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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 23 OF 78 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTRCT2019Effects of Training for Finger Perception on Functional Recovery of Hemiplegic Upper Limbs in Acute Stroke Patients.Occupational therapy internationalAdding 20 minutes of finger perception training to standard stroke rehabilitation improved tactile sensitivity and the speed of manipulating small objects. Grip strength and large object handling did not improve. The benefit was seen in patients who already had higher levels of motor recovery.
• PTOTOther2020The Seated Postural & Reaching Control Test in Cerebral Palsy: A Validation Study.Physical & occupational therapy in pediatricsTrained raters scored the seated postural and reaching test consistently, and its scores lined up with other cerebral palsy measures. The 5-second static sitting test detected only 31% of children with static control deficits.
• PTOTOther2020Precise quantification of the time course of voluntary activation capacity following Botulinum toxin injections in the biceps brachii muscles of chronic stroke survivors.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationBotulinum toxin injections in stroke survivors caused a 50% drop in elbow force within two weeks, with only partial recovery by twelve weeks. Muscle electrical activity remained 35% below baseline, indicating lasting weakness that clinical spasticity scores missed.
• PTCohort2020Electroencephalographic Phase Synchrony Index as a Biomarker of Poststroke Motor Impairment and Recovery.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairIn 40 patients with stroke-related one-sided weakness, EEG signal timing between motor areas was related to arm impairment, and timing in the opposite hemisphere was related to later arm recovery.
• PTOTRCT2020Cortical priming strategies for gait training after stroke: a controlled, stratified trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHigh-intensity treadmill training improved walking speed and endurance in all groups, but adding cortical priming did not enhance these gains. One subgroup showed brain excitability changes, but this did not translate to better walking performance.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2020Post-stroke dysphagia: An exploration of initial identification and management performed by nurses and doctors.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsNurses and doctors mostly used informal observation to spot swallowing problems, often missing key signs like voice changes or voluntary cough. They also reported using unsafe practices like syringe feeding and prescribing exercises outside their scope. This highlights a need for better training and formal screening tools.
• PTOTPilot2020Can kinematic parameters of 3D reach-to-target movements be used as a proxy for clinical outcome measures in chronic stroke rehabilitation? An exploratory study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRobot-assisted arm therapy improved clinical scores in 10 chronic stroke survivors, but arm movement smoothness and range did not change consistently. Kinematic tracking failed to mirror clinical gains, suggesting it cannot yet replace standard assessments for measuring recovery.
• PTOther2020Fractal auditory stimulation has greater benefit for people with Parkinson's disease showing more random gait pattern.Gait & postureA fractal metronome made stride timing less random in people with Parkinson's disease and older adults, especially those with the most random baseline gait. The fractal music was harder to follow and did not show this benefit.
• PTOther2020Reliability and validity of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale in patients with spinal cord injury.The South African journal of physiotherapyFor South African adults leaving spinal cord injury rehabilitation, a 21-item questionnaire about discharge readiness gave consistent scores and mostly reflected patients' own readiness. It did not meet every item-level standard.
• PTOther2020Robotic tests for position sense and movement discrimination in the upper limb reveal that they each are highly reproducible but not correlated in healthy individuals.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn healthy adults, two robotic upper-limb tests each gave repeatable results, but movement-discrimination and position-matching scores were unrelated. One test may not tell you how someone performs on the other.
• PTOTCohort2020Changes in social participation and life-space mobility in newly enrolled home-based rehabilitation users over 6 months.Journal of physical therapy scienceOver 6 months, 47 newly enrolled home-based rehabilitation users had better social participation and wider life-space mobility. Motor independence improved at 3 months. No control group, so changes cannot be attributed to the service.
• PTPilot2020Effects of kinesiology taping on trunk function, balance, and mobility in stroke patients: a pilot feasibility study.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 13 people after stroke, trunk taping applied just before testing was followed by higher total trunk function and dynamic sitting balance scores; directional control improved, but mobility and other balance measures did not.
• PTOTRCT2020Feasibility and potential effects of using the electro-dress Mollii on spasticity and functioning in chronic stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationUsing the Mollii suit at home for 6 weeks was feasible and reduced wrist spasticity measured by NeuroFlexor, but did not change spasticity assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale. Fugl-Meyer sensorimotor scores improved, while walking speed, balance, and self-reported function remained unchanged.
• PTOther2020Persons post-stroke improve step length symmetry by walking asymmetrically.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationEnergy cost did not change when nine persons post-stroke used visual feedback to make step lengths symmetric. They did it by keeping asymmetric limb mechanics and impaired paretic propulsion, so symmetry alone may not improve walking effort.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Passive, yet not inactive: robotic exoskeleton walking increases cortical activation dependent on task.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationPassive robotic exoskeleton walking triggered greater brain activation than active walking. This happened in the parietal and frontal cortex, likely because the user had to actively inhibit their muscles to stay relaxed while the machine moved them.
• PTOTSLPPilot2019Impact of deep brain stimulation on people with Parkinson's disease: A mixed methods feasibility study exploring lifespace and community outcomes.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTDeep brain stimulation helped most people with Parkinson's reduce symptoms, but life satisfaction and community movement varied widely. Some felt better while others stopped valued activities. GPS tracking showed movement increased even when patients felt they stayed home.
• PTOTRCT2020Neurocognitive robot-assisted rehabilitation of hand function: a randomized control trial on motor recovery in subacute stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationReplacing one daily hand therapy session with robot-assisted training achieved motor recovery equivalent to standard care. Both groups improved similarly. The robot did not prove superior, but it matched conventional therapy while remaining acceptable to patients.
• PTOther2020The immediate effect of the Honda Walking Assist Device on foot and ankle function in hemiplegic stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn hemiplegic stroke patients, the Honda device and a three minute assisted walking exercise did not immediately increase walking speed. Hip angles changed, but the separate effects of the device and exercise cannot be separated.
• PTRCT2020Novel design for a dynamic ankle foot orthosis with motion feedback used for training in patients with hemiplegic gait: a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn seven people after stroke, walking with a new ankle-foot orthosis put more weight on the affected leg earlier and kept it there longer than no orthosis or a conventional AFO. The dynamic feedback part did not clearly beat the same orthosis without it.
• PTCase-Control2020Rectus femoris hyperreflexia contributes to Stiff-Knee gait after stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAfter stroke stiff-knee gait, people whose knee bent less during swing had a stronger thigh-muscle stretch reflex at toe-off. This reflex was larger than when healthy people deliberately tightened the same muscle, so voluntary overactivity alone may not explain it.
• PTCase Report2020Does elongation training effectively improve motor function?-a single-case design verification study.Journal of physical therapy scienceA 90-year-old man with Parkinson’s syndrome showed improved hip strength, range of motion, and walking speed after two weeks of home-based elastic band exercises. These gains partially reversed when the band was removed. This single-case report suggests the band may aid safe home training, but does not prove it works for others.
• PTOTCohort2020Pushing the Rehabilitation Boundaries: Hand Motor Impairment Can Be Reduced in Chronic Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairIntensive multi-finger pressing training improved finger independence and hand function in 18 adults with chronic stroke, especially pinch, with gains still present at 6 months, though there was no control group.
• PTOther2020Self-selected step length asymmetry is not explained by energy cost minimization in individuals with chronic stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationChanging step length asymmetry did not alter energy cost in 10 people with chronic stroke. Unimpaired controls used more energy when asymmetric, so stroke asymmetry was not explained by energy saving.
• PTOTPilot2020Metrics extracted from a single wearable sensor during sit-stand transitions relate to mobility impairment and fall risk in people with multiple sclerosis.Gait & postureAdding a single thigh sensor to the 30-second chair stand test helped identify people with multiple sclerosis at risk of falls more accurately than counting repetitions alone. The sensor captured how slowly and cautiously participants stood up, which correlated with balance confidence and fatigue scores.
• PTPilot2020Effects of physical therapy on blood pressure in daily clinical practice-a pilot study.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter a getting-up therapy session combining range-of-motion exercise, strength training, standing-up training, and walking training, systolic blood pressure rose from 127.7 mmHg to 139.1 mmHg in 23 hospitalized patients. Resting pulse rate predicted the rise, and age and body weight predicted an exaggerated rise.
• PTOTCohort2020Characteristics Associated with the Differential Activity of Nondominant and Dominant Affected Hands in Patients with Poststroke Right Hemiparesis.Occupational therapy internationalStroke survivors whose dominant hand was affected used their non-affected hand significantly more than their paretic hand, creating strong asymmetry. However, standard clinical scores for motor function and self-reported use did not correlate with this real-world activity imbalance measured by wearable sensors.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Neurosurgery guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineMost neurosurgical care for spina bifida relies on expert consensus rather than high-quality evidence. Therapists should monitor for shunt failure and tethered cord signs like pain or lost milestones, as clinical decline can occur even when brain imaging looks stable.
• PTSurvey2020Pattern of injuries amongst tennis players in Accra, Ghana.The South African journal of physiotherapyMost injuries occurred in the upper limbs, with the knee and shoulder being the most common sites. Overuse and overexertion were the main causes. Many players did not receive treatment, and warm-up or shoe type showed no association with injury cause.
• PTOTCohort2020Interaction between locomotion and three subcategories for patients with stroke demonstrating fewer than 37 points on the total functional independence measure upon admission to the recovery ward.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn severe stroke patients, walking ability did not improve all self-care equally. Greater gains in walking were linked to better dressing and toileting, but not eating or bathing. Therapists should target specific self-care tasks rather than assuming walking training fixes them all.
• PTOther2020Effects of arm swing on walking abilities in healthy adults restricted in the Wernicke-Mann's limb position.Journal of physical therapy scienceRestricting one or both arms reduced walking speed and stride length in healthy adults. However, swinging both arms as much as possible while one arm was restricted restored speed and stride to normal levels, suggesting maximum arm swing can compensate for limited upper limb movement.
• PTOTOther2020Comparing Home Upper Extremity Activity with Clinical Evaluations of Arm Function in Chronic Stroke.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationHome accelerometer data correlated with clinical arm impairment scores, but not consistently with self-reported use. Some patients with good clinical scores used their affected arm very little at home. Clinical tests alone may miss habitual non-use.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Community Rehabilitation Outcomes for Different Stroke Diagnoses: An Observational Cohort Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn 61 adults, 12 months of staged community stroke rehabilitation improved overall function, abilities and participation, but not mood and interpersonal adjustment. Stroke type shaped which areas improved and where deficits remained.
• PTOTCohort2020Musculoskeletal Pain Outcomes Pre- and Post Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Implant in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Prospective Cohort Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn 32 children with cerebral palsy, parent-reported musculoskeletal pain duration and constant pain decreased after baclofen pump implant. Pain intensity, episode frequency, interference, and spasticity did not change.
• PTOther2020Lessons Learned: The Difficulties of Incorporating Intensity Principles Into Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationAn intensity-based inpatient stroke program with gait, strength, and cardiovascular training had larger gains in walking distance and balance than usual care, but patients received far fewer sessions than planned and three stopped for low tolerance.
• PTPilot2020Safety and Feasibility of Various Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling Protocols in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis Who Are Nonambulatory.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationNine nonambulatory adults with MS completed several functional electrical stimulation cycling protocols with no serious adverse events and minimal changes in spasticity, pain, and fatigue. This shows safety and feasibility, not that cycling improved function.
• PTOTPilot2020Developing a Facilitators Scale in the Context of Travel: ReTRIP.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA new scale for people with spinal cord injury separates travel barriers into two distinct types: what the industry provides (accessibility, staff help) and what the individual brings (planning, problem-solving). These two factors are weakly linked, meaning you should assess them separately rather than combining them into a single score.
• PTOTCohort2020Relationship between upper limb motor function and activities of daily living after removing the influence of lower limb motor function in subacute patients with stroke: A cross-sectional study.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTUpper limb motor function correlates with total ADL independence, but this link weakens significantly once lower limb function is accounted for. Only specific self-care tasks and stair climbing remain associated with upper limb strength after removing lower limb influence.
• PTRCT2020Usefulness of a simulated experience method for transfer assistance for hemiplegia or limited range of motion in multiple joints.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter a 3-minute simulated experience session, nursing assistants helped a mock care recipient put more load on the lower limbs during transfer. The load difference was 107.9 ± 123.6 N for pseudo-hemiplegia and 149.1 ± 132.4 N for limited joint motion.
• PTOTCohort2021Sociodemographic and clinical correlates of device-measured sedentary behaviour in multiple sclerosis.Disability and rehabilitationPeople with MS spend nearly 9 hours a day sedentary. Those who are older, have progressive MS, or higher disability spend even more time sitting in long, uninterrupted bouts. Self-report likely underestimates this burden, so objective monitoring is needed to target interventions.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Behavior Problems Following Childhood TBI: The Role of Sex, Age, and Time Since Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationLow family income predicted behavior problems more strongly than injury severity did. Girls injured in adolescence showed higher attention and externalizing symptoms than boys. Social competence improved as time passed, but early deficits were common.
• PTOTCohort2020Individualized OnabotulinumtoxinA Treatment for Upper Limb Spasticity Resulted in High Clinician- and Patient-Reported Satisfaction: Long-Term Observational Results from the ASPIRE Study.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMost clinicians and patients were satisfied with onabotulinumtoxinA for adult upper limb spasticity, and reported difficulty with dressing, hygiene, posture and pain improved. Treatment varied widely, so this describes real-world use, not proof of benefit.
• PTOTCohortHealth Phenotypes and Neurobehavioral Symptom Severity Among Post-9/11 Veterans With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium Study.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationAmong post-9/11 Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury, symptom burden varied by health phenotype. Polytrauma and Moderately Healthy+Decline groups reported more severe symptoms and daily-life interference than Moderately Healthy, especially affective symptoms.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Association of formal and informal care with health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms: findings from the Caring for Adults Recovering from the Effects of Stroke study.Disability and rehabilitationStroke survivors receiving only informal care reported significantly higher depressive symptoms than those receiving no care. Shared care involving both formal and informal sources showed no difference in depression or quality of life compared to no care, despite the shared care group having more severe strokes.
• PTOTRCT2021The Effect of Repeated abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®) Injections on Walking Velocity in Persons with Spastic Hemiparesis Caused by Stroke or Traumatic Brain Injury.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationRepeated lower-limb abobotulinumtoxinA injections were associated with higher walking speed, step length, and cadence after four injections in chronic spastic hemiparesis. Walking was not the primary outcome, and this was a before-after analysis.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Spirituality and outcomes in caregivers of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI).Rehabilitation psychologyCaregivers with a stronger sense of life purpose and meaning coped better with the stress of caring for someone with severe brain injury. This existential well-being buffered the negative impact of the patient's disability on the caregiver's mental health more effectively than religious well-being did.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Severity of Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults and Risk of Ischemic Stroke and Depression.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationIn older adults with traumatic brain injury, high injury severity was associated with a much higher risk of ischemic stroke but not depression. Stroke risk was 6.68 times higher in the severe group. This suggests monitoring for stroke, not mood, based on injury severity.
• PTOTQualitative2020Examining daily physical activity in community-dwelling adults with stroke using social cognitive theory: an exploratory, qualitative study.Disability and rehabilitationStroke survivors valued independence above all else. They built confidence by mastering small tasks. They managed barriers by planning and tracking steps. Family support helped, but overprotectiveness was a major barrier. Therapists should help patients negotiate boundaries with family to maintain autonomy.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Differential Effects of Time to Initiation of Therapy on Disability and Quality of Life in Patients With Mild and Moderate to Severe Ischemic Stroke.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIn adults with stroke or TIA, longer time to therapy consult was associated with worse 30-day disability and self-reported function. In mild stroke, consult time also related to cognitive concerns; in moderate to severe stroke, treatment time related to mobility and disability.
• PTOther2021Genetic polymorphisms for BDNF, COMT, and APOE do not affect gait or ankle motor control in chronic stroke: A preliminary cross-sectional study.Topics in stroke rehabilitationGroups formed by BDNF, COMT, or APOE variants did not differ in walking speed, gait symmetry, or ankle movement control in this chronic stroke study. The study was small, so this does not rule out genetic effects.
• PTOther2021Pain interference and quality of life in combat veterans: Examining the roles of posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and sleep quality.Rehabilitation psychologyAmong 289 combat veterans, worse PTSD, deployment TBI severity, and poor sleep were linked to more pain that limits daily life. Poor sleep and PTSD were linked to quality of life. TBI severity was not, after sleep and PTSD were included.