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 9 OF 78 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOther2017Effects of a low-resistance, interval bicycling intervention in Parkinson's Disease.Physiotherapy theory and practiceFourteen people with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease improved walking, balance, disease severity and simple reaction time after six weeks of fast, low-resistance recumbent cycling. No control group, so true effect uncertain.
• PTProtocol2017Effect of high-intensity home-based respiratory muscle training on strength of respiratory muscles following a stroke: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial.Brazilian journal of physical therapyNo results are reported. This protocol plans to test high-intensity home-based respiratory muscle training after stroke, so it does not change practice yet.
• PTOTOther2017Lateral Perturbation-Induced Stepping: Strategies and Predictors in Persons Poststroke.Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPTWhen pushed sideways, people with chronic stroke rarely stepped with their weak leg. They mostly used their strong leg and took multiple steps. Poor sensation in the weak foot made them avoid using it. This suggests therapy should target stepping with the affected side.
• PTOTOther2017Maximum Step Length Test Performance in People With Parkinson Disease: A Cross-sectional Study.Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPTPeople with Parkinson disease step significantly shorter backward than forward or sideways. Medication improves step length slightly, but the change is too small to be clinically meaningful. The test correlates strongly with balance and walking endurance measures.
• PTNarrative Review2017Multifractality, Interactivity, and the Adaptive Capacity of the Human Movement System: A Perspective for Advancing the Conceptual Basis of Neurologic Physical Therapy.Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPTThis perspective argues that adaptive capacity may be linked to complex, multiscale patterns of movement variability. It does not test that idea, so it offers no evidence to change patient care.
• PTCohort2017Postactivation depression of soleus H-reflex increase with recovery of lower extremities motor functions in patients with subacute stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter 50 days of physical and occupational therapy, soleus H-reflex depression increased and eyes-closed standing balance improved in 8 subacute stroke patients. The reflex change tracked eyes-closed sway, not walking, Fugl-Meyer, spasticity or eyes-open sway.
• PTOther2017Trunk function in hemiplegic wheelchair users when using wheelchair cushions.Journal of physical therapy scienceA wheelchair cushion that changed materials, anchoring, thigh pad, thickness, and elevation was associated with lower backward pelvic tilt and thigh muscle activity in 18 hemiplegic wheelchair users. Trunk groups did not differ, so no single feature is proven.
• PTOTOther2017The effects of vibratory stimulation employed to forearm and arm flexor muscles on upper limb function in patients with chronic stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceVibration to the affected biceps and wrist flexor was followed by higher grip strength and Box and Block Test scores, while sensory scores changed little in 10 people with hemiplegia after stroke, without a control group.
• PTOther2018Real-world walking in multiple sclerosis: Separating capacity from behavior.Gait & postureIn multiple sclerosis, the highest step rate recorded over a week of real-world walking matched clinic walking tests more closely than daily step counts. Habitual walking step rate and maximum step rate together may separate walking capacity from activity behaviors.
• PTRCT2017Comparison of the effects of visual feedback training and unstable surface training on static and dynamic balance in patients with stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 20 stroke patients, 4 weeks of visual feedback training plus conventional exercise therapy reduced standing sway more than unstable surface training plus conventional exercise therapy; both groups increased limits of stability.
• PTOther2017The relationship between the physical cost index and knee extensor strength in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, stronger knee extensors were linked to less heart rate rise during walking. This suggests knee strength may relate to walking effort, but the study did not test whether strengthening helps.
• PTOTOther2017Relationship between gross motor function and the function, activity and participation components of the International Classification of Functioning in children with spastic cerebral palsy.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn children with spastic cerebral palsy, ICF Activity and Participation scores were related to GMFM, GMFCS, MACS, WeeFIM, and ICF Function scores. This is an association, not proof that training improves participation.
• PTOTPilot2017The effects of task-oriented training on hand dexterity and strength in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a preliminary study.Journal of physical therapy scienceThe six children who received conventional occupational therapy plus 20 minutes of task-oriented training showed a within-group hand dexterity improvement, but no between-group difference was found and grip strength did not improve.
• PTOther2017Kinematic analysis of head, trunk, and pelvic motion during mirror therapy for stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceMirror size and angle changed head, trunk, and pelvis motion in three stroke patients. The screen-based setup differed from the mirror setups on posture and weight-shift measures, but function was not tested.
• PTSystematic Review2017Physical activity and cognitive function in adults with multiple sclerosis: an integrative review.Disability and rehabilitationIn adults with MS, more active or fitter people had better scores on cognitive tests of processing speed, memory and executive function. Exercise trials were mixed, so this does not show exercise improves cognition.
• PTOTCohort2017Early Fever As a Predictor of Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity in Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationAmong 167 adults with severe traumatic brain injury, higher early temperature scores on days 1 and 3 were linked to later paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity. Fever 38.0°C or higher in the first 24 or 48 hours was also linked to PSH.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2017Living with traumatic brain injury in a rural setting: supports and barriers across the continuum of care.Disability and rehabilitationRural survivors and caregivers said returning home was hardest: local TBI expertise, transportation, financial help, and community ties often fell short. Urban rehab staff and family advocates helped, but few used available state supports.
• PTOther2017The relationship between non-affected forelimb exercise and recovery after focal cerebral ischemia in acute phase.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn rats with induced stroke, early treadmill exercise raised nerve growth factor protein in both brain hemispheres compared with resting. Adding non-affected forelimb skilled reach did not add beyond treadmill, and no movement recovery outcome was tested.
• PTOther2017Influence of pilates training on the quality of life of chronic stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceChronic stroke patients who did Pilates reported higher physical, social, and psychological quality of life than patients who did occupational therapy without exercise.
• PTOTOther2017Effects of mental practice combined with electromyogram-triggered electrical stimulation for upper extremity function in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding mental practice plus EMG-triggered electrical stimulation to conventional rehabilitation produced larger gains in upper-extremity motor function and activity scores than conventional rehabilitation alone in stroke hemiparesis. The added treatment and usual therapy were given together.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2017Service Delivery in the Healthcare and Educational Systems for Children Following Traumatic Brain Injury: Gaps in Care.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationChildren with TBI often miss needed care: few receive inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation, and schools rarely identify them for TBI-related support. Children who receive systematic transition services are more likely to be identified for school support.
• PTOther2017The effect of newly designed multi joint ankle foot orthosis on the gait and dynamic balance of stroke patients with foot drop.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 15 stroke patients with foot drop, the multi joint ankle foot orthosis improved 10-meter walk time, functional reach, and timed up and go compared with plastic ankle foot orthosis. Both settings improved, but the sample was small.
• PTOTCase Report2017Dual task training effects on balance and hand functions of stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceTwo stroke patients with right hemiplegia improved on hand dexterity and balance tests after three weeks of dual-task training. Because only two people were treated and no comparison group was used, this shows what happened to them, not that the training caused the improvement.
• PTCase Report2017Effects of 4 weeks of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization training on balance and gait performance in an adolescent with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn one 13-year-old with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy, four weeks of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization training coincided with better balance test scores and faster walking. This single case shows what happened, not that the training caused improvement.
• PTOther2017Electromyographic analysis of constraint-induced movement therapy effects in patients after stroke in chronic course.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter 10 days of constraint-induced movement therapy, 5 chronic-stroke patients showed lower resting biceps electrical activity and higher contraction activity except in case V. Reported arm use, quality, task speed, and independence improved. Only before-and-after results were reported, so the therapy alone cannot be credited.
• PTOTSLPCohort2017Predictive Indices for Functional Improvement and Deterioration, Institutionalization, and Death Among Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationA new scoring system predicts which Medicare patients aged 65 or older will deteriorate, be institutionalized, or die within two years. It identifies risk factors like advanced age, living alone, and vision impairment to help clinicians plan care and prevent poor outcomes.
• PTOTSLPOther2017Auditing Access to Outpatient Rehabilitation Services for Children With Traumatic Brain Injury and Public Insurance in Washington State.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationChildren with public insurance faced longer waits and lower acceptance rates for outpatient rehabilitation in Washington State. Speech therapy showed the largest disparities, with median waits of 20 days for public insurance versus 5 days for private insurance.
• PTRCT2017The effect of the inspiratory muscle training on functional ability in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceStroke patients who added inspiratory muscle training to neurodevelopmental therapy had greater increases in 6-minute walking distance and trunk scores than those receiving therapy alone. The training group's walking distance changed by 36.0 meters, and the control group's by minus 1.0 meters.
• PTSystematic Review2017A systematic review of mechanisms of gait speed change post-stroke. Part 1: spatiotemporal parameters and asymmetry ratios.Topics in stroke rehabilitationAfter physical therapy for stroke, walking speed improved and step length, stride length, and cadence changed in most studies that reported them. These measures followed speed rather than explaining why speed improved, so they cannot identify which intervention caused the improvement.
• PTSLPOther2017Combined respiratory muscle training facilitates expiratory muscle activity in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceStroke patients who added inspiratory and expiratory muscle training to usual rehabilitation showed greater increases in abdominal muscle activity, breathing pressures and cough peak flow than usual rehabilitation alone. The training used inspiratory and expiratory devices plus usual rehabilitation, so component effects cannot be separated.
• PTPilot2017Effect of motor imagery training and electromyogram-triggered neuromuscular electrical stimulation on lower extremity function in stroke patients: a pilot trial.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn eight stroke patients, motor imagery training paired with EMG-triggered stimulation was followed by faster timed up-and-go and 10-meter walk times. This was a single-group pilot, so the change cannot be separated from practice or natural recovery.
• PTOTSLPCohort2017How Are Race, Cultural, and Psychosocial Factors Associated With Outcomes in Veterans With Spinal Cord Injury?Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationFor veterans with spinal cord injury, race alone rarely predicted outcomes once other factors were considered. Instead, anxiety, self-esteem, and communication with providers drove quality of life and satisfaction, while medical and demographic factors drove participation levels.
• PTOTSLPOther2017Characterization of Neck Strength in Healthy Young Adults.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationNeck strength varies widely in healthy young adults and is significantly higher in men than women. Anthropometric measures like weight or neck circumference correlate only modestly with strength. You cannot estimate a patient's neck strength from their body size; direct measurement is required.
• PTRCT2017The immediate effects of rib cage joint mobilization and chest wall stretch on muscle tone and stiffness of respiratory muscles and chest expansion ability in patients with chronic stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceNeither rib cage mobilization nor chest wall stretch was better than the other for chronic stroke patients. Both increased chest expansion immediately, but neither produced a clear change in respiratory muscle tone or stiffness.
• PTOTRCT2017The Relations of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Physical Activity Variables to Depression Severity in Traumatic Brain Injury: Reanalysis of Data From a Randomized Controlled Trial.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationCBT and usual care produced similar depression improvement. Across both groups, fewer negative thoughts and more rewarding activities were related to better mood; physical activity showed little consistent link.
• PTCase Series2017Exercise using a robotic knee orthosis in stroke patients with hemiplegia.Journal of physical therapy scienceWalking speed, stride length, symmetry, and Berg balance scores improved after 10 days of robotic knee orthosis plus usual therapy in nine stroke patients. Without a control group, natural recovery and extra exercise cannot be separated.
• PTOTQualitative2018Patient-centered mobility outcome preferences according to individuals with stroke and caregivers: a qualitative analysis.Disability and rehabilitationStroke survivors often prioritized walking independently. Caregivers often prioritized safety, falls, home changes, driving, and realistic mobility prognosis. Ask each person and caregiver before choosing mobility goals.
• PTOther2017Increased Seat Dump Angle in a Manual Wheelchair Is Associated With Changes in Thoracolumbar Lordosis and Scapular Kinematics During Propulsion.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationA 14° seat dump angle changed spinal posture and scapular motion during manual wheelchair propulsion. Lordosis decreased, scapular internal rotation increased at push start and mid push, and glenohumeral motion did not change.
• PTPilot2017Sensor Fusion to Infer Locations of Standing and Reaching Within the Home in Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationA wearable sensor system accurately detected standing and reaching locations in ten people with incomplete spinal cord injury. It combined a thigh accelerometer with wrist radio tags to track functional movements in a mock kitchen, offering a way to monitor home activity beyond self-report.
• PTOTRCT2017The effects of whole body vibration combined biofeedback postural control training on the balance ability and gait ability in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding whole body vibration to biofeedback postural control training improved step length more than biofeedback alone or aero-step combinations. Balance limits improved in all groups, but the vibration group showed the greatest gains in gait.
• PTSystematic Review2017Skeletal muscle changes following stroke: a systematic review and comparison to healthy individuals.Topics in stroke rehabilitationChronic stroke paretic leg lean mass averaged 92% of nonparetic leg lean mass, and paretic knee extensor strength averaged 64% of nonparetic strength. Both limbs showed knee extensor strength deficits relative to age-matched controls.
• PTOTSLPCohort2018Internet and Social Media Use After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationMost adults with moderate-to-severe TBI use the internet, often via smartphone, and social media habits mirror the general population. Non-use is driven by age, income, and education rather than injury severity. Many lack confidence seeking online health advice.
• PTOTSLPCohort2018Variation in Adult Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes in the United States.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationAdults hospitalized with traumatic brain injury in 20 US states showed large differences in survival and access to inpatient rehabilitation depending on where they received care. Uninsured patients were more likely to die and less likely to receive rehabilitation than those with insurance.
• PTOTOther2018Sympathetic nervous system activity measured by skin conductance quantifies the challenge of walking adaptability tasks after stroke.Gait & postureSkin conductance rose as walking tasks became harder, linking physiological stress to task difficulty. Slower walkers showed higher stress responses, but self-reported balance confidence did not predict these changes.
• PTOther2017The immediate effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with taping on gait parameters in patients with chronic stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 20 chronic stroke patients, PNF plus taping increased cadence, walking speed and paretic stride length after tape removal. PNF alone and taping alone did not change these measures, and groups did not differ.
• PTRCT2017Effects of taping and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for stance phase duration of stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceFor stroke patients with hemiparalysis, Kinesio or McConell taping added to PNF showed longer affected-side stance phase duration than PNF alone.
• PTOTOther2017Validity of Robot-Based Assessments of Upper Extremity Function.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationRobot-based tests of arm movement correlated strongly with standard clinical measures of stroke impairment and function. A panel of tests, including speed and targeting tasks, captured deficits across different levels of daily life better than any single test alone.
• PTOTOther2017Functional Test of the Hemiparetic Upper Extremity: A Rasch Analysis With Theoretical Implications.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIn 109 people with stroke arm weakness, most FTHUE tasks measured one upper-extremity function, but 33 scored maximum, so the test did not show movement quality problems.
• PTOther2018The coupled effects of crouch gait and patella alta on tibiofemoral and patellofemoral cartilage loading in children.Gait & postureCrouch gait in children increased simulated knee cartilage pressures and shifted tibial loading posteriorly. Patellar position changed contact location; pressures were relatively insensitive except severe crouch.
• PTProtocol2018Effect of the provision of a cane on walking and social participation in individuals with stroke: protocol for a randomized trial.Brazilian journal of physical therapyNo results yet. This protocol plans to test whether a single-point cane improves walking speed and participation in people with chronic stroke who walk slowly. It reports no participants or outcomes, so it gives no evidence to change cane prescribing.