Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of telerehabilitation on physical function and disability for stroke patients: a randomized, controlled trial.
To determine the effect of a multifaceted stroke telerehabilitation (STeleR) intervention on physical function, and secondarily on disability, in veterans poststroke. ⋯ URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00384748.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Theta burst stimulation over the right Broca's homologue induces improvement of naming in aphasic patients.
Improvements of language production in aphasic patients have been reported following repeated 1-Hz transcranial magnetic stimulation over the nondamaged right hemisphere. Most studies examined aphasic patients in the chronic phase. The effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation application in acute or subacute patients has not been systematically studied. We aimed to evaluate whether continuous theta burst stimulation, an inhibitory protocol with a shorter application time than the common 1-Hz protocol, is able to improve naming performance in aphasic patients in different poststroke phases. ⋯ This setting with the short theta burst stimulation application time and the simple stimulation localization procedure is suitable for clinical purposes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Electrocardiographic changes predict angiographic vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Early identification of patients at risk of angiographic vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may mitigate its sequelae. One mechanism that may contribute to angiographic vasospasm is increased central sympathetic activity, which is also thought to cause electrocardiographic (ECG) changes after SAH. Here, we perform the first study to determine the association between ECG changes and angiographic vasospasm after SAH. ⋯ URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique Identifier: NCT00111085.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Modulation of training by single-session transcranial direct current stimulation to the intact motor cortex enhances motor skill acquisition of the paretic hand.
Mechanisms of skill learning are paramount components for stroke recovery. Recent noninvasive brain stimulation studies demonstrated that decreasing activity in the contralesional motor cortex might be beneficial, providing transient functional improvements after stroke. The more crucial question, however, is whether this intervention can also enhance the acquisition of complex motor tasks, yielding longer-lasting functional improvements. In the present study, we tested the capacity of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied over the contralesional motor cortex during training to enhance the acquisition and retention of complex sequential finger movements of the paretic hand. ⋯ These results indicate that tDCS is a promising tool to improve not only motor behavior, but also procedural learning. They further underline the potential of noninvasive brain stimulation as an adjuvant treatment for long-term recovery, at least in patients with mild functional impairment after stroke.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Timing of aneurysm treatment after subarachnoid hemorrhage: relationship with delayed cerebral ischemia and poor outcome.
The ideal timing of coiling or clipping after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is unknown. Within the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial we assessed differences in incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia and clinical outcome between different timings of treatment. ⋯ Our results support the current practice for early aneurysm treatment in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. The risk for poor outcome was highest when treatment was performed after day 10; postponing treatment in patients who are eligible for treatment between days 5 to 10 after subarachnoid hemorrhage is not recommended.