Effects of combining two techniques of non-invasive brain stimulation in subacute stroke patients: a pilot study.

Background: Strokes have recently become a leading cause of disability among Thai people. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) seems to give promising results in stroke recovery when combined with standard rehabilitation programs.

Objective: To evaluate the combined effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the non-lesional primary motor cortex on upper limb motor recovery in patients with subacute stroke.

Effectiveness of Receptive Music Therapy with Imbedded 10 Hz Binaural Beats Compared with Standard Care for Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of music therapy (MT) with imbedded 10 Hz binaural beats in combination with standard treatment in comparison to standard treatment alone in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial enrolling 18 MDD adult patients aged ≥20 years old with mild to moderate levels of acute phase depression. The intervention group received MT along with standard treatment, while the control group received only standard treatment.

Prognostic Factors of Functional Outcome Assessed by Using the Modified Rankin Scale in Subacute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Most stroke survivors spent their lifetime with disability which not only affects the clients themselves and the family but also brings economic cost to the country. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study aimed to identify independent prognostic determinants associated with functional recovery in ischemic stroke within 6 months after onset.

Methods: Data from all first-onset ischemic stroke patients admitted to the acute stroke unit of the tertiary, university hospital were reviewed for 5 years consecutively.

Preliminary study: comparative effects of lung volume therapy between slow and fast deep-breathing techniques on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, oxidative stress, cytokines, 6-minute walking distance, and quality of life in persons with COPD.

Background: Lung volume therapy with the Voldyne device can improve lung volume and has a nonsignificant benefit on respiratory muscle strength via the slow deep-breathing technique (SDBT); whereas respiratory muscle training with a respiratory muscle trainer via the fast deep-breathing technique (FDBT) has produced a significant improvement in people with COPD. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of lung volume therapy with the Voldyne device with the SDBT and FDBT on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, oxidative stress, cytokines, walking capacity, and quality of life (QoL) in people with COPD.

Methods: A total of 30 COPD patient volunteers with mild (stage I) to moderate (stage II) severity were randomized into two groups: SDBT (n=15) and FDBT (n=15).

Prognostic Factors of Functional Recovery from Left Hemispheric Stroke.

Although lateralization of the brain affects some specialized cortical functions, there are still limited data to address its influence on clinically important outcomes. This study aimed to reveal the prognostic variables that relate to functional recovery in stroke patients with a left-sided hemispheric lesion during 6 months of follow-up. Data from 167 left-sided and 183 right-sided hemispheric strokes were reviewed retrospectively.

Effects of a simple prototype respiratory muscle trainer on respiratory muscle strength, quality of life and dyspnea, and oxidative stress in COPD patients: a preliminary study.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of a simple prototype device for training respiratory muscles in lung function, respiratory muscle strength, walking capacity, quality of life (QOL), dyspnea, and oxidative stress in patients with COPD.

Methods: Thirty COPD patients with moderate severity of the disease were randomized into three groups: control (n=10, 6 males and 4 females), standard training (n=10, 4 males and 6 females), and prototype device (n=10, 5 males and 5 females). Respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure [PImax] and maximal expiratory pressure [PEmax]), lung function (forced vital capacity [FVC], percentage of FVC, forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV], percentage of FEV [FEV%], and FEV/FVC), 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), QOL, and oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity [TAC]), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) were evaluated before and after 6 weeks of training.

Short-Term Pulmonary Rehabilitation for a Female Patient with Chronic Scleroderma under a Single-Case Research Design.

Although previously proposed that chronic scleroderma should be cared for clinically and early rehabilitation should be performed in hospital by a chest physical therapist, little evidence is currently available on its benefits. Therefore, this study demonstrated the benefits of short-term pulmonary rehabilitation during hospitalization in a female patient with chronic scleroderma. The aim of rehabilitation was to improve ventilation and gas exchange by using airway clearance, chest mobilization, and breathing-relearning techniques, including strengthening the respiratory system and the muscles of the limbs by using the BreathMax device and elastic bands.

Effects of manual percussion during postural drainage on lung volumes and metabolic status in healthy subjects.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of manual percussion during three different positions of postural drainage (PD) on lung volumes and metabolic status.

Methods: Twenty six healthy volunteers (13 women and 13 men), with a mean age of 20.15 ± 1.

N-acetylcysteine supplementation controls total antioxidant capacity, creatine kinase, lactate, and tumor necrotic factor-alpha against oxidative stress induced by graded exercise in sedentary men.

Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of short-term (7 days) N-acetylcysteine (NAC) at 1,200 mg daily supplementation on muscle fatigue, maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lactate, creatine kinase (CK), and tumor necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-α). Twenty-nine sedentary men (13 controls; 16 in the supplement group) from a randomized control were included. At before and after supplementation, fatigue index (FI) was evaluated in the quadriceps muscle, and performed a graded exercise treadmill test to induce oxidative stress, and as a measure of VO(2max).

Thai Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire.

Objective: To validate the Thai Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (Th-SFMPQ).

Material And Method: A postal survey to find the most corresponding terms to those used in the original English short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire had been performed The Thai version was created and validated. Sixty patients who had either musculoskeletal or neuropathic pain were assessed by two interviewers with this Th-SFMPQ.

Botulinum toxin type A injections for treating neurogenic detrusor overactivity combined with low-compliance bladder in patients with spinal cord lesions.

Objective: To evaluate botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) for treating neurogenic detrusor overactivity in patients with spinal cord lesions, including those with abnormally low bladder compliance.

Design: Nonrandomized, before-after trial (9-mo follow-up).

Setting: Hospitalized care.