Sensory-motor training with virtual reality as a complementary intervention to manual therapy for persistent non-specific neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Persistent non-specific neck pain (NP) is a widespread condition described as a complex biopsychosocial disorder, characterized by physical and psychological symptoms. Virtual reality (VR) shows promise in NP treatment, potentially reducing pain, kinesiophobia, and improving range of motion (ROM) and motor control.

Aim: The primary aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of VR sensorimotor training, combined with manual therapy, in reducing the level of disability in persistent non-specific NP individuals.

SARCOPENIA IS A FREQUENT DISEASE IN SARS-COV-2 INFECTION.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the clinical symptoms and specific care requirements of SARS-CoV-2 patients who were admitted to a COVID-19 Rehabilitation Unit while still infectious for SARS-CoV-2 and in the subacute phase of the disease.

Methods: Patients admitted to our COVID-19 Rehabilitation Unit from March 2020 to December 2020 were evaluated for sarcopenia, and they also completed the following assessments: functional independence measure, short physical performance battery and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Age and body mass index and symptoms of dysosmia or dysgeusia were also recorded.

Nerve Compression Injuries After Prolonged Prone Position Ventilation in Patients With SARS-CoV-2: A Case Series.

Background: Prone positioning improves oxygenation in adult respiratory distress syndrome. This procedure has been widely used during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. However, this procedure can also be responsible for nerve damage and plexopathy.

Lung Ultrasound in COVID-19 A Role Beyond the Acute Phase?

Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. With the increasing number of improved and discharged patients with COVID-19, the definition of an adequate follow-up strategy is needed. The purpose of this study was to assess whether lung ultrasound (LUS) is an effective indicator of subclinical residual lung damage in patients with COVID-19 who meet discharge criteria.

Rehabilitative of COVID-19 patients with acute lower extremity Ischemia and amputation.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and rehabilitation management of patients who undergo amputation for COVID-19-associated coagulopathy.

Methods: Clinical and laboratory data for 3 patients were analysed and their rehabilitative management discussed.

Results: The medical records of 3 patients who had undergone amputation due to acute lower extremity ischaemia and who were provided with rehabilitation in our COVID-19 unit were reviewed.

COVID-19 rehabilitation units are twice as expensive as regular rehabilitation units.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant motor, cognitive, psychological, neurological and cardiological disabilities in many infected patients. Functional rehabilitation of infectious COVID-19 patients has been implemented in the acute care wards and in appropriate, ad hoc, multidisciplinary COVID-19 rehabilitation units. However, because COVID-19 rehabilitation units are a clinical novelty, clinical and organizational benchmarks are not yet available.

Role of Rehabilitation Department for Adult Individuals With COVID-19: The Experience of the San Raffaele Hospital of Milan.

The rapid evolution of the health emergency linked to the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 requires specifications for the rehabilitative management of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The symptomatic evolution of patients with COVID-19 is characterized by 2 phases: an acute phase in which respiratory symptoms prevail and a postacute phase in which patients can show symptoms related to prolonged immobilization, to previous and current respiratory dysfunctions, and to cognitive and emotional disorders. Thus, there is the need for specialized rehabilitative care for these patients.

Combined effects of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation and transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation on robot-assisted gait training in patients with chronic brain stroke: A pilot, single blind, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Preliminary evidence showed additional effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the damaged cerebral hemisphere combined with cathodal transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation during robot-assisted gait training in chronic stroke patients. This is consistent with the neural organization of locomotion involving cortical and spinal control. The cerebellum is crucial for locomotor control, in particular for avoidance of obstacles, and adaptation to novel conditions during walking.

Is spasticity always the same? An observational study comparing the features of spastic equinus foot in patients with chronic stroke and multiple sclerosis.

Spasticity is common in stroke and multiple sclerosis. To treat spasticity we have a wide range of interventions, whose application may depend not only on the severity of spasticity but also on its etiology. Consequently, a better understanding of muscle spasticity in different neurological diseases may inform clinicians as to the more appropriate therapeutic approach.

Does myofascial and trigger point treatment reduce pain and analgesic intake in patients undergoing onabotulinumtoxinA injection due to chronic intractable migraine?

Background: Chronic migraine is a disabling disorder associated with myofascial and trigger point disorders in the neck. Pharmacological management is the first line of treatment; however, rehabilitation procedures aimed at lessening symptoms of myofascial and trigger point disorders may add value in the management of headache symptoms.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of myofascial and trigger point treatment in chronic migraine patients receiving prophylactic treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA.

Influence of physician empathy on the outcome of botulinum toxin treatment for upper limb spasticity in patients with chronic stroke: A cohort study.

Objective: To examine the relationship between patient-rated physician empathy and outcome of botulinum toxin treatment for post-stroke upper limb spasticity.

Design: Cohort study.

Subjects: Twenty chronic stroke patients with upper limb spasticity.

Combined effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) on robot-assisted gait training in patients with chronic stroke: A pilot, double blind, randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Preliminary evidence has shown no additional effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on robotic gait training in chronic stroke, probably due to the neural organization of locomotion involving cortical and spinal control. Our aim was to compare the combined effects of tDCS and transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) on robotic gait training in chronic stroke.

Methods: Thirty chronic stroke patients received ten 20-minute robot-assisted gait training sessions, five days a week, for 2 consecutive weeks combined with anodal tDCS + sham tsDCS (group 1; n = 10) or sham tDCS + cathodal tsDCS (group 2; n = 10) or tDCS + cathodal tsDCS (group 3; n = 10).

In situ Raman and in situ XRD analysis of PdO reduction and Pd° oxidation supported on γ-Al2O3 catalyst under different atmospheres.

Reduction of Pd° and decomposition of palladium oxide supported on γ-alumina were studied at atmospheric pressure under different atmospheres (H(2), CH(4), He) over a 4 wt% Pd/Al(2)O(3) catalyst (mean palladium particle size: 5 nm with 50% of small particles of size below 5 nm). During temperature programmed tests (reduction, decomposition and oxidation) the crystal domain behaviour of the PdO/Pd° phase was evaluated by in situ Raman spectroscopy and in situ XRD analysis. Under H(2)/N(2), the reduction of small PdO particles (<5 nm) occurs at room temperature, whereas reduction of larger particles (>5 nm) starts at 100 °C and is achieved at 150 °C.

Surgical treatment of orbital cavernomas: clinical and functional outcome in a series of 20 patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of surgical treatment of orbital cavernomas in terms of clinical and functional results.

Methods: Twenty consecutive patients underwent surgical removal of a unilateral orbital cavernoma between 1999 and 2009. Indications for surgical treatment were: visual impairment, diplopia due to ocular movement impairment, progressive and disfiguring unilateral proptosis, severe retroorbital pain clearly related to the orbital cavernoma.

Evaluation of hearing function after Gamma Knife surgery of vestibular schwannomas.

Object: Due to technological advances in neuroradiology in recent years, incidental diagnoses of vestibular schwannomas (VSs) have increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hearing function after treatment with Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) for VSs in patients adequately selected with "good" or "useful" hearing before treatment and to assess the possible predictive factors for hearing function preservation.

Methods: Of all patients treated in the authors' hospital between 2001 and 2007, they retrospectively studied 50 patients with a unilateral VS in whom there was serviceable hearing (Gardner-Robertson [GR] Class I or II).