Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
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Lack of habituation is considered a neurophysiological hallmark of migraine. However, the results of visual evoked potential (VEP) studies have been discrepant, possibly because of different stimulation parameters and lack of blinding. Hence, there is a need for independent confirmation of lack of VEP habituation in migraine. In this blinded study we applied 16' checks to supplement our previous findings with 8', 31', 62' and 65' checks. ⋯ Lack of VEP habituation cannot be considered a reliable neurophysiological hallmark in migraine.
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To characterise short afferent inhibition (SAI) and the cortical silent period (CSP) in the primary motor cortex representations of the infraspinatus muscle in healthy adults and people experiencing chronic shoulder pain, to determine the impact of a suprascapular nerve block (SSNB). ⋯ The current findings improve understanding of the neurophysiology of the shoulder motor cortex and its modulation by chronic pain. The effect of SSNB in shoulder pain patients should be interpreted with caution until proven in a larger population. Interventions that target intracortical inhibition might increase efficacy in people with chronic shoulder pain.
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Recently, arm facilitation has been interested in gait rehabilitation. However, there have been few studies concerning arm facilitation in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of increasing arm weights on gait pattern in patients with PD. ⋯ Arm-swing facilitation using weight load improved gait in Parkinson's disease.
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To determine whether the intensity of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) used to probe changes in corticospinal excitability influences the measured plasticity response to theta burst stimulation (TBS) of the human primary motor cortex. ⋯ The results highlight the importance of the test stimulus intensity used to assess TBS-induced changes in corticospinal excitability when interpreting neuroplasticity data, and suggest that a number of test intensities may be required to reliably probe the plasticity response.
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To evaluate the correlation between diaphragm thickness assessed by ultrasound (US) with respiratory function tests and the diaphragm motor responses, in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ⋯ US thickness of the diaphragm correlates with the number of functional motor units as assessed by the phrenic nerve motor amplitude.