Outcomes With Multidisciplinary Cardiac Rehabilitation in Post-acute Systolic Heart Failure Patients-A Retrospective Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended for patients with acute heart failure (HF). However, the results of outcome studies and meta-analyses on CR in post-acute care are varied. We aimed to assess the medium- to long-term impact of CR and ascertain the predictors of successful CR.

Electromyographic study assessing swallowing function in subacute stroke patients with respiratory muscle weakness.

Background: Dysphagia has been reported to be associated with the descent of the hyolaryngeal complex. Further, suprahyoid muscles play a greater role than infrahyoid muscles in elevation of the hyolarngeal complex. Respiratory muscle training (RMT) can improve lung function, and expiratory muscle strength training can facilitate elevation of the hyoid bone and increase the motor unit recruitment of submental muscles during normal swallowing.

Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training on Baroreflex Sensitivity, Respiratory Function, and Serum Oxidative Stress in Acute Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

Background: respiratory complications are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). We examined the effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) in patients with acute cervical SCI.

Methods: this prospective trial enrolled 44 adults with acute cervical SCI, of which twenty received RMT and twenty-four did not receive RMT.

The Interrelationship between Ventilatory Inefficiency and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Terms of Cardiovascular Outcomes in Heart Failure Outpatients.

The relationship between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cardiovascular (CV) outcome is documented in patients with low LVEF. Ventilatory inefficiency is an important prognostic predictor. We hypothesized that the presence of ventilatory inefficiency influences the prognostic predictability of LVEF in heart failure (HF) outpatients.

Respiratory muscle training in stroke patients with respiratory muscle weakness, dysphagia, and dysarthria - a prospective randomized trial.

Objective: To examine the efficacy of combined inspiratory and expiratory respiratory muscle training (RMT) with respect to the swallowing function, pulmonary function, functional performance, and dysarthria in patients with stroke.

Design: Prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Tertiary hospital.

Spino-pelvic alignment, balance, and functional disability in patients with low-grade degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Objective: To evaluate the relationships among spino-pelvic parameters, trunk balance and functional disability in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Design:  Cross-sectional study.

Subjects: Forty-five patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and 32 patients without degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.

The long-term effects of hyaluronic acid on hemiplegic shoulder pain and injury in stroke patients: A randomized controlled study.

Background: Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) is one common complication after stroke. The interferes with the functionality of the affected shoulder in patients with stroke during rehabilitation. Hyaluronic acid (HA) could have positive effects on pain relief and shoulder motion in stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulders.

Effectiveness of ultrasound-guided vs direct approach corticosteroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of ultrasound-guided vs direct approach corticosteroid injection in patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled study. Wrists affected by carpal tunnel syndrome were randomized to the ultrasound-guided (n = 22 wrists) or direct approach injection group (n = 17 wrists) before receiving 1 ml Betamethasone.

The effects of hyaluronic acid on hemiplegic shoulder injury and pain in patients with subacute stroke: A randomized controlled pilot study.

Background: Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) is one of the most common comorbidities in stroke patients with flaccid shoulders. The pain limits functional motor recovery and affects the activities of daily living after acute stroke. This study investigated the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) injection on pain reduction and motor function in subacute stroke patients with HSP and injury.

Preliminary investigation of cardiopulmonary function in stroke patients with stable heart failure and exertional dyspnea.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, perceived dyspnea, degree of fatigue, and activity of daily living with motor function and neurological status in stroke patients with stable congestive heart failure (CHF).This was a cohort study in a tertiary care medical center. Stroke patients with CHF and exertional dyspnea (New York Heart Association class I-III) were recruited.

Inspiratory muscle training in stroke patients with congestive heart failure: A CONSORT-compliant prospective randomized single-blind controlled trial.

Background: Cardiopulmonary function can be adversely affected after a cerebrovascular accident in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) for stroke patients with CHF.

Methods: A prospective randomized single-blind controlled trial was conducted in a single tertiary medical center in southern Taiwan between May 2011 and July 2015.

A Bayesian network meta-analysis: Comparing the clinical effectiveness of local corticosteroid injections using different treatment strategies for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Background: Local corticosteroid injections are commonly used to improve the short-term symptomatic severity and the functional status of the hands affected by carpal tunnel syndrome. We conducted a systematic review and Bayesian network-meta-analysis to compare the clinical effectiveness of local corticosteroid injections using different injection approaches.

Methods: Electronic literature in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and other sources were searched to identify clinical studies comparing different injection approaches with each other or placebo for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Bilateral Diaphragmatic Paralysis in a Patient With Critical Illness Polyneuropathy: A Case Report.

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis (BDP) manifests as respiratory muscle weakness, and its association with critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) was rarely reported. Here, we present a patient with BDP related to CIP, who successfully avoided tracheostomy after diagnosis and management.A 71-year-old male presented with acute respiratory failure after sepsis adequately treated.

Predictors for changes in various developmental outcomes of children with cerebral palsy--a longitudinal study.

We aimed to identify predictors for the changes of various developmental outcomes in preschool children with cerebral palsy (CP). Participants were 78 children (49 boys, 29 girls) with CP (mean age: 3 years, 8 months; SD: 1 year, 7 months; range: 1 year to 5 years, 6 months). We examined eight potential predictors: age, sex, CP subtype, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, selective motor control, Modified Ashworth Scale, and the spinal alignment (SA) and range of motion subscales of the Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measure (SAROMM).

Static and dynamic balance performance in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.

Objective: Patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) have postural changes and increased risk of falling. The aim of this study is to compare balance characteristics between patients with OVCF and healthy control subjects.

Methods: Patients with severe OVCF and control subjects underwent computerised dynamic posturography (CDP) in this case-control study.

Relationship between the head deviation angle and hemineglect in patients with right hemisphere stroke.

Background: Patients with hemineglect have been reported to have abnormal head posture. We attempted to determine the extent to which the angles are correlated with the severity of hemineglect.

Methods: In a prospective, single-center, cross-sectional study on 40 patients with single right hemisphere stroke, we evaluated left hemineglect severity using the line bisection and line cancellation tests.

Sonography and physical findings in stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulders: a longitudinal study.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between hemiplegic shoulder pain factors during the acute and chronic stages of stroke recovery.

Design: A prospective longitudinal study.

Subjects: Seventy-six stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulders.

Muscle strength enhancement following home-based virtual cycling training in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.

This study is the first well-designed randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of a novel home-based virtual cycling training (hVCT) program for improving muscle strength in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Twenty-eight ambulatory children with spastic CP aged 6-12 years were randomly assigned to an hVCT group (n=13) or a control group (n=15). Outcome measures, including gross motor function of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP) and muscle strength (isokinetic torque of knee extensor and flexor muscle), were administered before and immediately after the 12-week intervention.

Inspiratory muscle training in bronchiectasis patients: a prospective randomized controlled study.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and feasibility of home-based inspiratory muscle training in patients with bronchiectasis.

Design: A prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled study.

Setting: Outpatient clinic of a tertiary care medical centre.

Developmental profiles of preschool children with spastic diplegic and quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder of movement and posture control with multiple impairments. The clinical manifestations of CP vary among children. The aim of this study was to compare the developmental profiles of preschool children with either of two types of CP: spastic diplegic (SD) CP and spastic quadriplegic (SQ) CP.

Comparison between hospital-based and community-based services for the special health care needs of children with developmental delays.

Background: Recognizing special health care needs (SHCN) is obligatory for children with developmental delay (DD). The purpose of this study was to compare hospital-based and community-based services for the SHCN of children with DD.

Methods: We collected 114 children with DD.

Effects of Knight-Taylor brace on balance performance in osteoporotic patients with vertebral compression fracture.

Objective: To assess the changes in static and dynamic balance and movement strategies in patients with severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture while wearing and not wearing the Knight-Taylor (K-T) spinal brace.

Subjects: 47 patients with severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture, which was confirmed on radiographs and with bone density measurements obtained by dual energy X-ray absorption.

Intervention: Patients were randomly subjected to computerized dynamic posturography, which contained sensory organization tests, motor control balance test at 75% limit of stability (LOS) in 8 movement directions, and left/right rhythmic weight shift test (L/R RWS), while wearing and not wearing the K-T spinal brace, respectively.

Comparison of the static and dynamic balance performance in young, middle-aged, and elderly healthy people.

Background: Body sway increases with age. The purpose of this study was to obtain baseline data and the characteristics of balance performance in different age groups for balance strategy management.

Methods: Healthy individuals (n = 107) were divided into young, middle-aged, and elderly groups, and assessed by computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) on a Smart Balance Master.