NeuroRehabilitation
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NeuroRehabilitation · Jan 2013
ReviewNeuropsychological and neuroanatomical sequelae of chronic non-malignant pain and opioid analgesia.
The pervasive disease of chronic pain is a common challenge for the clinical rehabilitation professional. Concurrent with physical and emotional symptoms, pain-related cognitive impairment has been reported. Although opioid analgesics are frequently prescribed, concern exists that opioids possess adverse cognitive effects of their own. ⋯ To date, evidence from opioid studies suggests only mild deficits in specific cognitive domains (e.g., memory, attention/concentration) and only under specific conditions (e.g., dose escalations). Additionally, neuroimaging and neuropsychological evidence suggests that pain itself results in cognitive sequelae. Methodological improvements in future research will allow for better delineation of the contributing effects of pain and opioids, with an overall goal of improving evidence-based clinical treatment recommendations.
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NeuroRehabilitation · Jan 2013
Neuroimaging and social behavior in children after traumatic brain injury: findings from the Social Outcomes of Brain Injury in Kids (SOBIK) study.
Neuroimaging studies identified either focal and/or non-specific frontotemporolimbic damage resulting from mild-complicated to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a subset of 12 children 8-12 years of age who were part of the Social Outcomes of Brain Injury in Kids (SOBIK) study. The influence of identifiable damage on social behavior was examined. ⋯ Children with frontotemporolimbic or diffuse damage demonstrated variable social outcomes from their TBI. Results are discussed in terms of the heterogeneity of TBI-related abnormalities and their relationship to social behavior.
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NeuroRehabilitation · Jan 2013
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement in left versus right middle cerebral artery stroke: effects of laterality.
Prolonged dysphagia after middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory strokes may require percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube feeding. ⋯ Admission NIHSS score, in-hospital aspiration pneumonia and inability to undergo first swallow evaluation may predict PEG placement in patients with acute MCA stroke. Stroke laterality was not associated. This knowledge facilitates early identification of patients that may require PEG tube placement for early nutrition provision and discharge to rehabilitation.
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NeuroRehabilitation · Jan 2013
Improved motor performance in chronic spinal cord injury following upper-limb robotic training.
Recovering upper-limb motor function has important implications for improving independence of patients with tetraplegia after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). ⋯ Robotic-assisted training of the upper limb over six weeks is a feasible and safe intervention that can enhance movement kinematics without negatively affecting pain or spasticity in chronic SCI. In addition, robot-assisted devices are an excellent tool to quantify motor performance (kinematics) and can be used to sensitively measure changes after a given rehabilitative intervention.
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NeuroRehabilitation · Jan 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effect of vibration therapy on spasticity and motor function in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial.
As the motor system relies heavily on deep sensory stimulation, recent studies have investigated the effect of vibration stimuli. Although research suggests a positive influence of vibration on motor performance in individuals with neurological disorders, there are very limited numbers of studies in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of sound wave vibration therapy on spasticity and motor function in children with CP. ⋯ Significant differences between groups were detected for changes in spasticity level and gross motor function after the three months intervention. In conclusion, vibration therapy may decrease spasticity and improve motor performance in children with CP. The results of the present trial serve as valuable input for evidence-based treatments in paediatric neurorehabilitation.