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Journal of Neuroimmunology Jun 2021The systematic review aimed to determine demographic characteristics, clinical features, lab evaluation, management and complications of the studies focusing on...
OBJECTIVE
The systematic review aimed to determine demographic characteristics, clinical features, lab evaluation, management and complications of the studies focusing on Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) as a sequele of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
METHODS
After protocol registration, PubMed, Web of Science and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINHAL) databases were searched for relevant articles using MeSH key-words and imported into referencing/review softwares. The data, regarding demographic and clinical characteristics, diagnostic workup and management, was analyzed in International Business Machines (IBM) Statistics SPSS 21. Many statistical tests, such as t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test, were used. P < 0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS
We identified 64 relevant articles. The mean age of the patients was 56 ± 16 years; the majority were males (64.9%). Among the neurological findings, paresthesia was the most typical symptom (48.9%). Most of the patients had been diagnosed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (69.2%). Two-third of the patients received immunoglobulins (IVIg) (77.7%). Although functions recovered in most patients, there were four patients with facial diplegia during follow-up (4.26%). Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) was more likely to be associated with paresis of the lower extremity (p < 0.05) and higher levels of glucose on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis (p < 0.05). These patients were more likely to receive IVIg (p < 0.05) and develop respiratory insufficiency, subsequently (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
GBS is being recognized as one of the many presentations of the COVID-19 infection. Although the common form is AIDP that might lead to complications, other variants are possible as well, and more studies are needed to focus on those subvariants.
Topics: COVID-19; Guillain-Barre Syndrome; Humans; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33895700
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577577 -
BMC Neurology Mar 2024Preclinical and clinical studies have indicated that combining photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy with other therapeutic approaches may influence the treatment process in...
Preclinical and clinical studies have indicated that combining photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy with other therapeutic approaches may influence the treatment process in a variety of disorders. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine whether PBM-combined therapy provides additional benefits over monotherapies in neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders. In addition, the review describes the most commonly used methods and PBM parameters in these conjunctional approaches.To accomplish this, a systematic search was conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus databases through January 2024. 95 potentially eligible articles on PBM-combined treatment strategies for neurological and neuropsychological disorders were identified, including 29 preclinical studies and 66 clinical trials.According to the findings, seven major categories of studies were identified based on disease type: neuropsychiatric diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, ischemia, nerve injury, pain, paresis, and neuropathy. These studies looked at the effects of laser therapy in combination with other therapies like pharmacotherapies, physical therapies, exercises, stem cells, and experimental materials on neurological disorders in both animal models and humans. The findings suggested that most combination therapies could produce synergistic effects, leading to better outcomes for treating neurologic and psychiatric disorders and relieving symptoms.These findings indicate that the combination of PBM may be a useful adjunct to conventional and experimental treatments for a variety of neurological and psychological disorders.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Low-Level Light Therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Nervous System Diseases; Paresis
PubMed: 38504162
DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03593-4 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2024Limb paresis following a stroke is a common sequela that can impact patients' quality of life. Many rehabilitation strategies targeting the restoration of motor function...
The efficacy of contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation compared to conventional neuromuscular electrical stimulation for recovery of limb function following a stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
INTRODUCTION
Limb paresis following a stroke is a common sequela that can impact patients' quality of life. Many rehabilitation strategies targeting the restoration of motor function exist. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the effects of contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) as a modality for limb rehabilitation. Unlike conventional neuromuscular electrical simulation (NMES), the contra-laterality in CCFES is achieved by two methods a bend angle sensor or an electromyographic bridge (EMGB) method, both of which targets signals from the unaffected limb.
METHOD
This review study was performed following the preferred reporting item for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Records that met the inclusion criteria were extracted from the following databases: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Additional articles were also retrieved from clinicaltrials.gov and China/Asia on Demand (CAOD). Only randomized controlled studies (RCTs) were included.
RESULTS
Sixteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria, and 14 of which were included in the quantitative analysis (meta-analysis). The results of the analysis show that when compared to conventional NMES, CCFES displayed a better improvement in the upper extremity Fugl-Meyer assessment (UEFMA) (SMD = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.62, -value <0.0001, = 15%, GRADE: moderate), box and blocks test (BBT) (SMD = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.86, -value = 0.01, = 0%, GRADE: very low), modified Barthel index (mBI) (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.71, -value = 0.002, = 0%, GRADE: moderate), active range of motion (AROM) (SMD = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.94, -value = 0.0002, = 23%, GRADE: moderate), and surface electromyography (sEMG) scores (SMD = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.90, -value = 0.008, = 0%, GRADE: low). The results of the subgroup analysis for the type of sensor used in CCFES shows that an EMGB (SMD = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.84, -value <0.00001, = 7%) is more effective than a bend angle sensor (SMD = 0.17, 95% CI: -0.12, 0.45, -value = 0.25, = 0%).
CONCLUSION
The results of this study provide strong evidence that shows CCFES being a better electrical stimulation modality compared to conventional NMES. This could be explained by the fact that CCFES is bilateral in nature which offers a platform for better neuroplasticity following a stroke. There is still a need for high-quality studies with a standardized approach comparing CCFES to other treatment modalities.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=342670, identifier CRD42022342670.
PubMed: 38450065
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1340248 -
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine Oct 2022Rehabilitation is important in the first months after a stroke for recovery of functional ability, but it is also challenging, since distinct recovery trajectories are...
BACKGROUND
Rehabilitation is important in the first months after a stroke for recovery of functional ability, but it is also challenging, since distinct recovery trajectories are seen. Therefore, studying the early changes in muscle characteristics over time (e.g. muscle strength, muscle mass and muscle volume), which are known to be associated with functional abilities, may deepen our understanding of underlying recovery mechanisms of stroke survivors.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aims to describe the longitudinal changes in skeletal muscles, including muscle strength, muscle mass and muscle volume, during the first 3 months post-stroke.
METHODS
Electronic searches were conducted in Medline, Scopus and CENTRAL. Longitudinal cohort studies or controlled interventional trials that report data about patients in the first 3 months after stroke were identified. Skeletal muscle characteristics should be measured at least twice within 3 months post-stroke by objective, quantitative assessment methods (e.g. dynamometry, ultrasound, computed tomography). Effect sizes were calculated as Hedges' g using standardized mean differences.
RESULTS
A total of 38 studies (1,097 subjects) were found eligible. Results revealed an mean increase on the paretic side for upper and lower limb muscle strength (small to moderate effect sizes), whereas muscle thickness decreased (moderate to large effect sizes). Similar, but smaller, effects were found on the non-paretic side. There were insufficient data available to draw conclusions about lean muscle mass and muscle cross-sectional area. No studies aimed at investigating distinct trajectories of the muscle changes.
CONCLUSION
Muscle strength and thickness changes during the first 3 months after stroke in both the paretic and non-paretic side. Future studies should aim to understand "how" the stroke-induced muscle strength changes are achieved. Exploring existing data from longitudinal studies, by using cluster analyses, such as pattern recognition, could add to the current knowledge-base.
Topics: Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscular Diseases; Paresis; Stroke; Stroke Rehabilitation
PubMed: 35848335
DOI: 10.2340/jrm.v54.573 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2023Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) targeting the lower limb function uses various methods. The influence of CIMT methods on lower limb outcomes after stroke has...
BACKGROUND
Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) targeting the lower limb function uses various methods. The influence of CIMT methods on lower limb outcomes after stroke has rarely been examined.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to examine CIMT effects on lower limb outcomes and explore the influence of CIMT methods on treatment effects after stroke, with other potential factors considered as covariates.
METHODS
PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Academic Search Premier EBSCOHost, and PEDro databases were searched until September 2022. We included randomized control trials with CIMT targeting the lower limb function and dosage-matched active control. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of each study. Hedges' g was used to quantify the effect size of CIMT on outcomes compared to the active control. Meta-analyses were conducted across all studies. A mixed-variable meta-regression analysis was used to investigate the influence of CIMT methods on treatment effects after stroke, with other potential factors considered as covariates.
RESULTS
Twelve eligible randomized controlled trials with CIMT were included in the meta-analysis, where 10 trials were with a low risk of bias. A total of 341 participants with stroke were involved. For the treatment effects on the lower limb function, CIMT showed a moderate short-term effect size [Hedges' g = 0.567; > 0.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.203-0.931], but a small and insignificant long-term effect size (Hedges' g = 0.470; > 0.05; 95%CI: -0.173 to 1.112), compared with conventional treatment. The CIMT method of using a weight strapped around the non-paretic leg and the ICF outcome category of the movement function were identified as significant factors contributing to the heterogeneity of short-term effect sizes across studies (β = -0.854 and 1.064, respectively, = 98%, > 0.05). Additionally, using a weight strapped around the non-paretic leg had a significant contribution to the heterogeneity of long-term effect sizes across studies as well (β = -1.000, = 77%, > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Constraint-induced movement therapy is superior to conventional treatment for improvement of lower limb function in the short-term but not in the long-term. The CIMT method of using a weight strapped around a non-paretic leg contributed negatively to the treatment effect, and therefore might not be recommended.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42021268681.
PubMed: 37006479
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1090808 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2023New neurological complications of COVID-19 infection have been reported in recent research. Among them, the spectrum of anti-MOG positive diseases, defined as anti-MOG...
BACKGROUND
New neurological complications of COVID-19 infection have been reported in recent research. Among them, the spectrum of anti-MOG positive diseases, defined as anti-MOG antibody associated disease (MOGAD), is distinguished, which can manifest as optic neuritis, myelitis, or various forms of encephalitis (MOGAE).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study reports a new case of MOGAE following SARS-CoV-2 infection. A literature review of other MOGAE cases associated with COVID-19 infection was conducted and summarized.
RESULTS
A 60-year-old male patient, who had previously been infected with COVID-19, was admitted to the Neurology Department with a rapidly progressive deterioration of his cognitive functions that lasted for about 3 months. On neurological examination, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was 17, which further deteriorated to 13. In addition, central paresis of the right VIIth nerve and pyramidal hemiparesis on the right side were noted. The MRI of the brain showed multiple hyperintense lesions. The CSF examination revealed an elevated total protein level with a normal cell count, and serum showed a positive finding of anti-MOG antibodies. Taking into account all the information, the diagnosis of MOGAE, following COVID-19 infection, was made. A total of 9 similar cases of MOGAE associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified in the available literature. Among them 2 cases presented progressive cognitive dysfunction and another 5 altered mental status. The most frequently described MRI changes were hyperintense lesions located cortically and/or subcortically. Anti-MOG antibodies were positive in all patients. In 5 cases they were detected only in serum, in 2 cases in serum and CSF, and in 2 cases the origin was not reported.
CONCLUSION
The reported cases of MOGAE following COVID-19 infection suggest an increasing new clinical problem, and show an association between COVID-19 and MOGADs.
PubMed: 37638199
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1239657 -
Italian Journal of Pediatrics Jun 2022Ophthalmoplegic migraine, renamed "Recurrent Painful Ophthalmoplegic Neuropathy" (RPON) in 2013 by the International Headache Society is a rare neurologic disorder...
BACKGROUND
Ophthalmoplegic migraine, renamed "Recurrent Painful Ophthalmoplegic Neuropathy" (RPON) in 2013 by the International Headache Society is a rare neurologic disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of ophthalmoplegia associated to ipsilateral headache. The etiology is still unknown. Typical magnetic resonance imaging findings show a focal nerve thickening and contrast enhancement. In the majority of cases, there is a full recovery within days or weeks. There is no evidence supporting a specific treatment. The review defines the characteristics of the recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy in patients within 2 years of age underlying the importance of the role of magnetic resonance imaging even in presence of the first attack. Thus, an emblematic case report is presented.
CASE PRESENTATION
The authors present a case of third cranial nerve paresis in a 17-month-old male child, presenting a neuroradiological pattern highly suggestive of schwannoma, aneurism or recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy. Thus, a review of the literature with the pediatric casuistry of recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy occurred within 2 years of age focusing on diagnostic considerations is presented. The authors highlight the importance to consider recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy in presence of magnetic resonance imaging findings and clinical symptoms referable to aneurysm or schwannoma. Thus, the review defines the characteristics and the neuroradiological findings at the first RPON attack occurred under 2 years of age.
CONCLUSION
Although two attacks are necessary, the review strongly suggests to consider recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy even at the first attack, in presence of described characteristics and the aforementioned magnetic resonance imaging findings.
Topics: Child; Headache; Humans; Infant; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neurilemmoma; Ophthalmoplegia; Ophthalmoplegic Migraine; Pain; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Rare Diseases; Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome
PubMed: 35659705
DOI: 10.1186/s13052-022-01274-x -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Oct 2019Coverage of the left subclavian artery (LSA) is often required to achieve complete proximal sealing during thoracic endovascular aortic repair. However, whether LSA... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Coverage of the left subclavian artery (LSA) is often required to achieve complete proximal sealing during thoracic endovascular aortic repair. However, whether LSA revascularization should be performed remains controversial.
METHODS
MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched to identify all the relevant studies. A random-effects model was applied to pool the effect measures. Dichotomous data were presented using an odds ratio (OR).
RESULTS
There were 32 studies included for qualitative analysis and 31 studies for quantitative analysis. We found that patients who underwent LSA revascularization had a significantly decreased risk of spinal cord ischemia (OR, 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41-0.92; P = .02; I = 0%), cerebrovascular accident (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.95; P = .03; I = 22%), and left upper extremity ischemia (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.09-0.36; P < .00001; I = 0%). However, no significant differences were found in the risk of paraplegia (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.55-1.51; P = .71; I = 0%) and 30-day mortality (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.59-1.36; P = .60; I = 21%) between the groups of patients with and without LSA revascularization.
CONCLUSIONS
Revascularization of the LSA is associated with decreased risks of cerebrovascular accident, spinal cord ischemia, and left upper limb ischemia in thoracic endovascular aortic repair with LSA coverage at the cost of higher local complications, such as possible vocal cord paresis.
Topics: Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Diseases; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Endovascular Procedures; Humans; Postoperative Complications; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Subclavian Artery; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31176636
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2019.03.022 -
Revista de Neurologia Jan 2021The deficit of use on the upper limb affects, as well as the quality of movement, influences the execution of a functional grasp (action of grasping-releasing an object)...
INTRODUCTION
The deficit of use on the upper limb affects, as well as the quality of movement, influences the execution of a functional grasp (action of grasping-releasing an object) and therefore, reduces the possibilities of execution of the child's daily activities diagnosed with infantile hemiplegia. Manual ability (finger movements, global and distal grasp, handling, precise movement, fluid...) could be a factor that determines whether the execution of constraint induced movement therapy favors the increase in functionality of the upper limb affected.
AIM
To study the constraint induced movement therapy influence on the functionality of the affected upper limb in infantile hemiplegia with moderate manual ability from 2 to 16 years of age.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A bibliographic search of the works published between 2014 and 2019 was performed in the PubMed, PEDro and The Cochrane Library databases.
RESULTS
After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, seven studies were obtained from a total of 203 to be analyzed, comparing constraint induced movement therapy with other interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
The results comparison is complex due to the lack of unanimity in the doses application and evaluation tools of the affected segment. The exclusive application of constraint induced movement therapy allows greater benefits in functionality, at the level of manual ability on affected upper limb in infantile hemiplegia with moderate manual ability than conventional therapy or other therapies.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Functional Laterality; Hand; Humans; Paresis; Physical Therapy Modalities
PubMed: 33438194
DOI: 10.33588/rn.7202.2020219