Robot-mediated impairment-oriented and task-specific training on upper limb post stroke: feasibility and preliminary effects on physical function and quality of life.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and safety of conducting robot-mediated impairment training (RMIT) and robot-mediated task-specific training (RMTT). The device deployed is the Optimo Regen (OR), capable of delivering both impairment-oriented training and task-specific training.

Methods: This was a single-centre, randomized, single-blinded, two-arm, parallel group, controlled trial.

INPATIENT REHABILITATION AND FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF A CASE OF ANTI-SRP IMMUNE-MEDIATED NECROTIZING MYOPATHY.

Objective: Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy associated with anti-signal recognition particle antibodies is a rare and debilitating condition characterized by significant muscle weakness and resultant disability. Although there are existing recommendations for physical therapy and exercise for patients with myositis in current literature, effective rehabilitation guidelines for such patients have not been fully established.

Case Report: A 42-year-old woman presented with subacute onset proximal upper and lower limb weakness and dysphagia.

Use of large language model-based chatbots in managing the rehabilitation concerns and education needs of outpatient stroke survivors and caregivers.

Background: The utility of large language model-based (LLM) artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots in many aspects of healthcare is becoming apparent though their ability to address patient concerns remains unknown. We sought to evaluate the performance of two well-known, freely-accessible chatbots, ChatGPT and Google Bard, in responding to common questions about stroke rehabilitation posed by patients and their caregivers.

Methods: We collected questions from outpatients and their caregivers through a survey, categorised them by theme, and created representative questions to be posed to both chatbots.

The use of technology in cancer prehabilitation: a systematic review.

Aim: This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of cancer prehabilitation programs delivered through technological enablers compared to conventional face-to-face interventions.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted, searching PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL for studies published from inception to February 6, 2024. Studies were included if they involved adult cancer patients in primary research, utilized technology for prehabilitation, and assessed functional, psychological, and quality of life outcomes.

A Case Report of Becker Muscular Dystrophy and Stroke Who Successfully Regained Mobility With Robot-Assisted Gait Training.

A 30-yr-old patient with Becker muscular dystrophy presented with stroke. Background issues of proximal weakness, dilated cardiomyopathy, and reduced endurance challenged the usual goal-setting and formulation of a stroke rehabilitation plan. We discuss the holistic rehabilitation program that this patient underwent, with a focus on the utilization of robot-assisted gait training that eventually led him to successfully regain mobility.

Novel use of robot-assisted gait rehabilitation in a patient with stroke and blindness.

Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is an effective adjunctive treatment for patients with stroke that helps to regain functional mobility and is applied in many rehabilitation units for poststroke neurorecovery. We discuss our successful attempt to apply RAGT in a patient with blindness that impeded his ability to maintain balance during gait training. He initially required two assistants to walk, but after undergoing conventional therapy with adjunctive RAGT, he improved to standby assistance for ambulation.

Factors Predicting Return to Work After Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Follow-up Study.

Objective: To determine the proportion of patients who return to work after inpatient stroke rehabilitation and to identify demographic, clinical, and functional predictive factors for its success.

Design: A retrospective follow-up study of patients with stroke who were premorbidly working and had completed inpatient rehabilitation in a large metropolitan hospital between January 2016 and December 2017. They underwent a telephone interview at 2 years post discharge.

Outcomes of a Multi-Modal Hospital-Associated Home-Based Cancer Prehabilitation Program.

Objective: To assess the impact of a "one-stop", multi-modal, hospital-associated-home-based prehabilitation model, helmed by a small core team, on newly diagnosed gastrointestinal and urological cancer patients planned for surgery.

Methods: This is a retrospective study in a tertiary public hospital, involving all newly diagnosed gastrointestinal and urological cancer patients planned for surgery. The primary outcome measure was the 6-minute walk test (6MWT).

Perspectives on the Direction of Cancer Prehabilitation in the Pandemic and Beyond.

Growing attention has been placed on cancer prehabilitation in the recent years as the number of publications increase. The real-world application of prehabilitation remains heterogeneous and its implementation has been challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic has also provided impetus for change-leveraging technology and digitalization.

Effectiveness of Adjunct Robotic Therapy With a Patient-Guided Suspension System for Stroke Rehabilitation Using a 7-Days-a-Week Model of Care: A Comparison With Conventional Rehabilitation.

Objective: To determine and compare the effectiveness of robotic therapy with a patient-guided suspension system for stroke rehabilitation using a 7-days-a-week model of care with that of conventional rehabilitation.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation unit of an acute general hospital.

Hydrodissection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Hydrodissection is an ultrasound-guided technique that has received more attention recently for its role in nerve entrapment syndromes. The purposes of this systematic review were to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydrodissection in carpal tunnel syndrome and to investigate the ideal parameters for injectate type, dosage, volume, and frequency; injection approach and technique; as well as operator experience and training required. We searched the Embase, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases with supplemental searches in the CINAHL, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases for relevant randomized controlled trials.

Effect of Combined Treatment with MLC601 (NeuroAiDTM) and Rehabilitation on Post-Stroke Recovery: The CHIMES and CHIMES-E Studies.

Background And Purpose: MLC601 has been shown in preclinical studies to enhance neurorestorative mechanisms after stroke. The aim of this post hoc analysis was to assess whether combining MLC601 and rehabilitation has an effect on improving functional outcomes after stroke.

Methods: Data from the CHInese Medicine NeuroAiD Efficacy on Stroke (CHIMES) and CHIMES-Extension (CHIMES-E) studies were analyzed.

Prognostic Factors and Pattern of Long-Term Recovery with MLC601 (NeuroAiD™) in the Chinese Medicine NeuroAiD Efficacy on Stroke Recovery - Extension Study.

Background: The Chinese Medicine NeuroAiD Efficacy on Stroke recovery - Extension (CHIMES-E) study is among the few acute stroke trials with long-term outcome data. We aimed to evaluate the recovery pattern and the influence of prognostic factors on treatment effect of MLC601 over 2 years.

Methods: The CHIMES-E study evaluated the 2 years outcome of subjects aged ≥18 years with acute ischemic stroke, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 6-14, pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤1 included in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of MLC601 for 3 months.

CHInese Medicine NeuroAiD Efficacy on Stroke Recovery - Extension Study (CHIMES-E): A Multicenter Study of Long-Term Efficacy.

Background: The CHInese Medicine NeuroAiD Efficacy on Stroke recovery (CHIMES) study was an international randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of MLC601 (NeuroAiD) in subjects with cerebral infarction of intermediate severity within 72 h. CHIMES-E (Extension) aimed at evaluating the effects of the initial 3-month treatment with MLC601 on long-term outcome for up to 2 years.

Methods: All subjects randomized in CHIMES were eligible for CHIMES-E.

Chinese medicine NeuroAiD efficacy stroke recovery-extension study (CHIMES-E study): an observational multicenter study to investigate the longer-term efficacy of NeuroAiD in stroke recovery.

Background: Stroke carries a poor long-term prognosis for death and disability. There are few acute treatments that reduce death and disability after stroke. The ongoing international, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind CHIMES trial is currently testing the hypothesis that a 3-month course of the traditional Chinese medicine MLC601 (NeuroAiD) is superior to placebo in reducing neurological deficit and improving functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke in patients receiving standard stroke care.

The effects of toe spreader in people with overactive toe flexors post stroke: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Objectives: To investigate the long-term effects of the toe spreader on gait characteristics, pain, activity level and balance in individuals with chronic stroke who exhibited tonic toe flexion reflex. The secondary objectives were to determine the sample size for future studies and to assess compliance to the use of the toe spreader.

Design: Single-blind, randomized controlled pilot trial.

Functional outcomes of cancer patients in an inpatient rehabilitation setting.

Introduction: Cancer is the leading cause of death and the second most common cause of hospitalisation in Singapore. Significant functional gains are achievable with cancer rehabilitation yet there are no formal cancer rehabilitation programmes in Singapore. This study aims to describe the demographics, clinical characteristics, complications and functional outcomes of cancer patients undergoing comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation at our unit and compare these with non-cancer patients.

Results from a prospective acute inpatient rehabilitation database: clinical characteristics and functional outcomes using the Functional Independence Measure.

Introduction: Rehabilitation improves functional outcomes, but there is little data on the profiles and outcomes of patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation in Singapore. The aims of this paper were to document the clinical characteristics and functional outcomes, using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), of all patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit in a tertiary teaching hospital, and to identify and analyse factors significantly associated with better discharge functional scores and higher functional gains.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective cohort study over a 4-year period, clinical and functional data for 1502 patients admitted consecutively to the Singapore General Hospital inpatient rehabilitation unit were charted into a custom-designed rehabilitation database.