American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation
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Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Mar 2015
Review Meta AnalysisSystematic literature review of abobotulinumtoxinA in clinical trials for adult upper limb spasticity.
The aim of this study was to elucidate clinical trial efficacy, safety, and dosing practices of abobotulinumtoxinA (ABO) treatment in adult patients with upper limb spasticity (ULS). ⋯ On the basis of data extracted from 12 randomized clinical studies, a strong evidence base (9/12 studies) exists for the use of ABO to reduce ULS caused by stroke.
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Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Mar 2015
Case ReportsRecovery of injured lower portion of the ascending reticular activating system in a patient with traumatic brain injury.
The authors report on a patient with traumatic brain injury who showed recovery of an injured lower portion of the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) between the pontine reticular formation and the thalamus. A 57-yr-old male patient experienced head trauma. After 4 mos from onset, he exhibited impaired alertness, with a score of 7 on the Glasgow Coma Scale. ⋯ By contrast, on 40-mo diffusion tensor tractography, the fractional anisotropy and the tract volume values of the lower portion of the right ARAS were within 2 SDs of those of the control subjects. The increment fractional anisotropy and the FV value of the lower portion of the right ARAS on 40-mo diffusion tensor tractography indicated recovery of the injured lower ARAS. As a result, recovery of an injured lower portion of the ARAS in a patient with traumatic brain injury was demonstrated.
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Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Mar 2015
Mobility, continence, and life expectancy in persons with Asia Impairment Scale Grade D spinal cord injuries.
Previous research on the life expectancy of persons with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale Grade D spinal cord injury has considered them as a large homogenous group, making no functional or medical distinctions. This study sought to (1) determine how survival in this group depends on ambulatory function and the extent of bowel or bladder dysfunction, (2) compute life expectancies for various subgroups, and (3) examine whether survival has improved over time. ⋯ Life expectancy of persons with ASIA Impairment Scale D spinal cord injury depends strongly on the ability to walk and the need for catheterization.