Our results suggest a potentially beneficial effect of noninvasive cortical stimulation during rehabilitative motor training of patients who have suffered from subacute strokes.

The two thrombectomy devices were associated with similar recanalization rates and clinical outcomes in patients with AIS caused by BAO. However, Penumbra suction thrombectomy seemed to allow more rapid and complete recanalization than Solitaire thrombectomy.

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BackgroundHaptic control is a useful therapeutic option in rehabilitation featuring virtual reality interaction. As with visual and vibrotactile biofeedback, kinesthetic haptic feedback may assist in postural control, and can achieve balance control. Kinesthetic haptic feedback in terms of body sway can be delivered via a commercially available haptic device and can enhance the balance stability of both young healthy subjects and stroke patients.MethodOur system features a waist-attached smartphone, software running on a computer (PC), and a dedicated Phantom Omni® device. Young healthy participants performed balance tasks after assumption of each of four distinct postures for 30 s (one foot on the ground; the Tandem Romberg stance; one foot on foam; and the Tandem Romberg stance on foam) with eyes closed. Patient eyes were not closed and assumption of the Romberg stance (only) was tested during a balance task 25 s in duration. An Android application running continuously on the smartphone sent mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) tilt angles to a PC, which generated kinesthetic haptic feedback via Phantom Omni®. A total of 16 subjects, 8 of whom were young healthy and 8 of whom had suffered stroke, participated in the study.ResultsPost-experiment data analysis was performed using MATLAB®. Mean Velocity Displacement (MVD), Planar Deviation (PD), Mediolateral Trajectory (MLT) and Anteroposterior Trajectory (APT) parameters were analyzed to measure reduction in body sway. Our kinesthetic haptic feedback system was effective to reduce postural sway in young healthy subjects regardless of posture and the condition of the substrate (the ground) and to improve MVD and PD in stroke patients who assumed the Romberg stance. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that kinesthetic haptic feedback significantly reduced body sway in both categories of subjects.ConclusionKinesthetic haptic feedback can be implemented using a commercial haptic device and a smartphone. Intuitive balance cues were created using the handle of a haptic device, rendering the approach very simple yet efficient in practice. This novel form of biofeedback will be a useful rehabilitation tool improving the balance of stroke patients.

eCAS in patients with AIS due to proximal ICA stenosis or occlusion appears to be a technically feasible and effective method for achieving good clinical outcomes.

Background: To investigate the occurrence of falls and their consequences in a representative population and to identify risk factors of falls in the elderly. Methods: The study participants were community-dwelling elderly people aged 65 years or old as a population based sample of one large city. A total of 828 people 65 years or older participated in this study. They were interviewed over the telephone by a trained interviewer using a structured questionnaire to obtain a fall history and details of their most recent fall including date, time, place, circumstances, and associated injury. As for risk factors for falls, we asked about living arrangement (with family or alone), alcohol intake, exercise, visual and hearing impairments, memory and sensory problems, lower limb weakness, and arthritis symptoms. Fear of falling and fear-related activity restriction were also evaluated. Results: The incidence of falls during the last one year was 13.0%. Women experienced falls more frequently. Falls occurred mainly in spring and summer and from 10 AM to 3 PM. Common causes of falls were slipping and tripping. 14.9% of those who fell suffered consequent fractures. Being female was a significant risk factor for falls; and females tended to get injured more severely following a fall. During the recent one year, decreased proprioception in the lower extremity was a significant risk factor for falls. Those with histories of falls, and especially women, tended to limit their activities due to the fear of falling. Conclusion: Overall, it appears that elderly women are more greatly affected by falls at several levels. Female participants fell more frequently and suffered more severe consequences. Fall-related injuries and risk factors for falls disproportionately affected women. And, being female and any amount of decreased sensation in the feet were significant risk factors for falls.

It is not common for a patient who survives cardiac arrest to experience significant neurologic impairment such as acute and chronic post-hypoxic myoclonus, known as Lance-Adams syndrome. This syndrome is predominantly characterized by myoclonus that starts days to weeks after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients who regained consciousness. Although several cases of LAS were reported, the decisive treatment method has not been established. We report a 43 year old man with Lance-Adams syndrome who showed long-term improvement through treatment with anti-myoclonic agents and participation in a rehabilitation program.

Patients with AIS caused by BAO with a lower initial NIHSS score, fewer lesions on initial DWI, and less contrast staining on the post-thrombectomy control CT have higher probabilities of a good clinical outcome after successful recanalization via a mechanical thrombectomy.