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Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2022Upper limb impairment is common after stroke, and many will not regain full upper limb function. Different technologies based on surface electromyography (sEMG) have...
BACKGROUND
Upper limb impairment is common after stroke, and many will not regain full upper limb function. Different technologies based on surface electromyography (sEMG) have been used in stroke rehabilitation, but there is no collated evidence on the different sEMG-driven interventions and their effect on upper limb function in people with stroke.
AIM
Synthesize existing evidence and perform a meta-analysis on the effect of different types of sEMG-driven interventions on upper limb function in people with stroke.
METHODS
PubMed, SCOPUS, and PEDro databases were systematically searched for eligible randomized clinical trials that utilize sEMG-driven interventions to improve upper limb function assessed by Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE) in stroke. The PEDro scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality and the risk of bias of the included studies. In addition, a meta-analysis utilizing a random effect model was performed for studies comparing sEMG interventions to non-sEMG interventions and for studies comparing different sEMG interventions protocols.
RESULTS
Twenty-four studies comprising 808 participants were included in this review. The methodological quality was good to fair. The meta-analysis showed no differences in the total effect, assessed by total FMA-UE score, comparing sEMG interventions to non-sEMG interventions (14 studies, 509 participants, SMD 0.14, P 0.37, 95% CI -0.18 to 0.46, I 55%). Similarly, no difference in the overall effect was found for the meta-analysis comparing different types of sEMG interventions (7 studies, 213 participants, SMD 0.42, P 0.23, 95% CI -0.34 to 1.18, I 73%). Twenty out of the twenty-four studies, including participants with varying impairment levels at all stages of stroke recovery, reported statistically significant improvements in upper limb function at post-sEMG intervention compared to baseline.
CONCLUSION
This review and meta-analysis could not discern the effect of sEMG in comparison to a non-sEMG intervention or the most effective type of sEMG intervention for improving upper limb function in stroke populations. Current evidence suggests that sEMG is a promising tool to further improve functional recovery, but randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed to verify whether the effect on upper extremity function of a specific sEMG intervention is superior compared to other non-sEMG or other type of sEMG interventions.
PubMed: 35669202
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.897870 -
Neurology India 2017Hemifacial spasm (HS) is a rare disorder caused by the compression of facial nerve root exit zone (REZ) at the brainstem by a vascular loop. Microvascular decompression... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Hemifacial spasm (HS) is a rare disorder caused by the compression of facial nerve root exit zone (REZ) at the brainstem by a vascular loop. Microvascular decompression (MVD) is a popular treatment modality for HS.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of MVD for HS by assessing the effect of the procedure from the literature published over the last 25 years.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic data review from 1992 to 2015 using specific eligibility criteria yielded 27 studies on MVD for HS, the data of which were pooled and subjected to a meta-analysis.
RESULTS
The pooled odds ratio (OR) revealed by the meta-analysis showed that anterior inferior cerebellar artery was the most common offending vessel in 37.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 27.8-47.7%) of the patients. Complete resolution of HS was seen in 88.5% (95% CI: 86.7-90.4%) of the patients after a long-term follow up. The complication rate was low following MVD, the most common being temporary facial paresis in 5.9% (95% CI: 4.3-7.5%) of patients.
CONCLUSIONS
MVD is a safe and effective treatment for HS with long-term benefits and a low complication rate.
Topics: Hemifacial Spasm; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Microvascular Decompression Surgery; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28488609
DOI: 10.4103/neuroindia.NI_1166_16 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Nov 2021Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is being widely used for treating upper extremity paresis after stroke, however, evidence of applying high-frequency... (Review)
Review
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is being widely used for treating upper extremity paresis after stroke, however, evidence of applying high-frequency rTMS (HF-rTMS) on the ipsilesional hemisphere for upper extremity motor recovery remains limited. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for upper extremity motor function recovery after a first-time ischaemic stroke. This systematic review was prepared according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify all studies published before 12 February 2021. The search was performed on the following databases: PubMed, Ovid, The Cochrane Library. A total of 6440 studies were found in the databases and four trials were included in the review. Three of the studies were randomized control trials (RCT), and one was a pseudo-RCT. Three of the studies showed good methodological quality and one study was rated as excellent. Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) was performed in three out of four studies and the score significantly increased in the HF-rTMS treatment group compared with sham stimulation in all trials. Other measures used in the studies were handgrip strength, shoulder abduction, Motricity Index, Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), and Box and Block, although these tests did not show unanimous results. Overall, all four studies conveyed significantly better results in at least one test that was performed for hand motor function evaluation in a 10 Hz stimulation group while none of the tests showed any advantage for sham stimulation groups. Two studies reported headache as an adverse event (six patients in total). The overall results showed that HF-rTMS may increase impaired upper extremity motor function better than sham stimulation in stroke patients.
Topics: Humans; Recovery of Function; Stroke; Stroke Rehabilitation; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Treatment Outcome; Upper Extremity
PubMed: 34833433
DOI: 10.3390/medicina57111215 -
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience 2015The aim of this study was to review the literature on clinical applications of the Hybrid Assistive Limb system for gait training. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to review the literature on clinical applications of the Hybrid Assistive Limb system for gait training.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted using Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL and clinicaltrials.gov and additional search was made using reference lists in identified reports. Abstracts were screened, relevant articles were reviewed and subject to quality assessment.
RESULTS
Out of 37 studies, 7 studies fulfilled inclusion criteria. Six studies were single group studies and 1 was an explorative randomized controlled trial. In total, these studies involved 140 participants of whom 118 completed the interventions and 107 used HAL for gait training. Five studies concerned gait training after stroke, 1 after spinal cord injury (SCI) and 1 study after stroke, SCI or other diseases affecting walking ability. Minor and transient side effects occurred but no serious adverse events were reported in the studies. Beneficial effects on gait function variables and independence in walking were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
The accumulated findings demonstrate that the HAL system is feasible when used for gait training of patients with lower extremity paresis in a professional setting. Beneficial effects on gait function and independence in walking were observed but data do not allow conclusions. Further controlled studies are recommended.
PubMed: 25859191
DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2015.00048 -
Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation... Jul 2018Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is increasingly recognized as an effective therapy for children with hemiparesis. However, the effectiveness of CIMT outside... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is increasingly recognized as an effective therapy for children with hemiparesis. However, the effectiveness of CIMT outside the standard rehabilitation protocol in clinical settings is less known. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effectiveness of CIMT conducted at home or in a group.
METHODS
We searched CINAHL, PubMed and ScienceDirect in August 2017 to select articles of studies investigating the impact of CIMT performed at home and in a group on affected upper-limb ability, occupational performance, and quality of life of children. Quality was evaluated with the PEDro scale.
RESULTS
Among 374 reports of studies, 30 met the criteria; 15 examined CIMT at home and 15 in a group. CIMT with the 2 delivery models, at home or in a group, had a positive effect on the affected upper-limb ability and occupational performance. The quality of evidence was high for both these outcomes. However, the evidence was weaker and the results too limited to conclude on the impact on quality of life. The data also suggested that the glove may not be the best type of constraint.
CONCLUSIONS
CIMT performed at home or in a group may be a promising intervention for rehabilitation for children with hemiparesis, but more studies on the impact on quality of life are warranted.
Topics: Child; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Paresis; Physical Therapy Modalities; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Upper Extremity
PubMed: 29132970
DOI: 10.1016/j.rehab.2017.10.004 -
Advances in Clinical and Experimental... Dec 2022The assessment of motor function is vital in post-stroke rehabilitation protocols, and it is imperative to obtain an objective and quantitative measurement of motor... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Accuracy of machine learning algorithms for the assessment of upper-limb motor impairments in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The assessment of motor function is vital in post-stroke rehabilitation protocols, and it is imperative to obtain an objective and quantitative measurement of motor function. There are some innovative machine learning algorithms that can be applied in order to automate the assessment of upper extremity motor function.
OBJECTIVES
To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of machine learning algorithms for assessing upper limb motor function in post-stroke patients and compare these algorithms to clinical assessment.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database. The review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The search was performed using 6 electronic databases. The meta-analysis was performed with the data from the correlation coefficients using a random model.
RESULTS
The initial search yielded 1626 records, but only 8 studies fully met the eligibility criteria. The studies reported strong and very strong correlations between the algorithms tested and clinical assessment. The meta-analysis revealed a lack of homogeneity (I2 = 85.29%, Q = 48.15), which is attributable to the heterogeneity of the included studies.
CONCLUSION
Automated systems using machine learning algorithms could support therapists in assessing upper extremity motor function in post-stroke patients. However, to draw more robust conclusions, methodological designs that minimize the risk of bias and increase the quality of the methodology of future studies are required.
Topics: Humans; Motor Disorders; Stroke; Upper Extremity; Stroke Rehabilitation; Paresis
PubMed: 36047897
DOI: 10.17219/acem/152596 -
Medicine Mar 2024Spastic paralysis is one of the most common sequelae of stroke, severely affecting patients' limb function and reducing their quality of life. Scalp acupuncture (SA) has... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Spastic paralysis is one of the most common sequelae of stroke, severely affecting patients' limb function and reducing their quality of life. Scalp acupuncture (SA) has been shown to significantly improve cerebral blood supply and reduce the severity of limb spasticity. This meta-analysis aims to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of SA in the treatment of post-stroke spastic paralysis, providing evidence-based medicine for clinical management of this condition.
METHODS
We comprehensively searched databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of SA in post-stroke spastic paralysis were identified until July 28, 2023. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 and Stata17.0.
RESULTS
A total of 16 studies were included. Meta-analysis showed that the modified Ashworth spasticity assessment scale in the SA group was significantly higher than that in the rehabilitation group (mean difference [MD] = -0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-0.75, -0.37], Z = 5.67, P < .00001). The simplified Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment scale in the SA group was significantly higher than that in the rehabilitation group (MD = 5.86, 95% CI [3.26, 8.46], Z = 4.41, P < .0001). The modified Barthel index assessment scale in the SA group was significantly higher than that in the rehabilitation group (MD = 5.79, 95% CI [4.73, 6.84], Z = 10.77, P < .00001). Additionally, the clinical effective rate in the SA group was significantly higher than that in the rehabilitation group (relative risk = 1.25, 95% CI [1.16, 1.36], Z = 5.42, P < .00001).
CONCLUSION
SA combined with rehabilitation therapy has certain advantages in reducing limb spasticity, improving limb function, and enhancing activities of daily living in patients with post-stroke spastic paralysis. This study provides reference and theoretical support for the promotion of SA in the treatment of this condition.
Topics: Humans; Activities of Daily Living; Muscle Spasticity; Quality of Life; Scalp; Stroke; Acupuncture Therapy; Stroke Rehabilitation; Hemiplegia; Paralysis; Upper Extremity; Paresis
PubMed: 38428878
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037167 -
Annals of Palliative Medicine Feb 2022This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of mecobalamin combined with vestibular rehabilitation training in acute vestibular neuritis and to improve the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of mecobalamin combined with vestibular rehabilitation training in acute vestibular neuritis and to improve the clinical therapeutic effect in vestibular nerve disease.
METHODS
We performed a literature search of the PubMed, Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and other databases from the date of establishment of the database until the present. The search terms included "mecobalamin", "vestibular rehabilitation training", "vestibular rehabilitation therapy", and "vestibular neuritis". References of the comparative study of vestibular rehabilitation training and vestibular rehabilitation training combined with mecobalamin were screened. Boolean logic retrieval was adopted, and Review Manager software was employed.
RESULTS
Meta-analysis was conducted on a total of four studies with a low risk of bias. The activities specific balance confidence scale (ABC) scores of the two groups were heterogeneous (Chi2=8.56, I2=88%, P=0.003), and a fixed-effect model (FEM) analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in the ABC between the groups after treatment (Z=0.67, P=0.50). It may be that mecobalamin combined with vestibular rehabilitation training effectively alleviated the symptoms of vestibular neuritis in the experimental group, thereby reducing the canal paresis (CP) value. In addition, there was no heterogeneous dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) between the groups after treatment (Chi2=20.75, I2=86%, P=0.0001); finite element method (FEM) analysis showed that the DHI of the experimental group after 6 months of treatment was notably lower compared to that of the control group (Z=3.20, P=0.001).
DISCUSSION
Mecobalamin combined with vestibular rehabilitation training can effectively improve vertigo and other symptoms of acute vestibular neuritis patients, with high effectiveness and safety.
Topics: Dizziness; Humans; Vertigo; Vestibular Neuronitis; Vitamin B 12
PubMed: 35249325
DOI: 10.21037/apm-21-3171 -
Current Journal of Neurology Apr 2022Over the past decades, wearable robotic gloves due to their positive features are used by clinicians to improve motor function in the upper extremity. This systematic... (Review)
Review
Over the past decades, wearable robotic gloves due to their positive features are used by clinicians to improve motor function in the upper extremity. This systematic review aims to evaluate the studies that investigated the therapeutic effects of wearable robotic gloves to improve hand function in stroke patients. The most related databases including MEDLINE (PubMed), ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, IEEE, and Google Scholar were systematically searched and studies were collected up to September 2021. The methodological quality assessment was done using an adapted version of the Downs and Black checklist. Of the 2674 articles searched, 5 studies were recognized as being relevant in this systematic review. The methodological quality of all included studies was between 7 to 10 points of adapted 12-point score of Downs and Black checklist. All studies concluded that the introduced robotic device had a good therapeutic effect on investigated patients' hand function. The studies had limitations in terms of the level of evidence, sample size, stroke patient groups, and therapeutic process. There is no standard approach with definite intervention timing to evaluate the effect of such devices. Therefore, more comprehensive studies are needed to confirm the therapeutic effects of wearable robotic gloves on improving hand function after a stroke.
PubMed: 38011474
DOI: 10.18502/cjn.v21i2.10496 -
Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery Jun 2017Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is one of the most common and detrimental complications following thyroidectomy. Intermittent intraoperative nerve monitoring... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The current state of intermittent intraoperative neural monitoring for prevention of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury during thyroidectomy: a PRISMA-compliant systematic review of overlapping meta-analyses.
PURPOSE
Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is one of the most common and detrimental complications following thyroidectomy. Intermittent intraoperative nerve monitoring (I-IONM) has been proposed to reduce prevalence of RLN injury following thyroidectomy and has gained increasing acceptance in recent years.
METHODS
A comprehensive database search was performed, and data from eligible meta-analyses meeting the inclusion criteria were extracted. Transient, permanent, and overall RLN injuries were the primary outcome measures. Quality assessment via AMSTAR, heterogeneity appraisal, and selection of best evidence was performed via a Jadad algorithm.
RESULTS
Eight meta-analyses met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses included between 6 and 23 original studies each. Via utilization of the Jadad algorithm, the selection of best evidence resulted in choosing of Pisanu et al. (Surg Res 188:152-161, 2014). Five out of eight meta-analyses demonstrated non-significant (p > 0.05) RLN injury reduction with the use of I-IONM versus nerve visualization alone.
CONCLUSIONS
To date, I-IONM has not achieved a significant level of RLN injury reduction as shown by the meta-analysis conducted by Pisanu et al. (Surg Res 188:152-161, 2014). However, most recent developments of IONM technology including continuous vagal IONM and concept of staged thyroidectomy in case of loss of signal on the first side in order to prevent bilateral RLN injury may provide additional benefits which were out of the scope of this study and need to be assessed in further prospective multicenter trials.
Topics: Humans; Intraoperative Complications; Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring; Postoperative Complications; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; Thyroidectomy; Vocal Cord Paralysis
PubMed: 28378238
DOI: 10.1007/s00423-017-1580-y