The Significance of an Initial Controlling Nutritional Status Score in Predicting the Functional Outcome, Complications, and Mortality in a First-Ever Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Nutritional status can influence the outcomes and mortality of various diseases. The association between initial nutritional status and ischemic stroke outcomes, however, remains poorly understood. This study investigated whether the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score at admission could predict functional recovery, complications, and survival following an ischemic stroke.

Feasibility of Simultaneous Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation During Gait Training in Chronic Stroke Patients: A Randomized Double-Blind Pilot Clinical Trial.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a therapeutic tool for improving post-stroke gait disturbances, with ongoing research focusing on specific protocols for its application. We evaluated the feasibility of a rehabilitation protocol that combines tDCS with conventional gait training.

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, single-center pilot clinical trial.

Triiodothyronine levels in athyreotic pediatric patients during levothyroxine therapy.

Objective: Levothyroxine (LT) monotherapy is the current recommended approach for treating pediatric patients post-total thyroidectomy (TT) based on the assumption that peripheral conversion of thyroxine (T) to triiodothyronine (T) normalizes thyroid hormone levels. In adults, approximately 15% of post-TT patients on LT4 monotherapy have altered T:T ratios with ongoing debate in regard to the clinical impact with respect to health-related quality of life (hrQOL). The ability to normalize T and T levels on LT monotherapy for pediatric patients' post-TT is important but not previously described.

Gene Expression of Neurogenesis Related to Exercise Intensity in a Cerebral Infarction Rat Model.

Regular exercise improves several functions, including cognition, in patients with stroke. However, the effect of regular exercise on neurogenesis related to cognition remains doubtful. We investigated the most effective exercise intensity for functional recovery after stroke using RNA sequencing following regular treadmill exercise.

The Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Cognition in Diffuse Axonal Injury in a Rat Model.

Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) following sudden acceleration and deceleration can lead to cognitive function decline. Various treatments have been proposed. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive stimulation technique, is a potential treatment for enhancing neuroplasticity in cases of brain injury.

Overground Gait Training With a Wearable Robot in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common developmental motor disorder in children. Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) using a wearable robot can provide intensive overground walking experience.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of overground RAGT in children with CP using an untethered, torque-assisted, wearable exoskeletal robot.

Association between Height and Functional Outcomes of Patients 6 Months after a Stroke: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Many physical factors influence post-stroke functional outcomes. However, few studies have examined the influence of height on these outcomes. Here, data from the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation were used and patients' height was categorized into three groups: short (lower 25%), middle (middle 50%), and tall (upper 25%).

Exploring height outcomes with adjuvant aromatase inhibition in growth hormone-deficient male survivors of childhood cancer.

Background: Aromatase inhibitors (AI) may improve height in short stature conditions; however, the effect in childhood cancer survivors (CCS) is unknown. We assessed final adult height (FAH) in CCS treated with AI and GH compared with those treated with GH alone.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of GH-deficient male CCS treated between 2007 and 2023.

Sleep apnea patients with epiglottic collapse elevate their larynx more with swallowing; videofluoroscopic swallowing study of 80 patients.

Objective: The epiglottis plays an integral role in the swallowing mechanism and is also implicated as an obstruction site in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The underlying causes of epiglottic collapse during sleep remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the cognitive functions using the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) and the neurophysiological and anatomical factors using videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS).

Predictors of Burden for First-Ever Stroke Survivor's Long-Term Caregivers: A Study of KOSCO.

Long-term changes in caregiver burden should be clarified considering that extended post-stroke disability can increase caregiver stress. We assessed long-term changes in caregiver burden severity and its predictors. This study was a retrospective analysis of the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation.

Joubert syndrome presenting bilateral peroneal neuropathies: A case report.

Rationale: Joubert syndrome (JS) is a rare genetic disorder that presents with various neurological symptoms, primarily involving central nervous system dysfunction. Considering the etiology of JS, peripheral nervous system abnormalities cannot be excluded; however, cases of JS accompanied by peripheral nervous system abnormalities have not yet been reported. Distinct radiological findings on brain magnetic resonance imaging were considered essential for the diagnosis of JS.

Intrathecal Baclofen Injection Efficacy for Spasticity Management in Patients With Stroke: A Meta-Analysis.

Although intrathecal baclofen injections have been used for spasticity management regarding stroke, spinal cord injury, and central nervous system diseases, their relative efficacy is controversial. This systematic review scoured 3 multinational electronic databases (Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and Embase) to isolate relevant studies. We analyzed non-randomized studies and randomized control trials (RCTs) with direct comparisons against other spasticity management interventions for adult stroke patients.

Long-Term Functional Outcome in Patients With Isolated Thalamic Stroke: The KOSCO Study.

Background: Information on the long-term prognosis in patients with isolated thalamic stroke is sparse. We report the functional outcomes of patients with thalamic stroke up to 24 months from the KOSCO (Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation) study.

Methods And Results: Isolated thalamic stroke was defined as the presence of lesions solely in the thalamus, excluding cases with lesions in other brain parenchyma areas apart from the thalamus, as identified by brain magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scans.

Update of Rehabilitation in Huntington's Disease: Narrative Review.

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease that has motor dysfunction, predominantly chorea, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric disturbances as symptoms. Treatment is directed to reduce the severity of symptoms, although there are few studies and no clinical guidelines for rehabilitation in HD. Therefore, this review aimed to establish an effective rehabilitation approach for HD according to the stage of the disease.

Incidence of Altered Level of Consciousness in Hemorrhagic Stroke Survivors: Associated Factors From a Korean Nationwide Study.

Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the incidence of altered level of consciousness after hemorrhagic stroke and identify factors associated with altered level of consciousness at 3 mos after stroke.

Design: This study used data from a prospective multicenter cohort study conducted in nine hospitals in Korea and included 1677 patients with first-ever hemorrhagic stroke. Patients were dichotomized into those with and without altered level of consciousness at 3 mos after stroke.

Medical service utilization by children with physical or brain disabilities in South Korea.

Background: Children with physical or brain disabilities experience several functional impairments and declining health complications that must be considered for adequate medical support. This study investigated the current medical service utilization of children expressing physical or brain disabilities in South Korea by analyzing medical visits, expenses, and comorbidities.

Methods: We used a database linked to the National Rehabilitation Center of South Korea to extract information on medical services utilized by children with physical or brain disabilities, the number of children with a disability, medical visits for each child, medical expenses per visit, total medical treatment cost, copayments by age group, condition severity, and disability type.

Predictors of quality of life at 6 months in patients with mild stroke: A prospective observational cohort study.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the factors affecting the long-term quality of life of patients with mild stroke and evaluate the differences according to age and sex.

Materials And Methods: The Korean Stroke Cohort for functioning and rehabilitation data was used, and patients with mild stroke with a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score of < 5 were included. Quality of life after 6 months was analyzed using EuroQol-5 dimensions.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Stroke Rehabilitation in Korea-Part 1: Rehabilitation for Motor Function (2022).

This clinical practice guideline (CPG) is the fourth edition of the Korean guideline for stroke rehabilitation, which was last updated in 2016. The development approach has been changed from a consensus-based approach to an evidence-based approach using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) method. This change ensures that the guidelines are based on the latest and strongest evidence available.

Early Neurodevelopmental Assessments of Neonates Discharged From the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Physiatrist's Perspective.

The survival rate of children admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after birth is on the increase; hence, proper evaluation and care of their neurodevelopment has become an important issue. Neurodevelopmental assessments of individual domains regarding motor, language, cognition, and sensory perception are crucial in planning prompt interventions for neonates requiring immediate support and rehabilitation treatment. These assessments are essential for identifying areas of weakness and designing targeted interventions to improve future functional outcomes and the quality of lives for both the infants and their families.

Orthostatic tremor after knee contusion without head trauma: A rare case report.

Orthostatic tremor (OT) is an uncommon progressive movement disorder that involves a leg tremor when standing or weight bearing. Additionally, OT can accompany other medical or neurodegenerative disorders. In this article, we report an unusual case of OT after trauma in an 18-year-old male patient whose symptoms of OT have been resolved after a multimodal therapeutic approach, including botulinum toxin injection.

Clustering and prediction of long-term functional recovery patterns in first-time stroke patients.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to cluster long-term multifaceted functional recovery patterns and to establish prediction models for functional outcome in first-time stroke patients using unsupervised machine learning.

Methods: This study is an interim analysis of the dataset from the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation (KOSCO), a long-term, prospective, multicenter cohort study of first-time stroke patients. The KOSCO screened 10,636 first-time stroke patients admitted to nine representative hospitals in Korea during a three-year recruitment period, and 7,858 patients agreed to enroll.

Gender differences in mortality and long-term functional outcomes after first-ever ischemic stroke: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Although many studies about survival rates and functional outcomes after stroke have been published, studies on gender differences have reported conflicting results.

Aims: To determine whether there are differences in mortality and functional outcomes during the first 5 years after a first-ever ischemic stroke in Korean males and females.

Method: This is an interim analysis of the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation, a prospective multicenter cohort study.

Contributing Factors to the Burden on Primary Family Caregivers of Stroke Survivors in South Korea.

The purpose of this study is to identify the factors associated with the burden on primary family caregivers of stroke patients at home without care services. For this study, the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation (KOSCO) data were used. Of the total 8010 caregivers, 1133 family caregiver burden was assessed with the shortened Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) 3 months after stroke.

Regulation of Genes Related to Cognition after tDCS in an Intermittent Hypoxic Brain Injury Rat Model.

Background: Hypoxic brain injury is a condition caused by restricted oxygen supply to the brain. Several studies have reported cognitive decline, particularly in spatial memory, after exposure to intermittent hypoxia (IH). However, the effect and mechanism of action of IH exposure on cognition have not been evaluated by analyzing gene expression after transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).