NeuroRehabilitation - Volume 36, issue 2

Authors: Grabherr, Luzia | Jola, Corinne | Berra, Gilberto | Theiler, Robert | Mast, Fred W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In healthy participants, beneficial effects of motor imagery training on movement execution have been shown for precision, strength, and speed. In the clinical context, it is still debated whether motor imagery provides an effective rehabilitation technique in patients with motor deficits. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of two different types of movement training: motor imagery vs. motor execution. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with hemiparesis were assigned to one of two training groups: the imagery or the execution-training group. Both groups completed a baseline test before they received six training sessions, each of …which was followed by a test session. Using a novel and precisely quantifiable test, we assessed how accurately patients performed an upper limb movement. RESULTS: Both training groups improved performance over the six test sessions but the improvement was significantly larger in the imagery group. That is, the imagery group was able to perform more precise movements than the execution group after the sixth training session while there was no difference at the beginning of the training. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide evidence for the benefit of motor imagery training in patients with hemiparesis and thus suggest the integration of cognitive training in conventional physiotherapy practice. Show more

Keywords: Mental practice, rehabilitation, physical therapy, stroke

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-151203

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 157-166, 2015

Authors: McCabe, Marita | Ebacioni, Katherine J. | Simmons, Rex | McDonald, Elizabeth | Melton, Lisa

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and can cause difficulties in a number of areas of a person’s life, including their ability to function in the community. Employment, finances, and transport are important elements to ensure continued functioning in the community and ongoing rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: This study examined satisfaction with the extent to which the above needs were addressed by service providers. METHODS: It examined the role of gender, age, and symptom severity. A total of 2721 people with MS aged 19 and 92 years …(M  = 52.10, SD  = 11.80) completed the study. RESULTS: Areas of need included information about eligibility for services from government and local councils, for financial assistance and understanding welfare and benefits. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that younger and mildly affected participants were least satisfied. Other areas of unmet need included transportation for the people more severely affected by MS and financial assistance to help people purchase mobility aids. Show more

Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis, employment, transport, equipment, community

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-151204

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 167-173, 2015

Authors: Schmidt, Julia | Fleming, Jennifer | Ownsworth, Tamara | Lannin, Natasha A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Video feedback interventions have been found to improve self-awareness and occupational performance to a greater extent than other feedback interventions after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, it is unclear whether the effects of video feedback are maintained over time. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the maintenance of gains in self-awareness achieved with a video feedback intervention in people with TBI. METHODS: There were 32 participants with TBI and impaired self-awareness who had completed a randomized controlled trial with three feedback conditions (video plus verbal, verbal and experiential). Eight to ten weeks after the …final feedback intervention session, a follow-up assessment was conducted. The primary outcome was maintenance of gains in online awareness measured by the number of errors made during a meal preparation task. Group outcomes were compared using an unstructured linear mixed regression model. RESULTS: The video plus verbal feedback group continued to demonstrate significantly greater gains in online awareness compared to the verbal feedback group (mean difference 20.6, 95% CI 8.8 to 32.3) and the experiential feedback group (mean difference 14.4, 95% CI 3.1 to 25.6). There was no significant impact of the interventions on participants’ emotional status at the 8 to 10 week follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of video plus verbal feedback is an effective technique for achieving maintained gains in self-awareness in people with TBI. Show more

Keywords: Cognition, traumatic brain injury, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, self-awareness, feedback, neuropsychology

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-151205

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 175-186, 2015

Authors: Dirette, Diane Powers

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Internal strategies are effective for improving working memory. These internal working memory strategies can be taught or self-generated. OBJECTIVE: This study compares working memory performance using taught versus self-generated internal working memory strategies and explores the quantity, type and carry-over of the use of these strategies. METHODS: An experimental cohort design with randomly assigned groups compared the performances among 120 participants on 5 memory tests given prior, immediately following and at 1 month post intervention. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the number or type of internal …memory strategies used by the groups with chunking, repetition and association used most commonly. The group that self-generated strategies performed significantly better on a contextual memory test and the group that was taught strategies performed better on a face/name recall test for which a specific strategy was taught. The group that was taught strategies performed significantly worse on contextual memory tests from pre-test to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Participants who generated their own strategies or used a specific strategy for a specific task did as well as participants who were taught myriad internal WM strategies. Teaching too many strategies may overwhelm participants or may distract them from using the context that is available in such tasks. Show more

Keywords: Cognitive rehabilitation, mnemonics, short-term memory

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-151206

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 187-194, 2015

Authors: Johansson, Birgitta | Rönnbäck, Lars

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mental fatigue is one of the most significant post-traumatic brain injury symptoms. It is currently not possible to objectively identify. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether a complex computer cognitive test with load on endurance, processing speed and attention were more demanding for participants suffering from mental fatigue after brain injury compared with a control group. METHOD: Seventy-six subjects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and 45 healthy controls were included in the study. All subjects with mTBI had been suffering from mental fatigue for six months or more. Mental fatigue was …screened using the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS). Cognitive function was measured for information processing speed and working memory, and with a novel computer test. RESULTS: The mTBI group rated MFS significantly higher than the control group. The results revealed a significantly slower information processing speed for the mTBI subjects and a poorer performance on the working memory test. The computer test revealed a less efficient performance over time for the TBI subjects compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a less efficient performance over time in complex and demanding cognitive tasks for individuals experiencing from mental fatigue after brain injury. Show more

Keywords: Mental fatigue, novel computer test, traumatic brain injury, cognitive function

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-151207

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 195-202, 2015

Authors: Norup, Anne | Perrin, Paul B. | Cuberos-Urbano, Gustavo | Anke, Audny | Andelic, Nada | Doyle, Sarah T. | Cristina Quijano, Maria | Caracuel, Alfonso | Mar, Dulce | Guadalupe Espinosa Jove, Irma | Carlos Arango-Lasprilla, Juan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore differences by country in the importance of family needs after traumatic brain injury (TBI), as well as differences in met/unmet needs. METHOD: Two hundred and seventy-one family members of an individual with TBI in Mexico, Colombia, Spain, Denmark, and Norway completed the Family Needs Questionnaire. RESULTS: Eight of the ten needs rated as most important globally were from the Health Information subscale. Importance ratings on the Health Information, Professional Support, and Involvement With Care subscales were similar across countries, but Mexican family members rated Instrumental Support …needs as less important than Colombian, Spanish, and Danish family members, and also rated their Community Support needs as less important than Danish and Spanish family members. Mexican family member’s rated emotional support needs as less important than Colombian, Spanish, and Danish family members. Globally, the needs rated as most often met were from the Health Information subscale, and the most unmet needs were from the Emotional Support subscale. CONCLUSION: Despite some similarities across countries several differences were identified, and these can help professionals to provide more culturally appropriate rehabilitation services for family members in order to improve informal care for TBI. Show more

Keywords: Traumatic brain injury, caregivers, family needs, cultural differences, global regions

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-151208

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 203-214, 2015

Authors: Leibach, Gillian G. | Perrin, Paul B. | Nicholls, Elizabeth | Leonor Olivera, Silvia | Medina Quintero, Lorena | Mauricio Velasco Trujillo, Diego | Carlos Arango-Lasprilla, Juan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To date, no research has been published on the health related quality of life (HRQOL) and mental health of children with spinal cord injury and disorders (SCI/D) in Latin America, although limited previous research in Western countries has demonstrated the debilitating and chronic nature of these conditions in children. The aim was to examine the connections between HRQOL and mental health in children with SCI/D from Neiva, Colombia. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty children (8– 17 years) were recruited from the Hospital Universatario Hernando Mocaleano Perdomo in Neiva, Colombia. Participants completed self-report measures administered verbally by trained research …staff. RESULTS: A correlation matrix generally suggested that higher HRQOL was robustly associated with better mental health. A series of multiple regressions found that HRQOL explained 50.5% of the variance in children’s depression, 31.5% of the variance in worry, and 41.9% of the variance in social anxiety. Within these regressions, emotional and social functioning were uniquely associated with depression, and emotional functioning was uniquely associated with social anxiety. CONCLUSION: This is the first published study to examine psychosocial outcomes in children with SCI/D in Latin America, and its findings suggest that future research and interventions for children with SCI/D in Colombia – and possibly in other regions of Latin America – would benefit from emphasizing emotional and social functioning. Show more

Keywords: Child SCI/D, Latin America, HRQOL, anxiety, depression

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-151209

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 215-221, 2015

Authors: Coleman, Jennifer A. | Harper, Leia A. | Perrin, Paul B. | Olabarrieta Landa, Laiene | Leonor Olivera, Silvia | Libardo Perdomo, Jose | Anselmo Arango, Jose | Carlos Arango-Lasprilla, Juan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Despite the body of research on caregivers of individuals with various types of disabilities, SCI caregivers have received comparably less attention, especially in regions like Latin America. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between HRQOL and mental health in SCI caregivers from Colombia. METHOD: A cross sectional study assessed SCI caregivers (n  = 40) in Neiva, Colombia. Participants completed a measure of their HRQOL (SF-36 Health Questionnaire) and four measures of mental health (Satisfaction With Life Scale, Zarit Burden Interview, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). RESULTS: …A canonical correlation between variables revealed that 64% of the variance was shared between mental health and HRQOL. The domains that loaded highest within the canonical correlation were social functioning, general health, and anxiety, indicating that SCI caregivers with higher anxiety experienced lower social functioning and lower general health. Furthermore, 15 of the 24 bivariate correlations between mental health and HRQOL were statistically significant, suggesting a strong connection between these two sets of variables. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation professionals in Latin America should consider the development of caregiver interventions focusing on both physical and mental health, as the two constructs are closely connected through social functioning, general health, and anxiety. Show more

Keywords: Spinal cord injuries, Latin America, mental health, HRQOL, caregivers

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-151210

Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 223-232, 2015