brunelli, Stefano | De Santis, Letizia | Mariani, Giorgio | Mariani, Elisabetta | Perrone, Mariada | Benedetti, Maria Grazia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The use of a prosthesis is critical to regain the ability to walk in lower limb amputees but the relationship between the use of a prosthesis and chronic pain syndromes (PLS, PLP, RLP), common in amputees patients, is still poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This long-term follow-up study investigates the possible correlation between prosthesis use and the presence of PLP, PLS and RLP in lower limb amputees. METHODS: Patients undergoing transtibial, transfemoral or hemipelvectomy amputation of any aetiology at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute from 2008 to 2018 were included. The Houghton scale was used …to assess functional use of the prosthesis. The PEQ was used for pain assessment. RESULTS: The results show that, in lower limb amputees, prosthesis use is greater in individuals with below-the-knee amputation and in those who were younger at the time of amputation. No significant correlation between the presence of pain syndromes (PLS, PLP, RLP) and the various items on the Houghton scale was found. CONCLUSIONS: The study found no significant correlation indicating that phantom limb pain syndromes affect amputee use of a prosthesis in the long term follow up. Show more

Keywords: Lower limb amputees, chronic pain, prosthetic use

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-210241

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 123-131, 2022

Authors: Sim, Tae Yong | Kwon, Jae Sung

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Unilateral neglect in stroke patients is a major obstacle to rehabilitation, which is a great challenge for therapists. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of bimanual mirror therapy (BMT) and unimanual mirror therapy (UMT), the two protocols of mirror therapy, for the reduction of the symptoms of unilateral neglect in stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty-eight individuals were randomly assigned to the BMT or UMT groups. Both groups received mirror therapy for 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week, for a period of 4 weeks. The Star Cancelation Test (SCT), Line Bisection Test (LBT), …Picture Scanning Test (PST), and Korean Catherine Bergego Scale (K-CBS) were used to measure the change in unilateral neglect, and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) was used to evaluate activities of daily living (ADL). RESULTS: The results of SCT, LBT, PST, and K-CBS showed significant decreases in unilateral neglect in both groups (p  < 0.05). K-MBI improved significantly in both groups (p  < 0.05). There were significant differences between the two groups in the unilateral neglect tests (p  < 0.05), but no significant difference in ADL evaluation (p  > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Mirror therapy protocols can be applied to treat unilateral neglect in stroke patients. However, BMT may be more beneficial for reducing the symptoms of unilateral neglect. Show more

Keywords: Stroke, mirror therapy, unilateral neglect, activities of daily living

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-210233

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 133-141, 2022

Authors: Bi, Ranran | Zhang, Yahui | Liu, Xiaochen | Zhang, Shun | Wang, Rui | Liang, Bingyin | Cui, Fang

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In the healthy body, the fascial system maintains elasticity and coordination of movements. If these functions are destroyed, facial paraly appears. Myofascial induction therapy (MIT), a manual physical therapy method that focuses on restoring altered fascial tissue, is prevalently and widely used in clinical treatment. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to observe the application of MIT in the rehabilitation of patients with acute facial palsy. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with acute facial palsy were divided into control group and manual treatment group. The control group received drug treatments, such as prednisone, methylcobalamin, and vitamin B1, and instrumental …physical therapy, such as semiconductor laser, shortwave therapy, and facial muscle training. In addition to these treatments, the manual treatment group received MIT. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The patients were assessed using the following methods: the House-Brackmann facial nerve function evaluation, Sunnybrook facial grading system, facial nerve electrophysiological examination compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude, and blink reflex (BR) R1 latency. RESULTS: House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook scores and CMAP amplitude and BRR1 latencies were significantly different between the two groups (p  < 0.05). Furthermore, the manual treatment group showed greater improvement than the control group (p  < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with MIT promoted better recovery of acute facial palsy and thus may be considered a valid rehabilitation intervention that is worthy of clinical application. Show more

Keywords: Bell’s palsy, facial nerve damage, nerve regeneration, a Nonrandomized controlled trial

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-210204

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 143-149, 2022

Authors: Brownlee, Naomi | Wilson, Colin | Curran, David B. | Wright, Gavin | Flannery, Tom | Caldwell, Sheena B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Acoustic Neuroma (AN) is a benign tumour of the eighth cranial nerve. Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is a common treatment approach. Studies have explored the primary effects of SRS and documented equivalent efficacy for tumour control compared to neurosurgery. OBJECTIVE: Examine the longer term cognitive and psychosocial outcomes of SRS in non-Neurofibromatosis Type II patients utilising both objective and subjective cognitive outcomes associated with quality of life and health related distress. METHODS: Nineteen individuals treated via SRS were assessed using a battery of standardised psychometric tests as well as measures of quality of life and psychological …distress. RESULTS: Participants had largely preserved cognitive function except for processing speed, aspects of attention and visual memory relative to age norms. Self-reported quality of life was better than in other AN population studies. Level of psychological distress was equivalent to general population norms. More than half of participants reported subjective cognitive decline though this was not fully supported by objective testing. Subjective cognitive complaints may be associated with lower reported quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Results are largely consistent with previous findings on the effects of SRS in other clinical groups, which supports SRS as a targeted radiation treatment for AN. Show more

Keywords: AN, SRS, cognitive outcomes, psychological adjustment

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-210106

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 151-159, 2022

Authors: Amatya, Bhasker | Khan, Fary

Article Type: Other

Abstract: BACKGROUND: A broad range of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches, including different dietary interventions, alone or in conjunction with conventional medicine are currently trailed in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Published clinical and experimental data suggest that certain dietary interventions may improve MS-related health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of dietary interventions to improve MS-related health outcomes. METHODS: To summarize the updated Cochrane Review “Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis-related outcomes” conducted by Parks et al. Best available evidence was discussed from the rehabilitation perspective. RESULTS: Overall 30 RCTs (with 2335 participants) evaluated a …range of dietary interventions: polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidant supplements, dietary programmes and other dietary supplements. All included trials had one or more methodological issues leading to an unknown or high risk of bias. The findings suggest that the evidence is uncertain about the effect of dietary interventions on MS-related health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence for dietary interventions in people with MS is sparse and uncertain, and more robust studies are needed. Show more

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, diet, health outcomes, rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-228000

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 161-163, 2022