Brain injury : [BI]
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Brain injury : [BI] · Jan 2015
ReviewIn search of evidence-based treatment for concussion: characteristics of current clinical trials.
Abstract Objective: To assess the characteristics of current clinical trials investigating the treatment of concussion. ⋯ Diverse, potentially promising therapeutics are currently being studied for the treatment of concussion. However, several deficiencies were identified including a paucity of trials addressing return-to-activity principles. Also, small sample size and trial heterogeneity may threaten scientific evaluation and subsequent clinical application.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Jan 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialImpact of soft splints on upper limb spasticity in chronic patients with disorders of consciousness: A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial.
To assess the effectiveness of soft splints on spasticity and hand opening in chronic patients with upper limb spasticity and disorders of consciousness (vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome-VS/UWS and minimally conscious state-MCS). ⋯ Thirty minutes of soft splint application reduces spasticity and improves hand opening of patients with chronic disorders of consciousness. Soft splinting is well tolerated and does not require supervision.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Jan 2015
Comparative StudyAcute predictors for mortality after severe TBI in Spain: Gender differences and clinical data.
The main objective of this study is to determine whether gender affects global mortality and functional outcome after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ In this study, gender was not found to be an independent predictor for poorer outcome after severe TBI.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Jan 2015
ReviewTranscranial magnetic stimulation: A potential new treatment for depression associated with traumatic brain injury.
Each year, more than 1.7 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the lifetime prevalence of major depressive disorder following TBI is between 25-50%. There are no validated established strategies to treat TBI depression. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a novel putative treatment option for post-TBI depression, which, compared with standard pharmacological agents, may provide a more targeted treatment with fewer side-effects. However, TBI is associated with an increased risk of both early and late spontaneous seizures, a significant consideration in evaluating rTMS as a potential treatment for TBI depression. Whilst the risk of seizure from rTMS is low, underlying neuropathology may somewhat increase that risk. ⋯ It is concluded that pilot safety and tolerability studies should be first conducted in persons with TBI and neuropsychiatric comorbidities. These results could be used to help design larger randomized controlled trials.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Jan 2015
ReviewThe role of apolipoprotein E episilon (ε)-4 allele on outcome following traumatic brain injury: A systematic review.
The apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) has emerged as a candidate for prognosticating traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery, with APOEε4 identified as a susceptibility marker for poor outcome, despite large discrepancy in its reported influence post-TBI. ⋯ The influence of APOEε4 on neuropsychological testing, functional outcome and in paediatric populations was incongruous. This review supports the majority of research indicating APOEε4 adversely influences recovery following TBI, particularly with respect to dementia-related outcomes and outcomes following sTBI.