Radiation therapy in patients with implanted deep brain stimulation.

Background: As deep brain stimulation (DBS) and radiation therapy (RT) have become established treatments for movement disorders and malignancies respectively, patients being treated with both simultaneously are becoming more frequent.

Objectives: Literature regarding the safety of RT in patients with implanted DBS is scarce, and there are no clear guidelines on how to manage them.

Methods: We present a follow-up of two Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients with DBS undergoing RT in the context of previous literature.

Prevalence and predictors of post-stroke spasticity and its impact on daily living and quality of life.

Background And Aims: The present study aimed to assess the frequency of spasticity in a single-centre cohort of stroke patients in a one-year follow-up, its predictors, and its impact on the activities of daily living (ADL) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Material And Methods: A group of 121 consecutive patients with hemiparesis (aged 73 ± 11 years) was selected for further observation, out of 381 Stroke Department patients during one year. At three follow-up assessments three, six and 12 months after stroke, muscle tone and muscle weakness were rated using Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Medical Research Council (MRC); Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) were evaluated using the Barthel Index (BI), Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and an SF-36 questionnaire.