Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience - Volume 39, issue 1

Authors: Pila, Ophélie | Koeppel, Typhaine | Grosmaire, Anne-Gaëlle | Duret, Christophe

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Upper-limb robot-mediated therapy is usually carried out in active-assisted mode because it enables performance of many movements. However, assistance may reduce the patient’s own efforts which could limit motor recovery. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of active-assisted and active-unassisted robotic interactions on motor recovery in subacute stroke patients with moderate hemiparesis. Methods: Fourteen patients underwent a 6-week combined upper limb program of usual therapy and robotic therapy using either the active-unassisted (n  = 8) or active-assisted (n  = 6) modes. In the active-assisted group, assistance was only provided for the first …3 weeks (1st period) and was then switched off for the remaining 3 weeks (2nd period). The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) was carried out pre- and post-treatment. The mean number of movements performed and the mean working distance during the 1st and 2nd periods were compared between groups. Results: FMA score improved post-treatment in both groups with no between-group differences: active-assisted group: +8±6 pts vs active-unassisted group: +10±6 pts (ns). Between the 1st and 2nd periods, there was a statistical trend towards an improvement in the number of movements performed (p  = 0.06) in the active-unassisted group (526±253 to 783±434, p  = 0.06) but not in the active-assisted group (882±211 to 880±297, ns). Another trend of improvement was found for the working distance in the active-unassisted group (8.7±4.5 to 9.9±4.7, p  = 0.09) but not in the active-assisted group (14.0±0 to 13.5±1.1, ns). Conclusions: The superiority of the non-assistive over assistive robotic modes has not been demonstrated. However, the non-assistive mode did not appear to reduce motor recovery in this population, despite the performance of fewer movements on shorter working distance compared with the group who had assistance. It seems that the requirement of effort could be a determinant factor for recovery in neurorehabilitation however further well-design studies are needed to fully understand this phenomenon. Show more

Keywords: Robot-mediated therapy, active-unassisted mode, upper limb, stroke.

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-201010

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 1-7, 2021

Authors: Meeuwsen, Kyle D. | Groeneveld, Kayleah M. | Walker, Linda A. | Mennenga, Anna M. | Tittle, Rachel K. | White, Elyse K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: The three-month, multi-domain Memory Boot Camp program incorporates z-score neurofeedback (NFB), heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback, and one-on-one coaching to teach memory skills and encourage behavior change in diet, sleep, physical fitness, and stress reduction. Objective: This prospective trial evaluates the Memory Boot Camp program for adults ages 55 to 85 with symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and subjective memory complaints. Methods: Participants were evaluated via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), NeuroTrax Global Cognitive Score, measures of anxiety, depression, sleep, quality of life, quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG), and HRV parameters at four timepoints: baseline, pre-program, …post-program, and follow-up. The trial included a three-month waiting period between baseline and pre-program, such that each participant acted as their own control, and follow-up took place six months after completion of the program. Results: Participants’ MoCA scores and self-reported measures of anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life improved after treatment, and these changes were maintained at follow-up. Physiological changes in HRV parameters after treatment were not significant, however, breathing rate and QEEG parameters were improved at post-program and maintained at follow-up. Finally, participants’ improvement in MoCA score over the treatment period was correlated with their improvement in two brain oscillation parameters targeted by the z-score NFB protocol: relative power of delta and relative power of theta. Conclusions: Trial results suggest that the Memory Boot Camp program is a promising treatment strategy for older adults with symptoms of MCI and subjective memory complaints. Show more

Keywords: Z-score neurofeedback, heart rate variability biofeedback, QEEG, mild cognitive impairment, memory

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-201053

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 9-37, 2021

Authors: Liu, Xiuye | Yang, Lijuan | Wang, Li | Guo, Qiongmei

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article has been retracted, and the online PDF has been watermarked “RETRACTED”. A retraction notice is available at DOI: 10.3233/RNN-239001 .

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-201073

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 39-44, 2021

Authors: Battaglini, Luca | Oletto, Carolina Maria | Contemori, Giulio | Barollo, Michele | Ciavarelli, Ambra | Casco, Clara

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Several visual functions are impaired in patients with oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) associated to albinistic bilateral amblyopia (ABA). Objective: In this study, we aimed at exploring whether perceptual learning (PL) can improve visual functions in albinism. Method: Six patients and six normal sighted controls, were trained in a contrast detection task with lateral masking. Participants were asked to choose which of the two intervals contained a foveally presented low-contrast Gabor patch. Targets were presented between higher contrast collinear flankers with equal spatial frequency. When increasing target-to-flanker distance, lateral interactions effect normally switches from inhibition to facilitation, …up to no effect. Results: Our findings showed that before PL, only controls showed facilitation. After PL, results suggest that facilitatory lateral interactions are found both in controls as well as in albino patients. These results suggest that PL could induce higher processing efficiency at early cortical level. Moreover, PL positive effect seems to transfer to higher-level visual functions, but results were not very consistent among tasks (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity function, hyperacuity and foveal crowding). Conclusions: Although a small sample size was tested, our findings suggest a rehabilitative potential of PL in improving visual functions in albinism. Show more

Keywords: Albinism, amblyopia, oculocutaneous albinism, perceptual learning

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-201043

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 45-59, 2021

Authors: Mouthon, Anne-Laure | Meyer-Heim, Andreas | Huber, Reto | Van Hedel, Hubertus J.A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: After acquired brain injury (ABI), patients show various neurological impairments and outcome is difficult to predict. Identifying biomarkers of recovery could provide prognostic information about a patient’s neural potential for recovery and improve our understanding of neural reorganization. In healthy subjects, sleep slow wave activity (SWA, EEG spectral power 1–4.5 Hz) has been linked to neuroplastic processes such as learning and brain maturation. Therefore, we suggest that SWA might be a suitable measure to investigate neural reorganization underlying memory recovery. Objectives: In the present study, we used SWA to investigate neural correlates of recovery of function in ten …paediatric patients with ABI (age range 7–15 years). Methods: We recorded high-density EEG (128 electrodes) during sleep at the beginning and end of rehabilitation. We used sleep EEG data of 52 typically developing children to calculate age-normalized values for individual patients. In patients, we also assessed every-day life memory impairment at the beginning and end of rehabilitation. Results: In the course of rehabilitation, memory recovery was paralleled by longitudinal changes in SWA over posterior parietal brain areas. SWA over left prefrontal and occipital brain areas at the beginning of rehabilitation predicted memory recovery. Conclusions: We show that longitudinal sleep-EEG measurements are feasible in the clinical setting. While posterior parietal and prefrontal brain areas are known to belong to the memory “core network”, occipital brain areas have never been related to memory. While we have to remain cautious in interpreting preliminary findings, we suggest that SWA is a promising measure to investigate neural reorganization. Show more

Keywords: EEG, sleep, longitudinal changes, neural reorganization, biomarkers

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-201140

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 61-71, 2021

Authors: Song, Jianqiang | Du, Guoliang | Wu, Haiyun | Gao, Xiangliang | Yang, Zhen | Liu, Bin | Cui, Shukun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article has been retracted, and the online PDF has been watermarked “RETRACTED”. A retraction notice is available at DOI: 10.3233/RNN-239001 .

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-201119

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 73-84, 2021