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.

3,875 PAPERS · PAGE 13 OF 78 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTRCT2018Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis. Part 2: Effect on White Matter Integrity.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairA constraint-induced movement therapy package of intensive more-affected arm training, shaping, transfer procedures and a restraining mitt increased white matter integrity in this small pilot of people with MS. Relaxation, aquatic therapy, massage, music and yoga did not. Components cannot be separated.
• PTCohort2018Advanced Robotic Therapy Integrated Centers (ARTIC): an international collaboration facilitating the application of rehabilitation technologies.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationMany patients using Lokomat robot-assisted gait training reached individual goals: 69% CP, 74% stroke, 56% SCI, 83% TBI. The database had 595 patients, many also had conventional therapy, and no control group meant the Lokomat contribution could not be separated.
• PTRCT2018The feasibility and positive effects of a customised videogame rehabilitation programme for freezing of gait and falls in Parkinson's disease patients: a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSupervised customised videogame training added to unchanged medication and deep-brain stimulation was feasible for 10 PD patients with refractory freezing and falls: all completed 18 sessions, acceptability rose, and gait and balance scores improved. Most benefits were not maintained at 3 months.
• PTOTRCT2018Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis. Part 1: Effects on Real-World Function.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairTen adults with MS who received intensive constraint-induced movement therapy reported using their weaker arm in daily life at 85% of normal levels after treatment, up from 25%. This gain held at one year. The comparison group saw little real-world improvement.
• PTRCT2018Effects of dynamic neural mobilization on cerebral cortical activity in patients with stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 20 people with stroke, dynamic neural mobilization of the arm changed brain-wave measures in the motor cortex more than neural mobilization after four weeks. No arm function was measured, so this does not show better recovery.
• PTOTRCT2018Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Enhances Motor Skill Learning but Not Generalization in Chronic Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairAdding real anodal tDCS to five days of pinch training raised the trained-task learning score (2.29 vs 1.53), but gave no extra gain on untrained hand tests. Training alone improved those tests.
• PTCohort2018Ethics reporting practices in randomized controlled trials of physical therapy interventions after stroke.Archives of physiotherapyStroke physical therapy trials increasingly report ethics details, but key safety and consent information is often missing. Only 21% mentioned potential harms, and just 3% reported participant compensation. Trials with higher methodological quality and later publication years provided more complete ethical reporting.
• PTOTSLPRCT2018Evaluating the effects of delivering integrated kinesthetic and tactile cues to individuals with unilateral hemiparetic stroke during overground walking.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding tactile vibration to a kinesthetic cane did not improve walking symmetry or muscle activity more than the cane alone. Balance measures showed no significant change. The benefits seen at higher speeds were driven by the speed itself, not the added vibration.
• PTOther2018An ultrasonographic analysis of the activation patterns of abdominal muscles in children with spastic type cerebral palsy and in typically developing individuals: a comparative study.Archives of physiotherapyIn children with spastic type cerebral palsy, ultrasound showed oblique and transverse abdominis muscles thicker at rest than in typically developing children, but their thickness decreased during activity. Rectus abdominis increased like the typically developing group. This describes muscle activation, not a treatment effect.
• PTRCT2018Shaping neuroplasticity by using powered exoskeletons in patients with stroke: a randomized clinical trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding 45 minutes of Ekso exoskeleton gait training to conventional physiotherapy let all 20 patients reach the primary mobility target, unlike adding conventional overground walking to the same physiotherapy.
• PTOTRCT2018Post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect: virtual reality-based navigation and detection tasks reveal lateralized and non-lateralized deficits in tasks of varying perceptual and cognitive demands.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStroke survivors with unilateral spatial neglect missed remembered or shifting left targets by larger distances and were slower to detect targets in a seated virtual-reality task. Standard neglect tests did not track these navigation errors.
• PTOTNarrative Review2018The Use of Digital and Remote Communication Technologies as a Tool for Multiple Sclerosis Management: Narrative Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesEvidence for MS digital tools is mostly small studies; large trials are lacking, so do not assume they improve outcomes. Many are usable and accepted.
• PTOther2018A Kinematic Sensor and Algorithm to Detect Motor Fluctuations in Parkinson Disease: Validation Study Under Real Conditions of Use.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesWhen the waist sensor made an On or Off decision, it matched patient diaries 92.20% of the time, but only when movement allowed a decision.
• PTOTSystematic Review2018Person-Generated Health Data in Simulated Rehabilitation Using Kinect for Stroke: Literature Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesKinect-based stroke rehabilitation systems rarely let patients see their own performance data. Therapists should not assume home users are self-managing their recovery; most systems hide the clinical metrics that would allow it.
• PTOther2017An electromyographic study of abdominal muscle activity in children with spastic cerebral palsy.The South African journal of physiotherapyIn 63 children with spastic cerebral palsy, oblique abdominal muscles showed more electrical activity at rest than in 82 typically developing peers. Rectus abdominis was similar, so oblique tone may need attention before strengthening.
• PTOTRCT2018Reliability, validity and discriminant ability of the instrumental indices provided by a novel planar robotic device for upper limb rehabilitation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRobot scores from a simple reaching task were stable day-to-day in 48 subacute stroke patients and matched arm function scales. Time and speed changed on retest, so give a familiarization trial before using them to track recovery.
• PTOTQualitative2018Perceptions of Existing Wearable Robotic Devices for Upper Extremity and Suggestions for Their Development: Findings From Therapists and People With Stroke.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesPeople with stroke and therapists had different priorities for upper-limb devices. Stroke survivors wanted simple, portable assistive tools for daily life to maintain independence. Therapists wanted complex therapeutic devices to complement clinical sessions. Cost and lack of evidence hindered adoption for both groups.
• PTRCT2018Validity of shoe-type inertial measurement units for Parkinson's disease patients during treadmill walking.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn people with Parkinson's disease walking steadily on a treadmill, shoe-mounted motion sensors matched motion-capture gait timing and step measures very closely. They may be a practical clinic alternative, but only for steady treadmill walking.
• PTRCT2018The impact of ankle-foot orthoses on toe clearance strategy in hemiparetic gait: a cross-sectional study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWearing their own ankle-foot orthosis increased toe clearance and reduced compensatory hip hiking in 24 people able to walk without aids after stroke. The study reported swing-phase mechanics, not proof of fewer falls.
• PTOTOther2017Community integration of adults with disabilities post discharge from an in-patient rehabilitation unit in the Western Cape.The South African journal of physiotherapyAdults 7 to 9 months after inpatient rehabilitation in South Africa had low community integration, especially work, recreation, social activities and mobility. The authors recommended targeting these areas.
• PTOTSurvey2017The relationship between physical fitness and community participation in people with spinal cord injury.The South African journal of physiotherapyPeople with spinal cord injury who pushed farther in a six-minute wheelchair test and felt less exertion afterwards reported higher satisfaction with community participation. The study did not test whether fitness training improves participation.
• PTRCT2018Trainer in a pocket - proof-of-concept of mobile, real-time, foot kinematics feedback for gait pattern normalization in individuals after stroke, incomplete spinal cord injury and elderly patients.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationShoe sensors gave verbal gait feedback to adults after stroke, incomplete spinal cord injury, or older age. The trained foot angle or timing moved toward normal during the training visits, but walking speed and Timed Up and Go did not improve.
• PTOTRCT2018A novel sensor-based assessment of lower limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn children with cerebral palsy, a sensor-based Modified Tardieu assessment gave more consistent knee and ankle spasticity measurements than the conventional clinician-rated method. It also measured clonus duration, but it did not test treatment outcomes.
• PTSurvey2018Barriers to evidence-based physiotherapy practice for stroke survivors in Ghana.The South African journal of physiotherapyGhanaian physiotherapists treating stroke survivors reported organisational barriers as the biggest problem: no protected time, no current research access, and no mandate to use evidence. They still valued evidence-based practice but felt less confident interpreting research results.
• PTOTRCT2018Reliability, validity, and clinical feasibility of a rapid and objective assessment of post-stroke deficits in hand proprioception.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA robot test of finger position sense took about 12.3 minutes and was repeatable on the stroke-affected hand, but it did not match bedside sensory tests and was not repeatable on the less affected hand.
• PTOTNarrative Review2018Rehabilitation robots for the treatment of sensorimotor deficits: a neurophysiological perspective.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRobot-assisted therapy can increase repetitions and standardize training, and may help walking recovery, but many devices lack clinical evaluation and superiority over dose-matched conventional therapy is not established.
• PTRCT2018Randomized controlled trial of robot-assisted gait training with dorsiflexion assistance on chronic stroke patients wearing ankle-foot-orthosis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn 19 chronic stroke patients with foot drop, powered ankle assistance during over-ground walking and stair training improved walking independence more than passive AFO training after 20 sessions. The advantage over passive AFO was not confirmed at 3 months.
• PTOther2018The Increase in Overlap of Cortical Activity Preceding Static Elbow/Shoulder Motor Tasks Is Associated With Limb Synergies in Severe Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairIn severe chronic stroke, cortical activity for shoulder and elbow tasks became more overlapped before movement. That overlap was associated with lower upper-limb motor scores and greater elbow torque coupling.
• PTRCT2018Effect of respiratory exercise on pulmonary function, balance, and gait in patients with chronic stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding respiratory trainer exercises to standard neurodevelopmental treatment improved lung capacity, balance, and walking speed in chronic stroke patients. The trainer group gained 3.6 points on the Berg Balance Scale and walked 4.8 seconds faster over 10 meters compared to baseline.
• PTRCT2018SPARC: a new approach to quantifying gait smoothness in patients with Parkinson's disease.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA new sensor-based measure called SPARC detected less smooth gait in patients with Parkinson's disease than standard speed or variability metrics, especially when off medication. It correlated strongly with motor severity scores, suggesting it offers a more sensitive way to quantify gait quality from simple wearable sensors.
• PTOTSLPCohort2018Should I stay or should I go? A prospective investigation examining individual factors impacting employment status among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).Work (Reading, Mass.)Among employed people with multiple sclerosis, those considering leaving work had higher physical fatigue, lower self-efficacy, and relied more on behavioral disengagement than humor. This pattern appeared early in the disease course, suggesting psychosocial factors drive job decisions before physical disability peaks.
• PTOTCohort2018Does Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Have an Added Value to Clinical Assessment in Predicting Upper-Limb Function Very Early After Severe Stroke?Neurorehabilitation and neural repairAdding TMS to the SAFE clinical test did not improve 6-month upper-limb prediction. At 11 days, SAFE plus TMS was better than TMS alone, but not better than SAFE alone.
• PTOther2018Effect of spinal kypho-orthosis to gait and forward flexion in Parkinson disease.Journal of physical therapy scienceWearing the spinal orthosis did not change walking forward speed or step length. It reduced turning time and turning steps and improved stooped posture in people with Parkinson disease.
• PTOTSLPCohort2018Difference in independent mobility improvement from admission to discharge between subacute stroke patients using knee-ankle-foot and those using ankle-foot orthoses.Journal of physical therapy sciencePatients prescribed knee-ankle-foot orthoses had smaller mobility improvements than those prescribed ankle-foot orthoses, but they also started with more severe impairments. The orthosis type alone did not cause the difference; initial severity and age were strong predictors of recovery.
• PTOTOther2018Examining Guided and Directed Cues in Strategy Training and Usual Rehabilitation.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthIn 20 inpatient stroke rehabilitation video sessions, strategy training used more guided cues than usual occupational or physical therapy: 42.5% guided versus 3% to 4%. It also used fewer cues per minute. This describes therapist behavior, not patient outcomes.
• PTOTRCT2018Early Shortening of Wrist Flexor Muscles Coincides With Poor Recovery After Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairPatients whose arm recovery after stroke was poor already had shorter wrist flexor muscles and stiffer wrist tissue around week 4 or 5. Reflex torque differences appeared later, around week 12. With 36 patients, this cannot show that shortening caused poor recovery.
• PTOther2018Relationship between functional balance and walking ability in individuals with chronic stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 31 people with chronic stroke, the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) strongly correlated with Berg Balance Scale scores. This quick walking assessment may help estimate balance ability, potentially saving time compared to the longer Berg Balance Scale.
• PTOTRCT2018Assisting hand function after spinal cord injury with a fabric-based soft robotic glove.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationNine people with spinal cord injuries lifted objects more successfully while wearing a soft robotic glove operated by a researcher. The glove improved hand function scores and lift force, but participants could not put it on themselves.
• PTPilot2018Safety and immediate effect of gait training using a Hybrid Assistive Limb in patients with cerebral palsy.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 14 patients with cerebral palsy who could walk, one 20-minute HAL session raised gait speed from 0.71 m/s to 0.83 m/s and step length from 0.44 m to 0.47 m. No major adverse events occurred, but two minor adverse events were reported.
• PTRCT2018Practice-based skill acquisition of pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchair propulsion versus regular handrim propulsion in novices.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationNovices improved wheelchair propulsion efficiency and steering with practice. Power-assisted wheels used less energy and felt easier, but were harder to control. Switching between power-assisted and regular wheels did not show clear carryover.
• PTOTRCT2018A robot-based gait training therapy for pediatric population with cerebral palsy: goal setting, proposal and preliminary clinical implementation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFour children with cerebral palsy completed a 16-session robot-assisted gait training program. Most showed improved walking speed, endurance, and strength. Without a control group, it is impossible to know if the robot or the concurrent conventional therapy caused these changes.
• PTOTSystematic Review2018The effects of error-augmentation versus error-reduction paradigms in robotic therapy to enhance upper extremity performance and recovery post-stroke: a systematic review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationError augmentation in robotic therapy improved movement quality more than standard practice, but gains did not reach the threshold for clinically meaningful change. Error reduction showed no clear benefit over standard practice.
• PTCase Report2018Gait training using a stationary, one-leg gait exercise assist robot for chronic stroke hemiplegia: a case report.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn one chronic stroke patient, maximum overground gait speed improved after GEAR training, physical therapy, an AFO, a cane and baclofen. Because several treatments were given together, the robot alone cannot be credited.
• PTOTRCT2018Error-augmented bimanual therapy for stroke survivors.NeuroRehabilitationIn chronic stroke, error-augmented bimanual robot practice did not improve primary arm motor scores more than sham practice. Both groups gained, and after excluding one control participant, the error-augmented group showed a small follow-up gain.
• PTOTCohort2018Recovery of kinematic arm function in well-performing people with subacute stroke: a longitudinal cohort study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationArm movement quality did not improve over follow-up in high-functioning stroke patients. Elbow speed and trunk or shoulder compensation remained different from healthy controls.
• PTRCT2018Effects of task-specific movement patterns during resistance exercise on the respiratory functions and thickness of abdominal muscles of children with cerebral palsy: randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded clinical trial.Journal of physical therapy scienceChildren with cerebral palsy who did task-specific movements wearing weighted vests improved breathing measures and abdominal muscle thickness more than children who did the same movements without added weight. Both groups also improved, and the study was small.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2018Traumatic brain injury education for adult patients and families: a scoping review.Brain injuryEducation for brain injury varies widely. In mild cases, it can match intensive therapy for some symptoms. In moderate to severe cases, education alone rarely improves outcomes unless combined with problem-solving and support. Written materials are often ignored; patients need in-person explanation.
• PTRCT2018The effect of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation on corticospinal excitability in chronic incomplete spinal cord injury.NeuroRehabilitationCathodal, anodal, and sham spinal electrical stimulation did not significantly change brain-to-leg muscle signals in people with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury. This small study found no change to act on.
• PTOTRCT2018Using an upper extremity exoskeleton for semi-autonomous exercise during inpatient neurological rehabilitation- a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSeverely affected stroke patients accepted extra upper-limb exoskeleton training without therapist support, but used about 55% of offered sessions. Some arm strength and movement improved, yet with no control group this cannot be credited to the device.
• PTSurvey2018A comparative survey of Nigerian physiotherapists' familiarity with, knowledge of and utilisation of standard outcome measures: 10 years after initial survey.The South African journal of physiotherapyNigerian physiotherapists' familiarity, knowledge and use of standard outcome measures improved from 2006 to 2016, but for most measures, 63.4% to 97.3% of physiotherapists still did not use them.