Characteristics of Acute Stroke Patients Readmitted to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities: A Cohort Study.

Background: Reducing acute care readmissions from inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) is a healthcare reform goal. Stroke patients have higher acute readmission rates and persistent impairments, warranting second IRF hospitalization consideration.

Objective: To provide evidence-based information to justify IRF readmission for patients with post-stroke impairments.

Randomized Clinical Trial of Near Visual Performance with Digital Devices Using Spherical and Toric Contact Lenses.

Significance: Visual demands today incorporate a significant amount of time using digital devices. Results of this randomized crossover study of spherical and toric contact lenses demonstrated that participants were able to read smaller print size more comfortably and preferred toric contact lenses when using digital devices.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess how toric contact lens correction affects subjective and objective outcomes of astigmatic patients using real-world digital devices.

Use of a Smartphone-Based Mobile App for Weight Management in Obese Minority Stroke Survivors: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial With Open Blinded End Point.

Background: Minorities have an increased incidence of early-onset, obesity-related cerebrovascular disease. Unfortunately, effective weight management in this vulnerable population has significant barriers.

Objective: Our objective was to determine the feasibility and preliminary treatment effects of a smartphone-based weight loss intervention versus food journals to monitor dietary patterns in minority stroke patients.

Cluster Enrollment: A Screening Tool for Stroke Risk Factors in Minority Women Caregivers.

Background And Purpose: Women minorities have an overall increased lifetime incidence of cerebrovascular disease. The provision of risk factor modification in this group can prove difficult. In a population-based study, we used cluster enrollment to identify vascular risk factors in the female caregivers of stroke survivor study participants.

The Reticulospinal Pathway Does Not Increase Its Contribution to the Strength of Contralesional Muscles in Stroke Survivors as Compared to Ipsilesional Side or Healthy Controls.

Objective: Startling acoustic stimulation (SAS), via activation of reticulospinal (RS) pathways, has shown to increase muscle strength in healthy subjects. We hypothesized that, given RS hyperexcitability in stroke survivors, SAS could increase muscle strength in stroke survivors. The objective was to quantify the effect of SAS on maximal and sub-maximal voluntary elbow flexion on the contralesional (impaired) side in stroke survivors as compared to ipsilesional (non-impaired) side and healthy controls.

Re-evaluation of EMG-torque relation in chronic stroke using linear electrode array EMG recordings.

The objective was to re-evaluate the controversial reports of EMG-torque relation between impaired and non-impaired sides using linear electrode array EMG recordings. Ten subjects with chronic stroke performed a series of submaximal isometric elbow flexion tasks. A 20-channel linear array was used to record surface EMG of the biceps brachii muscles from both impaired and non-impaired sides.

Correlation of Resting Elbow Angle with Spasticity in Chronic Stroke Survivors.

Objective: To evaluate whether resting joint angle is indicative of severity of spasticity of the elbow flexors in chronic stroke survivors.

Methods: Seventeen hemiparetic stroke subjects (male: n = 13; female: n = 4; age: 37-89 years; 11 right and 6 left hemiplegia; averaged 54.8 months after stroke, ranging 12-107 months) participated in the study.

Activation deficit correlates with weakness in chronic stroke: evidence from evoked and voluntary EMG recordings.

Objective: To use evoked (M-wave) and voluntary (during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)) EMG recordings to estimate the voluntary activation level in chronic stroke.

Methods: Nine chronic hemiparetic stroke subjects participated in the experiment. M-wave (EMGM-wave) and MVC (EMGMVC) EMG values of the biceps brachii muscles were recorded.