Ankle-Foot-Orthosis "Hermes" Compensates Pathological Ankle Stiffness of Chronic Stroke-A Proof of Concept.

Individuals with an upper motor neuron syndrome, e.g., stroke survivors, may have a pathological increase of passive ankle stiffness due to spasticity, that impairs ankle function and activities such as walking.

Development and validity of an innovative test to assess guideline-consistent clinical reasoning by physical therapists in stroke rehabilitation.

Objective: To evaluate the validity of a script concordance test to assess guideline-consistent clinical reasoning by physical therapists in stroke rehabilitation, and to identify critical features of physical therapists specializing in stroke rehabilitation.

Methods: A script concordance test was developed according to current standards. Four subgroups of physical therapists (those specializing in neurology, those focusing on neurology or geriatrics, other, and non-specialized undergraduate students) were asked to complete the test.

Kinematic and kinetic benefits of implantable peroneal nerve stimulation in people with post-stroke drop foot using an ankle-foot orthosis.

Background: Contralesional 'drop foot' after stroke is usually treated with an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). However, AFOs may hamper ankle motion during stance. Peroneal functional electrical stimulation (FES) is an alternative treatment that provides active dorsiflexion and allows normal ankle motion.

Falls Are Associated With Lower Self-Reported Functional Status in Patients After Stroke.

Objective: To evaluate the association between falls and functional status after stroke.

Design: Secondary analysis of data from the randomized controlled FIT-Stroke trial. Outcomes were measured at the time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation (t0) and after 12 weeks (t1).

Selecting relevant and feasible measurement instruments for the revised Dutch clinical practice guideline for physical therapy in patients after stroke.

Purpose: To select relevant and feasible instruments for the revision of the Dutch clinical practice guideline for physical therapy in patients with stroke.

Methods: In this implementation study a comprehensive proposal for ICF categories and matching instruments was developed, based on reliability and validity. Relevant instruments were then selected in a consensus round by 11 knowledge brokers who were responsible for the implementation of the selected instruments.

Effects of implantable peroneal nerve stimulation on gait quality, energy expenditure, participation and user satisfaction in patients with post-stroke drop foot using an ankle-foot orthosis.

Purpose: To investigate whether an implantable functional electrical stimulation (FES) system of the common peroneal nerve (ActiGait®) improves relevant aspects of gait in chronic stroke patients with a drop foot typically using an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO).

Methods: Ten community-dwelling patients participated, of whom eight patients could be analysed. Gait quality (kinematic, kinetic, and spatiotemporal characteristics) during a 10-meter comfortable walk test, normalised net energy expenditure during a 6-minute walk test, participation (physical activity and stroke impact) and user satisfaction were tested before implantation and at various moments after FES-system activation up to 26 weeks.

Is cognitive functioning 1 year poststroke related to quality of life domain?

Previous studies on the association between poststroke cognitive impairment and quality of life (QoL) have shown divergent results. In this study, we investigated the relationships between cognitive functioning and various QoL domains at 1 year poststroke. This was a cross-sectional study, examining 92 patients at 1 year poststroke.

Long-term deficits in episodic memory after ischemic stroke: evaluation and prediction of verbal and visual memory performance based on lesion characteristics.

We investigated the relationship between ischemic lesion characteristics (hemispheric side, cortical and subcortical level, volume) and memory performance, 1 year after stroke. Verbal and visual memory of 86 patients with stroke were assessed with Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test and the Doors Test, respectively. Lesion characteristics and presence of white matter lesions were assessed on magnetic resonance imaging early after stroke.

Impact of internal capsule lesions on outcome of motor hand function at one year post-stroke.

Objective: To investigate the association between damage to different levels of the corticofugal tract and long-term hand motor recovery.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Patients: Seventy-five first-ever middle cerebral artery stroke survivors.

Predicting long-term independency in activities of daily living after middle cerebral artery stroke: does information from MRI have added predictive value compared with clinical information?

Background And Purpose: To investigate whether neuroimaging information has added predictive value compared with clinical information for independency in activities of daily living (ADL) 1 year after stroke.

Methods: Seventy-five first-ever middle cerebral artery stroke survivors were evaluated in logistic regression analyses. Model 1 was derived on the basis of clinical variables; for model 2, neuroimaging variables were added to model 1.