Handgrip Strength and Cognitive Recovery in Older Stroke Survivors: A Prospective Study.

: Handgrip strength (HGS) is an important indicator of overall physical capability and is linked to various health outcomes in older adults. Despite extensive research on the relationship between HGS and cognitive decline, longitudinal studies on poststroke cognitive changes in relation to HGS are scarce. This study aimed to observe whether HGS at discharge from acute stroke rehabilitation affects cognitive function 6-12 months after stroke onset and to compare cognitive outcomes between patients with normal and low HGS at discharge.

Association of Cognitive Reserve and Preoperative Cognitive Function in Patients with Adult Moyamoya Disease: A Preliminary Study.

Introduction: Many patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) exhibit cognitive decline; however, the link between cognitive reserve (CR) and cognitive function in those who have not undergone revascularization remains unexplored. We aimed to evaluate preoperative cognitive impairment in such patients and to explore the relationship between CR, measured using the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq), and cognitive abilities across different domains, determined using neuropsychological tests.

Methods: Demographic, clinical, CRIq, and neuropsychological assessment data were gathered from patients with MMD who underwent preoperative cognitive functional assessments at our center during 2021-2023.

Predictive Validity of the Johns Hopkins Fall Risk Assessment Tool for Older Patients in Stroke Rehabilitation.

The aim of this retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study was to assess the frequency of falls and evaluate the predictive validity of the Johns Hopkins Fall Risk Assessment Tool (JHFRAT) among patients aged ≥65 years, transferred to the rehabilitation ward of a university hospital. The predictive ability was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and the optimal threshold was established using the Youden index. We analyzed the overall cohort (N = 175) with subacute stroke and the subgroup with a low unaffected handgrip strength (HGS; men: <28 kg, women: <18 kg).

Prevalence and risk factors of possible sarcopenia in patients with subacute stroke.

Possible sarcopenia, the loss of handgrip strength in the older population, can lead to poor functional prognosis after stroke. In this retrospective study, we aimed to elucidate the clinical risk factors for possible sarcopenia at discharge in 152 hospitalized patients with subacute stroke. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors associated with possible sarcopenia.

Associated Factors of Time Spent Walking for Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with the time that community-dwelling stroke survivors spent walking.

Methods: We analyzed the cross-sectional data of 1534 community-dwelling stroke survivors from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Complex-sample logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with insufficient walking time (<90 min/wk).

Association of Temporalis Muscle Mass with Early Cognitive Impairment in Older Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

The prognostic value of temporal muscle mass has been studied in various neurological disorders. Herein, we investigated the association between temporal muscle mass and early cognitive function in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This study included 126 patients with acute cerebral infarction aged ≥65 years.

Obesity Impairs Functional Recovery of Older Stroke Patients with Possible Sarcopenia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The functional prognosis of older patients with coexisting obesity and possible sarcopenia remains uncertain following acute stroke. This study aimed to determine whether coexisting obesity independently affects activities of daily living (ADL) and balance ability at discharge in older patients with possible sarcopenia admitted to a stroke rehabilitation ward. A total of 111 patients aged 65 years or older with possible sarcopenia were included, of whom 36 (32.

Self-Reported Reasons for Activity Limitations According to Age and Sex in Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors.

We examined self-reported reasons for activity limitations among Korean community-dwelling stroke survivors, focusing on age and sex differences. Data from 1547 stroke survivors who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analysed. The study outcomes were the self-reported reasons for activity limitations, encompassing general medical factors and stroke-related problems.

Causes and Trends of Disabilities in Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors: A Population-Based Study.

Many stroke survivors live with disabilities in the community. This study aimed to investigate the causes and trends of disabilities among community-dwelling stroke survivors. A total of 1547 community-dwelling stroke survivors ≥ 19 years were identified using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) database from 2007 to 2018.

Association between physical activity and dynapenia in older adults with COPD: a nationwide survey.

We aimed to examine the association between physical activity (PA) level and dynapenia in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and whether it varied with sex and obesity status. The current cross-sectional study included total of 1033 community-dwelling participants with COPD aged 65-79 from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. In the multivariable model, high and moderate PA levels were significantly associated with lower odds of dynapenia than low PA levels (high PA level: odds ratio [OR] = 0.

Patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior and their associated factors among nondisabled stroke survivors.

Objectives: To investigate the levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior, and the factors associated with these, in middle-aged and elderly stroke survivors who had no limitations to their physical activity.

Study Design And Main Outcome Measures: We analyzed physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns using data from 12,986 community-dwelling adults aged ≥50 years without activity limitation: 377 stroke survivors, 531 ischemic heart disease (IHD) survivors, and 12,078 healthy controls in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The prevalence and associated factors of compliance to aerobic activity guidelines and prolonged sedentary time were investigated using complex-sample statistics.

The effects of additional electrical stimulation combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and motor imagery on upper extremity motor recovery in the subacute period after stroke: A preliminary study.

Background: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of additional electrical stimulation (ES) combined with low frequency (LF)-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and motor imagery (MI) training on upper extremity (UE) motor function following stroke.

Methods: The participants with subacute stroke in the experimental group (n = 8) received LF rTMS + MI + active ES interventions, and those in control group (n = 9) received LF rTMS + MI + sham ES interventions. Interventions were performed 5 days a week for 2 weeks, for a total of 10 sessions.

Ciclesonide Inhaler Treatment for Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19: A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase 2 Trial.

Although some intravenous drugs have been used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), no effective antiviral agents are currently available in the outpatient setting. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of 14-day ciclesonide treatment vs. standard care for patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

Bilateral Cerebral Ptosis in a Patient with Subdural Hemorrhage: a Case Report.

Although cerebral ptosis is rare, it is commonly associated with unilateral right cerebral hemisphere lesions. We report a case of a 79-year-old woman who presented with bilateral complete ptosis after a traumatic right fronto-temporo-parietal subdural hemorrhage (SDH). Bilateral ptosis was the primary manifestation of the acute right SDH, and the patient had no parenchymal lesion.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Frontal Assessment Battery test as a predictor of performance of unaffected hand function after subcortical stroke.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the association between unaffected hand function and cognitive impairment and to determine whether the cognitive screening test can be a predictor of unaffected upper limb function in patients with unilateral subcortical strokes. A retrospective study of 37 patients with unilateral first-ever subcortical stroke was conducted through a review of medical records. The unaffected hand function and cognitive screening tests were measured upon admission to the neurorehabilitation unit and then 4 weeks later at discharge.

Reliability and validity of upper limb short questionnaire for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Purpose: In patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), weakness of the upper limb (UL) muscles has a significant impact on daily activities and body functions. This problem necessitates a screening tool that can be used quickly and easily in clinical situations, such as the Upper Limb Short Questionnaire (ULSQ). However, its validity and reliability as a clinical measure have not yet been evaluated.

Outcomes Assessment of Sustainable and Innovatively Simple Lifestyle Modification at the Workplace - Drinking Electrolyzed-Reduced Water (OASIS-ERW): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Oxidative stress has been associated with many diseases as well as aging. Electrolyzed-reduced water (ERW) has been suggested to reduce oxidative stress and improve antioxidant potential. This study investigated the effects of drinking ERW on biomarkers of oxidative stress and health-related indices in healthy adults.

Trajectory of change in the swallowing status in spinal muscular atrophy type I.

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the change in progressive swallowing dysfunction from birth up to 2 years of age to provide clinical insights into the management of swallowing difficulty in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I.

Methods: Data of 11 patients with SMA type I were retrospectively reviewed. The Neuromuscular Disease Swallowing Status Scale (NdSSS) scores and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were used.

Scoliosis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy children is fully reducible in the initial stage, and becomes structural over time.

Background: Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) often develop scoliosis that progresses rapidly after loss of ambulation. Management of scoliosis is crucial because it affects both life expectancy and quality of life of patients with DMD. Spinal orthosis attempts to prevent or delay scoliosis using spinal support at three points of the controlling mechanism; the curve should be flattened by the pressure.

Pilot study of feasibility and effect of anodal transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation on chronic neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury.

Study Design: A single-blind crossover study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate neuropathic pain in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) after the application of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS).

Setting: Outpatient Clinic of the Rehabilitation Department, Seoul National University Hospital.

Lower extremity joint contracture according to ambulatory status in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Background: Lower extremity joint contractures have negative effects on gait in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Thus, contracture prevention is essential for maintaining a patient's functional ability and an acceptable quality of life. This study investigated hip flexion (HF), knee flexion (KF), and ankle joint plantar flexion (APF) contractures among male patients with DMD, based on the patients' ambulatory status.

Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Adults With Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy and Cervical Dystonia: A Preliminary Study.

Objectives: To investigate the characteristics of oropharyngeal dysphagia in adults with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP) and cervical dystonia (CD).

Design: Exploratory observational cross-sectional study.

Setting: University hospital.

Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection for Cervical Dystonia in Adults with Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy.

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of injecting botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) into the neck muscles to treat cervical dystonia (CD) in patients with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (CP). This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with cross-over design. We prospectively enrolled adults with dyskinetic CP who were over 20 years old and had been clinically diagnosed with CD for more than one year.

Stenosis and Neurologic Level Discrepancies in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Background: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common cause of cord dysfunction in older individuals. CSM involves either the upper motor neuron or lower motor neuron (LMN) in the cervical spine. The neurologic level of the LMN lesion does not usually correspond with the structural level detected via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The Strengthening Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles in the Sitting Position: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Sedentary lifestyle, a prevalent finding in modern society, can lead to weakness of the lumbar trunk musculature. Electrical stimulation (ES), in addition to lumbar strengthening exercises, has been shown to increase muscle strength.

Objective: To assess the strengthening effect of ES on the lumbar paraspinal muscles during prolonged sitting.