TOPIC

Neurological research

Everything we have read on neurological. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

2,792 PAPERS · PAGE 22 OF 56 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTCohort2021Smoothness metric during reach-to-grasp after stroke: part 2. longitudinal association with motor impairment.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationMovement smoothness and clinical motor scores recovered in parallel during the first five weeks after stroke. Smoothness remained below healthy levels at six months. Because both improved together, smoothness may serve as an objective alternative to clinical exams for tracking early recovery.
• PTOTRCT2021Enhancing motor learning in people with stroke via memory reactivation during sleep.Rehabilitation psychologyPlaying sounds linked to a throwing task during a nap improved accuracy on that exact task in people with chronic stroke. The benefit was specific to the practiced targets and did not carry over to new targets or a different throwing task.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Association of physical and mental symptoms with cognition in people with spinal cord injury.Rehabilitation psychologyMost physical and mental symptoms did not correlate with objective cognitive test scores in people with spinal cord injury. Higher pain intensity was associated with worse attention. Anxiety and fatigue correlated with perceived cognitive dysfunction, but not necessarily with actual performance deficits.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Acute Cortisol Profile Associations With Cognitive Impairment After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairAdults with severe traumatic brain injury who had consistently high serum or cerebrospinal fluid cortisol in the first five days scored significantly lower on memory and executive function tests six months later. These early hormone profiles may help identify patients at risk for long-term cognitive impairment.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021Kinect-based rapid movement training to improve balance recovery for stroke fall prevention: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationKinect-based rapid movement training improved balance scores in chronic stroke survivors, matching the gains seen with conventional physiotherapy. It did not, however, make participants faster at reacting to a simulated fall compared to standard care.
• PTOTPilot2021Association Between Sleep Duration and Functional Disability in Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: A Pilot Observational Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationSleep duration and sleep efficiency were not shown to be linked to functional independence at discharge in stroke inpatient rehabilitation. Poor sleep was common, but the study did not show sleep changes affected function.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Discriminatory Capacity of the Physical Domain Versus the Full-Scale Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory With Traumatic Brain Injury Severity in Children.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationThe full Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory detects brain injury severity better than the physical domain alone. The physical score identifies moderate and severe cases but misses milder ones. Clinicians should use the full survey, which takes less than five minutes, for complete assessment.
• PTOTCohort2022Does the Duncan-Ely test predict abnormal activity of the rectus femoris in stroke survivors with a stiff knee gait?Journal of rehabilitation medicineThe Duncan-Ely test does not predict abnormal rectus femoris activity in stroke survivors with stiff knee gait. Resistance and hip flexion scores showed no correlation with EMG findings, performing no better than random guessing. Clinicians should stop using this test to guide treatment decisions.
• PTOTOther2022Construct Validity of the Upper-Limb Interlimb Coordination Test in Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairWhen movement speed was matched, the timing of both forearm movements was similar, but stroke participants scored lower on the Interlimb Coordination Test and used more trunk rotation and shoulder abduction. The test observes both arms together, not only the weaker arm.
• OTOther2022Genetic Factors, Brain Atrophy, and Response to Rehabilitation Therapy After Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairBDNF val 66 met and ApoE ε4 did not predict 12-month arm motor recovery after stroke. BDNF val 66 met was linked to greater brain atrophy, but not to that recovery outcome.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2022Setting meaningful goals in rehabilitation: A qualitative study on the experiences of clients and clinicians in working with a practical tool.Clinical rehabilitationClients and clinicians described a global meaning session as helping them set a stable overall rehabilitation goal. This goal gave direction to specific therapy tasks and improved motivation. For some clients, this connection also supported actual behavior change.
• PTOTPilot2021Visual feedback improves movement illusions induced by tendon vibration after chronic stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationShowing a moving virtual hand on a screen made people with chronic stroke feel stronger illusions of movement when their wrist tendon was vibrated. This visual feedback worked even for those with severe motor deficits, suggesting it could help drive brain plasticity during rehabilitation.
• PTOTCohort2022Differences in Cardiometabolic Comorbidities Between Black and White Persons Living With Multiple Sclerosis.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationBlack patients with MS were more likely than White patients to have high blood pressure and diabetes, and Black women had higher body mass index. These comorbidities were linked to MS disability in prior work, but this study could not track disease progression or timing.
• PTOTSLPOther2022A delphi procedure on rehabilitation outcome for patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury; first phase of the Neurotraumatology Quality Registry (NET-QURE).Journal of rehabilitation medicineExperts agreed on specific outcome measures for 12 of 17 domains in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. Consensus was reached for tools assessing quality of life, pain, anxiety, depression, communication, and activities of daily living.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Resting motor threshold in the course of hand motor recovery after stroke: a systematic review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHigh resting motor threshold in the stroke-affected hemisphere tracks with severe hand disability. As hand function recovers, this threshold drops. The unaffected hemisphere's threshold showed no consistent link to impairment or recovery.
• PTOTPilot2021A novel upper-limb tracking system in a virtual environment for stroke rehabilitation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStroke patients using a new virtual reality system that tracks the entire arm and all fingers showed greater upper-limb motor improvement than those using conventional therapy or a hand-only tracking system. The full-body tracking also created a stronger sense of ownership over the virtual arm.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2021European evidence-based recommendations for clinical assessment of upper limb in neurorehabilitation (CAULIN): data synthesis from systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFor neurological upper limb rehabilitation, CAULIN recommends Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity and Action Research Arm Test as core assessments, with added measures for patient-reported ability, movement quality, and real-life arm use.
• PTOTPilot2022Anorectal dysfunction in multiple sclerosis patients: A pilot study on the effect of an individualized rehabilitation approach.NeuroRehabilitationTen women with MS who completed a 10-week physiotherapy program plus self-treatment reported significantly less fecal incontinence on a subjective score. Objective anal pressure measurements showed no significant change, so the benefit was felt by patients but not confirmed by physical testing.
• PTOTRCT2022Reward During Arm Training Improves Impairment and Activity After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairThe primary measure of arm movement range showed no difference between groups. However, rewarded training led to significantly better scores on standard clinical tests of arm impairment and activity at three months.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022Perceived work situation and work ability among persons who are working one year after stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineStroke survivors who returned to work within a year generally felt good about their jobs and abilities. They reported better work conditions than the general population, with most confident they could keep working for at least two more years.
• PTOTRCT2022Concurrent validity of an immersive virtual reality version of the Box and Block Test to assess manual dexterity among patients with stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA virtual reality version of the Box and Block Test correlates strongly with the physical test for stroke patients. Scores are lower in VR, so do not mix the two. It offers objective movement data and high usability for home monitoring.
• PTOTOther2022Pre-stroke physical activity in relation to post-stroke outcomes - linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF): A scoping review.Journal of rehabilitation medicineHigher physical activity before stroke was linked to better walking, independence, less depression and fatigue, and lower mortality in some studies, but some other studies found no link. The evidence is mostly observational, so cause cannot be inferred.
• PTOTCohort2022Accurate Prediction of Persistent Upper Extremity Impairment in Patients With Ischemic Stroke.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationA simple bedside score using age and standard stroke severity items predicts persistent arm impairment at 90 days. Scores calculated from discharge assessments were more accurate than those from 24 hours, offering a practical tool to identify patients likely to need long-term rehabilitation.
• OTRCT2021Targeted cognitive game training enhances cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon beta 1-a.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSix months of twice-weekly cognitive game training improved executive function and processing speed in MS patients with mild impairment, while non-trained patients declined. The training group showed better performance at 3 and 6 months compared to controls, though baseline differences in age and disease duration limit certainty.
• PTOTCohort2021Prediction of robotic neurorehabilitation functional ambulatory outcome in patients with neurological disorders.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationEarly Lokomat settings predict gait recovery. Patients who reduced body weight support below 34% and guidance force below 70% by session 6 were more likely to improve walking independence. This model aids planning but requires larger validation before clinical use.
• PTOTOther2021Automated and accurate assessment for postural abnormalities in patients with Parkinson's disease based on Kinect and machine learning.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA Kinect camera and machine learning system matched expert doctors' ratings of Parkinson's postural abnormalities with 90% accuracy. It offers a low-cost, non-contact way to objectively quantify bent posture severity, potentially replacing subjective clinical scales.
• PTOTRCT2021Home-based (virtual) rehabilitation improves motor and cognitive function for stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial of the Elements (EDNA-22) system.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHome EDNA tablet training plus usual rehab improved more affected-hand Box and Block scores and cognitive screening scores more than home GRASP plus usual rehab in a small stroke trial.
• PTOTCohort2022Changes in Stroke Rehabilitation during the Sars-Cov-2 Shutdown in Switzerland.Journal of rehabilitation medicineDuring shutdown, 72% of 36 stroke survivors reported less outpatient therapy, sat more, and had slightly worse depression. Upper-limb usage did not worsen, and some motor measures improved after therapy restarted.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Health-related factors for work participation in persons with spinal cord injury in Finland.Journal of rehabilitation medicineEmployed people with spinal cord injury reported better physical, mental, and social health than those not working. Physical function, pain, and ability to participate in social roles were the strongest factors linked to being at work. Age and injury severity also influenced employment likelihood.
• PTOTCase-Control2021Bilateral actigraphic quantification of upper extremity movement in hemiparetic children with perinatal stroke: a case control study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationBilateral wrist actigraphy distinguished hemiparetic children from typically developing peers in real life, with asymmetry scores correlating modestly with clinical tests. The strongest links appeared during sleep and rest, not active play, suggesting standard clinic measures do not fully capture daily movement patterns.
• OTCohort2021Suicidal ideation after acute traumatic brain injury: A longitudinal actor-partner interdependence model of patients and caregivers in Latin America.Rehabilitation psychologyPatients with acute traumatic brain injury who reported thoughts of death or self-harm in hospital had caregivers who were more likely to report them at the next assessment. The reverse association was not significant, and this does not prove one caused the other.
• PTOTOther2022Characterization of stroke-related upper limb motor impairments across various upper limb activities by use of kinematic core set measures.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWearable movement analysis showed gesture and grasp tasks differ in stroke-related upper limb motion. Moderate impairment made movements slower and less smooth across daily tasks. Task choice changes what movement measures mean.
• PTOTQualitative2022Patients' Experiences of Self-Administered Electrotherapy for Spasticity in Stroke and Cerebral Palsy: A Qualitative Study.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePatients reported the self-administered electrotherapy suit reduced spasticity and pain, but many found it impossible to put on alone due to tight fits and difficult zips. The need for assistance contradicted the goal of home independence, though some successfully reduced medication use.
• PTOTPilot2021Therapeutic Instrumental Music Training and Motor Imagery in Post-Stroke Upper-Extremity Rehabilitation: A Randomized-Controlled Pilot Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationThirty adults with chronic stroke improved upper-limb function after 3 weeks of music-based training, whether they practiced physically or added motor imagery. Adding an external rhythm cue during imagery did not help and may have hindered gains compared with physical practice alone.
• PTOTSLPPilot2021Physiotherapy using a free-standing robotic exoskeleton for patients with spinal cord injury: a feasibility study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThree patients with severe spinal cord injury completed 12 weeks of free-standing exoskeleton therapy. No adverse events occurred, and all wanted to continue. Functional outcomes were inconsistent: one improved, one declined, and one showed no change on the primary measure.
• PTOTOther2021Abnormal Gait Movements Prior to a Near Fall in Individuals After Stroke.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn the single step before a near fall, stroke patients slowed down, took longer to complete the step, and shifted their body weight side-to-side more than usual. Therapists should watch for these specific changes in gait to anticipate instability.
• PTOTSLPCohortExamining the Association Between Childhood Trauma, Brain Injury, and Neurobehavioral Symptoms Among Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationChildhood trauma was associated with higher emotional and somatic symptoms in intimate partner violence survivors, regardless of brain injury. Brain injury severity linked to somatic symptoms overall, and cognitive symptoms only in those with injury. PTSD partially mediated the childhood trauma link.
• PTOTOther2022Using Machine Learning to Develop a Short-Form Measure Assessing 5 Functions in Patients With Stroke.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationA new 15-item stroke assessment tracks five functions in about 10 minutes. It scores nearly identical to full batteries and detects recovery changes as well. Therapists can use it for quick discharge checks without losing the clinical detail of longer tests.
• PTOTSLPCase-Control2022Cerebellar Contributions to Motor and Cognitive Control in Multiple Sclerosis✰✰✰.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIn people with MS, larger cerebellar volume and better microstructural integrity were linked to faster walking, better balance, and quicker processing speed. These brain measures tracked with functional deficits, suggesting cerebellar health supports both motor and cognitive tasks.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022A process evaluation of patient care needs using the Post-Stroke Checklist: A prospective study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineUsing a 13-item checklist in stroke rehab helped clinicians spot persistent issues like pain and incontinence. Most participants improved functionally by discharge, but many still reported problems three months later, highlighting the need for continued community follow-up.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2022Addressing the Shadow Pandemic: COVID-19 Related Impacts, Barriers, Needs, and Priorities to Health Care and Support for Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence and Brain Injury.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationStakeholders reported increased IPV severity and access barriers during COVID-19. They identified urgent needs for cross-sector provider education on IPV-TBI signs, formalized peer support, and navigators to help survivors with brain injuries access care.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Team-based rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury: a qualitative synthesis of evidence of experiences of the rehabilitation process.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePeople with traumatic brain injury described team-based rehabilitation as poorly coordinated and not tailored enough, especially when moving from hospital to home and after formal services ended. They said close persons and timely, individual support mattered.
• OTCohortLongitudinal Analysis of Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms, Probable TBI, and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Veterans.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationVeterans with persistent postconcussion symptoms were more likely to report intimate partner violence perpetration over the next year. Head injury alone was not associated with it after controlling for other risk factors, and symptoms were not associated with violence frequency.
• OTCohortStrangulation as an Acquired Brain Injury in Intimate-Partner Violence and Its Relationship to Cognitive and Psychological Functioning: A Preliminary Study.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationWomen with a history of strangulation-related loss of consciousness performed worse on memory tests and reported higher PTSD and depression than those without such history. These differences persisted even after accounting for other brain injuries, suggesting specific cognitive and psychological consequences of strangulation.
• PTOTPilot2022Increasing motor cortex activation during grasping via novel robotic mirror hand therapy: a pilot fNIRS study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRobotic mirror therapy produced stronger and more balanced brain activation in the motor cortex than standard mirror therapy or passive robotic movement in a small pilot. This suggests the robotic approach may better stimulate neural pathways, but functional recovery was not tested.
• PTOTOther2022Accuracy of Heart Rate Measurement by the Fitbit Charge 2 During Wheelchair Activities in People With Spinal Cord Injury: Instrument Validation Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesThe Fitbit Charge 2 is too inaccurate to trust for heart rate in people with spinal cord injury. It failed the standard accuracy limit for all activities. Errors were worst in those with high cervical lesions and during strength exercise. Use chest straps instead for clinical decisions.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Quantifying Quality of Reaching Movements Longitudinally Post-Stroke: A Systematic Review.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairNo single movement metric reliably tracks true neurological recovery after stroke. Kinematic measures often improve while underlying weakness and loss of dexterity persist, meaning patients may regain function through compensation rather than restitution.
• OTCohort2022Application of Second-Order Growth Mixture Modeling to Longitudinal Traumatic Brain Injury Outcome Research: 15-Year Trajectories of Life Satisfaction in Adolescents and Young Adults as an Example.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMost adolescents and young adults with TBI stayed high in life satisfaction over 15 years. Some stayed low, and others changed over time. Baseline employment, sex, race and cognitive independence were linked to these groups.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021The prevalence, characteristics, and psychiatric correlates of traumatic brain injury in incarcerated individuals: an examination in two independent samples.Brain injuryTraumatic brain injury affects half of incarcerated men and women, often from assault or car accidents. In women, a history of mild TBI linked to higher PTSD symptoms and depression diagnoses. Men showed no significant rise in mental illness symptoms from mild TBI, though alcohol use disorder rates were higher in both sexes.
• PTOTSurvey2022Healthcare Disruptions and Use of Telehealth Services Among People With Multiple Sclerosis During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPeople with MS experienced fewer healthcare disruptions than healthy controls, but still missed 38% to 50% of medical appointments. Telehealth use was high and satisfaction was very high, especially for mental health. Functional limitations predicted greater telehealth use.