Recombinant Acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor Facilitates Motor Recovery and Reduces Myelomalacia in Traumatic American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A Spinal Cord Injured Patients.

This study aims to evaluate the potential benefits of treating spinal cord injury (SCI) patients with acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), a potent neurotrophic factor that preserves neuronal survival. The study involved 12 tetraplegic patients with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) Grade A SCI who were randomly assigned to receive either a recombinant human aFGF or a placebo every 4 weeks for three doses. Participants underwent comprehensive evaluations of medical, neurological, and functional parameters at baseline and every 4 weeks after the first dose until the 48th week.

Effects of DLPFC tDCS Followed by Treadmill Training on Dual-Task Gait and Cortical Excitability in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Gait disturbances are exacerbated in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) during dual-task walking (DTW). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to exert beneficial effects on gait performance and cortical excitability in PD; however, its combined effects with treadmill training (TT) remain undetermined.

Objective: To investigate the effects of tDCS followed by TT on DTW performance and cortical excitability in individuals with PD.

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Followed by Treadmill Training on Dual-Task Walking and Cortical Activity in Chronic Stroke: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To explore the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation followed by treadmill training on dual-task gait performance and contralesional cortical activity in chronic stroke patients.

Methods: Forty-five chronic stroke participants were randomized into 3 groups: a bilateral transcranial direct current stimulation and treadmill training group; a cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation and treadmill training group; and a sham transcranial direct current stimulation and treadmill training group for 50 min per session (20 min transcranial direct current stimulation followed by 30 min treadmill training), 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures included cognitive dual-task walking, motor dual-task walking, walking performance, contralesional cortical activity, and lower-extremity motor control.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Different Targets to Modulate Cortical Activity and Dual-Task Walking in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease: A Double Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation to modulate cortical activity for improving motor function. However, the information of tDCS stimulation on different brain regions for dual-task walking and cortical modulation in Parkinson's disease (PD) has not yet been compared.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different tDCS targets on dual-task gait performance and cortical activity in patients with PD.

Integration of Virtual Reality into Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Improves Cognitive Function in Patients with Parkinson's Disease with Cognitive Impairment: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Background: Emerging evidence has indicated the positive effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Objective: Investigating whether combining virtual reality (VR) training with rTMS can further enhance cognitive improvement induced by rTMS treatment.

Methods: We randomly assigned 40 patients with PD and MCI into three groups, namely the rTMS-VR group (n = 13), rTMS group (n = 11), and sham rTMS group (n = 16).

Pilates-based core exercise improves health-related quality of life in people living with chronic low back pain: A pilot study.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of Pilates exercise on improving health-related quality of life in people living with chronic low back pain.

Methods: This was a single-blind, randomised clinical trial. Thirty-nine physically active subjects aged between 30 and 70 years with nonspecific chronic low back pain for more than three months were recruited.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation followed by exercise on neuropathic pain in chronic spinal cord injury: a double-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial.

Study Design: Double-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of multiple sessions of tDCS followed by exercise on neuropathic pain and brain activity in individuals with chronic SCI.

Setting: Rehabilitation center in Taipei, Taiwan.

High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation enhanced treadmill training effects on gait performance in individuals with chronic stroke: A double-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial.

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with treadmill training has been suggested to modulate corticomotor activity and improve gait performance in people with Parkinson's disease.

Research Question: It is unclear whether this combination therapy has a similar effect in people with stroke. The current study aimed to investigate whether high-frequency rTMS enhances the effects of subsequent treadmill training in individuals with chronic stroke.

Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on gait performance in chronic stroke with inadequate ankle control - A randomized controlled trial.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been used to improve muscle strength and decrease spasticity of the ankle joint in stroke patients. However, it is unclear how NMES could influence dynamic spasticity of ankle plantarflexors and gait asymmetry during walking. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of applying NMES over ankle dorsiflexors or plantarflexors on ankle control during walking and gait performance in chronic stroke patients.

Functional improvement in chronic human spinal cord injury: Four years after acidic fibroblast growth factor.

Few treatments have proven effective for patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) in human SCI. This was an open-label prospective clinical trial of aFGF with an extended follow-up to 48 months.

A randomized controlled pilot trial of game-based training in individuals with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3.

Exergames are interactive video games used for exercise and may have therapeutic value in people with degenerative ataxia. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential effects of exergaming training on cerebellar ataxia in people with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3). Nine individuals with SCA3 were recruited and randomized to either exergaming or conventional group for a 4-week training period.

Testicular infarction in a patient with spinal cord injury with epididymitis: A case report.

Unlabelled: O-bjective: To describe a case of epididymitis-related testicular infarction in a patient with spinal cord injury.

Case Report: A 22-year-old man with a traumatic spinal cord injury (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A; neurological level, C4) developed epididymitis during hospitalization. He presented with spiking fever, autonomic dysreflexia, and increased spasticity.

The influence of shoulder pain on functional limitation, perceived health, and depressive mood in patients with traumatic paraplegia.

Objective: To assess whether functional activity, perceived health, and depressive symptoms differ between individuals with traumatic paraplegia with and without shoulder pain.

Design: Cross sectional and comparative investigation using the unified questionnaire.

Setting: Neural Regeneration and Repair Division unit of Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan.

Quantitative measures of functional outcomes and quality of life in patients with C5 palsy.

Background: It is generally understood that postoperative C5 palsy can occur with anterior or posterior decompression surgery, but functional measures of the palsy have not been well documented. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of C5 palsy in different surgical procedures, examine the correlations between muscle strength, upper extremity functional measures, and health-related quality of life, and to observe potential risk factors contributing to C5 palsy.

Methods: Our investigation involved a retrospective study design.

Effects of intravascular laser irradiation of blood in mitochondria dysfunction and oxidative stress in adults with chronic spinal cord injury.

Objective: This study investigated the clinical effects of intravascular laser irradiation of blood (ILIB) therapy on oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in subjects with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) resulting from trauma.

Background Data: Little is known about how ILIB may generate antioxidant defenses in humans, and there is still a lack of randomized, sham-control studies to indicate its influence on different metabolic pathways.

Methods: Twenty-four chronic SCI subjects (assigned to a sham and a study group), and 12 normal subjects were recruited.

Transcranial low level laser (light) therapy for traumatic brain injury.

We review the use of transcranial low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) as a possible treatment for traumatic-brain injury (TBI). The basic mechanisms of LLLT at the cellular and molecular level and its effects on the brain are outlined. Many interacting processes may contribute to the beneficial effects in TBI including neuroprotection, reduction of inflammation and stimulation of neurogenesis.

Prevalence, characteristics, and work-related risk factors of low back pain among hospital nurses in Taiwan: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Low back pain is a common health problem among hospital nurses. However, the prevalence, characteristics, and work-related risk factors of low back pain have not been widely investigated in Taiwan.

Materials And Methods: This study used a cross-sectional survey of 217 hospital nurses to gather self-reported information on the prevalence of back pain, demographic and pain characteristics, and work-related risk factors from 178 respondents who indicated a past history of back pain.

Acidic fibroblast growth factor for repair of human spinal cord injury: a clinical trial.

Object: The study aimed to verify the safety and feasibility of applying acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) with fibrin glue in combination with surgical neurolysis for nonacute spinal cord injury.

Methods: This open-label, prospective, uncontrolled human clinical trial recruited 60 patients with spinal cord injuries (30 cervical and 30 thoracolumbar). The mean patient age was 36.

Computer-aided vestibular autorotational testing of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in senile vestibular dysfunction.

Background And Objective: Studies have already investigated vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) responses in elderly subjects, mostly at low frequencies (<1 Hz) during passive head turns, or continuous active head turns in a rotational chair. However, natural head movements usually occur at frequencies above 1 Hz and at varying rates, rather than at continuously increasing rates as tested in most studies to date. The aim of this study was to compare VOR responses within or between normal and bilateral peripheral vestibular hypofunction (BPVH) elderly subjects with a computer base program incorporating random active high-frequency head movements.

Functional magnetic stimulation in constipation associated with Parkinson's disease.

Objective: The aims of this study were: (i) to investigate the effect of functional magnetic stimulation on total colonic transit time in patients with Parkinson's disease; (ii) to compare the changes in dynamic recto-anal behaviour during filling and defaecation in response to this regimen; and (iii) to study the carry-over effects with a 3-month follow-up.

Design: A longitudinal, prospective before-after trial.

Subjects: Sixteen patients with Parkinson's disease enrolled in this study.

Decomposition of 2-naphthalenesulfonate in electroplating solution by ozonation with UV radiation.

This study investigates the ozonation of 2-naphthalenesulfonate (2-NS) combined with UV radiation in the electroplating solution. 2-NS is commonly used as a brightening and stabilization agent in the electroplating solution. Semibatch ozonation experiments were conducted under various reaction conditions to study the effects of ozone dosage and UV radiation on the oxidation of 2-NS.