Patient-Reported Variables Affecting Self-Perceived Overall Recovery Among People With Subacute Stroke.

Importance: Patients' perception of overall recovery is a critical outcome for stroke rehabilitation. However, the perception of overall recovery cannot be obtained using multidimensional measures, because satisfaction in most domains of life does not guarantee satisfaction in overall recovery. A single overall recovery score seems a straightforward measure.

The minimal important difference for the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients in the subacute stage.

Background: The minimal important difference (MID) of the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) remains unknown, limiting the interpretation of change scores.

Objectives: To estimate the MID of the PASS in patients with subacute stroke.

Methods: Data at admission and discharge for 240 participants were retrieved from a longitudinal study.

Using High-Definition Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation to Treat Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Double-Blinded Controlled Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) to the left primary motor cortex (M1) in the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM) patients. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial, patients with FM were recruited in a teaching hospital. Thirty-eight patients were randomized to active HD-tACS (n = 19) or sham stimulation (n = 19).

High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current with Electrical Theta Burst on Post-Stroke Motor Rehabilitation: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: High-definition transcranial electrical theta burst superimposing direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS-eTBS) not only incorporates the therapeutic advantages of tDCS and TBS but enhances stimulation focality and practicality. However, the applicability of this innovative neuromodulatory device in post-stroke rehabilitation remains uncertain.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the HD-tDCS-eTBS on upper extremity (UE) motor function in patients with chronic stroke.

Designing and pilot testing a novel high-definition transcranial burst electrostimulation device for neurorehabilitation.

Non-invasive brain stimulation has been promoted to facilitate neuromodulation in treating neurological diseases. Recently, high-definition (HD) transcranial electrical stimulation and a novel electrical waveform combining a direct current (DC) and theta burst stimulation (TBS)-like protocol were proposed and demonstrated high potential to enhance neuroplastic effects in a more-efficient manner. In this study, we designed a novel HD transcranial burst electrostimulation device and to preliminarily examined its therapeutic potential in neurorehabilitation.

FRET processes of bi-fluorophoric sensor material containing tetraphenylethylene donor and optical-switchable merocyanine acceptor for lead ion (Pb) detection in semi-aqueous media.

A novel aggregation-induced emission (AIE) structure containing a tetraphenylethene (TPE) unit covalently linked with a merocyanine (MC) unit was synthesized and investigated in semi-aqueous solutions with 90% water fraction. The open-form structure of red-emissive MC unit combined with TPE unit was utilized as a bi-fluorophoric sensor to detect lead(II) ion, which could be transformed from the close-form structure of non-emissive SP unit upon UV exposure. Moreover, the TPE unit as an energy donor with the blue-green photoluminescence (PL) emission at 480 nm was combined with the MC unit as an energy acceptor with the red PL emission at 635 nm.

Effectiveness of shared decision-making intervention in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of shared decision-making (SDM) intervention among patients with lumbar degenerative diseases (LDDs) in terms of decision self-efficacy, control preferences, SDM process, decision satisfaction, and conflict.

Methods: A total of 130 outpatients with LDDs recruited from orthopedic or rehabilitation clinics were randomly assigned to the SDM intervention (n = 67) or comparison (n = 63) groups. Patients in the intervention group received decision aids (DAs) with decision coaching and those in controlled group received standard educational materials from a health educator.

Cross-Validation of the Factorial Validity of the Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 in Patients With Stroke.

Importance: The Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 appears to be a promising outcome measure of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for clients with stroke. However, because the factorial validity of the Stroke Impact Scale 3.

Improving the utility of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire: a computerized adaptive test for patients with stroke.

Purpose: Health literacy among patients is crucial for effective stroke management. The European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire is a theory-based measure that comprehensively captures 12 domains of health literacy. We aimed to develop a computerized adaptive test of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire to efficiently assess health literacy among patients with stroke.

Efficient FRET Approaches toward Copper(II) and Cyanide Detections via Host-Guest Interactions of Photo-Switchable [2]Pseudo-Rotaxane Polymers Containing Naphthalimide and Merocyanine Moieties.

A supramolecular [2]pseudo-rotaxane containing a naphthalimide-based pillararene host and a spiropyran-based imidazole guest was synthesized and investigated in a semiaqueous solution with 90% water fraction. Upon UV exposure, the close-form structure of nonemissive spiropyran guest could be transformed into the open-form structure of red-emissive merocyanine guest reversibly, which was utilized as a monofluorophoric sensor to detect copper(II) and cyanide ions. Moreover, the naphthalimide host as an energy donor with green photoluminescence (PL) emission at 505 nm was complexed with the merocyanine guest as an energy acceptor with red PL emission at 650 nm in 1:1 molar ratio to generate a [2]pseudo-rotaxane polymer, which was further verified by the diffusion coefficients of DOSY nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements.

Development of a battery of phase-adaptive health literacy tests for stroke survivors.

Objective: We aimed to develop a health literacy battery for three phases of stroke (HL-3S).

Methods: Three Rasch-based item banks corresponding to health care, disability prevention, and health promotion in the acute, subacute, and chronic phases of stroke, respectively, were developed by a multidisciplinary stroke team. To construct the HL-3S, a panel of clinical and Rasch experts selected items from the three Rasch-based item banks according to content representativeness and item difficulty diversity.

Correlations between subjective rating and objective assessment of balance function in individuals with stroke.

Purpose: To examine the relationships among therapist-reported, patient-reported, and objective assessment scores of balance function.

Methods: Inpatients with stroke and occupational therapists were recruited. The objective balance scores were measured using the Balance Computerized Adaptive Testing (Balance CAT) system.

A Comparison of the Responsiveness of the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke and the Berg Balance Scale in Patients With Severe Balance Deficits After Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Previous evidence that the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) have similar responsiveness is doubtful. Compared with the BBS, the PASS has more items assessing basic balance abilities (such as postural transition during lying and sitting), so it should be more likely to detect changes in patients with severe balance deficits. We aimed to compare the responsiveness of the PASS and the BBS in patients with stroke who have severe balance deficits.

How and how much is spirituality discussed in palliative care consultations for advanced cancer patients with and without a question prompt list?

Objective: Patients want to discuss spirituality more with their doctors but feel disempowered. Question prompt lists (QPLs) assist conversations. This study assessed the impact of a QPL on spirituality discussions in Palliative Care (PC).

[Study on DNA methylation profiles in non-syndromic cleft lip/palate based on bioinformatics].

Purpose: To study DNA methylation patterns of non-syndromic cleft lip/palate(NSCL/P) using bioinformatic methods, including methylated positions and regions.

Methods: Whole blood DNA methylation data of NSCL/P samples was download from Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO) database, including 67 NSCL/P cases and 59 controls without birth defects. Data analysis included ①data cleaning, such as probes filtering, quality control and normalization; ②differential methylation analysis, including methylated positions and regions; ③Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis on differential methylated genes.

Development of a Computerized Adaptive Testing System for Assessing 5 Functions in Patients with Stroke: A Simulation and Validation Study.

Objective: The authors aimed to develop and validate the Computerized Adaptive Testing System for Assessing 5 Functions in Patients with Stroke (CAT-5F) based on the Barthel Index (BI), Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patients (PASS), and Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM) to improve the efficiency of assessment. The purposes of the CAT-5F assessment are to describe patients' levels of impairments or disabilities in the 5 functions and to serve as an outcome measure in patients with stroke.

Design: This is a data-mining study based on data from a previous study using simulation analysis to develop and validate the CAT-5F.

Health literacy and cancer care coordination in Chinese migrant patients and their carers: A cross-sectional survey.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the levels of health literacy and experience of care coordination among Chinese migrant patients with cancer and their carers in Australia, and to examine factors associated with these.

Methods: Patients' self-reported data were collected using the Health Literacy and Cancer Care Coordination questionnaires. We conducted multivariate linear regression analyses to investigate predictors of patients' health literacy and their care experience.

Computerized Adaptive Testing System of Functional Assessment of Stroke.

The computerized adaptive testing system of the functional assessment of stroke (CAT-FAS) can simultaneously assess four functions (motor functions of the upper and lower extremities, postural control, and basic activities of daily living) with sufficient reliability and administrative efficiency. CAT, a modern measurement method, aims to provide a reliable estimate of the examinee's level of function rapidly. CAT administers only a few items whose item difficulties match an examinee's level of function and, thus, the administered items of CAT can provide sufficient information to reliably estimate the examinee's level of function in a short time.

Rasch Analysis of the 9-Item Shared Decision Making Questionnaire in Women With Breast Cancer.

Background: Shared decision making (SDM) is a best practice to help patients make optimal decisions by a process of healthcare, especially for women diagnosed with breast cancer and having heavy burden in long-term treatments. To promote successful SDM, it is crucial to assess the level of perceived involvement in SDM in women with breast cancer.

Objective: The aims of this study were to apply Rasch analysis to examine the construct validity and person reliability of the 9-item Shared Decision Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) in women with breast cancer.

Comparison of construct validity of two short forms of Stroke-Specific Quality of Life scale.

Background: No studies have compared the 2-factor structures of Wong's and Post's versions of the short-form Stroke-Specific Quality of Life (i.e., 12-item SSQOL) scale.

Development of a Computerized Adaptive Testing System of the Functional Assessment of Stroke.

Objective: To develop a computerized adaptive testing system of the Functional Assessment of Stroke (CAT-FAS) to assess upper- and lower-extremity (UE/LE) motor function, postural control, and basic activities of daily living with optimal efficiency and without sacrificing psychometric properties in patients with stroke.

Design: Simulation study.

Setting: One rehabilitation unit in a medical center.

Development of a Social Functioning Assessment Using Computerized Adaptive Testing for Patients With Stroke.

Objective: To develop a computerized adaptive test of social functioning (Social-CAT) for patients with stroke.

Design: This study contained 2 phases. First, a unidimensional item bank was formed using social-related items with sufficient item fit (ie, infit and outfit mean square [MNSQ]).

A Reliable and Valid Assessment of Sustained Attention for Patients With Schizophrenia: The Computerized Digit Vigilance Test.

Objective: The purposes of this study were to examine the test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and ecological validity of the Computerized Digit Vigilance Test (C-DVT) in patients with schizophrenia.

Method: Each participant was assessed four times, with 1-week intervals. In each assessment, the participants completed both the C-DVT and the original DVT.

Validation of the Integrated Model of Health Literacy in Patients With Breast Cancer.

Background: Health literacy (HL) enables patients with breast cancer to actively participate in health decisions and promote positive health outcomes. The Integrated Model of Health Literacy (IMHL), defined as the personal, situational, and societal/environmental factors that predict the level of HL that can influence health outcomes, incorporates the concepts, determinants, and consequences of HL.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the mechanisms and completeness of the IMHL in patients with breast cancer.

Group- and Individual-Level Responsiveness of the 3-Point Berg Balance Scale and 3-Point Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients.

Objectives: To examine both group- and individual-level responsiveness of the 3-point Berg Balance Scale (BBS-3P) and 3-point Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS-3P) in patients with stroke, and to compare the responsiveness of both 3-point measures versus their original measures (Berg Balance Scale [BBS] and Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients [PASS]) and their short forms (short-form Berg Balance Scale [SFBBS] and short-form Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients [SFPASS]) and between the BBS-3P and PASS-3P.

Design: Data were retrieved from a previous study wherein 212 patients were assessed at 14 and 30 days after stroke with the BBS and PASS.

Setting: Medical center.