Heterogeneous Diffusion Metrics Patterns in Delayed Encephalopathy After Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A Case Report.

Delayed encephalopathy (DE) following acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is characterized by a wide range of neurological symptoms, including akinetic mutism, cognitive impairment, and gait disturbances. Herein, we reported the case of a 61-year-old patient with DE after acute CO poisoning, who displayed heterogeneous patterns of cortical and subcortical structural integrity on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Four distinct patterns of diffusion tensor metrics (fractional anisotropy [FA] and mean diffusivity [MD]) were observed in the patient compared to age-matched controls (a decrease in FA and an increase in MD, a decrease in FA only, an increase in MD only, and an increase in FA and MD).

Compensatory Hyperactivity of the Ipsilesional Red Nucleus in a Patient With Somatosensory Cortex Damage: A Case Report.

This case study describes a patient who experienced motor recovery and involuntary movements following damage to the right primary somatosensory cortex caused by an intracranial hemorrhage. The patient initially suffered from paralysis in her left arm and leg, but exhibited significant motor recovery later, accompanied by multiple episodes of ballistic movement during the recovery process. A diffusion tensor imaging analysis was performed to investigate changes in sensorimotor-related brain areas in the patient.

Pharyngeal Structure and Dysphagia in Patients with Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders.

Pharyngeal muscle changes occur in patients with Parkinson's disease and related disorders (PRD); however, the association between the structural alterations in the pharynx and the symptoms of dysphagia remains unclear. We assessed structural changes and contractile forces by measuring pharyngeal wall thickness and width. We aimed to define the pharyngeal measurements and determine their value as diagnostic tools for dysphagia.

Continuous theta-burst stimulation over the left posterior inferior frontal gyrus induced compensatory plasticity in the language network.

Introduction: Continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) has been used as an effective tool in inducing inhibitory aftereffect within a short time periods in the motor cortex; this has been demonstrated in the language network to a limited degree with controversial effect. In this study, we aimed to delineate the offline effect of cTBS-induced changes to the left posterior inferior frontal gyrus (pIFG) in healthy subjects using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Methods: Twenty healthy, normal subjects (mean age: 30.

Correlations between COMT polymorphism and brain structure and cognition in elderly subjects: An observational study.

The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has been noted to play an important role in individual variations in the aging process. We investigated whether COMT polymorphism could influence cognition related to white matter networks. More specifically, we examined whether methionine (Met) allele loading is associated with better individual cognitive performance.

The influence of pharyngeal width on post-stroke laryngeal aspiration.

Background: Laryngeal penetration, which is a less serious form of aspiration, should be considered in patients with stroke to ensure early detection of risk of laryngeal aspiration and prevention of pneumonia.

Objective: As a follow-up to a previous study that demonstrated the association of pharyngeal width to laryngeal aspiration, the present study sought to determine whether the pharyngeal width was related to not only laryngeal aspiration but also laryngeal penetration in patients with deglutition disorder following stroke.

Methods: The pharyngeal width on the roentgenogram was measured and compared based on the severity of aspiration.

An Exploration of the Neural Network of Lance-Adams Syndrome: a Case Report.

Lance-Adams syndrome (LAS) is a rare neurological disorder that may occur after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The LAS is usually caused by hypoxic changes. Neuroimaging studies show that the brain pathology of LAS patients is not uniform, and the pathophysiology of the myoclonus can vary from patient to patient.

Non-Powered automatic velocity-controlled wheeled walker improves gait and satisfaction in patients with hip fracture when walking downhill: A cross-over study.

Background: A standard four-wheeled walker is commonly used after surgery for hip fracture to aid ambulation. However, elderly patients experience some difficulties and are at risk for falls; therefore, attempts are being made to address these issues.

Research Question: Does the non-powered automatic velocity-controlled (NPAVEC) wheeled walker improves the gait and satisfaction of patients with hip fractures when walking downhill using it?

Methods: In this cross-over study, 21 participants performed three trials of walking downhill with two walkers (an NPAVEC wheeled walker and a standard four-wheeled walker) at a self-selected speed.

Changes in Pharyngeal Width Over Time as an Indicator of Dysphagia in Stroke Patients.

Objective: To verify the pharyngeal width at rest as a measurement that could be used to assess changes in the degree of dysphagia over time in stroke patients.

Methods: In a cohort of stroke patients, we performed serial measurements of the pharyngeal width at the midpoints of the second (C2) and third (C3) cervical vertebral bodies using lateral neck X-rays while the patients were at rest. The JOSCYL width, a parameter named after the first initial of each developers' surname and defined as the average value of the upper and lower pharyngeal widths, was used to formulate the JOSCYL scale, which was calculated as the JOSCYL width × 100/neck circumference.

Predictive Value of Pharyngeal Width at Rest (JOSCYL Width) for Aspiration in Elderly People.

Objective: To develop a new tool for aspiration risk prediction based on pharyngeal width at rest in older adults with symptoms of aspiration.

Methods: Lateral cervical spine roentgenograms were obtained from 33 older adult patients who complained of dysphagia and from 33 healthy, age-matched controls. Pharyngeal width at rest was measured at two points.

Pharyngeal width and aspiration after stroke.

It is important to assess aspiration in stroke patients. The aim of this study was to develop a new additional tool to predict aspiration based on the pharyngeal width at rest in stroke patients with aspiration symptoms. The pharyngeal width was measured at the middle level of the second and third cervical vertebral bodies using a lateral neck roentgenogram in stroke patients and healthy controls.

Global Synchronization Index as an Indicator for Tracking Cognitive Function Changes in a Traumatic Brain Injury Patient: A Case Report.

Traumatic brain injury is a main cause of long-term neurological disability, and many patients suffer from cognitive impairment for a lengthy period. Cognitive impairment is a fatal malady to that limits active rehabilitation, and functional recovery in patients with traumatic brain injury. In severe cases, it is impossible to assess cognitive function precisely, and severe cognitive impairment makes it difficult to establish a rehabilitation plan, as well as evaluate the course of rehabilitation.

Changes in Diffusion Metrics of the Red Nucleus in Chronic Stroke Patients With Severe Corticospinal Tract Injury: A Preliminary Study.

Objective: To explore plastic changes in the red nucleus (RN) of stroke patients with severe corticospinal tract (CST) injury as a compensatory mechanism for recovery of hand function.

Methods: The moderate group (MG) comprised 5 patients with synergistic hand grasp movement combined with limited extension, and the severe group (SG) included 5 patients with synergistic hand grasp movement alone. The control group (CG) included 5 healthy subjects.

Effect of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Versus Intra-articular Injections of Hyaluronic Acid for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the effects and outcomes of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Of the 78 patients recruited for the study, 61 patients met the inclusion criteria. The enrolled patients were randomly divided into two groups: the ESWT group and the HA group.

Correction: Effectiveness of Lower Energy Density Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in the Early Stage of Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head.

[This corrects the article on p. 871 in vol. 40, PMID: 27847717.

Correction: Risk Factors for Delirium During Acute and Subacute States of Various Disorders in Patients Admitted to Rehabilitation Units.

[This corrects the article on p. 1082 in vol. 40, PMID: 28119839.

Risk Factors for Delirium During Acute and Subacute Stages of Various Disorders in Patients Admitted to Rehabilitation Units.

Objective: To assess the risk factors for delirium in patients admitted to a rehabilitation unit for acute or subacute neurological or musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 537 patients admitted to a rehabilitation unit and selected 398 patients in the acute or subacute stage of various neurological or musculoskeletal disorders. Among them, patients who had suffered from delirium were categorized into the delirium group (n=65), and the other patients were categorized into the non-delirium group (n=333).

Effectiveness of Lower Energy Density Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in the Early Stage of Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of lower energy flux density (EFD) extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in the early stage of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head.

Methods: Nineteen patients and 30 hips were enrolled. All subjects received 4 weekly sessions of ESWT, at different energy levels; group A (n=15; 1,000 shocks/session, EFD per shock 0.

Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Over Trunk Motor Spot on Balance Function in Stroke Patients.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on balance function in patients with chronic stroke.

Methods: Thirty participants with chronic stroke were enrolled in this study. High frequency (10 Hz) rTMS was delivered with butterfly-coil on trunk motor spot.

Enhancement of motor coordination by applying high frequency repetitive TMS on the sensory cortex.

The sensory function plays an important role for successful motor performance. We investigated the modulating effects of high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on sensory discrimination and motor coordination. Twenty healthy participants were assigned into two random groups; the real- and sham-rTMS group.

The Dose-Related Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis.

Objective: To investigate the dose-related effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: Seventy-five subjects were recruited, 60 of which met the inclusion criteria. The patients were randomly classified into two groups: group L, which was a low-energy group (n=30; 1,000 shocks/session; energy flux density [EFD], 0.

Novel information on anatomic factors causing grasp reflex in frontal lobe infarction: a case report.

We report a patient with a severe limitation of function in the right hand resulting from grasp reflex following a stroke affecting the left anterior cerebral artery region. We describe, using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT), a disconnection between the bilateral frontal lobes via the corpus callosum. The patient could not control his right hand at all, even though his bilateral corticospinal tracts were intact.

Effects of atrial fibrillation on the outcome of the rehabilitation in patients with cerebral infarction.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of atrial fibrillation (Af) on the clinical characteristics and rehabilitation outcomes of patients with cerebral infarction.

Methods: We evaluated 87 of 101 consecutive patients with cerebral infarction admitted to the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation during their rehabilitation period. The patients were divided into two groups, Af and non-Af groups.