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Journal of Neurology Mar 2022Current standard treatment in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) has been proved effective, but it is poorly effective in refractory... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Current standard treatment in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) has been proved effective, but it is poorly effective in refractory patients and unclear for anti-IgG4 antibody-associated CIDP. Rituximab is a B cell-depleting monoclonal antibody. It has been applied as one of the management strategies in CIDP, but its efficacy is unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To perform a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the efficacy of rituximab treatment in CIDP patients.
METHODS
Through searches in MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, BIOSOS, Web of Science, and Cochrane library on March 31st, 2021, 15 studies were identified. Patients' characteristics, treatment regime and outcome measure were extracted.
RESULTS
Ninety-six patients in 15 studies were included. The pooled estimate of responsiveness was 75% (95% CI 72-78%). The standard mean difference (SMD) of Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability score improvement was 1.7 (95% CI 1.0-2.3, p value < 0.0001) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) score for muscle power is 1.3 (95% CI - 2.6 to - 0.1, p value 0.04). All of the anti-IgG4 antibody-positive patients showed excellent responses to rituximab treatment.
CONCLUSION
Rituximab was effective in the treatment in CIDP patients, especially in anti-IgG4 antibody-positive patients. Randomized clinical trials are needed to determine the effectiveness and safety of rituximab in CIDP patients.
Topics: Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating; Rituximab
PubMed: 34120208
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10646-y -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2019Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases affecting the anterior horn cell of spinal cord, neuromuscular junction, peripheral nerves and...
BACKGROUND
Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases affecting the anterior horn cell of spinal cord, neuromuscular junction, peripheral nerves and muscles. NMDs cause physical disability usually due to progressive loss of strength in limb muscles, and some NMDs also cause respiratory muscle weakness. Respiratory muscle training (RMT) might be expected to improve respiratory muscle weakness; however, the effects of RMT are still uncertain. This systematic review will synthesize the available trial evidence on the effectiveness and safety of RMT in people with NMD, to inform clinical practice.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) for neuromuscular disease (NMD) in adults and children, in comparison to sham training, no training, standard treatment, breathing exercises, or other intensities or types of RMT.
SEARCH METHODS
On 19 November 2018, we searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Specialized Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, and Embase. On 23 December 2018, we searched the US National Institutes for Health Clinical Trials Registry (ClinicalTrials.gov), the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and reference lists of the included studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs, including cross-over trials, of RMT in adults and children with a diagnosis of NMD of any degree of severity, who were living in the community, and who did not need mechanical ventilation. We compared trials of RMT (inspiratory muscle training (IMT) or expiratory muscle training (EMT), or both), with sham training, no training, standard treatment, different intensities of RMT, different types of RMT, or breathing exercises.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We followed standard Cochrane methodological procedures.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 11 studies involving 250 randomized participants with NMDs: three trials (N = 88) in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; motor neuron disease), six trials (N = 112) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), one trial (N = 23) in people with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) or limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, and one trial (N = 27) in people with myasthenia gravis.Nine of the trials were at high risk of bias in at least one domain and many reported insufficient information for accurate assessment of the risk of bias. Populations, interventions, control interventions, and outcome measures were often different, which largely ruled out meta-analysis. All included studies assessed lung capacity, our primary outcome, but four did not provide data for analysis (1 in people with ALS and three cross-over studies in DMD). None provided long-term data (over a year) and only one trial, in ALS, provided information on adverse events. Unscheduled hospitalisations for chest infection or acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure were not reported and physical function and quality of life were reported in one (ALS) trial.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)Three trials compared RMT versus sham training in ALS. Short-term (8 weeks) effects of RMT on lung capacity in ALS showed no clear difference in the change of the per cent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%) between EMT and sham EMT groups (mean difference (MD) 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) -8.48 to 9.88; N = 46; low-certainty evidence). The mean difference (MD) in FVC% after four months' treatment was 10.86% in favour of IMT (95% CI -4.25 to 25.97; 1 trial, N = 24; low-certainty evidence), which is larger than the minimal clinically important difference (MCID, as estimated in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis). There was no clear difference between IMT and sham IMT groups, measured on the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALFRS; range of possible scores 0 = best to 40 = worst) (MD 0.85, 95% CI -2.16 to 3.85; 1 trial, N = 24; low-certainty evidence) or quality of life, measured on the EuroQol-5D (0 = worst to 100 = best) (MD 0.77, 95% CI -17.09 to 18.62; 1 trial, N = 24; low-certainty evidence) over the medium term (4 months). One trial report stated that the IMT protocol had no adverse effect (very low-certainty evidence).Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)Two DMD trials compared RMT versus sham training in young males with DMD. In one study, the mean post-intervention (6-week) total lung capacity (TLC) favoured RMT (MD 0.45 L, 95% CI -0.24 to 1.14; 1 trial, N = 16; low-certainty evidence). In the other trial there was no clear difference in post-intervention (18 days) FVC between RMT and sham RMT (MD 0.16 L, 95% CI -0.31 to 0.63; 1 trial, N = 20; low-certainty evidence). One RCT and three cross-over trials compared a form of RMT with no training in males with DMD; the cross-over trials did not provide suitable data. Post-intervention (6-month) values showed no clear difference between the RMT and no training groups in per cent predicted vital capacity (VC%) (MD 3.50, 95% CI -14.35 to 21.35; 1 trial, N = 30; low-certainty evidence).Becker or limb-girdle muscular dystrophyOne RCT (N = 21) compared 12 weeks of IMT with breathing exercises in people with Becker or limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. The evidence was of very low certainty and conclusions could not be drawn.Myasthenia gravisIn myasthenia gravis, there may be no clear difference between RMT and breathing exercises on measures of lung capacity, in the short term (TLC MD -0.20 L, 95% CI -1.07 to 0.67; 1 trial, N = 27; low-certainty evidence). Effects of RMT on quality of life are uncertain (1 trial; N = 27).Some trials reported effects of RMT on inspiratory and/or expiratory muscle strength; this evidence was also of low or very low certainty.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
RMT may improve lung capacity and respiratory muscle strength in some NMDs. In ALS there may not be any clinically meaningful effect of RMT on physical functioning or quality of life and it is uncertain whether it causes adverse effects. Due to clinical heterogeneity between the trials and the small number of participants included in the analysis, together with the risk of bias, these results must be interpreted very cautiously.
Topics: Adult; Breathing Exercises; Child; Exhalation; Humans; Muscle Weakness; Neuromuscular Diseases; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Vital Capacity
PubMed: 31487757
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011711.pub2 -
Molecular Metabolism May 2020Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy among reproductive age women. Although its cardinal manifestations include hyperandrogenism,...
BACKGROUND
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy among reproductive age women. Although its cardinal manifestations include hyperandrogenism, oligo/anovulation, and/or polycystic ovarian morphology, PCOS women often display also notable metabolic comorbidities. An array of pathogenic mechanisms have been implicated in the etiology of this heterogeneous endocrine disorder; hyperandrogenism at various developmental periods is proposed as a major driver of the metabolic and reproductive perturbations associated with PCOS. However, the current understanding of the pathophysiology of PCOS-associated metabolic disease is incomplete, and therapeutic strategies used to manage this syndrome's metabolic complications remain limited.
SCOPE OF REVIEW
This study is a systematic review of the potential etiopathogenic mechanisms of metabolic dysfunction frequently associated with PCOS, with special emphasis on the metabolic impact of androgen excess on different metabolic tissues and the brain. We also briefly summarize the therapeutic approaches currently available to manage metabolic perturbations linked to PCOS, highlighting current weaknesses and future directions.
MAJOR CONCLUSIONS
Androgen excess plays a prominent role in the development of metabolic disturbances associated with PCOS, with a discernible impact on key peripheral metabolic tissues, including the adipose, liver, pancreas, and muscle, and very prominently the brain, contributing to the constellation of metabolic complications of PCOS, from obesity to insulin resistance. However, the current understanding of the pathogenic roles of hyperandrogenism in metabolic dysfunction of PCOS and the underlying mechanisms remain largely incomplete. In addition, the development of more efficient, even personalized therapeutic strategies for the metabolic management of PCOS patients persists as an unmet need that will certainly benefit from a better comprehension of the molecular basis of this heterogeneous syndrome.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Androgens; Animals; Bariatric Surgery; Female; Humans; Hyperandrogenism; Insulin Resistance; Metabolic Syndrome; Mice; Obesity; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
PubMed: 32244180
DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2020.01.001 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Recombinant Adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is one of the main delivery vectors for gene therapy. To assess immunogenicity, toxicity, and features of AAV gene therapy in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Recombinant Adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is one of the main delivery vectors for gene therapy. To assess immunogenicity, toxicity, and features of AAV gene therapy in clinical settings, a meta-analysis of 255 clinical trials was performed. A total of 7,289 patients are planned to be dosed. AAV2 was the most dominantly used serotype (29.8%, n=72), and 8.3% (n=20) of trials used engineered capsids. 38.7% (n=91) of trials employed neutralizing antibody assays for patient enrollment, while 15.3% (n=36) used ELISA-based total antibody assays. However, there was high variability in the eligibility criteria with cut-off tiers ranging from 1:1 to 1:1,600. To address potential immunogenicity, 46.3% (n=118) of trials applied immunosuppressants (prophylactic or reactive), while 32.7% (n=18) of CNS and 37.5% (n=24) of ocular-directed trials employed immunosuppressants, possibly due to the immune-privileged status of CNS and retina. There were a total of 11 patient deaths across 8 trials, and 18 out of 30 clinical holds were due to toxicity findings in clinical studies. 30.6% (n=78) of trials had treatment-emergent serious adverse events (TESAEs), with hepatotoxicity and thrombotic microangiopathy (systemic delivery) and neurotoxicity (CNS delivery) being the most prominent. Additionally, the durability of gene therapy may be impacted by two distinct decline mechanisms: 1) rapid decline presumably due to immune responses; or 2) gradual decline due to vector dilution. The durability varied significantly depending on disease indication, dose, serotypes, and patient individuals. Most CNS (90.0%) and muscle trials (73.3%) achieved durable transgene expression, while only 43.6% of ocular trials had sustained clinical outcomes. The rAAV production system can affect rAAV quality and thus immunogenicity and toxicity. Out of 186 trials that have disclosed production system information, 63.0% (n=126) of trials used the transient transfection of the HEK293/HEK293T system, while 18.0% (n=36) applied the baculovirus/Sf9 (rBac/Sf9) system. There were no significant differences in TESAEs and durability between AAV generated by rBac/Sf9 and HEK293/HEK293T systems. In summary, rAAV immunogenicity and toxicity poses significant challenges for clinical development of rAAV gene therapies, and it warrants collaborative efforts to standardize monitoring/measurement methods, design novel strategies to overcome immune responses, and openly share relevant information.
Topics: Humans; Dependovirus; HEK293 Cells; Genetic Vectors; Genetic Therapy; Immunosuppressive Agents
PubMed: 36389770
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1001263 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2020Creatine monohydrate is a nutritional supplement often consumed by athletes in anaerobic sports. Creatine is naturally found in most meat products; therefore,...
BACKGROUND
Creatine monohydrate is a nutritional supplement often consumed by athletes in anaerobic sports. Creatine is naturally found in most meat products; therefore, vegetarians have reduced creatine stores and may benefit from supplementation.
OBJECTIVE
to determine the effects of creatine supplementation on vegetarians.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed and SPORTDiscus. Eligibility criteria: Randomized controlled trials (parallel group, cross-over studies) or prospective studies.
PARTICIPANTS
Vegetarians.
INTERVENTION
Creatine supplementation. Study appraisal and synthesis: A total of 64 records were identified, and eleven full-text articles (covering nine studies) were included in this systematic review.
RESULTS
Creatine supplementation in vegetarians increased total creatine, creatine, and phosphocreatine concentrations in vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius muscle, plasma, and red blood cells, often to levels greater than omnivores. Creatine supplementation had no effect on brain levels of phosphocreatine. Creatine supplementation increased lean tissue mass, type II fiber area, insulin-like growth factor-1, muscular strength, muscular endurance, Wingate mean power output, and brain function (memory and intelligence) in vegetarian participants. Studies were mixed on whether creatine supplementation improved exercise performance in vegetarians to a greater extent compared to omnivores.
LIMITATIONS
Studies that were reviewed had moderate-high risk of bias.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, it appears vegetarian athletes are likely to benefit from creatine supplementation.
Topics: Athletes; Cognition; Creatine; Diet, Vegetarian; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Memory; Physical Fitness; Prospective Studies; Vegetarians
PubMed: 32349356
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17093041 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases with various subtypes, myositis-specific antibodies, and affect multiple... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases with various subtypes, myositis-specific antibodies, and affect multiple systems. The treatment of IIMs remains challenging, especially for refractory myositis. In addition to steroids and traditional immunosuppressants, rituximab (RTX), a B cell-depleting monoclonal antibody, is emerging as an alternative treatment for refractory myositis. However, the therapeutic response to RTX remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of RTX in patients with IIMs, excluding sporadic inclusion body myositis.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang Data were searched for relevant studies. The overall effective rate, complete response rate, and partial response rate were calculated to assess the efficacy of RTX. The incidences of adverse events, infection, severe adverse events, severe infection, and infusion reactions were collected to evaluate the safety of RTX. Subgroup analyses were performed using IIM subtypes, affected organs, continents, and countries. We also performed a sensitivity analysis to identify the sources of heterogeneity.
RESULTS
A total of 26 studies were included in the quantitative analysis, which showed that 65% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 54%, 75%) of patients with IIMs responded to RTX, 45% (95% CI: 22%, 70%) of patients achieved a complete response, and 39% (95% CI: 26%, 53%) achieved a partial response. Subgroup analyses indicated that the overall efficacy rates in patients with refractory IIMs, dermatomyositis and polymyositis, as well as anti-synthetase syndrome were 62%, 68%, and 62%, respectively. The overall efficacy rates for muscle, lungs, and skin involvement were 59%, 65%, and 81%, respectively. In addition, studies conducted in Germany and the United States showed that patients with IIMs had an excellent response to RTX, with an effective rate of 90% and 77%, respectively. The incidence of severe adverse events and infections was 8% and 2%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
RTX may be an effective and relatively safe treatment choice in patients with IIMs, especially for refractory cases. However, further verification randomized controlled trials is warranted.
Topics: Humans; Rituximab; Myositis; Polymyositis; Immunosuppressive Agents; Autoimmune Diseases
PubMed: 36578492
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1051609 -
Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) May 2021Bioelectrical impedance analysis-derived phase angle (PhA) has been gaining attention in the clinical evaluation of nutritional status because it is thought to be a...
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Bioelectrical impedance analysis-derived phase angle (PhA) has been gaining attention in the clinical evaluation of nutritional status because it is thought to be a proxy of water distribution and body cell mass; it is also associated to muscle strength and is an effective predictor of different clinical outcomes. Since an association may be expected between PhA and sarcopenia (defined by low skeletal muscle mass and impaired muscle function), the aim of this systematic review was to evaluate: a) changes in PhA due to sarcopenia; b) prevalence of sarcopenia according to PhA values; c) derivation of phase angle cut-offs for detecting sarcopenia; d) sarcopenia and PhA as predictors of clinical outcomes.
METHODS
A systematic research on electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science) from inception to January 31st, 2020 was performed according to PRISMA checklist. Using PICOS strategy, "P" corresponded to participants of any age, gender or ethnicity, "I" designated diagnosis of sarcopenia, "C" indicated subjects without sarcopenia, "O" corresponded to PhA, and "S" selected all study types. Methodological quality was assessed using the National Institute of Health (NIH) quality assessment tool.
RESULTS
Through the initial literature search and after removing duplicates and excluding papers by screening titles and abstracts, 79 potentially relevant studies were examined. Thirteen studies (7668 subjects) met the inclusion criteria. The overall risk of bias was low. Sarcopenia was associated with a significant lower PhA in seven studies out of eight, while five studies out of six reported a high prevalence of sarcopenia was in patients with low PhA. Different cut-off point values from 4.05 to 5.05° have been derived for the identification of sarcopenia. PhA and sarcopenia were independent predictors of survival in cancer patients and geriatric hospitalized patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Data from the selected papers demonstrate that PhA is decreased in sarcopenic subjects and the prevalence of sarcopenia is higher in subjects with low PhA. Further studies are needed to determine to what extent PhA may be valuable in detecting low muscle quality and/or identifying sarcopenia.
Topics: Electric Impedance; Humans; Sarcopenia
PubMed: 33183880
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2020.10.048 -
Brain : a Journal of Neurology Dec 2022Pathogenic variants in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene family lead to early onset epilepsies, neurodevelopmental disorders, skeletal muscle channelopathies,...
Pathogenic variants in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene family lead to early onset epilepsies, neurodevelopmental disorders, skeletal muscle channelopathies, peripheral neuropathies and cardiac arrhythmias. Disease-associated variants have diverse functional effects ranging from complete loss-of-function to marked gain-of-function. Therapeutic strategy is likely to depend on functional effect. Experimental studies offer important insights into channel function but are resource intensive and only performed in a minority of cases. Given the evolutionarily conserved nature of the sodium channel genes, we investigated whether similarities in biophysical properties between different voltage-gated sodium channels can predict function and inform precision treatment across sodium channelopathies. We performed a systematic literature search identifying functionally assessed variants in any of the nine voltage-gated sodium channel genes until 28 April 2021. We included missense variants that had been electrophysiologically characterized in mammalian cells in whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. We performed an alignment of linear protein sequences of all sodium channel genes and correlated variants by their overall functional effect on biophysical properties. Of 951 identified records, 437 sodium channel-variants met our inclusion criteria and were reviewed for functional properties. Of these, 141 variants were epilepsy-associated (SCN1/2/3/8A), 79 had a neuromuscular phenotype (SCN4/9/10/11A), 149 were associated with a cardiac phenotype (SCN5/10A) and 68 (16%) were considered benign. We detected 38 missense variant pairs with an identical disease-associated variant in a different sodium channel gene. Thirty-five out of 38 of those pairs resulted in similar functional consequences, indicating up to 92% biophysical agreement between corresponding sodium channel variants (odds ratio = 11.3; 95% confidence interval = 2.8 to 66.9; P < 0.001). Pathogenic missense variants were clustered in specific functional domains, whereas population variants were significantly more frequent across non-conserved domains (odds ratio = 18.6; 95% confidence interval = 10.9-34.4; P < 0.001). Pore-loop regions were frequently associated with loss-of-function variants, whereas inactivation sites were associated with gain-of-function (odds ratio = 42.1, 95% confidence interval = 14.5-122.4; P < 0.001), whilst variants occurring in voltage-sensing regions comprised a range of gain- and loss-of-function effects. Our findings suggest that biophysical characterisation of variants in one SCN-gene can predict channel function across different SCN-genes where experimental data are not available. The collected data represent the first gain- versus loss-of-function topological map of SCN proteins indicating shared patterns of biophysical effects aiding variant analysis and guiding precision therapy. We integrated our findings into a free online webtool to facilitate functional sodium channel gene variant interpretation (http://SCN-viewer.broadinstitute.org).
Topics: Animals; Channelopathies; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels; Epilepsy; Phenotype; Mammals
PubMed: 35037686
DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac006 -
JMIR MHealth and UHealth Dec 2020Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) usually present with different motor impairments, including a deterioration of upper limb motor function (ULMF), that limit their... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) usually present with different motor impairments, including a deterioration of upper limb motor function (ULMF), that limit their performance of activities of daily living and reduce their quality of life. Virtual reality (VR) is being used in neurological rehabilitation for the assessment and treatment of the physical impairments of this condition.
OBJECTIVE
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of VR on ULMF in patients with SCI compared with conventional physical therapy.
METHODS
The search was performed from October to December 2019 in Embase, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, Medline, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The inclusion criteria of selected studies were as follows: (1) comprised adults with SCI, (2) included an intervention with VR, (3) compared VR intervention with conventional physical therapy, (4) reported outcomes related to ULMF, and (5) was a controlled clinical trial. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias. The RevMan 5.3 statistical software was used to obtain the meta-analysis according to the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% CIs.
RESULTS
Six articles were included in this systematic review. Four of them contributed information to the meta-analysis. A total of 105 subjects were analyzed. All of the studies used semi-immersive or nonimmersive VR systems. The statistical analysis showed nonsignificant results for the Nine-Hole Peg Test (SMD -0.93, 95% CI -1.95 to 0.09), muscle balance test (SMD -0.27, 95% CI -0.82 to 0.27), Motricity Index (SMD 0.16, 95% CI -0.37 to 0.68), Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) subtests (writing, SMD -0.10, 95% CI -4.01 to 3.82; simulated page turning, SMD -0.99, 95% CI -2.01 to 0.02; simulated feeding, SMD -0.64, 95% CI -1.61 to 0.32; stacking checkers, SMD 0.99, 95% CI -0.02 to 2.00; picking up large light objects, SMD -0.42, 95% CI -1.37 to 0.54; and picking up large heavy objects, SMD 0.52, 95% CI -0.44 to 1.49), range of motion of shoulder abduction/adduction (SMD -0.23, 95% CI -1.48 to 1.03), shoulder flexion/extension (SMD 0.56, 95% CI -1.24 to 2.36), elbow flexion (SMD -0.36, 95% CI -1.14 to 0.42), elbow extension (SMD -0.21, 95% CI -0.99 to 0.57), wrist extension (SMD 1.44, 95% CI -2.19 to 5.06), and elbow supination (SMD -0.18, 95% CI -1.80 to 1.44). Favorable results were found for the JTHFT subtest picking up small common objects (SMD -1.33, 95% CI -2.42 to -0.24).
CONCLUSIONS
The current evidence for VR interventions to improve ULMF in patients with SCI is limited. Future studies employing immersive systems to identify the key aspects that increase the clinical impact of VR interventions are needed, as well as research to prove the benefits of the use of VR in the rehabilitation of patients with SCI in the clinical setting.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Adult; Humans; Quality of Life; Recovery of Function; Spinal Cord Injuries; Upper Extremity; Virtual Reality
PubMed: 33270040
DOI: 10.2196/22537 -
American Journal of Physiology. Cell... Mar 2022Skeletal muscle atrophy is a well-known consequence of spaceflight. Because of the potential significant impact of muscle atrophy and muscle dysfunction on astronauts... (Review)
Review
Skeletal muscle atrophy is a well-known consequence of spaceflight. Because of the potential significant impact of muscle atrophy and muscle dysfunction on astronauts and their mission, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of this atrophy and the development of effective countermeasures is critical. Spaceflight-induced muscle atrophy is similar to atrophy seen in many terrestrial conditions, and therefore our understanding of this form of atrophy may also contribute to the treatment of atrophy in humans on Earth. The unique environmental features humans encounter in space include the weightlessness of microgravity, space radiation, and the distinctive aspects of living in a spacecraft. The disuse and unloading of muscles in microgravity are likely the most significant factors that mediate spaceflight-induced muscle atrophy and have been extensively studied and reviewed. However, there are numerous other direct and indirect effects on skeletal muscle that may be contributing factors to the muscle atrophy and dysfunction seen as a result of spaceflight. This review offers a novel perspective on the issue of muscle atrophy in space by providing a comprehensive overview of the unique aspects of the spaceflight environment and the various ways in which they can lead to muscle atrophy. We systematically review the potential contributions of these different mechanisms of spaceflight-induced atrophy and include findings from both actual spaceflight and ground-based models of spaceflight in humans, animals, and in vitro studies.
Topics: Animals; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscular Atrophy; Space Flight; Weightlessness
PubMed: 35171699
DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00203.2021