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 30 OF 78 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPCase-Control2021Verification of spatial recognition ability of stroke patients required to resume automobile driving.Journal of physical therapy scienceStroke patients made larger errors judging car width than healthy drivers in a chair-and-panel simulation. This suggests paper-based cognitive tests may miss spatial recognition problems needed for safe driving. Use physical 3D assessments before clearing patients to drive.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Identification of Classes of Functioning Trajectories and Their Predictors in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury Attending Initial Rehabilitation in Switzerland.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationMost people with new spinal cord injury in Switzerland fell into one of four recovery patterns. Higher age, tetraplegia, complete injury, and needing ventilation predicted a slower or lower-functioning trajectory. This helps clinicians identify who may need more support early.
• PTOTRCT2021Effectiveness of a combined transcranial direct current stimulation and virtual reality-based intervention on upper limb function in chronic individuals post-stroke with persistent severe hemiparesis: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn chronic severe stroke hemiparesis, tDCS plus a self-triggered VR task followed by conventional physical therapy improved arm motor scores more than conventional physical therapy alone; sensory scores did not differ. Single components cannot be separated.
• PTOther2021Is the diaphragm thickness related to gait speed in patients with hemiplegia caused by cerebrovascular accident?Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 11 community walkers after stroke, the unaffected to affected diaphragm thickness ratio during deep breath was linked to faster walking. Other thickness measures were not. This does not show diaphragm training improves gait speed.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Properties of the surface electromyogram following traumatic spinal cord injury: a scoping review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSurface EMG can detect residual voluntary muscle signals after spinal cord injury, even when movement seems absent. Most studies reported only signal amplitude. Timing and frequency information were rarely used.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Early intervention evidence for infants with or at risk for cerebral palsy: an overview of systematic reviews.Developmental medicine and child neurologyEarly motor interventions for infants at risk of cerebral palsy show limited evidence. Active, task-specific training and environmental enrichment are weakly supported, but many trials are low quality. Passive techniques like stretching are ineffective. Clinicians should prioritize engaging, goal-directed activities over generalized stimulation.
• PTOTCase Report2021Gait training using a hybrid assistive limb after botulinum toxin treatment for cerebral palsy: a case report.Journal of physical therapy scienceA single case report describes a man with cerebral palsy who received botulinum toxin injections followed by robot-assisted gait training. Walking speed, endurance, and gross motor function improved and were maintained for three months. This describes one person's outcome, not a proven treatment.
• PTOTCase-Control2021Alterations in intermuscular coordination underlying isokinetic exercise after a stroke and their implications on neurorehabilitation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationDuring fixed-speed upper limb movements, stroke survivors generated weaker and less accurately directed forces, used fewer coordination patterns than controls, and more impaired participants showed more altered muscle activation.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021Predictors of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Performance in Patients with Stroke.Occupational therapy internationalFor stroke survivors, how independent they are in basic self-care tasks was the strongest predictor of their ability to manage complex daily activities like shopping or finances. Older age, poorer executive function, and higher depression scores also predicted worse performance.
• PTOTCohort2020Factors predicting clinically significant functional gain and discharge to home in stroke in-patients after rehabilitation - A retrospective cohort study.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTYounger stroke in-patients, those with haemorrhagic stroke, and those starting with moderate motor function were linked to clinically important motor gain. Those with family or attendant support and higher admission function were linked to going home.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021Dysphagia in cervical spinal cord injury: How international literature trends can guide South African practice patterns - A scoping review.The South African journal of physiotherapyDysphagia is common in cervical spinal cord injury, often transient but risky due to respiratory compromise. Tracheostomy and ventilation are key markers. In South Africa, speech therapists are scarce, so nurses and physiotherapists should screen for swallowing issues early to prevent pneumonia.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Participation and quality of life in persons living with spinal cord injury in Norway.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePeople with spinal cord injury who participated more in work and leisure reported higher life satisfaction and mental health. Sociodemographic factors like income and education were stronger predictors of quality of life than the severity of the injury itself.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2021Validation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for traumatic brain injury from Australian community patient perspectives.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAustralian TBI survivors confirmed most standard disability categories but highlighted missing subjective experiences. These included distorted taste, muscle stiffness, and the distress of adjusting to memory gaps. Clinicians should assess these specific sensory and psychological changes, which are often overlooked in standard care.
• PTCase Report2021Dry needling for treating spasticity in multiple sclerosis.Journal of physical therapy sciencePain, spasms, walking and quality-of-life scores improved in 12 people with relapsing-remitting MS after 4 months of lower-limb dry needling, but the gains were gone one month later. Without a control group, dry needling cannot be shown to have caused them.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021A method for measuring time spent in bradykinesia and dyskinesia in people with Parkinson's disease using an ambulatory monitor.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWrist-worn monitoring quantifies time spent above bradykinesia and dyskinesia targets, correlating with clinical scales and showing larger changes than those scales after treatment. This offers a continuous objective measure for tracking motor fluctuations and therapy response in Parkinson's disease.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2021A Narrative Review of Function-Focused Measures for Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA review identified 14 ICF-based tools for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Most focus on participation and activity rather than body function. Seven target cerebral palsy, but three can be used for any child regardless of diagnosis.
• PTOTOther2021Reliable and valid robot-assisted assessments of hand proprioceptive, motor and sensorimotor impairments after stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA robotic test of the index finger reliably separates stroke patients from healthy controls and correlates with standard clinical scores. It takes about 14 minutes per hand and can distinguish motor from sensory impairments, offering a detailed profile of hand deficits.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Fathers Matter: Enhancing Healthcare Experiences Among Fathers of Children With Developmental Disabilities.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesFathers of children with disabilities said they were involved, but clinicians said fathers were less involved. Seven fathers and 13 clinicians described ways to include fathers: direct attention, explain, take time, and accommodate schedules.
• PTOTOther2021Effects of cane use on walking parameters and lower limb muscle activity in adults with spastic cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study.Journal of physical therapy scienceWalking with two canes slowed adults with cerebral palsy compared to walking unaided. However, it also reduced lower limb muscle activity. Muscle coactivation patterns did not change, suggesting the cane reduces physical burden but does not alter underlying motor control strategies.
• PTRCT2021Low-frequency STN-DBS provides acute gait improvements in Parkinson's disease: a double-blinded randomised cross-over feasibility trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn 14 people with Parkinson's, low-frequency subthalamic deep brain stimulation with voltage adjusted made trunk movement while walking more rhythmic side-to-side and up-and-down than usual high-frequency. Clinical walking tests did not change, and tremor worsened in some.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Cardiovascular health status of taxi/for-hire vehicle drivers in the United States: A systematic review.Work (Reading, Mass.)US taxi drivers show high rates of cardiovascular risks like hypertension, obesity, and inactivity, but evidence is weak due to small, unrepresentative convenience samples. Screening may be warranted, but findings cannot be generalized to all drivers.
• PTCase Series2021Selective neural stimulation methods improve cycling exercise performance after spinal cord injury: a case series.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn three people with spinal cord injury, implanted cycling stimulation patterns that reduced overlap between activated muscle groups or rested one group each stroke produced more total work or higher end power in short trials. The best pattern differed by person.
• PTOTRCT2021A robot goes to rehab: a novel gamified system for long-term stroke rehabilitation using a socially assistive robot-methodology and usability testing.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStroke patients rated a robot-guided game and a computer-screen version of the same game as similarly helpful and enjoyable, with no significant difference between the two. Both groups found the system acceptable, and technical errors did not reduce trust or willingness to keep training.
• PTOTRCT2021Technology-supported sitting balance therapy versus usual care in the chronic stage after stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding T-Chair sitting-balance training to usual care (physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy with strength, conditioning, task-oriented exercises) was feasible, safe, and improved trunk function, maximum gait speed and balance more than usual care alone.
• PTOTQualitative2021A day in the life: a qualitative study of clinical decision-making and uptake of neurorehabilitation technology.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTherapists at a tech-rich hospital rarely used devices because setup took too long and games did not match functional goals. They chose familiar tasks instead. Developers must prove devices save time and directly support daily living activities to be adopted.
• PTOTOther2021Stabilization Strategies for Fast Walking in Challenging Environments With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPeople with incomplete spinal cord injury maintained lateral stability when walking fast, even in a balance-challenging environment. They achieved this by taking more steps and time to complete side maneuvers, prioritizing safety over speed. This suggests they naturally adopt cautious strategies to avoid falls.
• PTOTRCT2021Exoskeleton gait training to improve lower urinary tract function in people with motor-complete spinal cord injury: A randomized pilot trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineExoskeleton walking was feasible for people with complete spinal cord injury, with high adherence and one minor adverse event. Urinary function changes were minor and variable, though incontinence improved in the Lokomat group. No clear benefit for bladder health was established.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2021Predictors of return to work among stroke survivors in south-west Nigeria.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTStroke survivors in Nigeria returned to work at a 63.8% rate. Those with left-side weakness were far more likely to return than those with right-side weakness. Environmental barriers like transport and workplace access, plus pain and fatigue, significantly hindered return to work.
• PTOTCohort2021Non-motor impairments affect walking kinematics in Parkinson disease patients: A cross-sectional study.NeuroRehabilitationIn early Parkinson's disease, higher fatigue and pain levels correlated with slower walking and longer Timed Up and Go times. Patients with mild cognitive impairment reported worse pain and fatigue than those without, though walking speed did not differ between the groups.
• PTOTCohort2021The impact of visuospatial perception on distance judgment and depth perception in an Augmented Reality environment in patients after stroke: an exploratory study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn patients after stroke, visuospatial deficits make judging the distance of virtual objects harder, especially for everyday items. Quality of stereovision predicted performance in healthy adults, but visuoconstruction was the key factor for patients.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Immediate effect of video viewing with an illusion of walking at a faster speed using virtual reality on actual walking of stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter watching a 2-minute VR video of walking faster than their own pace, 12 stroke patients walked at a slightly faster step rate. Walking speed did not change significantly, and the effect of the illusion on actual walking remains unproven.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2021The delivery of the ReWork-Stroke program: A process evaluation.Work (Reading, Mass.)Two OTs delivered a stroke return-to-work program to 13 clients. They found workplace visits, building alliances with clients, and coordinating with employers were key. The three-month work trial limit was often too short for clients to fully realize their new limitations.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021Pediatric unilateral spatial neglect: A systematic review.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicinePediatric unilateral spatial neglect often persists for years but is missed by simple paper-and-pencil tests. Clinicians should use challenging functional tasks, eye tracking, or age-appropriate tools like the Teddy Bear Cancellation Test to detect it, as standard assessments frequently fail to identify the condition.
• PTOTRCT2021Efficacy of wrist robot-aided orthopedic rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRobot-assisted wrist rehab matched conventional therapy on standard clinical tests for grip, dexterity, and function. However, patients using the robot showed significantly better range of motion and overall robotic performance scores than those receiving traditional manual therapy.
• PTOther2021Multisite non-invasive brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease: A scoping review.NeuroRehabilitationMultisite rTMS, tDCS, or combined rTMS plus tDCS in Parkinson's disease has not shown clear benefit for both movement and thinking. Protocols and outcomes varied widely, and evidence is insufficient to change therapy.
• PTPilot2022EMG median frequency shifts without change in muscle oxygenation following novel locomotor training in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury.Disability and rehabilitationAfter 12 weeks of locomotor training, no measured change in muscle oxygenation occurred, while calf muscle electrical signal median frequency increased. The electrical shift was not linked to oxygenation in the small group analysed.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021Non-invasive brain stimulation in Stroke patients (NIBS): A prospective randomized open blinded end-point (PROBE) feasibility trial using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in post-stroke hemispatial neglect.Neuropsychological rehabilitationA trial of brain stimulation and rod-balancing for post-stroke neglect failed to recruit enough patients. Only 24 were randomized instead of the planned 60, so no statistical conclusions about treatment effectiveness could be drawn.
• PTOTOther2021Profile of social self-management practices in daily life with Parkinson's disease is associated with symptom severity and health quality of life.Disability and rehabilitationPeople with Parkinson's disease had seven social self-management profiles. More engagement in home and community activities tracked with less severe symptoms and better quality of life; support engagement did not clearly explain outcomes.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Visualization of user interactions with a pressure mapping mobile application for wheelchair users at risk for pressure injuries.Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNASix wheelchair users with spinal cord injury used a pressure mapping app for seven days. Most rarely indicated they completed prompted weight shifts, suggesting the live pressure map was more useful than the reminders. Users adjusted settings to reduce alerts after the first day.
• PTPilot2022Medical Therapeutic Yoga for multiple sclerosis: examining self-efficacy for physical activity, motivation for physical activity, and quality of life outcomes.Disability and rehabilitationFifteen people with MS completed a five-week group program combining yoga-based exercise, behavior-change education, journaling, and relaxation. Confidence for physical activity and emotional quality of life scores changed; motivation, activity, and other quality-of-life scores did not.
• PTOTCohort2022The effect of botulinum toxin-A on neural and non-neural components of wrist hyper-resistance in adults with stroke or cerebral palsy.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationBotulinum toxin reduced the neural component of wrist stiffness in adults with stroke or cerebral palsy, but did not change non-neural tissue stiffness. Clinical function scores showed minimal improvement, and the study lacked a control group.
• PTOTCohort2021Long-Term Observational Results from the ASPIRE Study: OnabotulinumtoxinA Treatment for Adult Lower Limb Spasticity.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationIn real-world practice, botulinum toxin injections for lower limb spasticity improved walking, dressing, and pain over two years, with high satisfaction. However, nearly 40% of patients dropped out, and pain data relied on a minority of responses, so this describes typical care rather than proof of efficacy.
• PTOTCohort2021The Course of Physical Capacity in Wheelchair Users During Training for the HandbikeBattle and at 1-Yr Follow-up.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationHandbikeBattle training raised physical capacity, and gains held at 1 year for the whole group. However, capacity dropped significantly in those who did not compete again, while it remained stable or slightly improved in those who did. Having a future event goal appeared key to maintaining fitness.
• PTOTRCT2021Cardiometabolic Effects of High-Intensity Hybrid Functional Electrical Stimulation Exercise after Spinal Cord Injury.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationSix months of high-intensity FES rowing improved aerobic capacity in people with spinal cord injury but did not reduce the prevalence of cardiometabolic disease. BMI increased slightly, and only one participant met the recommended exercise frequency. This intervention alone did not change metabolic health outcomes.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Psychometric analysis of the behavioral assessment screening tool (BAST) in adults with stroke.Topics in stroke rehabilitationThe BAST screening tool showed good reliability for mood, fatigue, and executive function in adults with stroke. It separated stroke survivors from healthy controls on these subscales, but failed for impulsivity and substance abuse. The study included very few stroke patients.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Emotion recognition impairments and social well-being following right-hemisphere stroke.Neuropsychological rehabilitationChronic right-hemisphere stroke patients with poorer emotion recognition reported losing more social activities. This link held even after accounting for stroke severity and physical limitations. Screening for emotion recognition deficits may help identify patients at risk of social isolation.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2022The Value of High Intensity Locomotor Training Applied to Patients With Acute-Onset Neurologic Injury.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationHigh-intensity walking training improves cardiovascular capacity and walking endurance in stroke and spinal cord injury patients, often without adverse events. Therapists can use step counts or perceived exertion to guide intensity when heart rate monitoring is unavailable, though achieving high intensities remains difficult for severely impaired patients.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021Systematic Review of Clinical Guidelines Related to Care of Individuals With Cerebral Palsy as Part of the World Health Organization Efforts to Develop a Global Package of Interventions for Rehabilitation.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationExisting cerebral palsy guidelines focus heavily on body functions and spasticity, with few recommendations for activity and participation. Therapists should expect limited guidance on physical and occupational therapy interventions, noting that evidence for improving daily function often lags behind medical management.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2021Exploring the Factors that Influence Workforce Participation for People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Discrete Choice Experiment.Journal of occupational rehabilitationFor people with MS, the impact of work on other life aspects and supportive workplace culture were the strongest drivers of job preference. Physical workplace alterations were less important overall, though their value varied significantly by job type and MS course.
• PTRCT2021Dual-task walking and automaticity after Stroke: Insights from a secondary analysis and imaging sub-study of a randomised controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitationStroke survivors with faster baseline walking improved their dual-task walking after training. Those with slower walking did not. This suggests increasing walking speed should be the priority before attempting complex dual-task rehabilitation.