Robot-aided intensive training in post-stroke recovery

The successful motor rehabilitation of stroke patients requires an intensive and task-specific therapy approach. The plasticity of the adult human brain provides opportunities to enhance traditional rehabilitation programs for these individuals. Intensive robot-aided sensorimotor training may have a positive effect on reducing impairment and disability and increasing reorganization of the adult brain. This approach may therefore efficaciously complement standard post-stroke multidisciplinary programs as shown by recent experimental trials.     

Robotics and other devices in the treatment of patients recovering from stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of permanent disability in the United States despite advances in prevention and novel interventional treatments. Randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of specialized post-stroke rehabilitation units, but administrative orders have severely limited the length of stay, so novel approaches to the treatment of recovery need to be tested in outpatients. Although the mechanisms of stroke recovery depend on multiple factors, a number of techniques that concentrate on enhanced exercise of the paralyzed limb have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the motor impairment. For example, interactive robotic devices are new tools for therapists to deliver enhanced sensorimotor training for the paralyzed upper limb, which can potentially improve patient outcome and increase their productivity. New data support the idea that for some post-stroke patients and for some aspects of training-induced recovery, timing of the training may be less important than the quality and intensity of the training. The positive outcome that resulted in the interactive robotic trials contrasts with the failure to find a beneficial result in trials that used a noninteractive device that delivered continuous passive motion only. New pilot data from novel devices to move the wrist demonstrate benefit and suggest that successive improvement of the function of the arm progressing to the distal muscles may eventually lead to significant disability reduction. These data from robotic trials continue to contribute to the emerging scientific basis of neuro-rehabilitation.     

Stroke rehabilitation

Stroke is a common, serious, and disabling global health-care problem, and rehabilitation is a major part of patient care. There is evidence to support rehabilitation in well coordinated multidisciplinary stroke units or through provision of early supported provision of discharge teams. Potentially beneficial treatment options for motor recovery of the arm include constraint-induced movement therapy and robotics. Promising interventions that could be beneficial to improve aspects of gait include fitness training, high-intensity therapy, and repetitive-task training. Repetitive-task training might also improve transfer functions. Occupational therapy can improve activities of daily living; however, information about the clinical effect of various strategies of cognitive rehabilitation and strategies for aphasia and dysarthria is scarce. Several large trials of rehabilitation practice and of novel therapies (eg, stem-cell therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, virtual reality, robotic therapies, and drug augmentation) are underway to inform future practice.     

Robotics in the rehabilitation treatment of patients with stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of permanent disability despite continued advances in prevention and novel interventional treatments. Post-stroke neuro-rehabilitation programs teach compensatory strategies that alter the degree of permanent disability. Robotic devices are new tools for therapists to deliver enhanced sensorimotor training and concentrate on impairment reduction. Results from several groups have registered success in reducing impairment and increasing motor power with task-specific exercise delivered by the robotic devices. Enhancing the rehabilitation experience with task-specific repetitive exercise marks a different approach to the patient with stroke. The clinical challenge will be to streamline, adapt, and expand the robot protocols to accommodate healthcare economies, to determine which patients sustain the greatest benefit, and to explore the relationship between impairment reduction and disability level. With these new tools, therapists will measure aspects of outcome objectively and contribute to the emerging scientific basis of neuro-rehabilitation.     

脑卒中吞咽障碍合并认知功能缺损的康复训练

目的:探讨脑卒中吞咽障碍合并认知功能缺损康复训练的方法及疗效。方法:60例脑卒中吞咽障碍合并认知功能缺损的患者,随机分为两组,对照组给予吞咽功能训练并行针灸治疗;治疗组在对照组治疗方法基础上进行认知功能的评定、训练和心理疏导。结果:治疗组经认知功能训练后MMSE评分有显著提高(P<0.01),治疗后田洼氏评分明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:对于脑卒中吞咽障碍合并认知功能缺损的患者,进行康复训练的同时,积极进行认知功能的训练和心理疏导,更利于吞咽功能障碍的恢复。     

基于运动想象的脑机接口康复训练对脑卒中患者上肢运动功能的影响

目的探讨基于运动想象的脑机接口康复训练对脑卒中患者上肢运动功能的影响。方法将14例有严重上肢运动功能障碍的老年脑卒中患者随机分为BCI组（7例）和对照组（7例）,均接受常规的康复治疗和药物治疗,BCI组进行为期2m,隔天1．5h的BCI的康复训练。治疗期间BCI组患者在线的运动想象的准确率被记录,在治疗前,治疗1m后,治疗2m后,以及治疗结束一个月随访时分别对两组患者上肢运动功能进行Fugl--Meyermotoras—sessment（FMA）和上肢动作研究测试（action research arm test,ARAT）的评定。结果经过2m的BCI康复训练,BCI组患者在线的运动想象准确率有显著提高fP〈0．05）;治疗结束后lm随访两组患者FMA和ARAT评分较治疗前均有提高,BCI组较对照组提高更明显,有统计学差异（P〈0．05）。结论基于运动想象的BCI康复训练可增强脑卒中患者运动想象的能力,进而提高脑卒中患者上肢的运动功能。     

早期主动性康复训练对卒中偏瘫患者上肢功能恢复的疗效观察

目的观察早期主动性康复训练对卒中偏瘫患者上肢功能恢复的疗效。方法将45例卒中后7-45d的偏瘫患者,按照入院病例号单双顺序分为康复组（25例）和对照组（20例）。所有患者均接受神经内科常规药物治疗、传统物理疗法、作业治疗和理疗等治疗;另外,康复组接受早期上肢主动性康复训练和应用腕关节背伸矫形支具,对照组仍进行传统康复训练。两组训练时间为30min/次,2次/d,5d/周,治疗时间均为4个月。分别在治疗前及治疗后4个月时进行偏瘫上肢功能评分（manual function examination,MFS）和运动评定量表评分（the motor assessment scale,MAS）。康复治疗4个月后,第3、6、12个月进行随访,评价MFS和MAS。对出院后继续自我练习2个月的患者进行功能磁共振成像检查。结果治疗后4个月,康复组MFS、MAS评分较治疗前分别增加10.8±1.1和5.3±1.5,对照组增加4.4±0.4和1.9±0.8,两组增加值比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。②康复组第3、6、12个月MFS、MAS随访评分均高于对照组,两组比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）③头部功能磁共振成像显示,康复组患者患侧第一运动区和辅助运动区均有高信号显示;对照组患侧和健侧第一运动区有高信号显示,而患侧辅助运动区无高信号显示。结论早期主动性康复训练对提高上肢功能的恢复和降低上肢致残率有显著疗效。     

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs use multidisciplinary teams to optimize physical and social functioning of patients with chronic respiratory impairment. These programs provide rehabilitation in inpatient, outpatient, or home settings, using at least three sessions weekly (one may be unsupervised) for at least 6 wk. The programs usually consist of exercise training, education, and psychosocial/behavioral components. Upper extremity exercises and instruction on breathing technique are included in most rehabilitation programs and reduce dyspnea, but the contribution of these to improved functional capacity remains unproven. Decreases in the sensation of dyspnea, increased functional exercise capacity, and enhanced quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are established benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation. Evidence is lacking for the efficacy of rehabilitation for patients with non-COPD causes of pulmonary impairment, but many of these patients probably benefit. Despite the availability of strong evidence to support the efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation programs in patients with severe COPD, third-party reimbursement policies have been inconsistent. Nonetheless, enrollment in a pulmonary rehabilitation program is encouraged for all appropriate candidates with chronic respiratory impairment, particularly for those with severe COPD.     

Highlighting hybridization: a case report of virtual reality-augmented interventions to improve chronic post-stroke recovery

Rationale:Cerebrovascular accident, or stroke, is a leading cause of serious long-term disability, and incidence is expected to continue rising in the coming years. Stroke-related disability can manifest as motor, sensory, or cognitive impairment, and although current therapies can improve these impairments, many stroke patients are still left with reduced abilities and struggle to maintain independence in their daily lives. Virtual reality (VR) has been proposed as a novel therapeutic tool to treat stroke-related disability, particularly in conjunction with traditional post-stroke therapies.Patient concerns:Here, we report 1 case of a 75-year-old male with ongoing right upper extremity impairment.Diagnosis:The patient was previously diagnosed with an ischemic stroke.Interventions:Seven years post-stroke, during which he did not receive any therapies, and on the recommendation of his neurologist, the patient sought VR therapy as an innovative treatment strategy. His clinicians employed a combination of traditional exercise and VR therapy to improve his strength and mobility.Outcomes:The combination of traditional and VR therapy was able to provide meaningful improvement to his daily quality of life, even years after the stroke.Conclusions:These results suggest that combination therapy with VR is a viable tool for treating post-stroke impairment, even several years on from the cerebrovascular accident.     

改良综合康复疗法对卒中急性期中重度偏瘫患者疗效的观察

目的 探讨改良综合康复治疗对卒中急性期中重度偏瘫患者肢体康复的疗效。方法将40例卒中急性期中重度偏瘫患者按照入院病历号单双顺序,分为综合康复组21例和一般康复组19例。部分抽取传统的Bobath疗法、强制性运动疗法及运动想象疗法用于综合康复组,一般康复组接受传统的Bobath疗法。两组康复训练时间均为40min,2次/d,每周5 d,治疗时间为4周。两组分别在治疗前及治疗后4周时,进行Fugl-Meyer运动功能量表（FMA）评分和功能独立性量表（FIM）评分。结果治疗前,综合康复组和一般康复组FMA评分分别为13.8±1.9和14.2±1.4,FIM评分均为48±8;治疗后4周时,综合康复组的FMA评分（37±8）高于一般康复组（29±6）,t=3.55,P〈0.01;综合康复组FIM评分（79±8）高于一般康复组（67±8）,t=4.74,P〈0.01,差异有统计学意义。结论将传统的Bobath疗法、强制性运动疗法及运动想象疗法进行部分抽取,综合使用,较单独使用传统的Bobath疗法,对急性期中重度偏瘫患者肢体康复的疗效可能更佳。     

早期康复治疗对脑卒中患者认知功能障碍及日常生活活动能力的影响

目的探讨早期康复治疗对脑卒中患者认知功能障碍的发生及疗效,并观察对患者日常生活活动能力(ADL)作用。方法选择120例脑卒中患者,随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组60例。分别于治疗前24h及治疗4周后采用简易智能状态检查量表(MMSE)、神经功能缺损评分量表(NDS)及Barthel指数(BI)进行评定。结果治疗4周后,治疗组认知功能障碍的发生率是15.25%,对照组为40.35%,2组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与对照组比较,治疗组的MMSE[(19.58±6.68)分vs(23.58±5.32)分]、NDS[(18.20±7.39)分vs(11.58±6.28)分]和BI[(49.65±14.90)分vs(75.68±22.32)分]评分明显改善(P<0.05)。结论早期康复训练干预可减少脑卒中后认知功能障碍的发生,能改善脑卒中患者认知能力,提高ADL,促进患者神经功能康复。     

Alterations of functional connectivity in auditory and sensorimotor neural networks: A case report in a patient with cortical deafness after bilateral putaminal hemorrhagic stroke

Rationale:Cortical deafness is a rare auditory dysfunction caused by damage to brain auditory networks. The aim was to report alterations of functional connectivity in intrinsic auditory, motor, and sensory networks in a cortical deafness patient.Patient concerns:A 41-year-old woman suffered a right putaminal hemorrhage. Eight years earlier, she had suffered a left putaminal hemorrhage and had minimal sequelae. She had quadriparesis, imbalance, hypoesthesia, and complete hearing loss.Diagnoses:She was diagnosed with cortical deafness. After 6 months, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and diffuse tensor imaging (DTI) were performed. DTI revealed that the acoustic radiation was disrupted while the corticospinal tract and somatosensory track were intact using deterministic tracking methods. Furthermore, the patient showed decreased functional connectivity between auditory and sensorimotor networks.Interventions:The patient underwent in-patient stroke rehabilitation therapy for 2 months.Outcomes:Gait function and ability for activities of daily living were improved. However, complete hearing impairment persisted in 6 months after bilateral putaminal hemorrhagic stroke.Lessons:Our case report seems to suggest that functional alterations of spontaneous neuronal activity in auditory and sensorimotor networks are related to motor and sensory impairments in a patient with cortical deafness.     

50岁以上患者卒中后认知功能损害及生活质量的研究

目的 探讨54岁以上患者的卒中后认知功能损害及其对患者生活质量的影响。方法运用中文版简易智能量表（MMSE）、神经功能缺损量表（NFDS）和诺丁汉健康问卷（NHP）对318例卒中患者进行现状调查。结果①318例卒中患者中,93例有卒中后认知障碍,发生率为29．2％。②认知功能损害组93例,年龄为54～86岁,平均（66±3）岁。〈60岁患者中认知功能损害有21例,占22．6％（21／93）;≥60岁患者中有72例,占77．4％（72／93）,两者比较差异有统计学意义,u=2．32,P〈0．05。即≥60岁卒中后认知障碍患者的发生率高于〈60岁患者的发生率。③本组女性患者58例,发生率为50．4％（58／115）,男性患者35例,发生率为17．2％（35／203）,两者比较差异有统计学意义,X^2=39．085,P〈0．001,即女性发病率高于男性。④本组患者中241例有不同程度的神经功能缺损,其中93例出现认知功能损害表现,发生率为38．6％（93／241）,认知功能损害患者神经功能缺损评分（12．0±2．8）;无认知功能损害患者148例的神经功能缺损评分为（8．4±2．1）,两者比较差异有统计学意义,t=10．68,P〈0．001,即卒中后有认知功能障碍患者的NHP和NFDS评分高。⑤采用NI-IP问卷测定结果表明,认知功能损害组的老年人精力、情绪反应、社交隔离、躯体活动、嗜好、社会交往、与亲属关系均低于对照组（P〈0．01）。结论50岁以上卒中后认知功能障碍发生率较高,对患者的神经功能及生活质量有明显的影响。     

Exercise training for rehabilitation and secondary prevention of falls in geriatric patients with a history of injurious falls

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of an exercise protocol designed to improve strength, mobility, and balance and to reduce subsequent falls in geriatric patients with a history of injurious falls. DESIGN: A randomized controlled 3-month intervention trial, with an additional 3-month follow-up. SETTING: Out-patient geriatric rehabilitation unit. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-seven female geriatric patients (mean age 82 +/- 4.8 years; range 75-90) admitted to acute care or inpatient rehabilitation with a history of recurrent or injurious falls including patients with acute fall-related fracture. INTERVENTION: Ambulatory training of strength, functional performance, and balance 3 times per week for 3 months. Patients of the control group attended a placebo group 3 times a week for 3 months. Both groups received an identical physiotherapeutic treatment 2 times a week, in which strengthening and balance training were excluded. MEASUREMENTS: Strength, functional ability, motor function, psychological parameters, and fall rates were assessed by standardized protocols at the beginning (T1) and the end (T2) of intervention. Patients were followed up for 3 months after the intervention (T3). RESULTS: No training-related medical problems occurred in the study group. Forty-five patients (79%) completed all assessments after the intervention and follow-up period. Adherence was excellent in both groups (intervention 85.4 +/- 27.8% vs control 84.2 +/- 29.3%). The patients in the intervention group increased strength, functional motor performance, and balance significantly. Fall-related behavioral and emotional restrictions were reduced significantly. Improvements persisted during the 3-month follow-up with only moderate losses. For patients of the control group, no change in strength, functional performance, or emotional status could be documented during intervention and follow-up. Fall incidence was reduced nonsignificantly by 25% in the intervention group compared with the control group (RR:0.753 CI:0.455-1.245). CONCLUSIONS: Progressive resistance training and progressive functional training are safe and effective methods of increasing strength and functional performance and reducing fall-related behavioral and emotional restrictions during ambulant rehabilitation in frail, high-risk geriatric patients with a history of injurious falls.     

Cardiac Rehabilitation for Patients With Heart Failure: JACC Expert Panel

Cardiac rehabilitation is defined as a multidisciplinary program that includes exercise training, cardiac risk factor modification, psychosocial assessment, and outcomes assessment. Exercise training and other components of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are safe and beneficial and result in significant improvements in quality of life, functional capacity, exercise performance, and heart failure (HF)–related hospitalizations in patients with HF. Despite outcome benefits, cost-effectiveness, and strong practice guideline recommendations, CR remains underused. Clinicians, health care leaders, and payers should prioritize incorporating CR as part of the standard of care for patients with HF.     

Balance rehabilitation and dual-task ability in older adults

Background/PurposeRecent evidence suggests that an impaired ability to allocate attention to balance during dual-task situations is a powerful predictor of falls. Increased difficulty under dual-task conditions may result from cognitive or motor impairments or both. The extent to which interventions should be directed at cognitive or motor impairments is unclear. The goal of this study was to examine the extent to which standard balance rehabilitation improves dual-task ability.MethodsA retrospective chart review of patients without vestibular or neurological disorders who were referred to physical therapy for disequilibrium was performed. Patients were assessed initially and at discharge for balance-related confidence, gait speed, fall risk, sensory integration, and dual-task ability. Balance rehabilitation involved weekly sessions plus home training for strengthening, endurance, center of gravity control training, multisensory training and postural strategy training. Specific dual-task training was not included.ResultsAverage age was 75.8 ± 7.5 years, with 49% of participants being female. Participants improved significantly in all outcome measures, including measures of dual-task ability (p < 0.05). Percent improvement from initial to discharge assessment was significantly greater for balance confidence, fall risk and sensory integration than dual-task ability.ConclusionStandard balance rehabilitation significantly improved all measures of gait and balance, including dual-task measures; however, measures of dual-task ability did not improve to the same extent. Improvements of underlying motor impairments may not adequately address impaired dual-task ability.     

运动想象对卒中后偏瘫患者手功能康复的疗效观察

目的观察运动想象训练（镜像疗法）对卒中偏瘫患者上肢远端运动功能、痉挛和手功能恢复的影响。方法将35例卒中12个月以内的偏瘫患者,按照入院病例号单双的顺序,分为运动想象训练组（20例）和对照组（15例）。所有患者均接受传统的物理疗法、理疗、作业疗法,2～5h／d,5d／周。运动想象训练组辅助镜像疗法,对照组辅助无镜像疗法的训练（完全避开视觉的训练）,训练时间均为30min／次,2次／d,持续4周。分别在治疗前及治疗后4周时进行Brunnstrom偏瘫恢复六阶段手运动功能评定、痉挛评定（MAS）和功能独立评定（FIM）中自我照顾的评分。两组在治疗后4周和第1、3、6个月,评价Brunnstrom、MAS和FIM评分改变。对出院后继续自我练习3个月的2例患者进行功能磁共振成像检查和表面肌电图检查。结果①治疗后4周,运动想象组Brunnstorm、FIM评分分别增加0．6±0．5和3．8±1．9,对照组分别增加0．1±0．6和1．5±2．6;两组Brunnstorm增加值比较,t=2．69,P〈0．05;两组FIM增加值比较,t=3．03,P〈0．01。在痉挛方面,MAS评分运动想象训练组和对照组分别减少0．2±0．4和0．1±0．3。运动想象组治疗后MAS评分较治疗前下降（P〈0．05）,但与对照组治疗后比较,P〉0．05。②运动想象训练组在治疗后1、3、6个月,Brunnstrom和FIM评分均高于对照组,均P〈0．05。③表面肌电图检查显示,当进行腕背伸运动时,桡侧腕伸肌群活动比尺侧腕屈肌群活动明显。④头部功能磁共振成像显示,运动想象训练组患者在患侧第一运动区和辅助运动区,均有高信号显示。结论运动想象训练对提高卒中偏瘫患者手功能的恢复和降低手致残率的疗效显著,但对缓解痉挛的作用不明显。     

Value and characteristics of physical medicine and health resort medicine in advanced age]

Physical medicine and spa medicine both have the impetus of rehabilitation in common. In addition, they share the therapeutical orientation toward the performance capacity of organs and functional systems, as well as to activities of daily living, the consideration of chronobiological rules of training and adaptation, and an acknowledging of the fact that diseases and, therefore, the basics of rehabilitation are constantly changing. With increasing age the relation of therapy to function resp. rehabilitation becomes increasingly important. Gerontorehabilitation is distinguished from general rehabilitation by the following three characteristics: a) the focus on particular diseases of the elderly, for instance osteoporosis; b) the therapeutical awareness of multimorbidity with the obvious involution of the skeletal muscle mass, the labilization and generalization of vegetative reactions and the special psychosocial situation; c) the consideration of specific reactions of the organism in advanced age to additional and unexpected events (immobilization syndrome, regulative rigidity, long-term adaptation). Gerontorehabilitation has to deal with specific problems of the elderly, problems that may seem medically banal, but which may be partly either serious or at least very inconvenient, e.g., the multifactorial-caused kyphosis, motor deficiency and slowed reactions, the tendency to fall, itching or stinging extremities due to many causes, latent heart insufficiency of undetermined origin, disturbance of sleep and therefore of recreation, and impairment of higher brain functions.     

Rehabilitation of West Nile Fever (WNF) encephalitis in elderly

In the summer of 2000, an outbreak of WNF affected Israel. Thirty-two elderly patients were admitted to Meir Hospital. WNF encephalitis may result in residual functional damage. However, little information is available regarding the rehabilitation of these patients. Five elderly subjects with residual functional damage were referred to geriatric rehabilitation. Patients were treated with the routine program for neurological rehabilitation after stroke, including daily physiotherapy and occupational therapy. All five were over 77 years and independent before admission. The mean FIM score on admission was 71 (S.D. = +/-8.5) and increased to 102 (S.D. = +/-14) on discharge. MMSE on admission was 60% (S.D. = +/-7.5%), and increased to over 90% on discharge in all of the patients. Clock Completion Test was normal in four on admission, and improved to normal in the fifth patient on discharge. WNF encephalitis may present with functional and intellectual impairment in the elderly. Routine geriatric neurological rehabilitation may benefit those with prolonged functional decline.     

Intensive physical training in geriatric patients after severe falls and hip surgery

BACKGROUND: Intensive exercise training can lead to improvement in strength and functional performance in older people living at home and nursing home residents. There is little information whether intensive physical exercise may be applicable and effective in elderly patients suffering from the acute sequelae of injurious falls or hip surgery. OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of intensive, progressive physical training in rehabilitation after hip surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled intervention study of a 3-months training intervention and a 3-months' follow-up. SETTING: Physical training 6-8 weeks after hip surgery. SUBJECTS: Twenty-eight (15 intervention, 13 control) elderly patients with a history of injurious falls admitted to acute care or inpatient rehabilitation because of acute fall-related hip fracture or elective hip replacement. METHODS: Progressive resistance and functional training to improve strength and functional performance. RESULTS: No training-related medical problems occurred in the study group. Twenty-four patients (86%) completed all assessments during the intervention and follow-up period. Adherence was excellent in both groups (intervention: 93, 0+/-13, 5% versus control: 96, 7+/-6, 2%). Training significantly increased strength, functional motor performance and balance and reduced fall-related behavioural and emotional problems. Some improvements in strength persisted during 3-months follow-up while other strength variables and functional performances were lost after cessation of training. Patients in the control group showed no change in strength, functional performance and emotional state during intervention and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Progressive resistance training and progressive functional training are safe and effective methods to increase strength and functional performance during rehabilitation in patients after hip surgery and a history of injurious falls. Because part of the training improvements were lost after stopping the training, a continuing training regime should be established.