Enriched music-supported therapy for individuals with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Many stroke survivors still present with upper-limb paresis six months post-stroke, impacting their autonomy and quality of life (QoL). We designed an enriched Music-supported Therapy (eMST) program to reduce disability in this population. We evaluated the eMST's effectiveness in improving functional abilities and QoL in chronic stroke individuals compared to the conventional motor program Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP).

Therapeutic approach to dysphagia in post-COVID patients in a rehabilitation unit: a descriptive longitudinal study.

Background: A high rate of hospitalized patients for COVID-19 had dysphagia, frequently underdiagnosed, and not treated, inducing a prolonged dysphagia with protracted recovery. Specific treatments and protocols have not been well described yet.

Aim: Given the potential benefits of respiratory muscle training (IEMT) and neuromuscular stimulation (NMES) in dysphagia treatment, this study aimed to assess the feasibility of the protocol used for treating dysphagia in patients who experienced prolonged hospitalization for COVID-19.

The presence of anhedonia in individuals with subacute and chronic stroke: an exploratory cohort study.

Background: Anhedonia refers to the diminished capacity to experience pleasure. It has been described both as a symptom of depression and an enduring behavioral trait that contributes its development. Specifically, in stroke patients, anhedonia has been closely linked to depression, resulting in reduced sensitivity to everyday pleasures and intrinsic motivation to engage in rehabilitation programs and maintain a healthy active lifestyle.

Evaluating the effect of exercise-based interventions on functioning in people with transdiagnostic depressive symptoms: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Background: Depressive symptoms are associated with various conditions and can exacerbate the outcome of somatic diseases. Transdiagnostic symptom-based approaches provide treatment flexibility, and exercise has demonstrated benefits beyond clinical symptoms. This work aimed to synthesise and establish the effects of exercise-based interventions on global functioning and quality of life in adults with transdiagnostic depressive symptoms, as well as their impact on clinical symptoms.

The effect of a motor relearning on balance and postural control in patients after stroke: An open-label randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Balance and postural control impairments are common in stroke patients, increasing fall risk and limiting their daily and social activities. Current research lacks comprehensive studies evaluating the efficacy and long-term effects of task-specific training on balance and postural control among stroke patients, especially when considering biomechanical and posturographic assessments.

Patients And Methods: A randomized controlled trial included 63 subacute stroke patients recruited from the outpatient rehabilitation department.

Accuracy of the volume-viscosity swallow test for clinical screening of dysphagia in post COVID-19 patients.

Background & Aims: Up to 30% of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 had oropharyngeal dysphagia, particularly those in the ICU. Many cases remained underdiagnosed due to difficulties in conducting instrumental evaluations during the pandemic. Consequently, screening tests were mandatory during this period.

Intensive Rehabilitation Program in Older Adults with Stroke: Therapy Content and Feasibility-Preliminary Results from the BRAIN-CONNECTS Study.

The main objective was to assess the feasibility of an intensive rehabilitation program (IRP) for stroke patients; and secondly, to detect eventual age-related differences in content, duration, tolerability, and safety in a prospective observational cohort of patients diagnosed with subacute stroke, admitted to inpatient rehabilitation (BRAIN-CONNECTS project). Activities during physical, occupational and speech therapy, and time dedicated to each one were recorded. Forty-five subjects (63.

Dysphagia in hospitalized patients: Prevalence, related factors and impact on aspiration pneumonia and mortality.

Background: Oropharyngeal dysphagia can be highly concerning in hospitalized patients, increasing morbidity and mortality, making its early identification essential. We aimed to characterize dysphagia and its association with aspiration pneumonia and mortality in a tertiary hospital in Barcelona, Spain.

Methods: Using data from all hospital discharges during the period 2018-2021, we identified the characteristics of patients with dysphagia and their distribution among hospital departments through the minimum data set, which codifies patients' diagnoses according to the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10).

The effect of motor relearning on balance, mobility and performance of activities of daily living among post-stroke patients: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Balance and gait impairments are the most common motor deficits due to stroke, limiting the patients' daily life activities and participation in society. Studies investigating effect of task-specific training using biomechanical balance and gait variables (i.e.

Intensive rehabilitation programme for patients with subacute stroke in an inpatient rehabilitation facility: describing a protocol of a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Rehabilitation is recognised as a cornerstone of multidisciplinary stroke care. Intensity of therapy is related to functional recovery although there is high variability on the amount of time and techniques applied in therapy sessions. There is a need to better describe stroke rehabilitation protocols to develop a better understanding of current practice increasing the internal validity and generalisation of clinical trial results.

Designing an app for home-based enriched Music-supported Therapy in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic stroke: a pilot feasibility study.

Objective: After completing formal stroke rehabilitation programs, most patients do not achieve full upper limb motor function recovery. Music-supported Therapy (MST) can improve motor functionality post stroke through musical training. We designed a home-based enriched Music-supported Therapy (eMST) program to provide patients with chronic stroke the opportunity of continuing rehabilitation by themselves.

Improving Depressive Symptoms through Personalised Exercise and Activation (IDEA): Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial.

Individuals who suffer from depressive symptoms experience a substantial impact on psychosocial functioning, physical health, mortality, and quality of life. In the search for therapeutic strategies, exercise has been found to play a relevant part in its treatment. However, the promotion of exercise entails adherence difficulties that arose out of the tendency towards sedentarism led by symptomatology.

Sarcopenia, Malnutrition, and Cachexia: Adapting Definitions and Terminology of Nutritional Disorders in Older People with Cancer.

The recent publication of the revised Consensus on definition and diagnosis of sarcopenia (EWGSOP2) and the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria changed the approach to research on sarcopenia and malnutrition. Whilst sarcopenia is a nutrition-related disease, malnutrition and cachexia are nutritional disorders sharing the common feature of low fat-free mass. However, they have differential characteristics and etiologies, as well as specific therapeutic approaches.

Malnutrition According to GLIM Criteria Is Associated with Mortality and Hospitalizations in Rehabilitation Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Malnutrition has a negative impact on patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD). The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of malnutrition, defined by the Global Leadership Initiative for Malnutrition (GLIM), in stable COPD patients referred to pulmonary rehabilitation, and to explore potential associations of malnutrition according to GLIM, and its components, with increased risk of mortality and hospitalizations in 2 years. In a post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort of 200 rehabilitation patients with stable COPD, main outcome variables were hospital admissions, length of stay, and mortality during a 2-year follow-up.

Enriched Music-supported Therapy for chronic stroke patients: a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Residual motor deficits of the upper limb in patients with chronic stroke are common and have a negative impact on autonomy, participation and quality of life. Music-Supported Therapy (MST) is an effective intervention to enhance motor and cognitive function, emotional well-being and quality of life in chronic stroke patients. We have adapted the original MST training protocol to a home-based intervention, which incorporates increased training intensity and variability, group sessions, and optimisation of learning to promote autonomy and motivation.

Cerebral infarct site and affected vascular territory as factors in breathing weakness in patients with subacute stroke.

Objective: A better understanding of factors influencing breathing weakness in stroke survivors would help in planning rehabilitation therapies. The main objective of this study was to determine whether the location of cerebral infarct is associated with breathing weakness in patients with subacute stroke.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort.

Is peak expiratory flow an accurate sarcopenia screening tool in older patients referred to respiratory rehabilitation?

Purpose: To assess the performance of peak expiratory flow (PEF) for sarcopenia screening in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), using the revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP-2) criteria as the reference standard in pulmonary rehabilitation patients; and second, to study the factors associated with low PEF in this population.

Methods: Diagnostic accuracy study conducted in consecutive community-dwelling COPD rehabilitation patients. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, likelihood ratios, predictive values, and area under the Receiver-Operating Characteristic curve were retrospectively calculated for PEF (index test) and compared with EWGSOP-2 criteria (reference standard).

Potential benefits of music playing in stroke upper limb motor rehabilitation.

Music-based interventions have emerged as a promising tool in stroke motor rehabilitation as they integrate most of the principles of motor training and multimodal stimulation. This paper aims to review the use of music in the rehabilitation of upper extremity motor function after stroke. First, we review the evidence supporting current music-based interventions including Music-supported Therapy, Music glove, group music therapy, Rhythm- and music-based intervention, and Musical sonification.

Enriching footsteps sounds in gait rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients: a pilot study.

In the context of neurorehabilitation, sound is being increasingly applied for facilitating sensorimotor learning. In this study, we aimed to test the potential value of auditory stimulation for improving gait in chronic stroke patients by inducing alterations of the frequency spectra of walking sounds via a sound system that selectively amplifies and equalizes the signal in order to produce distorted auditory feedback. Twenty-two patients with lower extremity paresis were exposed to real-time alterations of their footstep sounds while walking.

A critical time window for recovery extends beyond one-year post-stroke.

The impact of rehabilitation on post-stroke motor recovery and its dependency on the patient's chronicity remain unclear. The field has widely accepted the notion of a proportional recovery rule with a "critical window for recovery" within the first 3-6 mo poststroke. This hypothesis justifies the general cessation of physical therapy at chronic stages.

Malnutrition according to ESPEN consensus predicts hospitalizations and long-term mortality in rehabilitation patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Nutritional disorders are frequent in patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) and have negative health impacts. This study aimed to explore the value of the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) definition of malnutrition (and/or its individual components) to predict hospitalizations and mortality at 2 years, and to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in COPD patients referred to pulmonary rehabilitation.

Methods: The study was a prospective analysis of 118 patients with COPD free of exacerbations and/or hospital admissions in the previous two months.

Music-supported therapy in the rehabilitation of subacute stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial.

The effect of music-supported therapy (MST) as a tool to restore hemiparesis of the upper extremity after a stroke has not been appropriately contrasted with conventional therapy. The aim of this trial was to test the effectiveness of adding MST to a standard rehabilitation program in subacute stroke patients. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in which patients were randomized to MST or conventional therapy in addition to the rehabilitation program.