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 53 OF 56 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTRCT2026Unlocking trunk potential after stroke: a novel approach combining transcranial direct current stimulation and core stability exercise: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding brain stimulation to core stability exercises improved trunk control, balance, and daily independence more than exercises alone in chronic stroke patients. Both groups gained, but the combined group showed larger improvements across all measures after 12 weeks.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Prevalence and biopsychosocial predictors of post-stroke fatigue in patients with minor strokes.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAbout one in five minor stroke survivors had clinically significant fatigue at one year. Fatigue was linked to psychological distress, balance problems, and self-reported cognitive symptoms, but not to cognitive test scores or pain.
• PTOTPilot2025Development and feasibility testing of a video-based exercise program for improving upper limb motor function among stroke survivors in a low-income setting.Archives of physiotherapyStroke survivors in Nigeria completed a four-week home program using an English video, manual, and five exercises including constraint-induced movement therapy; 29 of 30 finished, and motor scores rose 8.8 points on a 75-point scale. Without controls, this shows feasibility, not proven effectiveness.
• PTOTPilot2026Gamified electromyographic biofeedback for people with tetraplegia from SCI is enjoyable, results in high-dosage therapy, increases muscle electrical activity, and may improve arm function, a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationPeople with tetraplegia playing EMG-controlled games achieved high repetition counts and reported enjoying the therapy. Muscle electrical activity increased significantly, but functional gains remain unproven due to missing data and the lack of a control group.
• PTOTCohort2026Early multidimensional mobility assessments for discriminating discharge-level ambulation and functional independence in subacute stroke inpatients: a retrospective cohort study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn subacute stroke patients who could walk with supervision, early balance and multidirectional stepping tests best predicted discharge independence. A Berg Balance Scale score of 40.5 or higher identified 92% of those who achieved independent ambulation, outperforming speed-based gait tests.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025Real-World Experiences of Therapy Staff Implementing an Intensive Rehabilitation Protocol in Canadian Stroke Inpatient Rehabilitation Settings: A Multi-Site Survey Study.Physical therapyMost therapy staff found intensive walking protocols helpful but struggled to meet step targets within standard 30-minute sessions. Time constraints and discharge planning competed with therapy goals. Wearable devices were valued for feedback, though staff doubted their accuracy for patients with slower or atypical gaits.
• OTQualitative2026User Experience of Extended Reality Treatment for Visuospatial Neglect Among Patients and Informal Caregivers: Qualitative Interview Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesPatients and caregivers liked the virtual and augmented reality games for poststroke neglect and found them playable, but wanted clearer targets, performance feedback, and safer, more tailored practice. They were open to home use if equipment and time allowed.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Comparative efficacy of motor imagery augmented with central non-invasive brain stimulation versus peripheral electrical stimulation for upper extremity rehabilitation post-stroke: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding motor imagery plus low-frequency rTMS to conventional rehab was significantly better than conventional rehab alone for post-stroke arm motor scores; other tested combinations and single interventions were not.
• PTOTCohort2026Beyond spasticity reduction: botulinum toxin-a injection is associated with changes in abnormal flexor synergies of the upper limb in chronic stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineBotulinum toxin injections in chronic stroke patients reduced elbow spasticity and improved an index of abnormal flexor synergy. The study did not show a change in maximum voluntary shoulder flexion angle. These findings are from a small, uncontrolled cohort and cannot confirm causality or clinical benefit.
• PTOTPilot2026Creating an engaging brain computer interface, electrical stimulation therapy for children with hemiparesis: a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThree sessions of a social-media-linked brain-computer interface with electrical stimulation were safe and feasible for 12 children with hemiparesis. Participants reported feeling less clinical and more engaged, but technical lag caused frustration. No functional gains can be attributed to the system.
• PTOTSLPRCT2026Looking Beyond Dose: Identifying Responders and Non-Responders to RehaCom Computerized Cognitive Rehabilitation in Progressive MS-The CogEx Study.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairComputerized cognitive training helps some people with progressive MS improve processing speed, but not all modules work equally. Progressing through Attention/Concentration tasks was linked to greater gains, while other modules showed little benefit or hit difficulty ceilings.
• PTOTCohort2026Examining the Impact of Perceived and Objective Cognitive Function on Social Participation in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIn adults with MS who have average cognitive test scores, how they perceive their own cognitive function strongly predicts social participation. Objective cognitive test results showed only weak associations, while walking ability was the strongest predictor.
• PTOTPilot2026Usability, Acceptability, and Feasibility of a Personalized Adaptive Mirror Therapy for Upper-Limb Poststroke Rehabilitation Using Immersive Virtual Reality and Myoelectric Control: Single-Arm Pre-Post Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesAdaptive VR mirror therapy with muscle-signal control and therapist supervision was rated usable and motivating by people with chronic stroke, including severe arm weakness. Satisfaction was higher at the end than midway, but severely impaired patients reported more workload. It shows feasibility, not recovery.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Exoskeleton frontal and sagittal plane hip torque improves propulsion and transient stability during walking in individuals with hemiparesis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn eight people with hemiparesis, a hip exoskeleton widened step width and improved stability markers as abduction torque increased. Sagittal-plane assistance boosted non-paretic propulsion but not paretic. These immediate mechanical changes need testing in real-world falls and walking speed.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2026Upper limb motor recovery using a digital health-driven IoT rehabilitation system: a case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA stroke patient with high baseline independence used a digital IoT system for two weeks. His arm movement quality improved slightly, and he stayed engaged. Because he started so capable, the system could not show further gains in how often he used his arm.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026On the correlation between training modalities and recovery stages in poststroke robotic rehabilitation of the upper limb: a systematic review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRobotic therapy choices should match the stroke recovery stage. Assistive modes with electrical stimulation worked best for chronic patients. Active-assistive modes with bio-signal triggers yielded greater gains for subacute patients. Evidence for the acute phase remains too limited to guide practice.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Relationship between lower limb muscle coordination and knee flexion angle during the swing phase of gait in post-stroke individuals.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStroke patients with fewer muscle coordination patterns had significantly lower knee flexion during the swing phase. These patients merged ankle and hip/knee control into one pattern, unlike those with more complex control who kept ankle push-off separate.
• PTOTCase Report2026Robotic exoskeleton rehabilitation in incomplete L2 paraplegia: functional gains contrast with metabolic challenges - a multidimensional case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOne young man with incomplete paraplegia gained function and bone density over six months of exoskeleton training. However, his visceral fat rose sharply and muscle asymmetry worsened. This single case shows functional gains can coexist with metabolic decline and uneven recovery.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Post-stroke lower limb rehabilitation: a comparative study between exoskeleton robots and traditional gait training.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRobot-assisted gait training may speed short-term recovery in severe post-stroke walking deficits, while traditional training better supports active movement learning. Most evidence lacked follow-up beyond six months.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026The impact of continued inpatient therapies on functional recovery and community discharge in patients with acquired brain injury.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPatients with acquired brain injury continuing rehabilitation at a skilled nursing facility after inpatient rehab showed significant functional gains in mobility, daily activities, and cognition. Eighty-eight percent were discharged to the community. Higher admission mobility scores and an ischemic stroke diagnosis predicted community discharge.
• PTOTSLPRCT2026Hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with computerized cognitive training improves global cognition and functional independence post-stroke: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationCombining hyperbaric oxygen with computerized cognitive training improved global cognition and daily living independence more than either alone or standard care in stroke patients. Gains appeared across memory, attention, and orientation. The contribution of each component cannot be separated.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2026Neurosurgery to restore function in cerebral palsy: current practice and emerging therapies.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThis review maps neurosurgical options for cerebral palsy movement disorders. It notes SDR helps spasticity but can unmask dystonia, while DBS and spinal cord stimulation remain investigational for children. Outcomes vary by phenotype, requiring individualized selection and intensive rehab.
• OTPilot2026Understanding the impact of perceived app usability on the efficacy of mobile health intervention for traumatic brain injury caregivers.Rehabilitation psychologyPush notifications reduced depression scores only in caregivers who found the app easy to use. For those who found it difficult, messages slightly worsened depression scores. Usability, not just the content, determines whether these tools help or harm.
• OTRCT2026Clinical Efficacy and Preliminary Cost-Utility of Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Versus Sham Stimulation for Neurogenic Overactive Bladder in Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairActive rTMS lowered stroke-related overactive bladder symptoms more than sham at weeks 4 and 8 (1.66 and 1.81 points on the bladder symptom score). This difference was under the 3-point clinical threshold, but treated participants improved 4.31 points.
• PTOTRCT2026Neuromechanics of Nonuse and Compensation: Implications for Rehabilitation After Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairTrunk compensation after stroke is often a smart effort-saving strategy, not just bad habits. Patients who gain function or reduce effort by compensating should focus on shoulder strength. Those who do not gain from compensating are candidates for therapies that restrict movement.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026User Requirements of the Integrated Home-Based Rehabilitation Tool, Neurorehabilitation Ecosystem for Sustained Therapy: Multicenter Focus Group Study With Stroke Survivors, Caregivers, and Health Care Professionals.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesStroke survivors, caregivers, and therapists agree that home rehabilitation apps need therapist-led setup, simple interfaces, and customizable games. Caregivers want to support without becoming therapists. The system must be an addition to clinic care, not a replacement, with ongoing monitoring to keep patients engaged.
• OTRCT2026Effects of semi-independent bedside rehabilitation of the upper limb assisted with a mobile wrist-hand exoneuromusculoskeleton (ENMS) for inpatients with subacute stroke: a randomized controlled trial (RCT).Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSubacute stroke inpatients who did Bobath therapy plus bedside wrist-hand robot training improved more on the primary upper-limb motor test than those doing Bobath plus cycling robot or Bobath plus PNF, while using less therapist time.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence for the Assessment and Rehabilitation of Spatial Neglect: A Systematic Review.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairAugmented reality and AI show promise for assessing spatial neglect, with some diagnostic accuracy exceeding standard tests. However, evidence for rehabilitation effectiveness is very low, with only one small trial. Current tools lack personalization and real-world validation.
• PTOTOther2026Validity of FuncUseRatio for ecological monitoring of functional arm use after stroke: toward precision neurorehabilitation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWrist sensors accurately track functional arm use in stroke survivors. The FuncUseRatio metric matched video analysis almost perfectly in daily tasks like eating and dressing. This tool validates home monitoring of paretic arm use, helping clinicians detect non-use behaviors early.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2026Efficacy of vibration therapy on physical function, activity and participation in people with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationVibration therapy improved motor function, spasticity, balance, gait and daily activity in stroke survivors. Benefits were larger with longer sessions and in chronic stroke. Participation outcomes showed no change. Evidence quality was moderate, so results need cautious interpretation.
• PTOTRCT2026Application of continuing care based on an information platform in discharged patients with first-ever stroke.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesStroke patients who used a WeChat mini-program for continuing care after discharge had better neurological function and daily living scores at three months than those receiving routine care. The group also had fewer falls and readmissions. The intervention combined online education with offline home nursing.
• PTOTOther2026Validity and Reliability of the Track-UL Algorithm Compared With Kinovea Software for Measuring Upper-Limb Functional Range of Motion in People After Stroke: Cross-Sectional Observational Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesA free video algorithm matched expert software closely for measuring arm movement in stroke survivors in the lab. At home, only 13 of 27 could record usable video. Use it for clinic assessments, but expect technical failures with remote patient recording.
• PTOTOther2026Reinforcement-Based Head Scan Training for Drivers With Homonymous Visual Field Loss: Improves Blind-Side Detection.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationDrivers with homonymous visual field loss learned to scan their blind side at intersections after three hours of simulator training with auditory cues. Blind-side hazard detection improved from 55.6% to 85.6% one week later, and gains persisted at one month.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Comparative effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation-based combination interventions for post-stroke lower limb rehabilitation: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationGait training plus electrical stimulation improved balance and leg function more than standard care. No combination significantly beat others for walking ability, though cycling plus stimulation ranked highest. Rankings are exploratory because most comparisons relied on indirect evidence rather than head-to-head trials.
• OTSLPCohort2026Does Depressed Mood Affect Accuracy of Perceptions of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis? The Role of Momentary Depressive Symptoms in the Correspondence Between Subjective and Objective Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPeople with MS could judge their thinking speed moment to moment, but not their working memory. Depressed mood was linked to more cognitive complaints overall, yet did not weaken how closely complaints tracked objective speed.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Long-term neurological and psychiatric outcomes after paediatric arterial ischaemic stroke and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis.Developmental medicine and child neurologyChildren with first-time stroke face much higher long-term risks of paralysis, epilepsy, vision problems, and mental disorders than peers. Most survivors had at least one neurological or psychiatric diagnosis. This requires sustained multidisciplinary follow-up.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Collaborative practice to support community-based physical activity for young people with childhood-onset physical disability: A scoping review.Developmental medicine and child neurologyNine strategies helped healthcare and community providers collaborate to support physical activity for young people with disability. However, these strategies were rarely defined clearly enough to copy, and none were evaluated for their effect on participation.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Instrumental assessment of Sit-to-Stand in Parkinson's disease: a scoping review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationMost instrumented sit-to-stand research in Parkinson's uses expensive clinical sensors and the Timed Up and Go test, not standalone sit-to-stand or home smartphones. Consumer devices cannot yet capture complex movement data unsupervised, so routine home monitoring is not yet validated.
• PTOTCohort2026Capacity Versus Performance of Volitional Head Turns After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationPeople with mild traumatic brain injury turned their heads slower in the lab but not in daily life. However, their daily head movements were far less variable than healthy controls. Lab tests did not predict daily behavior. Wearables reveal deficits in movement flexibility that standard tests miss.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2026The effect of combined motor and cognitive rehabilitation on motor performance in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of rehabilitation medicineCombined motor and cognitive training did not clearly improve functional mobility over motor training in Parkinson's disease. Sequential protocols reported an improvement in daily activities; simultaneous protocols reported better quality of life, but evidence was limited.
• PTOTSLPRCT2026Targeted ankle proprioceptive training improves balance, gait, and functional mobility in chronic stroke survivors: a multicenter randomized controlled trial with longitudinal follow-up.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTargeted ankle proprioceptive training improved balance and walking more than standard care in chronic stroke survivors. The robotic-assisted discrimination tasks and weight-bearing challenges produced gains that were maintained at six months.
• PTOTSurvey2026Importance of physiotherapy and occupational therapy according to people with multiple sclerosis-results from an online survey.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPeople with MS in the Netherlands valued physiotherapy for movement, pain, and motivation, and occupational therapy for energy, assistive devices, and daily-life strategies. They wanted therapists who know MS and adapt care as symptoms change.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026The Prevalence of Infection and Sepsis Associated Dysphagia in Hospitalised Patients: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study.DysphagiaSepsis and infection were associated with new-onset dysphagia in hospitalised patients. Sepsis carried a higher risk than infection alone. Older patients and those with dementia, delirium or Parkinson's disease were most likely to develop swallowing difficulties during admission.
• PTOTRCT2026Study on the effectiveness and safety of balance instrument training on balance and lower limb motor function in patients with ischemic stroke hemiplegia.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAdding Pro-Kin balance system training to routine care improved balance and lower limb function more than routine care alone in stroke patients. The experimental group achieved higher Berg Balance Scale scores and faster walking times, with no adverse events reported.
• PTOTCohort2025Relationship between musculoskeletal factors in the shoulder and upper limb function in patients with stroke: A cross-sectional study.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoIn chronic stroke, a wider shoulder gap and thinner supraspinatus and deltoid muscles on the affected side correlated with slower hand function and lower manual ability scores. These structural changes tracked with functional limits, but the study shows association only, not that treating them restores function.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2026Eye-Tracking Technologies for Cognitive Assessment After Acquired Brain Injury: Systematic Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesEye tracking may reveal gaze differences linked to attention and executive control after acquired brain injury, but small, varied studies do not show it routinely outperforms standard cognitive tests.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026EEG biomarkers for assessment, prognosis, and monitoring of natural upper limb recovery after stroke: a systematic review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSome EEG patterns, especially brain asymmetry, track upper limb impairment and recovery after stroke, but studies are small, varied and mostly fair quality. They are not ready for clinical decisions.
• OTCohort2026Suprapubic catheter insertion in people with multiple sclerosis: long-term complications and survival in a retrospective cohort study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn people with advanced multiple sclerosis, a suprapubic catheter placed under imaging guidance came with few complications and 73.1% were still alive five years later. Catheter complications did not predict death; age, disability level and being discharged to a nursing home did.
• PTOTCohort2026Occupational performance priorities and outcomes in long-term transitional rehabilitation for young adults with acquired brain injury.Journal of rehabilitation medicineYoung adults with acquired brain injury here most often chose goals around socialising, work and study, and getting around the community. Their own ratings of performance and satisfaction rose from admission to discharge, but with no comparison group the programme cannot take the credit.
• OTOther2026Dyadic adjustment for younger individuals following stroke: A cross-sectional study.Rehabilitation psychologyOnly one outcome differed by age: care partners in older couples were more satisfied with their social roles. In younger couples, one partner's lower satisfaction went with worse mood in both people; in older couples, only within the care partner.