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 3 OF 56 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTRCT2016Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on visual perception function and performance capability of activities of daily living in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding tDCS to occupational therapy did not show a significant difference between the tDCS and sham groups in stroke patients, though both groups improved on visual perception and ADL scores. The tDCS group had larger reported mean gains.
• PTOTCohort2016The effects of hand strength on upper extremity function and activities of daily living in stroke patients, with a focus on right hemiplegia.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn stroke patients with right hemiplegia, grip strength correlated with both upper extremity function and daily living independence. Pinch strength correlated with function but not with daily living tasks. Grip appears more critical for basic independence than finger pinch.
• OTCase Series2016Bioelectrical impedance analysis for severe stroke patients with upper extremity hemiplegia.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn severe stroke patients with arm paralysis, the paralyzed side had lower lean mass, body water, body cell mass, and hand strength than the other side. Bioimpedance values differed in the same direction as occupational assessments. Small case series cannot prove a test works.
• PTOTOther2016Information on functioning found in the medical records of patients with stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceStroke admission and discharge summaries mostly captured body function information, including muscle power and pain, and also walking, medication and imaging, while social participation and hobbies were absent.
• OTSystematic Review2016Analysis approaches and interventions with occupational performance.Journal of physical therapy scienceMost research on stroke interventions targets physical recovery using the biomechanical approach, especially constraint-induced therapy. Few studies evaluate client-centered or top-down methods like CO-OP, which are harder to test in large randomized trials.
• PTOTSurvey2016Evaluation of sensory processing abilities following stroke using the adolescent/adult sensory profile: implications for individualized intervention.Journal of physical therapy scienceStroke survivors mostly resembled healthy adults on sensory processing. They differed in low registration, sensation seeking, and sensation avoiding, not in sensory sensitivity. The profile describes patterns, not treatment effects.
• PTOTCase-Control2017Effectiveness of robotic-assisted gait training in stroke rehabilitation: A retrospective matched control study.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoAdding RAGT to traditional physiotherapy did not produce a larger gain in daily living independence than traditional physiotherapy alone. It was associated with larger gains in walking, mobility, and balance.
• OTCase Report2016Effect of mental practice using inverse video of the unaffected upper limb in a subject with chronic hemiparesis after stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn one man with chronic left hemiparesis, mental practice using an inverse video of his unaffected arm was paired with weekly outpatient OT. His upper limb movement scores and reported hand use improved, but this is one case, not proof.
• PTOTRCT2017Effects of 2 Years of Exercise on Gait Impairment in People With Parkinson Disease: The PRET-PD Randomized Trial.Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPTTwo years of either progressive resistance or multimodal balance exercise improved fast walking speed and step frequency in Parkinson's. Neither type was superior, but stride length and stability measures did not improve, and gait remained impaired relative to healthy controls.
• PTOTPilot2017Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy for Children With Brain Tumors.Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy AssociationNine children with brain tumor hemiplegia completed all 15 constraint-induced movement therapy sessions. Quality of life scores did not show a clear change, but arm use improved and was mostly maintained at 3 months.
• OTPilot2016Effects of virtual reality training with modified constraint-induced movement therapy on upper extremity function in acute stage stroke: a preliminary study.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 4 acute stroke patients, dexterity and upper-limb function test scores rose after modified constraint-induced movement therapy plus virtual reality games. The two treatments were given together, so neither alone can be credited.
• PTOTSLPOther2016Reliability and validity of standing balance assessment index using a hand-held dynamometer in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy sciencePushing against a stroke patient's pelvis with a hand-held dynamometer until they lose balance measures standing stability reliably. The force needed correlates strongly with standard balance scores. It is quick and works for patients too impaired to perform other tests.
• PTOTOther2016Effects of community-based rehabilitation program on activities of daily living and cognition in elderly chronic stroke survivors.Journal of physical therapy scienceOlder adults with chronic stroke who took part in a monthly community rehabilitation program combining exercise and crafts improved in daily activities and cognition. Only eleven finished, and there was no control group.
• PTOTOther2016The effect of bilateral trainings on upper extremities muscle activation on level of motor function in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceStroke patients with better arm recovery showed higher muscle activation and lower co-contraction when lifting a Pilates ring with both hands compared to clasping hands. This suggests the ring task may facilitate more coordinated movement in the affected limb.
• PTOTRCT2016Effects of inclined treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation on balance and gait in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding a metronome to inclined treadmill walking improved balance and gait more than walking without it or on a flat treadmill. However, the study was small and only included patients who could already walk, so results may not apply to all stroke survivors.
• PTOTPilot2016Effect of sensorimotor stimulation on chronic stroke patients' upper extremity function: a preliminary study.Journal of physical therapy scienceTwo female and one male chronic stroke patients showed increased Box and Block and 10-second hand-test scores after 12 sessions combining passive mobilization, vibration, and proprioceptive training, while also receiving conventional rehabilitation. The contribution of any single component cannot be separated.
• PTOTOther2016Factors affecting the quality of life of homebound elderly hemiparetic stroke patients with cognitive impairment.Journal of physical therapy scienceFor homebound older stroke patients with cognitive impairment, higher quality of life scores went with better cognition and greater daily independence. Age, sex, and care level showed no clear link.
• PTOTOther2016Analysis of affected and non-affected sides of stroke hemiparalysis patients and correlations between rehabilitation therapy assessments using the bioelectrical impedance analysis method.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 20 stroke patients with hemiplegia, a body electrical measure called phase angle was lower on the paralyzed side and tracked grip strength, hand dexterity, and daily activity independence. Another body electrical measure was also lower, but the resistance measure did not differ.
• OTCase Report2017Use of an arm weight-bearing combined with upper-limb reaching apparatus to facilitate motor paralysis recovery in an incomplete spinal cord injury patient: a single case report.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn a single man with incomplete spinal cord injury, upper-limb function improved on all measures except wrist flexor tone. Shoulder gains came during periods that also included repetitive facilitation exercise, so Reaching Robot alone cannot be credited.
• PTOTCohort2016Relationship between manual dexterity and the unified parkinson's disease rating scale-motor exam.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn patients with Parkinson's disease, lower scores on a simple block-moving test closely matched higher scores on the standard motor exam. A low block test score suggests significant motor impairment, offering a quick functional check for upper limb dexterity.
• PTOTCohort2017Does grip strength on the unaffected side of patients with hemiparetic stroke reflect the strength of other ipsilateral muscles?Journal of physical therapy scienceGrip strength on the unaffected side of stroke patients correlated significantly with the strength of seven other muscle groups. Measuring grip alone may offer a quick estimate of overall unaffected-side strength, though correlations were moderate.
• PTOTOther2017Effects of observation of hand movements reflected in a mirror on cortical activation in patients with stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter mirror therapy, EEG responses in stroke patients changed. Mirror viewing altered alpha and beta activity differently from direct hand viewing. The study did not measure hand function or daily tasks, so it does not show functional recovery.
• PTOTCase Series2017Effects of two-handed task training on upper limb function of chronic hemiplegic patients after stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceTwo chronic stroke patients practised everyday two-handed tasks for 12 sessions. Both had larger and faster brain-to-hand responses and small hand-function gains, but this cannot show the training works.
• PTOTCase Report2017Effects of interactive metronome training on postural stability and upper extremity function in Parkinson's disease: a case study.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn one woman with Parkinson's disease, balance and hand scores improved during interactive metronome training, but this case report cannot show the training caused them.
• OTOther2017The reliability and validity of the Complex Task Performance Assessment: A performance-based assessment of executive function.Neuropsychological rehabilitationThe CTPA library task distinguished adults with mild stroke and executive dysfunction from controls, and two raters agreed closely. Repeating it after one week improved scores, so it is not dependable as a change measure.
• PTOTOther2017Clinical characteristics affecting motor recovery and ambulation in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceWomen with stroke hemiplegia had lower hand and upper-limb motor stages and more complex regional pain syndrome. Shoulder pain was linked to complex regional pain syndrome. Rehabilitated patients were further from stroke, so better walking scores cannot be credited to rehabilitation alone.
• PTOTSLPCohort2016Self-Reported Sleep Disturbance Mediates the Relationship Between PTSD and Cognitive Outcome in Blast-Exposed OEF/OIF Veterans.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationIn blast-exposed veterans, poor sleep links PTSD symptoms to worse cognitive performance. Sleep disturbance accounted for most of the association between PTSD and deficits in memory, processing speed, and cognitive control. Clinicians should assess sleep when evaluating cognition in this population.
• PTOTSLPRCT2016Tracking patterns of needs during a telephone follow-up programme for family caregivers of persons with stroke.Disability and rehabilitationCaregivers prioritized stroke information and survivor behavior management early. They delayed addressing their own health needs until the fifth call, when a specific assessment tool helped them identify these personal concerns. Physical care needs remained stable but were less urgent initially.
• OTOther2016Process evaluation of the Restore4stroke Self-Management intervention 'Plan Ahead!': a stroke-specific self-management intervention.Clinical rehabilitationStroke patients, partners and therapists liked Plan Ahead, but only some attended every session and therapists applied the action-planning tool incompletely in some sessions. It shows implementation needs more training and recruitment clarity, not that the intervention improves outcomes.
• OTRCT2016Training in client-centeredness enhances occupational therapist documentation on goal setting and client participation in goal setting in the medical records of people with stroke.Clinical rehabilitationRecords from the intervention group, where therapists were invited to client-centred training, documented goal setting and client participation more often than usual-care records. Usual-care records documented family and emotional support more often.
• PTOTSLPRCT2017Early home-supported discharge for patients with stroke in Portugal: a randomised controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitationEarly home-supported discharge did not improve functional independence scores compared to usual care. However, fewer patients in the home-supported group had severe disability (FIM < 60) at six months, suggesting a potential benefit for the most impaired patients that requires further study.
• PTOTSLPCohort2017Long-Term School Outcomes of Children and Adolescents With Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationChildren with severe TBI need school support services immediately. Those with mild or moderate injuries often appear fine at two years but require comparable support by six years post-injury. Monitor academic performance long-term, not just at discharge.
• OTRCT2017Feasibility and usability of a wearable orthotic for stroke survivors with hand impairment.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyStroke survivors found a vibrating wristband prototype close to satisfactory but wanted it cheaper, easier to put on, waterproof, and proof that it helps hand function over time.
• OTSLPCohort2017Genetic Variation in the Vesicular Monoamine Transporter: Preliminary Associations With Cognitive Outcomes After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationA VMAT2 gene variant was linked to worse cognitive performance after severe TBI. The link was not seen at the later follow-up. This is an association in a small group, not proof that the variant causes impairment.
• PTOTPilot2017H-GRASP: the feasibility of an upper limb home exercise program monitored by phone for individuals post stroke.Disability and rehabilitationIn 6 of 8 people post stroke who finished a home arm exercise program with weekly phone calls, arm function, use, strength and self-perceived performance improved. Retention and adherence were below target, and no control group limits interpretation.
• PTOTOther2016Rehabilitation Needs of Stroke Survivors After Discharge From Hospital in India.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationStroke survivors and caregivers in Chennai reported substantial rehabilitation needs, especially information about stroke and services and financial support. They faced few affordable services, long travel, and little awareness of warning signs.
• PTOTCohort2016Active Lifestyle Is Associated With Reduced Dyspnea and Greater Life Satisfaction in Spinal Cord Injury.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPlanned exercise was associated with less reported breathlessness in people with spinal cord injury. More time away from home and organized sports were linked with greater life satisfaction, but planned exercise alone was not.
• PTOTRCT2017A low cost virtual reality system for home based rehabilitation of the arm following stroke: a randomised controlled feasibility trial.Clinical rehabilitationThe home glove system, with usual care, therapist setup and support, did not significantly improve the primary arm function test after eight weeks. Recruitment was so low that a definitive trial would need many more participants, and the system required substantial therapist support.
• PTOTCohort2016Quantifying Change During Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Regression Analysis.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationAverage monthly gains in outpatient stroke rehabilitation were small: about 1.8 Berg Balance Scale points, 2 arm test points, and 0.09 m/s walking speed. Later start and prior inpatient rehab were linked to lower admission scores. Younger, earlier starters had faster arm and walking gains.
• OTOther2017Stability of stereognosis after pediatric repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and constraint-induced movement therapy clinical trial.Developmental neurorehabilitationIn 10 children with hemiparesis who had poor touch recognition by hand, most improved after combined rTMS and CIMT, but gains varied and some were lost at follow-up. This small follow-up cannot show which treatment caused change.
• PTOTOther2016Comparing Comorbidity Indices to Predict Post-Acute Rehabilitation Outcomes in Older Adults.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationFive standard comorbidity indices added almost no predictive value for discharge function or community return in older rehab patients. Admission functional status and demographics explained most variance, suggesting clinicians should prioritize current ability over diagnosis lists.
• PTOTCohort2016Objective and Self-Reported Physical Activity Measures and Their Association With Depression and Satisfaction With Life in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPeople with spinal cord injury who pushed their wheelchairs farther reported fewer depressive symptoms. However, time spent in leisure activities predicted life satisfaction, not general wheelchair distance. This suggests targeting specific meaningful activities for well-being, while overall movement helps mood.
• PTOTQualitative2017Negotiating identity and self-image: perceptions of falls in ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury - a qualitative study.Clinical rehabilitationAmbulatory people with chronic traumatic spinal cord injury described walking as central to feeling normal. They minimized fall risk through planning, aids and training, but often accepted or exceeded risk to preserve identity, valued activities and daily life.
• PTOTCohort2016Correlation of Fractional Anisotropy With Motor Recovery in Patients With Stroke After Postacute Rehabilitation.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIn 43 stroke patients after early inpatient rehab, a brain scan measure of corticospinal tract integrity was higher in those with better motor gains. It was linked to gains in good and moderate recovery groups, not poor recovery.
• OTPilot2016Quantitative Evaluation of Passive Muscle Stiffness in Chronic Stroke.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationPassive elbow resistance after stroke was not matched by biceps stiffness in all subjects. Some had high joint resistance with little measured stiffness, and stiffness varied widely.
• OTCohort2016COMT and ANKK1 Genetics Interact With Depression to Influence Behavior Following Severe TBI: An Initial Assessment.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairGenetic variations in dopamine processing did not predict behavior problems after severe TBI on their own. However, among patients with post-TBI depression, those with specific gene combinations reported significantly more behavioral issues at 12 months post-injury.
• PTOTCase Report2016Engaging Cervical Spinal Cord Networks to Reenable Volitional Control of Hand Function in Tetraplegic Patients.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairTwo people with chronic cervical spinal cord injury showed greater grip force and hand control during cervical epidural stimulation, and over repeated sessions. This is not evidence the stimulation works for other patients.
• PTOTSurvey2017Defining mild, moderate, and severe pain in young people with physical disabilities.Disability and rehabilitationFor young people with physical disabilities, the best average pain cutoffs were 0-3 mild, 4-6 moderate and 7-10 severe; the best worst pain cutoffs were 0-4 mild, 5-6 moderate and 7-10 severe.
• OTOther2017Activities of daily living and manual hand dexterity in persons with idiopathic parkinson disease.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 25 people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease, better hand dexterity on the less affected side was linked to greater independence in daily activities. This association was stronger than for the more affected side.
• OTSLPCohort2017Assessing chronic stroke survivors with aphasia sheds light on prevalence of spatial neglect.Topics in stroke rehabilitationFunctional observation found mild neglect in five of 40 chronic left-brain stroke survivors with aphasia, but paper-and-pencil testing found none, and mobility or independence did not differ reliably.