Validation of the Spanish version of DYsphagia in MUltiple Sclerosis questionnaire (DYMUS).

Background: Dysphagia is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis that can occur even early in the disease course and can lead to serious complications. Early recognition and treatment can promote comfort, safety and optimal nutritional status. Few dysphagia rating scales are available in Spanish.

Prevalence of medication and off-label medication use in acquired brain injury at a neurorehabilitation hospital.

Purpose: Patients who suffer acquired brain injury (ABI) require a great variety of drugs. Furthermore, the lack of evidence on the medication effects in this type of patient increases off-label prescription. The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of medication use and the practice of prescribing off-label drugs in these patients.

Neurorehabilitation strategies for poststroke oropharyngeal dysphagia: from compensation to the recovery of swallowing function.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is very prevalent among poststroke patients, causing severe complications but lacking specific neurorehabilitation treatment. This review covers advances in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and physiologically based neurorehabilitation strategies for poststroke OD. The pathophysiology of oropharyngeal biomechanics can be assessed by videofluoroscopy, as delayed laryngeal vestibule closure is closely associated with aspiration.

How does dysautonomia influence the outcome of traumatic brain injured patients admitted in a neurorehabilitation unit?

Background: Patients surviving severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) may suffer from symptoms presumed to be related to an excessive sympathetic production known as paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH). While this condition is more common in the acute phase, prognosis is less clear in rehabilitation settings.

Aim: The goal of this study is to describe the functional status of patients with PSH admitted in a rehabilitation hospital and to determine its prognostic influence during rehabilitation.

[Treatment of oropharyngeal dysphagia with neuromuscular electrostimulaiton].

Background And Objective: Oropharyngeal dysphagia is highly prevalent in stroke patients, with a high mortality and morbidity. Neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) is a new and potentially useful therapy. We assessed the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of NMES in the treatment of oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with stroke.

Resolution of tracheal aspiration after the acute phase of stroke-related oropharyngeal Dysphagia.

Objectives: We set out to ascertain the evolution and the clinical and videofluoroscopic (VFS) prognostic factors of aspiration recovery and return to oral intake in patients with stroke and VFS diagnosis of tracheal aspiration.

Methods: Twenty patients with stroke and VFS diagnosis of tracheal aspiration were prospectively evaluated. Clinical evaluation of oropharyngeal dysphagia and VFS examination were performed at admission and repeated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up.

Long-lasting effect of a single botulinum toxin injection in the treatment of oropharyngeal dysphagia secondary to upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction: a pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin (BTX-A) injection in the cricopharyngeus muscle in patients with neurological dysphagia caused by alteration in the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening and with preserved pharyngeal contraction.

Material And Methods: A prospective pilot study was undertaken in 10 patients (7 brain lesions and 3 cervical spinal cord injuries), with a minimum time-lapse of 6 months from neurological lesion to BTX-A injection. Dysfunction of the UES opening and the presence of pharyngeal contraction were diagnosed by videofluoroscopy (VDF) and esophageal manometry (EM).

Prospective evaluation of oro-pharyngeal dysphagia after severe traumatic brain injury.

Primary Objective: To evaluate clinical, videofluoroscopic findings and clinical evolution of neurogenic dysphagia and to establish the prognostic factors.

Research Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods And Procedures: Forty-eight patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and clinically-suspected oro-pharyngeal dysphagia were studied.

[Bowel dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury: relation with neurological patterns].

Background And Objective: The study consisted of a clinical evaluation of bowel dysfunction and the relation with neurological patterns in spinal cord injury (SCI).

Patients And Method: 109 patients; 30% tetraplegics and 70% paraplegics; ASIA Impairment Scale: 65% A (complete), 12% B (sensitive incomplete), 11% C (motor incomplete with muscle grade <3), 13% D (motor incomplete with muscle grade >or= 3). 83% had spinal sacral reflexes (SSR).