Neurology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Rehabilitation of limb apraxia improves daily life activities in patients with stroke.
We randomly assigned 33 patients with left hemisphere stroke, limb apraxia, and aphasia to an apraxia or a control (aphasia) treatment group. Before and after each treatment, patients underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological testing battery and a caregiver evaluation of patient's activities of daily life (ADL) independence. ⋯ Control (aphasia) treatment improved patients' language and intelligence performance. Apraxia treatment specifically improved praxic function and ADL.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Pregabalin in central neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury: a placebo-controlled trial.
To evaluate pregabalin in central neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury. ⋯ Pregabalin 150 to 600 mg/day was effective in relieving central neuropathic pain, improving sleep, anxiety, and overall patient status in patients with spinal cord injury.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized controlled trial of duloxetine in diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.
Serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) are involved in pain modulation via descending inhibitory pathways in the brain and spinal cord. ⋯ This study confirms previous findings that duloxetine at 60 mg QD and 60 mg BID is effective and safe in the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Pilot clinical trial of gabapentin to decrease postoperative delirium in older patients.
In this randomized pilot clinical trial, the authors tested the hypothesis that using gabapentin as an add-on agent in the treatment of postoperative pain reduces the occurrence of postoperative delirium. Postoperative delirium occurred in 5/12 patients (42%) who received placebo vs 0/9 patients who received gabapentin, p = 0.045. The reduction in delirium appears to be secondary to the opioid-sparing effect of gabapentin.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
High-frequency chest wall oscillation in ALS: an exploratory randomized, controlled trial.
To evaluate changes in respiratory function in patients with ALS after using high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO). ⋯ High-frequency chest wall oscillation was well tolerated, considered helpful by a majority of patients, and decreased symptoms of breathlessness. In patients with impaired breathing, high-frequency chest wall oscillation decreased fatigue and showed a trend toward slowing the decline of forced vital capacity.