Upper-limb Function Research Articles

Effects of acupuncture synchronized rehabilitation therapy on upper limb motor and sensory function after stroke: a study protocol for a single-center, 2 × 2 factorial design, randomized controlled trial.

Upper limb function reconstruction has been an important issue in the field of stroke rehabilitation. Due to the complexity of upper extremity dysfunction in stroke patients, the clinical efficacy produced by central or peripheral stimulation alone is limited. For this reason, our group has proposed acupuncture synchronized rehabilitation therapy (ASRT), i.e., simultaneous scalp acupuncture and intradermal acupuncture during rehabilitation. Pre-experiments results showed that this therapy can effectively improve the motor and sensory functions of upper limbs in post-stroke patients, but the clinical efficacy and safety of ASRT need to be further verified, and whether there is a synergistic effect between scalp acupuncture and intradermal acupuncture also needs to be studied in depth. Therefore, we designed a randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy and safety of different therapies to explore a more scientific "synchronous treatment model." This is a single-center, randomized controlled trial using a 2 × 2 factorial design. We will recruit 136 stroke survivors with upper extremity dysfunction and randomize them into four groups (n = 34). All subjects will undergo routine treatment, based on which the Experimental Group 1: rehabilitation training synchronized with intradermal acupuncture treatment of the affected upper limb; Experimental Group 2: rehabilitation training of the affected upper limb synchronized with focal-side scalp acupuncture treatment, and Experimental Group 3: rehabilitation training synchronized with intradermal acupuncture treatment of the affected upper limb synchronized with focal-side scalp acupuncture treatment; Control Group: rehabilitation training of the affected upper limb only. The intervention will last for 4 weeks, 5 times a week. Both acupuncture treatments will be performed according to the Revised Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA). The primary outcome indicators for this trial are Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity and Somatosensory Evoked Potential. Secondary outcome indicators include Wolf Motor Function Test, Upper Extremity Function Test, revised Nottingham Sensory Assessment Scale, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, and Modified Barthel Index. The incidence of adverse events will be used as the indicator of safety. The study will provide high-quality clinical evidence on whether ASRT improves upper limb motor and sensory function and activities of daily living (ADL) in stroke patients, and determine whether scalp acupuncture and intradermal acupuncture have synergistic effects. https://www.chictr.org.cn/, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry [ChiCTR2200066646].

Upper Limb Morbidity in Newly Diagnosed Individuals After Unilateral Surgery for Breast Cancer: Baseline Results from the AMBER Cohort Study.

We aimed to examine potential associations between post-surgical upper limb morbidity and demographic, medical, surgical, and health-related fitness variables in newly diagnosed individuals with breast cancer. Participants were recruited between 2012 and 2019. Objective measures of health-related fitness, body composition, shoulder range of motion, axillary web syndrome, and lymphedema were performed within 3months of breast cancer surgery, and prior to or at the start of adjuvant cancer treatment. Upper limb morbidity was identified in 54% of participants and was associated with poorer upper limb function and higher pain. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified mastectomy versus breast-conserving surgery (odds ratio [OR] 3.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.65-4.65), axillary lymph node dissection versus sentinel lymph node dissection (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.73-4.10), earlier versus later time from surgery (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.15-2.18), and younger versus older age (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.03) as significantly associated with a higher odds of upper limb morbidity, while mastectomy (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.10-2.25), axillary lymph node dissection (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.34-3.60), lower muscular endurance (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.16) and higher percentage body fat (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.07) were significantly associated with higher odds of moderate or greater morbidity severity. Upper limb morbidity is common in individuals after breast cancer surgery prior to adjuvant cancer treatment. Health-related fitness variables were associated with severity of upper limb morbidity. Findings may facilitate prospective surveillance of individuals at higher risk of developing upper limb morbidity.

Psychometric sensitivity analyses can identify bias related to measurement properties in trials that use patient-reported outcome measures: a secondary analysis of a clinical trial using the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand questionnaire

ObjectivesDemonstrate psychometric sensitivity analyses for testing the stability of study findings to assumptions made about patient-reported outcome measures. Study Design and SettingWe performed secondary analyses of Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) data collected within the Prevention of Shoulder Problems clinical trial, which compared upper limb function scores in women who had undergone breast cancer surgery, randomized to either an exercise program or usual care. We repeated the principal trial analyses after grouping DASH items into subscales suggested by factorial analyses in this dataset and applied item response theory to account for unequal item weighting. We checked for measurement invariance by participant age and response shift bias using established techniques. ResultsOur analyses suggested that the DASH measured two constructs: motor function and sensory symptoms. The majority of the six-month difference in DASH score was driven by motor function. With item response theory scoring, we found differences in both constructs at 12 months (P = 0.019 and P = 0.007), but in neither construct at 6 months, contrary to the original trial results. We found no differential item function by age or between baseline and 12-month measurements. ConclusionsPsychometric sensitivity analyses aid in the interpretation of the Prevention of Shoulder Problems trial’s results.

Comparative Different Interventions to Improve Exercise Adherence in Patients in the Postoperative Breast Cancer Phase of Care: A Network Meta-analysis.

Global Cancer Statistics 2020 reported that breast cancer had exceeded lung cancer as the most frequently diagnosed cancer. Surgery is the primary treatment modality for breast cancer, but postoperative upper limb dysfunction often occurs; functional exercise can alleviate this and restore upper limb function. However, exercise compliance is low in postoperative breast cancer patients; thus, many studies have been conducted in recent years to improve patient compliance with exercise. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different interventions to improve exercise adherence in postoperative breast cancer patients. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, Wan Fang, CNKI, VIP, and CBM databases for eligible studies. Exercise adherence rate and quality-of-life difference were assessed as outcomes. Sensitivity analysis and inconsistency detection were performed to evaluate whether the exclusion of high-risk studies affected the validity. Risk of bias was assessed using the risk-of-bias table in RevMan 5.4. Surface under the cumulative ranking was used to estimate the rankings among different interventions. Twenty-five randomized controlled trials involving 9 interventions were included, and the network meta-analysis results showed that patients in the pedometer + counseling group had the best exercise adherence. Pedometer + counseling care measures are recommended to improve exercise adherence in postoperative breast cancer patients. Oncology nurses can improve patients' exercise compliance through counseling and by giving them pedometers to wear.

Differential impact on motor unit characteristics across severities of adult spinal muscular atrophy.

To test the hypotheses that decomposition electromyography (dEMG) motor unit action potential (MUAP) amplitude and firing rate are altered in SMA; dEMG parameters are associated with strength and function; dEMG parameters are correlated with traditional electrophysiological assessments. Ambulatory and non-ambulatory adults with SMA on nusinersen and healthy controls were enrolled. MUAPs were decomposed from multielectrode surface recordings during 30-s maximum contraction of the abductor digiti minimi (ADM). Isometric strength, upper limb function, patient-reported function, and standard electrophysiologic measures of the ADM (compound muscle action potential [CMAP], single motor unit potential [SMUP], motor unit number estimation [MUNE]) were collected. dEMG MUAP amplitudes were higher in ambulatory versus control and non-ambulatory groups and were higher in controls versus non-ambulatory SMA. In contrast, dEMG firing rates were higher in ambulatory versus non-ambulatory and control groups but similar between non-ambulatory and control. dEMG parameters showed moderate to strong positive correlation with strength and function whereas CMAP and MUNE better correlated with function than strength. SMUP did not correlate with strength, function, or dEMG MUAP amplitude. dEMG parameters show overall good test-retest reliability. dEMG provided reliable, noninvasive measure of MUAP amplitude size and firing rate and revealed divergent patterns across disease severity in adults with SMA. Firing rate enhancement, as seen in milder SMA, may provide a therapeutic avenue for improving function in more severe SMA, where firing rates appear preserved. MUAP amplitude size and firing rate, quantified with dEMG, may be promising monitoring biomarker candidates for noninvasive assessment of SMA.

Standardized circuit class group training versus individualized goal-directed group training to improve upper limb function in stroke survivors during in-patient rehabilitation: a pragmatic trial

Purpose To investigate the usability and effectiveness of standardized circuit class group training (CCT) compared to individualized goal-directed group training (GDT) in subacute stroke survivors. Materials and methods This study consists of three parts. Part 1 involved a pragmatic, non-randomized controlled trial with subacute participants and their therapists, who participated in four weeks either CCT or GDT. Superiority of the intervention was defined as significantly larger improvement on the Motor Activity Log for patients and lower workload for therapists. In Part 2, six additional workstations were developed for CCT. Part 3 replicated the study of Part 1 with the expanded CCT. Results Part 1 showed no difference in effectiveness between training methods. CCT did not match the rehabilitation goals of the patient sufficiently, however mental workload seemed lower for therapists. An expansion of CCT could improve the match between the patient’s goals and the training (Part 2). Results of Part 3 showed again no difference in effectiveness between methods. CCT was however perceived as less engaging compared to GDT, but mental load for therapists remained lower. Conclusions A standardized training could reduce the mental workload for therapists, but patients seemed less engaged. A combination of both might be most beneficial.Trial registration: Dutch Trial Register: NL8844 and NL9471 IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Providing a standardized training program after stroke reduces therapists’ mental workload. Individualized goal-directed group training results in the best achievement of rehabilitation goals. A combination of standardized and individual training would use best of both intervention modalities. Patients should be involved in the co-creation developing process of training programs.

Combined study of transcranial direct current stimulation and electroencephalography for the analysis on upper limb function: a systematic review

Neurological disorders can directly affect basic functions of the upper limbs, leading to an alteration in or the loss of motor capacity and hindering the performance of activities of daily living. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive technique capable of modulating cortical excitability, favoring both brain activity and neuroplasticity. The objective was to systematize and discuss the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with electroencephalogram for the analysis of upper limb movements in individuals with neurological impairment. For such, the following research question was used: Is the combined use of tDCS and EEG effective for the analysis of upper limb movements? A systematic review was performed in the international network of databanks using the following criteria: (1) design: randomized controlled clinical trial; (2) population: healthy individuals or individuals with neurological impairment; (3) intervention: tDCS combined with EEG; (4) control group with different intervention or no intervention; (5) outcome: analysis of upper limb movement and function. Eight arti-cles were selected, revealing no consensus on the parameters to use. Few studies have evaluated the use of tDCS, physical therapy and electroencephalogram. The small number of studies and methodological variation hinder the determination of the combined effects of tDCS and EEG. Further studies are needed to define the ideal quantity of session, intervals between sessions and the administration of physical therapy concomitant to the use of tDCS.

Effects and safety of vagus nerve stimulation on upper limb function in patients with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is used to deliver electric current to stimulate the vagus nerve. The aim of this study is to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine its effects on motor function in patients with stroke. PubMED, Embase, Web of Science (WoS), and Scopus were searched. Data on time since stroke, and mean scores and standard deviation on outcomes such as level of impairment and motor function were extracted. The results showed that invasive (MD 2.66, 95% CI 1.19–4.13, P = 0.0004) and non-invasive (MD 24.16, 95% CI 23.56–24.75, P = 0.00001) VNS are superior at improving level of motor impairment than the control post intervention and at follow-up respectively. Similarly, VNS improved motor function post intervention (MD 0.28, 95% CI 0.15–0.41, P < 0.0001); and there was no significant difference in adverse events between invasive VNS and control (OR 2.15, 95% CI 0.97–4.74, P = 0.06), and between non-invasive VNS and control (OR 4.54, 95% CI 0.48–42.97, P = 0.19). VNS can be used to improve motor function in patients with stroke.

Neuromodulation to Promote Recovering Motor Function of Upper Limb

Neuromodulation to Promote Recovering Motor Function of Upper Limb

Neuroplastic Changes in Upper Limb Function Recovery

Neuroplastic Changes in Upper Limb Function Recovery

Effectiveness and safety of virtual reality rehabilitation after stroke: an overview of systematic reviews

Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative neurorehabilitation modality that has been variously examined in systematic reviews. We assessed VR effectiveness and safety after cerebral stroke. In this overview of systematic reviews, we searched eleven databases (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, ISI Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Pedro, Otseeker, Healthevidence.org, Epistemonikos) and grey literature from inception to January 17, 2023. Studies eligible for inclusion were systematic reviews published in English that included adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of stroke (acute to chronic phase) undergoing any kind of immersive, semi-immersive or non-immersive VR intervention with or without conventional therapy versus conventional therapy alone. The primary outcome was motor upper limb function and activity. The secondary outcomes were gait and balance, cognitive and mental function, limitation of activities, participation, and adverse events. We calculated the degree of overlap between reviews based on the corrected covered area (CCA). Methodological quality was assessed using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR 2) and the Certainty of Evidence (CoE) using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. Discordances between results were examined using a conceptual framework based on the Jadad algorithm. This overview is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022329263. Of the 58 reviews included (n=345 unique primary studies), 42 (72.4%) had conducted meta-analysis. More than half of the reviews (58.6%) were published between 2020 and 2022 and many (77.6%) were judged critically low in quality by AMSTAR 2. Most reported the Fugl Meyer Assessment scale (FMA-UE) to measure upper limb function and activity. For the primary outcome, there was a moderate overlap of primary studies (CCA 9.0%) with discordant findings. Focusing on upper limb function (FMA-UE), VR with or without conventional therapy seems to be more effective than conventional therapy alone, with low to moderate CoE and probable to definite clinical relevance. For secondary outcomes there was uncertainty about the superiority or no difference between groups due to substantial heterogeneity of measurement scales (eg, methodological choices). A few reviews (n=6) reported the occurrence of mild adverse events. Current evidence suggests that multiple meta-analyses agreed on the superiority of VR with or without conventional therapy over conventional therapy on FME-UE for upper limb. Clinicians may consider embedding VR technologies into their practice as appropriate with patient's goals, abilities, and preferences. However, caution is needed given the poor methodological quality of reviews. Italian Ministry of Health.

Repair of a finger pulp or fingertip defect using a palmar rotatory flap pedicled with the perforating branch of the proper palmar digital artery: a retrospective study

BackgroundSoft tissue defects in the hand may result from trauma, oncological procedures, or severe infections. This study aimed to introduce an innovative method for repairing soft tissue defects on the palmar side of the distal segment of the affected finger or fingertip. We explored this surgical method and its curative effect on the volar rotation pedicled flap base on a perforator of the palmar digital artery (VRPF-PPDA) for repairing ventral or fingertip soft tissue defects of the distal segment of the affected finger without impairing its main blood vessels.MethodsBetween June 2019 and January 2021, 13 patients with finger pulp or fingertip soft tissue defects were treated with VRPF-PPDA. Flap survival rate, complication rate, two-point discrimination (2PD), and patient satisfaction were used to evaluate the efficacy of this method. The function of the affected finger was evaluated using the upper limb function evaluation method issued by the Trial Standards for Evaluation of Partial Function of the Upper Extremity of the Chinese Society for Surgery of the Hand of the Chinese Medical Association (CMA) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Head (DASH) score, 6–12 months after the flap-based operation.ResultsThirteen patients (18 fingers) achieved complete flap survival. The finger pulp flap was full, and no complications occurred. 2PD checks of the flaps revealed that all of them were 4–10 mm in length. According to the Trial Standards for Evaluation of Partial Function of the Upper Extremity of the Chinese Society for Surgery of the Hand of the CMA, hand function was excellent in 12 patients (17 fingers) and good in one patient, with a mean DASH score of 26.05 ± 0.45. Eleven patients selected “excellent” on the subjective satisfaction survey, while the other two selected “good.”ConclusionVRPF-PPDA surgery is a simple, effective, minimally invasive, and reliable method for repairing soft tissue defects in the distal finger pulp or fingertips. Optimal esthetic reconstruction and anatomical and functional repair can be achieved in fingers repaired using the VRPF-PPDA surgical approach.

Flistory and prospects of development of methods of osteosynthesis and osteosynthesis of the humerus diaphysis

Relevance. About 800 thousand people die every year as a result of injuries and their consequences, in the Russian Federation the frequency of injuries is 12 %. Fractures of the humerus diaphysis account for 1-5 % of the total number of traumatic injuries of the skeleton, at the same time, there is no tendency to reduce injuries in modern society, therefore, the number of surgical interventions aimed at restoring the integrity of the bone does not decrease. Among the reasons for the unsatisfactory results of osteosynthesis, iatrogenic ones are distinguished: inconsistency from a biomechanical point of view, the choice of an unsuitable metal structure, insufficiently correct comparison of the ends of bone fragments and neglect of contraindications to the use of submerged structures with increased contamination of the wound with open fractures. Non-infectious complications of primary osteosynthesis include false joints, improperly fused fractures, untenable osteosynthesis, as well as fractures and migrations of implanted metal structures. The described complications are the basis for repeated (revision) surgery, or rheosteosynthesis. The purpose of this study is to analyze the historical aspects of the development of osteosynthesis and rheosteosynthesis methods, as well as to determine the prospects for their further development.Materials and methods. In the process of writing the article, the analysis of data from literary sources published in the period from 2016 to 2023 was carried out.Results. Speaking about the choice of osteosynthesis technique, it should be noted that no recommended and maximally described techniques will be able to fully cover the variety of situations that arise during osteosynthesis operations, therefore, first of all, a positive outcome depends on the experience of the surgeon and his ability to make situational decisions. Each of the methods used has both advantages and disadvantages, and which treatment tactics the surgeon would not prefer - there is always a risk of complications and, as a result, an unsatisfactory result. In such cases, patients undergo revision operations of osteosynthesis (rheosteosynthesis), minimizing or completely eliminating bone defects. The complexity of correcting the consequences of injuries of the humerus diaphysis is due to the variety of conditions leading to the development of various kinds of bone defects or false joints, as well as in a limited number of techniques that can fully repair the damage in a short time. Taking into account the rather long periods of consolidation of fragments, rehabilitation of patients with this type of pathology implies the use of devices capable of providing stable fixation and the possibility of early restoration of upper limb functions for fastening bone fragments. As a rule, revision surgical interventions include excision of scars from the interfragmental area or corticotomy, removal of deformation (if present), rimming of the medullary cavity and intramedullary osteosynthesis, to which, in rare cases, fixation with a short plate may additionally be applied. The range of revision surgical interventions may include rheosteosynthesis in combination with: segment elongation and corrective osteotomies, bone alio- and autoplasty, with bone elongation on a nail in an external fixation device.Conclusion. The development of modern technologies of osteosynthesis and osteosynthesis of the diaphyses of long tubular bones in general, and the humerus in particular, has passed a serious evolutionary path. In recent decades, methods and technologies of osteosynthesis have been actively developing and improving. With the development of knowledge in the field of the mechanism of bone fusion, implant designs and installation technologies are changing, new modifications of operative accesses are being developed. When choosing the method of fixation of bone fragments, minimally invasive osteosynthesis techniques are becoming increasingly popular. Currently, combinations of different rheosteosynthesis methods are being actively introduced, which significantly expands their capabilities, in comparison with their application separately.

The feasibility of an upper limb strength test protocol in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Question This study aimed to develop and assess a protocol for evaluating upper limb strength and its association with functional abilities in children and adolescents diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Design A cross-sectional study. Participants Eleven male individuals diagnosed with DMD (aged 11 to 18 years). Intervention A systematic protocol for assessing the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the upper limbs using grip and pull dynamometers was developed and conducted in conjunction with the Performance of Upper Limb (PUL) scale. Outcome measures Feasibility was evaluated by appraising the number of participants capable of successfully executing the strength test protocol. Correlations were conducted to examine the relationship between upper limb strength and PUL scores. Results The grip strength assessment was feasible for all participants, while the complete strength testing protocol was feasible for nine, excluding two individuals with non-ambulatory mobility. Significant correlations were found between overall upper limb strength and total PUL scores (rs = 0.742, p = 0.022), grip strength and distal PUL scores (rs=0.733, p = 0.010), shoulder abduction strength and PUL shoulder scores (rs=0.905, p = 0.005), and grip strength and overall PUL scores (rs=0.794, p = 0.004). The middle-level correlation was not statistically significant (rs=0.590, p = 0.094). Conclusion The established strength test protocol demonstrated feasibility among ambulatory participants. However, alternative approaches are essential for those with limited ambulation. The study identified a robust correlation between upper limb strength and functional abilities. Further extensive studies are required to validate these findings. Trial registration The present study is a part of a longitudinal intervention study registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03963453).

Short- to Long-Term Effects of Virtual Reality on Motor Skill Learning in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Many studies have started integrating virtual reality (VR) into neurorehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy (CP). The results of the effects of VR on motor skill learning, including the short- to long-term results of relevant studies, must be pooled in a generic framework. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the short- to long-term effects of therapies including VR on motor skill learning in children with CP. Two examiners followed the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the "Participant, Intervention, Control, and Outcome" framework. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs were considered if they compared VR-included interventions with control groups on motor functions and daily life activities in children with CP. PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, and IEEE Xplore databases were searched. The modified Downs and Black assessment was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Meta-analyses and subgroup analyses for RCTs were conducted whenever possible. A total of 7 RCTs, 2 non-RCTs, and 258 children with CP were included. The priority focus of 78% (7/9) of the studies was upper limb functions. There was a significant short-term effect of adding VR to conventional therapies on upper limb functions when compared with conventional therapies (P=.04; standardized mean difference [SMD]=0.39, 95% CI 0.01-0.76). The overall medium- to long-term effects showed a trend toward favoring the VR group, although the difference was not statistically significant (P=.06; SMD=0.37, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.77). For balance (P=.06; SMD=1.04, 95% CI -0.04 to 2.12), gross motor functions (P=.30; SMD=2.85, 95% CI -2.57 to 8.28), and daily life activities outcomes (P=.21; SMD=0.29, 95% CI -0.16 to 0.74), the overall effect in the short term also showed a trend toward favoring the VR group, but these results were not statistically significant. VR seems to have additional benefits for motor skill learning in children with CP. Studies with follow-up outcomes of VR training focusing on balance and gross motor functions in patients with CP were quite limited. Future research on balance and gross motor function outcomes should target particularly long-term results of therapies including VR on motor skill learning. PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42021227734; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021227734.

Synergy-based functional electrical stimulation and robotic-assisted for retraining reach-to-grasp in stroke: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundStroke survivors have long-term upper limb impairment, which impacts the quality of life (QOL) and social reintegration, but there is lack of effective therapeutic strategies and novel technologies. Customized multi-muscle functional electrical stimulation (FES) based on the muscle synergy of healthy adults and robotic-assisted therapy (RAT) have been proved efficacy respectively. Synergy-based FES combined with RAT can be a novel and more effective therapy for upper limb recovery of stroke survivors from the perspective of synergistic enhancement. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of combined synergy-based FES and RAT, especially for motor control evaluated by reach-to-grasp (RTG) movements. The main objective of the following research protocol is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficacy, as well as adoptability, of FES-RAT and FES or RAT rehabilitation program for upper limb function improvement after stroke.MethodsThis will be an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial involving a 12-week intervention and a 6-month follow-up. Stratified randomization will be used to equally and randomly assign 162 stroke patients into the FES + conventional rehabilitation program (CRP) group, RAT + CRP group and FES-RAT + CRP group. Interventions will be provided in 5 sessions per week, with a total of 60 sessions. The primary outcome measurements will include the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Biomechanical Assessment of RTG movements. The secondary outcome measurements will include quality of life and brain neuroplasticity assessments by MRI. Evaluations will be performed at five time points, including at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks from the start of treatment, and 3 months and 6 months following the end of treatment. A two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures will be applied to examine the main effects of the group, the time factor and group-time interaction effects.DiscussionThe results of the study protocol will provide high quality evidence for integrated synergy-based FES and RAT, and synergy-based FES alone and guide the design of more effective treatment methods for stroke rehabilitation.Trial registrationChiCTR2300071588.

Factors influencing the decision to introduce alternative nutrition in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Nutritional management of adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an important clinical issue. However, it is not clear which dysphagia-related factors should prompt introduction of alternative nutrition (AN). We aimed to determine which patients with DMD were introduced to AN. This retrospective study included 56 patients with DMD (median age, 23.5 years). They were divided into patients able to continue oral feeding (OF) and those introduced to AN. Body weight, frequency of ventilator use, daily meals, history of steroid treatment, results of videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing (VF), and awareness of dysphagia were evaluated. Of 56 patients, 19 were in the AN group. After AN introduction, 93% of the patients continued oral intake. The proportion of patients who consumed chopped and liquid diets was higher, and body weight was lower, in the AN than in the OF group. There were no significant differences in age, upper limb function of feeding, frequency of ventilator use, or history of steroid therapy between the two groups. The frequencies of aspiration and residue in the pyriform sinus in VF were higher in the AN group than in the OF group. Decision-tree analysis showed that food form and subjective difficulty swallowing solid foods were the most important factors affecting the decision-making for AN. Patients with DMD who had difficulty eating solid foods were started on AN because they were unable to maintain their weight. These findings provide information for future longitudinal studies to assess the value of AN.

Linking corticospinal tract activation and upper-limb motor control in adults with cerebral palsy.

To quantify the cervicomedullary motor evoked potentials (CMEPs) at the cervical spinal level in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and determine if altered CMEPs are linked with upper-extremity motor function in this population. This cross-sectional study consisted of a cohort of adults with CP (n = 15; mean age = 33 years 5 months [SD = 11 years 8 months]); Manual Ability Classification System levels I-IV) and neurotypical controls (n = 18; mean age = 30 years 10 months [SD = 10 years 4 months]), who were recruited to participate at an academic medical center. Adults with CP and typical adults (controls) were stimulated at the cervicomedullary junction to assess CMEPs at the cervical spinal cord level. Upper-extremity motor function was quantified using the Box and Blocks and Purdue Pegboard tests, self-reported upper-extremity function (UEF), and assessments of selective motor control. At higher stimulation levels, the contralateral CMEP responses of adults with CP were different from typical adults (p = 0.032). Reduced CMEP was correlated with reduced upper-limb function, including worse performance on the Box and Blocks (rho = 0.625, p = 0.025) and Purdue Pegboard tests (rho = 0.701, p = 0.010), lower self-reported UEF (rho = 0.761, p = 0.009), and overall selective motor control (rho = 0.731, p = 0.007). Changes in the activation of spinal motoneurons through corticospinal pathways may have an important role in the altered upper-extremity motor function of individuals with CP.

Validating the measurement of upper limb sensorimotor behavior utilizing a tablet in neurologically intact controls and individuals with chronic stroke

BackgroundIntact sensorimotor function of the upper extremity is essential for successfully performing activities of daily living. After a stroke, upper limb function is often compromised and requires rehabilitation. To develop appropriate rehabilitation interventions, sensitive and objective assessments are required. Current clinical measures often lack precision and technological devices (e.g. robotics) that are objective and sensitive to small changes in sensorimotor function are often unsuitable and impractical for performing home-based assessments. Here we developed a portable, tablet-based application capable of quantifying upper limb sensorimotor function after stroke. Our goal was to validate the developed application and accompanying data analysis against previously validated robotic measures of upper limb function in stroke.MethodsTwenty individuals with stroke, twenty age-matched older controls, and twenty younger controls completed an eight-target Visually Guided Reaching (VGR) task using a Kinarm Robotic Exoskeleton and a Samsung Galaxy Tablet. Participants completed eighty trials of the VGR task on each device, where each trial consisted of making a reaching movement to one of eight pseudorandomly appearing targets. We calculated several outcome parameters capturing various aspects of sensorimotor behavior (e.g., Reaction Time, Initial Direction Error, Max Speed, and Movement Time) from each reaching movement, and our analyses compared metric consistency between devices. We used the previously validated Kinarm Standard Analysis (KSA) and a custom in-house analysis to calculate each outcome parameter.ResultsWe observed strong correlations between the KSA and our custom analysis for all outcome parameters within each participant group, indicating our custom analysis accurately replicates the KSA. Minimal differences were observed for between-device comparisons (tablet vs. robot) in our outcome parameters. Additionally, we observed similar correlations for each device when comparing the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scores of individuals with stroke to tablet-derived metrics, demonstrating that the tablet can capture clinically-based elements of upper limb impairment.ConclusionsTablet devices can accurately assess upper limb sensorimotor function in neurologically intact individuals and individuals with stroke. Our findings validate the use of tablets as a cost-effective and efficient assessment tool for upper-limb function after stroke.

Specific versus general exercise programme in adults with subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomised controlled trial

ObjectivesCurrent evidence on the clinical effectiveness about the different types of exercises in the subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) remains controversial. This study aims to compare the short-term (at 5 weeks)...