Proportional myoelectric control of a virtual bionic arm in participants with hemiparesis, muscle spasticity, and impaired range of motion.

Background: This research aims to improve the control of assistive devices for individuals with hemiparesis after stroke by providing intuitive and proportional motor control. Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States, with 80% of stroke-related disability coming in the form of hemiparesis, presented as weakness or paresis on half of the body. Current assistive exoskeletonscontrolled via electromyography do not allow for fine force regulation.

Impaired Discrimination of Electrocutaneous Stimulation in the Paretic Hand of Stroke Survivors.

Artificial sensory feedback via electrocutaneous stimulation can be used to assist or rehabilitate stroke survivors with sensory deficits. Conveying the magnitude of tactile stimuli is an important aspect of artificial sensory feedback. Here, we explore how stroke-related sensory deficits impact the ability of electrocutaneous stimulation to convey the magnitude of tactile stimuli.

Highly Selective Partial Neurectomies for Spasticity: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: Sedating antispastic medications and focal therapies like botulinum toxin are the most common therapies for spasticity but are temporary and must be performed continuously for a principally static neurological insult. Alternatively, highly selective partial neurectomies (HSPNs) may reduce focal spasticity more permanently.

Objective: To quantify the change in spasticity after HSPN and assess patient satisfaction.

Common pain syndromes in stroke patients: review of two cases.

Due to multiple neurological and musculoskeletal factors, stroke patients are at significant risk for the development of disabling pain syndromes. This article provides examples of two commonly encountered clinical situations, poststroke shoulder and poststroke hip pain. Appropriate use of imaging, medications, modalities, and injections are discussed for the purpose of enhancing management strategies that decrease pain and increase overall function.

Rehabilitation interventions in Parkinson disease.

This self-directed learning module provides an evidence-based update of exercise-based rehabilitation interventions to treat Parkinson disease (PD). It is part of the study guide on stroke and neurodegenerative disorders in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This focused review emphasizes treatment of locomotion deficits, upper limb motor control deficits, and hypokinetic dysarthria.

Stroke and neurodegenerative disorders: 1. Stroke management in the acute care setting.

This self-directed learning module highlights management of stroke in the acute care setting. It is part of the study guide on stroke and neurodegenerative disorders in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Using a case vignette format, this article specifically focuses on initial assessment and management of acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, descriptions of posterior circulation and lacunar stroke, and criteria for admission to acute inpatient rehabilitation after stroke and secondary stroke prevention.

Stroke and neurodegenerative disorders: 4. Community integration.

This self-directed learning module highlights common rehabilitation issues in stroke survivors with chronic impairments with emphasis on community integration. It is part of the study guide on stroke and neurodegenerative disorders in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Using a case vignette format, this article specifically focuses on management of shoulder pain, management of hypertonia, secondary stroke prevention, vocational reintegration including strategies for return to driving, and treatment of sexual dysfunction following stroke.

Stroke and neurodegenerative disorders: 3. Poststroke rehabilitation.

This self-directed learning module highlights rehabilitation strategies in poststroke rehabilitation. It is part of the study guide on stroke and neurodegenerative disorders in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Using a case vignette format, this article specifically focuses on typical clinical presentations, recovery patterns, and traditional and innovative therapeutic interventions in poststroke rehabilitation such as constraint-induced movement therapy, treadmill training, functional electrical stimulation, robot-aided therapy, virtual reality treatment, cortical stimulation, speech therapy for aphasia, and orthotic management.

Stroke and neurodegenerative disorders: 2. Poststroke medical complications.

This self-directed learning module highlights common poststroke medical complaints encountered on an inpatient rehabilitation unit. It is part of the study guide on stroke and neurodegenerative disorders in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Using a case vignette format, this article specifically focuses on the differential diagnosis, evaluation and management of chest pain, mental status changes, weight loss and poor motivation in stroke patients.