Rehabilitation of balance after stroke with multisensorial training: a single-blind randomized controlled study.

Objective: To compare 2 rehabilitation strategies to improve balance after stroke: (1) a multisensorial approach based on higher intensity of balance tasks and exercise during visual deprivation and (2) a conventional neurodevelopmentaltheory-based treatment (NDT) that used a general approach for sensorimotor rehabilitation.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel-group study measured outcomes with blinded assessors. Sixty-eight patients able to walk without human assistance were entered from 3 to 15 months (mean, 7 months) after a first hemispheric stroke.

Treatment of shoulder pain in spastic hemiplegia by reducing spasticity of the subscapular muscle: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study of botulinum toxin A.

Objective: This randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, two parallel group study was conducted to assess the beneficial effect of injection of botulinum toxin A (Dysport) into the subscapularis muscle on shoulder pain in stroke patients with spastic hemiplegia.

Methods: A single dose of botulinum toxin A (500 Speywood units) or placebo was injected into the subcapularis muscle. Pain was assessed using a 10 point verbal scale.

Subjective visual vertical perception relates to balance in acute stroke.

Objective: To determine whether misperception of the subjective visual vertical (SVV) underlies balance difficulties in hemiplegic patients.

Design: Descriptive study, using a convenience sample.

Setting: Department of physical medicine of a university hospital.

Reliance on visual information after stroke. Part II: Effectiveness of a balance rehabilitation program with visual cue deprivation after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that balance rehabilitation with visual cue deprivation improves balance more effectively than rehabilitation with free vision.

Design: Single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Public rehabilitation center in France.

Reliance on visual information after stroke. Part I: Balance on dynamic posturography.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that postural imbalance after stroke may be caused by inability to use pertinent somatosensory, vestibular, or visual information.

Design: Description of the sensory organization of patients with hemiplegia.

Setting: Public rehabilitation center in France.

Treatment of pain and limited movement of the shoulder in hemiplegic patients with botulinum toxin a in the subscapular muscle.

Three poststroke hemiplegic patients were treated by injecting Botulinum toxin A (BtxA) into the subscapularis muscle, to reduce pain and increase the range of motion in the shoulder. According to the described procedure, 250 units of Dysport toxin were injected through a 0.8-mm diameter needle with electrostimulation guidance.

Disabling overactivity of the extensor hallucis longus after stroke: clinical expression and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A.

Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics of persistent extension of the great toe related to overactivity of the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) after a stroke and to explore the efficacy of treatment with botulinum toxin type A.

Design: Case series.

Setting: A physical medicine and rehabilitation department in France.

Perception of verticality after recent cerebral hemispheric stroke.

Background And Purpose: Perception of the subjective visual vertical (SVV) is affected by cerebral hemispheric lesions. Knowledge of this disturbance is of interest for the study of its possible relation to balance disturbances. There is still uncertainty about the possible effects of a visual field defect and of the side and site of the lesion.