The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can disrupt various brain functions. Over a one-year period, we aimed to assess brain activity and cognitive function in 53 COVID-19 patients and 30 individuals without COVID-19 (or asymptomatic). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Trail Making Test Parts A and B (TMT-A and B), and Digit Span Test were used to assess cognitive function. Cognitive variables and electroencephalography (EEG) data (activity, mobility, and complexity) were compared between the groups at rest and during cognitive demand (F3-F7, Fz-F3, Fz-F4, and F4-F8). There was a reduction in F3-F7 activity during the TMT-B in the COVID-19 group at 6-12 months compared to the controls (p = 0.01) at baseline (p = 0.03), a reduction in signal complexity at F3-F7 at rest in the COVID-19 group at baseline and 6-12 months compared to the controls (p < 0.001), and a reduction in Fz-F4 activity at rest from 6-12 months in the post-COVID group compared to baseline (p = 0.02) and 3-6 months (p = 0.04). At 6-12 months, there was a time increase in TMT-A in the COVID-19 group compared to that in the controls (p = 0.04). Some correlations were found between EEG data and cognitive test in both groups. In conclusion, there was a reduction in brain activity at rest in the Fz-F4 areas and during high cognitive demands in the F3-F7 areas. A reduction in signal complexity in F3-F7 at rest was found in the COVID-19 group at 6-12 months after acute infection. Furthermore, individuals with COVID-19 experience long-term changes in cognitive function.
OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the degree of unilateral spatial neglect during the acute phase of stroke and long-term functional independence.METHODS:This was a prospective study of right ischemic stroke patients in which the independent variable was the degree of spatial neglect and the outcome that was measured was functional independence. The potential confounding factors included sex, age, stroke severity, topography of the lesion, risk factors, glycemia and the treatment received. Unilateral spatial neglect was measured using the line cancellation test, the star cancellation test and the line bisection test within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Functional independence was measured using the modified Rankin and Barthel scales at 90 days after discharge. The relationship between unilateral spatial neglect and functional independence was analyzed using multiple logistic regression that was corrected for confounding factors.RESULTS:We studied 60 patients with a median age of 68 (34–89) years, 52% of whom were male and 74% of whom were Caucasian. The risk for moderate to severe disability increased with increasing star cancellation test scores (OR=1.14 [1.03–1.26], p=0.01) corrected for the stroke severity, which was a confounding factor that had a statistically positive association with disability (OR=1.63 [1.13–2.65], p=0.01). The best chance of functional independence decreased with increasing star cancellation test scores (OR=0.86 [0.78–0.96], p=0.006) corrected for the stroke severity, which was a confounding factor that had a statistically negative association with independence (OR=0.66 [0.48–0.92], p=0.017).CONCLUSION:The severity of unilateral spatial neglect in acute stroke worsens the degree of long-term disability and functional independence.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of physical therapy on the cognitive and functional capacity of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This is a systematic review of randomized or quasi-randomized clinical trials, using the descriptors: AD, dementia and physical therapy. Two studies were included with a total of 207 participants. In study 1, no statistically significant difference was found on the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (MD 0.0, 95%CI −5.76 to 5.76), neuropsychiatric inventory (MD −4.50, 95%CI −21.24 to 12.24) and Pfeffer instrumental activities questionnaire (MD 0.0 95%CI −6.48 to 6.48). In study 2, there was no statistically significant difference on the MMSE (MD −1.60, 95% CI −3.57 to 0.37), clock-drawing test (MD −0.20, 95%CI −0.61 to 0.21) and Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale - cognitive subscale (MD 1.0, 95%CI −2.21 to 4.21) after 12 months. There was no consistent evidence on the effectiveness of physiotherapeutic intervention in improving cognitive function and functional capacity of patients with AD. More studies should be conducted for better evidence.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.