NeuroRehabilitation
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NeuroRehabilitation · Jan 2013
Improved motor performance in chronic spinal cord injury following upper-limb robotic training.
Recovering upper-limb motor function has important implications for improving independence of patients with tetraplegia after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). ⋯ Robotic-assisted training of the upper limb over six weeks is a feasible and safe intervention that can enhance movement kinematics without negatively affecting pain or spasticity in chronic SCI. In addition, robot-assisted devices are an excellent tool to quantify motor performance (kinematics) and can be used to sensitively measure changes after a given rehabilitative intervention.
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NeuroRehabilitation · Jan 2013
Relationship between diffusion-tensor fractional anisotropy and long-term outcome in patients with hemiparesis after intracerebral hemorrhage.
We assessed the relationship between fractional anisotropy (FA) values of magnetic resonance-diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and long-term outcome (3-7 months after onset) in patients with hemiparesis after intracerebral hemorrhage (N = 12). DTI data were obtained on days 14-18. FA values within the cerebral peduncle were analyzed using a computer-automated method. ⋯ Although statistically significant, the relationship between rFA and lower extremity function was less evident (R = 0.609). In contrast, analysis of rFA and FIM-motor scores did not reveal statistical significance. FA values within the cerebral peduncle are tightly associated with long-term outcomes of upper extremity function.
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NeuroRehabilitation · Jan 2013
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement in left versus right middle cerebral artery stroke: effects of laterality.
Prolonged dysphagia after middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory strokes may require percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube feeding. ⋯ Admission NIHSS score, in-hospital aspiration pneumonia and inability to undergo first swallow evaluation may predict PEG placement in patients with acute MCA stroke. Stroke laterality was not associated. This knowledge facilitates early identification of patients that may require PEG tube placement for early nutrition provision and discharge to rehabilitation.
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NeuroRehabilitation · Jan 2013
Case ReportsEffects of the progressive walking-to-running technique on gait kinematics, ultrasound imaging, and motor function in spastic diplegic cerebral palsy - an experimenter-blind case study.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the progressive walking-to-running technique (PWRT) in a child with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). ⋯ Our novel walking-running training paradigm was effective for restoring gait and running ability in a child with spastic diplegic CP.
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NeuroRehabilitation · Jan 2013
Kinect Xbox 360 as a therapeutic modality for children with cerebral palsy in a school environment: a preliminary study.
Limited evidence is available about the effectiveness of virtual reality using low cost commercial consoles for children with developmental delay. ⋯ Low cost video games based on motion capture are potential tools in the rehabilitation context in children with CP. Our Kinect Xbox 360 protocol has showed improvements in balance and ADL in CP participants in a school environment, but further studies are need to validate the potential benefits of these video game systems as a supplement for rehabilitation of children with CP.