The addition of IV training was more effective for improving some parameters of exercise tolerance and dyspnoea, although did not result in better psychological status nor it was better accepted than the standard PRP in patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

BACKGROUNDAlthough > 90% of children with nonmetastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) achieve complete remission with current treatment, up to one‐third of them experience a recurrence. Survival rates are not always poor in patients who develop recurrences; thus, prognostic factors are needed to tailor salvage treatment.METHODSThe current analysis included 125 children who were affected by localized RMS and were enrolled in 3 consecutive Italian protocols (RMS79, RMS88, and RMS96) who developed recurrences after complete remission. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics were studied in univariate and multivariate analyses to determine the independent significance of different factors.RESULTSThe median time from diagnosis to recurrence was 17.8 months. Most patients had local recurrences (72%). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate was 28.3% ± 8.7%. Multivariate analysis identified 4 factors that were associated with poor survival: 1) alveolar subtype (relative risk [RR], 2.0), 2) parameningeal or “other” sites (RR, 2.6), 3) systemic recurrence (RR, 3.1), and 4) recurrence on therapy (RR, 2.3). The absence of any of these risk factors identified a “favorable risk” group (12% of patients) with a 5‐year OS rate of 71.8% ± 23.5%. Patients with a single risk factor (32%) had an OS rate of 37.5% ± 17.2%. Combining patients with 0 or 1 risk factor, the OS rate was 66.5% in the subgroup who had not received radiotherapy compared with an OS rate of 30.3% in the subgroup who had received radiotherapy; this difference was significant (P = 0.03).CONCLUSIONSThe results of the current analysis demonstrated that groups with a different prognosis can be identified among patients with recurrent RMS. Patients with a nonalveolar histology, a primary site other than the parameningeal or “other” sites, local recurrence, and recurrence off therapy had a better prognosis. First‐line treatment may have an impact on prognostic variables. In fact, patients who had no or only one risk factor and patients who had tumors with a nonalveolar histology benefited more from salvage therapy if they had not received radiotherapy for their initial treatment. These data may be useful in planning risk‐adapted salvage protocols. Cancer 2005;. © 2005 American Cancer Society.

The overground robot-assisted walking is well accepted by SCI persons and has positive effects in terms of spasticity and pain reduction.

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Background and purposeThere is little evidence available on the use of robot-assisted therapy in subacute stroke patients. A randomized controlled trial was carried out to evaluate the short-time efficacy of intensive robot-assisted therapy compared to usual physical therapy performed in the early phase after stroke onset.MethodsFifty-three subacute stroke patients at their first-ever stroke were enrolled 30 ± 7 days after the acute event and randomized into two groups, both exposed to standard therapy. Additional 30 sessions of robot-assisted therapy were provided to the Experimental Group. Additional 30 sessions of usual therapy were provided to the Control Group.The following impairment evaluations were performed at the beginning (T0), after 15 sessions (T1), and at the end of the treatment (T2): Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FM), Modified Ashworth Scale-Shoulder (MAS-S), Modified Ashworth Scale-Elbow (MAS-E), Total Passive Range of Motion-Shoulder/Elbow (pROM), and Motricity Index (MI).ResultsEvidence of significant improvements in MAS-S (p = 0.004), MAS-E (p = 0.018) and pROM (p < 0.0001) was found in the Experimental Group. Significant improvement was demonstrated in both Experimental and Control Group in FM (EG: p < 0.0001, CG: p < 0.0001) and MI (EG: p < 0.0001, CG: p < 0.0001), with an higher improvement in the Experimental Group.ConclusionsRobot-assisted upper limb rehabilitation treatment can contribute to increasing motor recovery in subacute stroke patients. Focusing on the early phase of stroke recovery has a high potential impact in clinical practice.