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 48 OF 56 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTOther2025Quantitative assessment of dynamic movement reveals deficits due to hemiparetic stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStroke survivors with moderate-to-severe impairment lose the ability to move quickly. Their upper limbs fail at frequencies above 1.5Hz, meaning they cannot perform fast daily tasks like stirring or brushing teeth, even if they can still reach the objects.
• PTOTOther2026Validity of Scores From the 12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale Among Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults With Multiple Sclerosis.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationThe 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale accurately reflects walking ability in older adults with MS, not just younger ones. Scores tracked closely with timed walk tests and endurance measures across all ages, and cognitive decline did not distort the results.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025Tailored implementation of a behaviour change intervention for post-stroke physical activity: A mixed-methods feasibility study.Clinical rehabilitationStroke teams found a facilitated, tailored process feasible for delivering a physical activity programme after stroke, but all four teams only partially achieved their plans. This is about embedding support, not evidence that the programme improves patient outcomes.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Concussion Classification in a Multicenter Patient Cohort: The Updated ACRM Diagnostic Criteria and Concordance With Physician Impression of Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationApplying the 2023 ACRM criteria to 1447 patients found 96.9% had definite or suspected mild TBI, versus 69.7% diagnosed by physician impression. Most missed cases involved patients with lower symptom severity, suggesting clinical judgment may underdiagnose concussion when symptoms are less obvious.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025A feasibility study of digital self-report measurement for brain injury patients utilizing an adapted version of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory - fourth edition.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePatients with mild to moderate cognitive deficits completed a digital brain injury inventory twice with high consistency. The tool matched community integration scores and showed that naming ability, not overall cognition, linked to reported participation difficulties. This supports using digital self-report for routine monitoring.
• OTCohort2025Divided attention and manual visuomotor control in stroke: a combined dual-task and eye movement study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStroke patients did not get worse at grip force control when adding a memory or attention task, unlike controls. They still made more tracking errors than controls and showed poorer divided attention and working memory during dual-tasking.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025Assessing and Managing Agitation During Early Recovery in Children With Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Australia: A National Survey.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationMost Australian clinicians managing agitated children with brain injury use general recovery scales, not agitation-specific tools. They rely on environmental changes and individualized care, with family education key. Practice varies widely, and formal training on agitation management is often lacking.
• PTOTRCT2025Ankle Bracelet Laser as a Novel Portable Device to Improve Walking in Patients With Parkinsonism: Randomized Crossover Controlled Trial.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesA prototype ankle laser improved gait speed by 0.07 m/s and stride length by 0.17 m in 10 patients with parkinsonism during a brief clinic test. The device automatically projects a line with each step, reducing the need for manual control. These immediate effects have not yet been proven to last in daily life.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Recommendations for Combining Brain-Computer Interface, Motor Imagery, and Virtual Reality in Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation: Qualitative Participatory Design Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesFor upper-limb brain-computer interface, motor imagery, and virtual reality training, stroke survivors and clinicians recommended daily tasks, sessions no longer than 20 minutes, simple to complex progression, and feedback adjusted for attention, neglect, and fatigue. These are design recommendations, not tested effectiveness.
• PTOTCohort2026Predictors of wrist extensor muscle recovery following acute traumatic spinal cord injury: A model systems replication study.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationThree old clinical prediction rules for wrist extensor recovery after spinal cord injury are much less accurate than previously thought. Positive predictive values dropped to 57% to 74%. Do not rely on a single rule to predict recovery or guide surgical referrals.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025A cup half full: exploring the kinematic consequences of variations in the drinking task protocol.Journal of rehabilitation medicineSmall changes in how the drinking task is set up significantly altered movement time and trunk displacement in 6 healthy adults, but not the smoothness of the movement. The study suggests that standardizing the protocol is crucial for accurate assessment.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Mapping the role of vagus nerve stimulation in post-stroke arm motor recovery.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn chronic stroke survivors, included studies reported implanted vagus nerve stimulation paired with arm therapy had larger upper-limb function gains than control therapy, with mild voice or cough effects. Ear stimulation had weaker motor effects.
• OTOther2025Disruption of low-frequency narrowband EEG microstate networks in Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationLow-frequency brain-network patterns differed in people with Parkinson's and mild cognitive impairment, and these differences were associated with MoCA scores. The all-frequency EEG signal did not show the same microstate parameter differences.
• PTOTCohort2025Generalizability of neuromuscular coordination in the human upper extremity after stroke and its implications in neurorehabilitation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationMuscle synergy patterns are shared between static and dynamic arm tasks after stroke, but how they are recruited differs. Dynamic reaching reveals abnormal coordination patterns missed by static tasks, while static tasks are more accessible for severely impaired patients.
• PTOTOther2025Can machine learning improve on the early prediction of upper limb recovery after stroke?Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAn XGBoost model predicted six-month arm recovery from stroke more accurately than a mixed-effects model, with a median error of 4.3 points on the 57-point ARAT scale when applied in the first week. This error was below the 6-point threshold considered clinically meaningful.
• PTOTSLPMeta-Analysis2025Superior efficacy of 100-Hz transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in reducing post-stroke spasticity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHigh-frequency TENS (100 Hz) significantly reduced post-stroke spasticity, while lower frequencies showed no benefit. The effect was consistent across acute, subacute, and chronic stroke phases. Motor function and daily living activities also improved, but these results were less stable.
• PTOTCohort2025Muscle strength and stiffness of elbow muscles: correlation with upper limb motor functions in people with chronic stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineElbow muscle strength, but not stiffness, correlated with upper limb motor function in people with chronic stroke. Strength explained variance in impairment and activity scores, while resting stiffness showed inconsistent or no significant links to functional outcomes.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2025Action Observation Combined With Motor Imagery Training to Improve Motor Function in People With Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesAdding action observation with motor imagery to routine rehab improved upper limb function scores, but did not improve daily self-care. The evidence is low quality from small trials, so treat this as a potential add-on rather than a proven replacement for standard therapy.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Cognitive performance and stroke-specific quality of life four years after stroke.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesFour years post-stroke, quality of life linked only to reaction time, verbal memory, and fine-motor coordination. Language, executive function, and attention showed no significant association with reported well-being in this small cohort.
• PTOTRCT2025Heel-Elevation Effects on Sit-to-Stand Movement in Patients with Parkinson's Disease-A Randomized Crossover Study.NeuroRehabilitationRaising heels on a tilted plate reduced sit-to-stand time in people with Parkinson's by a median of 2.3 seconds. The benefit was greatest in those with slower baseline movement and worse standing balance. The specific tilt angle did not change the outcome.
• PTOTOther2025Uncovering attempted movements of the paralyzed upper limb after stroke through EEG and EMG.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationCombining brain and muscle signals detected attempted hand movements in 79% of chronic stroke patients, compared to 50% with brain signals and 53% with muscle signals alone. This hybrid approach offers a more reliable way to identify who can use neural interfaces.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025Defining the key elements of the Affolter Model® in a multiprofessional Delphi study: a first step toward evidence-based Tactual Interaction Therapy.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesExperienced Affolter Model practitioners agreed on 32 statements describing its concept, principles, methods and techniques. They did not test whether Tactual Interaction Therapy works; the result is a consensus map for future research and teaching.
• PTOTSLPPilot2026Promoting community and social participation in chronic stroke: A pilot study of the ENGAGE intervention.Disability and health journalHalf the participants showed meaningful improvement in social participation, but the study lacked a control group. The intervention was feasible and safe, with no injuries reported. Therapists should view this as a promising tool for goal-setting, not proven efficacy.
• PTOTRCT2025Botulinum toxin A combining with robot-assisted bimanual therapy integrating mirror therapy versus botulinum toxin A combining with robot-assisted bimanual therapy in patients with post-stroke spastic fingers: a randomized controlled pilot trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding mirror therapy to robot-assisted hand training after Botox injections improved finger movement more than robot training alone. Both groups gained function, but the mirror group saw larger gains in distal hand control, suggesting a stronger sensory feedback loop helps recovery.
• OTOther2025Psychometric properties of the Danish version of the resilience scale for adults in individuals with acquired brain or spinal cord injury, and their family members.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn adults with acquired brain or spinal cord injury and their family members, the Danish Resilience Scale for Adults may be useful as five separate subscales. Do not use the Structured style subscale or the total score.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Optimal exercise modalities for post-intervention motor function changes in stroke survivors: a pairwise and network meta-analysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationResistance training best preserved walking endurance, and robotic training best preserved walking speed after stroke rehab ended. However, no exercise modality significantly improved balance or limb motor control during follow-up, suggesting gains in these areas often fade without continued supervision.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Post-stroke facial palsy: Prevalence, recovery patterns within the first 7 days, risk factors, and effect of hyperacute treatments.Clinical rehabilitationFacial palsy affects 43% of stroke patients on admission, but only 37% recover fully within the first week. Older age and severe motor or sensory impairments predict slower recovery. While thrombolysis was linked to better outcomes, this may reflect patient selection rather than treatment effect.
• PTOTSLPRCT2025Dual-target tDCS and dual-task training modulate neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity: transcriptomic and behavioral evidence in stroke rehabilitation.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAdding dual-target brain stimulation to dual-task training improved walking, thinking, and mood in stroke survivors more than sham stimulation. Both groups also received standard physical, occupational, or speech therapy, so the specific contribution of each component cannot be separated.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2025A novel multimodal pharmacologic approach using guanfacine, N-acetylcysteine, and donepezil in severe TBI: a case series.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesTwo men with severe TBI showed large MoCA score improvements after taking guanfacine, NAC, and donepezil alongside rehab. This cannot prove the drugs caused the gains. Do not change practice based on these two cases.
• PTOTOther2025Smart Device-Based Therapy on Hand Motor Function Improvement in Stroke Survivors During Rehabilitation: Scoping Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesMost studies showed hand function improvements with smart device therapy, but the evidence is too mixed to say it works better than standard care. Home-based tech is feasible, yet results varied widely by device and study quality.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025Investigating dose-response patterns in virtual reality rehabilitation: a pilot study of patient satisfaction in subacute stroke.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesNo significant relationship was found between virtual reality dosage and patient satisfaction in 19 subacute stroke patients. The study was underpowered and heavily confounded by hospital length of stay, meaning VR exposure reflected stroke severity rather than a controlled treatment parameter.
• OTRCT2026Process Evaluation of a Randomized Controlled Trial of an Enhanced Rehabilitation Transition Program for Stroke Survivors.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationStroke survivors receiving home modifications and strategy training had better daily activity performance and fewer home barriers than those receiving education alone, but community participation did not improve. The intervention cost a median of $544 per person and was well-adhered to at 12 months.
• PTOTRCT2025Transcranial magnetic stimulation regulates brain functional network dynamics in stroke patients: a randomised controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding 1Hz rTMS to standard rehab improved upper limb movement and daily self-care more than rehab alone. Brain scans showed increased network flexibility in sensory and cognitive areas, which correlated with better arm recovery and predicted treatment success.
• PTOTOther2025Innovative stimulated muscle contraction signals based digital muscle marker: a reliable tool for assessing muscle in persons with stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA wearable device that stimulates muscles and reads their response tracked muscle mass and strength in stroke survivors reliably, even on the weak side. It requires no voluntary effort, offering a way to assess muscle wasting in patients who cannot cooperate with standard strength tests.
• PTOTCohort2025Clinical assessments and gait characteristics by subtype classification using temporal and kinematic symmetry indices during gait in patients with chronic stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineStroke survivors who walk independently split into four distinct gait subtypes based on symmetry. Those with severe motor impairment had the lowest walking speed and most asymmetry. However, patients with similar moderate impairment and speed showed different underlying movement problems, meaning one subtype needs different rehab than another.
• PTOTCohort2025Exploring exercise intolerance in adult patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn adults with persistent concussion symptoms, 81% had exercise intolerance confirmed by treadmill testing. Higher overall symptom burden predicted this intolerance. Within those intolerant, higher resting heart rate allowed more exercise, while higher anxiety lowered the threshold for symptoms.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Health Literacy and Access to Care among Patients with and Without Traumatic Brain Injury: An All of Us Analysis.NeuroRehabilitationPatients with a history of traumatic brain injury are significantly more likely to report difficulty understanding health information, needing help with medical forms, and delaying care due to cost or transportation compared to matched controls.
• PTOTSurvey2025Shoulder problems after spinal cord injury. Part one: self-assessment by questionnaires.Journal of rehabilitation medicine54 of 100 people with spinal cord injury reported shoulder pain after injury, and 34 reported pain in the last week. Pain was common across injury levels and among wheelchair users and ambulatory people.
• PTOTCohort2025Neuromuscular adaptations in soleus and tibialis anterior muscles in persons with spinal cord injury.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHigh-functioning individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury required significantly higher muscle electrical activity to match the force of controls. This suggests they recruit larger or more motor units to compensate for lower firing rates. No differences were found in motor unit synchronization or force variability.
• OTOther2025Reliability and validity of virtual reality box & block test in healthy adults and patients with stroke: a prospective, multi-center, exploratory, cross-sectional study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA VR Box and Block Test produced stable scores and moved with the standard test, but it scored lower and is not interchangeable. It also captured movement speed and distance in people with stroke and healthy adults.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Effect of exercise-based interventions on stroke rehabilitation: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationExercise improves balance, strength, and walking after stroke, but the best type depends on how long it has been since the event. Trunk exercises help most in the subacute phase, while aerobic training aids chronic recovery. Most evidence is moderate quality, so tailor prescriptions carefully.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2025The impact of non-invasive brain-computer interface technology on the therapeutic effect of patients with spinal cord injury: a summary of evidence based on meta-analysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationNon-invasive brain-computer interfaces showed positive pooled effects on motor function, sensory function and daily living in spinal cord injury. But with 109 participants in 9 small studies, mostly self-controlled, the authors call this a research hypothesis, not a basis for clinical practice.
• PTOTRCT2025Effect of upper-limb robot-assisted therapy combined with pneumatic gloves on upper limb function in young and middle-aged stroke patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationYoung and middle-aged stroke patients using robot-assisted therapy with pneumatic gloves showed greater upper limb movement and daily function gains than those in conventional occupational therapy. Both groups improved, but the robot-glove group scored higher on motor and activity tests after four weeks.
• PTOTCohort2025Association of Hallucinogen Use With Psychosocial Outcomes: Secondary Analysis of the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Database.Topics in spinal cord injury rehabilitationHallucinogen use was rare and linked to higher depression scores but not quality of life. Users were more likely to be younger, male, and report falls or sleep disturbances. This observational data cannot prove hallucinogens cause or relieve these symptoms.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations: Rehabilitation, Recovery and Community Participation Following Stroke. Part One: Stroke Rehabilitation Planning for Optimal Care Delivery, 7th Edition Update 2025.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationStroke unit care reduces poor outcomes. Early mobilization within 24 hours increased mortality and reduced favorable outcomes in the AVERT trial. Virtual rehab is effective for motor, cognitive, and speech goals. Multidisciplinary discharge planning improves transitions but mixed evidence exists on specific clinical outcomes.
• PTOTOther2026Standardisation in acute stroke research: A scoping review of upper limb assessments against Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable (SRRR) benchmarks.Clinical rehabilitationAcute stroke upper limb research mostly used impairment tests like FMA-UE and NIHSS, not activity or movement-quality measures. Follow-up timing and imaging use were inconsistent with standard stroke recovery guidelines.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations Rehabilitation, Recovery, and Community Participation Following Stroke, Part Three: Optimizing Activity and Community Participation Following Stroke , 7th Edition Update, 2025.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationStroke survivors need coordinated care for mood, fatigue, cognition, driving, work, leisure and community roles. Guidelines recommend information, support and services after discharge.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Factors influencing activity performance and participation in usual life situations among people with Parkinson's disease: a mixed methods study.Disability and rehabilitationBoth motor and non-motor issues like apathy limit daily activities. People with Parkinson's stay active by adapting tasks or environments, such as using mobility aids or scheduling around symptoms.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Psychological Health of Female Service Members and Veterans Associated With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury History: A LIMBIC-CENC Study.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationFemale service members and veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury reported significantly worse PTSD, depression, and neurobehavioral symptoms than those without. Combat-related injuries were linked to poorer outcomes, but injury count and blast exposure alone were not.
• PTOTSLPRCT2025Bilateral intermittent theta-burst stimulation as a priming strategy to enhance action observation and imitation training in early parkinson's disease: a proof-of-concept study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding brain stimulation before Tai Chi training improved dual-task walking and memory in 15 people with early Parkinson's. Standard training alone improved balance and immediate recall, but did not significantly help complex walking or delayed memory.