NeuroRehabilitation - Volume 44, issue 3

Authors: Combs-Miller, Stephanie A. | Moore, Elizabeth S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Exercise may modify disease progression in persons with Parkinson disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this longitudinal cohort study was to determine factors that predict motor, activity, and participation-based outcomes over two years in exercisers with PD. METHODS: A convenience sample with idiopathic PD was included in the analysis [n  = 74; mean age 66.7(8.4) years; male 54%; median months post diagnosis 69.0(76.0), median Hoehn and Yahr score 1.0(2.0)]. Exercise behaviors (minutes of exercise/week, peak rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and mode of exercise) and outcomes of impairment [grip strength], activity [10-meter walk test, functional reach …test, activity specific balance confidence scale] and participation [Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39] were assessed at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. RESULTS: Using generalized estimating equations at least one exercise behavior was a significant predictor across most of the models (p ≤0.026), with higher RPE predicting better outcomes in all activity and participation domains. Younger age, male gender and lower disease severity also significantly predicted better outcomes over time (p ≤0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise behaviors contributed to activity and participation-based outcomes over two years in exercisers with PD. Participation in high-intensity exercise programs may enhance maintenance of health and function over time in individuals with PD. Show more

Keywords: Parkinson disease, exercise, intensity, boxing, participation

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-182641

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 425-432, 2019

Authors: Fernández-Lago, Helena | Bello, Olalla | Salgado, Antía Vidal | Fernandez-del-Olmo, Miguel

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The use of the treadmill as a gait rehabilitation tool has provided novel options for treatment of gait impairments in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). However, the neural mechanisms underlying these therapeutic effects in PD remain unknown and whether any therapeutic effects from treadmill training can be reproduced on overground walking. OBJECTIVE: To examine the immediate short-term effects of a single session of treadmill and overground walking on gait, spinal and corticospinal parameters in PD. METHODS PD participants (N = 15) were evaluated in two separate sessions under two walking conditions: walking over a treadmill and walking overground. Overground …walking performance, the Soleus H-reflex, Reciprocal Ia-Inhibition, Intracortical Facilitation (ICF) and Short Intracortical Inhibition (SICI), were evaluated before and after each condition. RESULTS: Gait speed and stride length improved in post-treadmill compared with pre-treadmill. No significant changes in these gait parameters were found for the pre vs. post-overground condition. ICF values and Hmax/Mmax ratio decreased after, compared with before, the two walking conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Treadmill walking, but not overground walking, lead to an improvement in the stride length and gait speed in the PD patients without evidence of different modulation on spinal and corticospinal parameters. Show more

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, rehabilitation, gait, transcranial magnetic stimulation, H-reflex

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-182638

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 433-443, 2019

Authors: Mascialino, Guido | Gromisch, Elizabeth S. | Zemon, Vance | Foley, Frederick W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: While there is evidence of differences in the disease characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) across ethnic and racial groups, there has been limited research on cognitive functioning. OBJECTIVE: To explore potential differences among Caucasian (CA), African-American (AA), and Hispanic (HA) adults from a clinical sample on the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS). METHODS: A total of 245 age- and disease duration-matched individuals (194 CA, 23 AA, and 28 HA) were included in the analyses. Their rates of impairment, using the criterion of two standard deviations (SD) below the normative mean, on the …MACFIMS were compared using chi-square analyses with post-hoc pairwise comparisons (Bonferroni adjusted). RESULTS: Compared to CA, AA had higher rates of impairment on measures of complex attention (p  < 0.001) and executive functions (p  < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings raise questions of whether the observed differences reflect the more aggressive disease course noted among AA or are due to discrepancies in performance on neuropsychological assessment that is associated with race/ethnicity in the general population. Future directions and implications are discussed. Show more

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, MACFIMS, cognitive dysfunction, ethnicity

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-182654

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 445-449, 2019

Authors: Ladera, Valentina | Perea, M. Victoria | García, Ricardo | Prieto, Gerardo | Delgado, Ana R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to provide normative data for the 5 Objects Test in a large Spanish community sample, as well as some validity evidence. METHODS: The sample was composed of 427 participants (of which 220 females, age 15 to 95 years old; educational level range: 2–17 years). Normative data are provided, as well as correlations with test scores from Benton Visual Retention test, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure and Mini Mental State Examination. RESULTS: No association was found between delayed recall score and level of education, age or gender. Immediate recall score was correlated …with age. Both immediate and delayed recall significantly correlated with the criteria, evidencing concurrent validity. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that the 5 Objects Test be used for assessing persons in primary care, including those from different linguistic backgrounds or with limited language use. Delayed recall scores are especially recommended given the lack of association with demographic variables. Show more

Keywords: 5 Objects test, delayed recall, immediate recall, normative study, visuospatial memory

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-182579

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 451-456, 2019

Authors: Knapp, Peter

Article Type: Other

Abstract:  The aim of this commentary is to discuss in a rehabilitation perspective the published Cochrane Review “Interventions for treating anxiety after stroke” by Knapp, Campbell Burton, Holmes, Murray, Gillespie, Lightbody, Watkins, Chun, & Lewis1 , under the direct supervision of the Cochrane Stroke Group. This Cochrane Corner is produced in agreement with NeuroRehabilitation by Cochrane Rehabilitation.

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-189006

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 457-458, 2019