Elderly Stroke Rehabilitation: Overcoming the Complications and Its Associated Challenges

Incentives for Uptake of and Adherence to Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Services: A 3-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine if rehabilitation uptake and adherence can be increased by providing coordinated transportation (increased convenience) and eliminating out-of-pocket costs (reduced expense).

DESIGN

Three-arm randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Stroke units of 2 Singapore tertiary hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

Singaporeans or permanent residents 21 years or older who were diagnosed as having stroke and were discharged home with physician's recommendation to continue outpatient rehabilitation (N=266).

INTERVENTIONS

A Transportation Incentives arm (T), which provides free transportation services, a Transportation & Sessions Incentives arm (T&S), offering free transportation and prescribed stroke rehabilitation sessions, and a control arm, Education (E), consisting of a stroke rehabilitation educational program.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary study outcome was uptake of outpatient rehabilitation services (ORS) among patients poststroke and key predefined secondary outcomes being number of sessions attended and adherence to prescribed sessions.

RESULTS

Uptake rate of ORS was 73.0% for E (confidence interval [CI], 63.8%-82.3%), 81.8% for T (CI, 73.8%-89.8%), and 84.3% for T&S (CI, 76.7%-91.8%). Differences of T and T&S vs E were not statistically significant (P=.22 and P=.10, respectively). However, average number of rehabilitation sessions attended were significantly higher in both intervention arms: 5.50±7.65 for T and 7.51±9.52 for T&S vs 3.26±4.22 for control arm (E) (T vs E: P=.017; T&S vs E: P<.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that persistence was higher for T&S compared with E (P=.029).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has demonstrated a possibility in increasing the uptake of and persistence to stroke ORS with free transportation and sessions. Incentivizing survivors of stroke to take up ORS is a new strategy worthy of further exploration for future policy change in financing ORS or other long-term care services.

A systematic review of the qualitative literature on older individuals' experiences of care and well-being during physical rehabilitation for acquired brain injury

Aims

To acquire an in‐depth understanding of how older individuals diagnosed with acquired brain injury (ABI) experience their well‐being and care when undergoing physical rehabilitation.

Design

Systematic literature review.

Data sources

The electronic databases of PubMed, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, ASSIA and SCOPUS were searched from 2005 to 2020. Extensive reference checking was also conducted.

Review methods

A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, including predominantly qualitative studies. Studies’ quality was appraised using the critical apraisal skills programme (CASP) tool.

Results

Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Following methods of thematic synthesis, four overarching interpretive themes were identified: (a) Rehabilitation processes and their impact on older individuals’ well‐being; (b) Identity and embodiment concerns of older individuals during rehabilitation; (c) Institutional factors affecting older individuals’ care and well‐being experiences; and (d) Older individuals’ participation in creative activities as part of rehabilitation.

Conclusion

Organizational and structural care deficiencies as well as health disparities can adversely impact older individuals’ autonomous decision‐making and goal‐setting potentials. The discrepancy between older individuals’ expectations and the reality of returning home along with the illusionary wish to return to a perceived normality, can further negatively affect older individuals’ sense of well‐being. Constructive communication, emotional support, family involvement in rehabilitation and creating a stimulating, enriching social environment can humanize and facilitate older individuals’ adjustment to their new reality following ABI.

Impact

There is a lack of qualitative research on older individuals’ ABI rehabilitation experiences, especially traumatic brain injury incidents. Further study should consider patients’ concerns over their involvement in decision‐making and goal setting about their care. Overall, this review reveals the need to examine further the significance of humanizing care and the factors that affect older individuals’ sense of well‐being.

SUMO1 Deficiency Exacerbates Neurological and Cardiac Dysfunction after Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Aged Mice

Small ubiquitin-like modifier 1 (SUMO1) reduces cardiac hypertrophy and induces neuroprotective effects. Previous studies have found that intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) provokes cardiac deficit in the absence of primary cardiac diseases in mice. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that SUMO1 deficiency leads to worse brain and heart dysfunction after ICH and SUMO1 plays a key role in regulating brain-heart interaction after ICH in aged mice. Aged (18-20 months) female SUMO1 null (SUMO1-/-) mice and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8/group): (1) WT-sham group, (2) SUMO1-/--sham group, (3) WT-ICH group, and (4) SUMO1-/--ICH group. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography. Neurological and cognitive functional tests were performed. Mice were sacrificed at 10 days after ICH for histological and immunohistochemically staining. Compared with WT-sham mice, WT-ICH mice exhibited (1) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased SUMO1 expression in heart tissue, (2) evident neurological and cognitive dysfunction as well as brain white matter deficits, (3) significantly increased cardiac dysfunction, and (4) inflammatory factor expression in the heart and brain. Compared with WT-ICH mice, SUMO1-/--ICH mice exhibited significantly increased: (1) brain hemorrhage volume, worse neurological and cognitive deficits, and increased white matter deficits; (2) cardiac dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis; (3) inflammatory response both in heart and brain tissue. Aged SUMO1-deficient female mice subjected to ICH not only exhibit increased neurological and cognitive functional deficit but also significantly increased cardiac dysfunction and inflammatory cell infiltration into the heart and brain. These data suggest that SUMO1 plays an important role in brain-heart interaction.

Influence of Spiritual Coping and Social Support on the Mental Health and Quality of Life of the Saudi Informal Caregivers of Patients with Stroke

The research explored the influence of spiritual coping and social support on mental health and quality of life (QOL) of informal caregivers of stroke survivors in Saudi Arabia. The respondents were frequently using religious coping strategies than existential coping strategies. The respondents received higher support from significant others and lowest support from friends. The majority of the respondents had mild to moderate depression, while more than one-third had mild to severe anxiety. Psychological health received the highest QOL, while physical health received the poorest QOL. Spiritual coping and social support significantly influenced the informal caregivers' mental health and QOL.

Preclinical Stroke Research and Translational Failure: A Bird's Eye View on Preventable Variables

Despite achieving remarkable success in understanding the cellular, molecular and pathophysiological aspects of stroke, translation from preclinical research has always remained an area of debate. Although thousands of experimental compounds have been reported to be neuro-protective, their failures in clinical setting have left the researchers and stakeholders in doldrums. Though the failures described have been excruciating, they also give us a chance to refocus on the shortcomings. For better translational value, evidences from preclinical studies should be robust and reliable. Preclinical study design has a plethora of variables affecting the study outcome. Hence, this review focusses on the factors to be considered for a well-planned preclinical study while adhering to guidelines with emphasis on the study design, commonly used animal models, their limitations with special attention on various preventable attritions including comorbidities, aged animals, time of dosing, outcome measures and physiological variables along with the concept of multicentric preclinical randomized controlled trials. Here, we provide an overview of a panorama of practical aspects, which could be implemented, so that a well-defined preclinical study would result in a neuro-protectant with better translational value.

Age-adjusted infarct volume cut-off points improve stroke outcome prognostication beyond modeling with age and infarct volume

BACKGROUND

Age and infarct volume are among the most powerful predictors of outcome after large vessel occlusion acute strokes (LVOS).

OBJECTIVE

To study the impact of age-adjusted final infarct volume (FIV) on functional outcomes.

METHODS

Review of a prospectively collected thrombectomy database at a tertiary care center between September 2010 and February 2018. Consecutive patients with anterior circulation LVOS who achieved full reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 3) were categorized into four age groups: (G1) <60 years, (G2) 60-69, (G3) 70-79, (G4) ≥80 years. The Youden Index was used to identify the optimal FIV cut-off point for good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) discrimination in each group and the overall population. The predictive ability of these specific thresholds was evaluated using binary logistic regressions and compared with the non-age-adjusted cut-off point.

RESULTS

516 patients were analyzed (G1: n=171, G2: n=130, G3: n=103, G4: n=112). Patients with poor outcome had a larger FIV in each group (p<0.01 for all). The target FIV cut-off point decreased with increased age: G1: 45.7 mL (sensitivity 56%, specificity 80%); G2: 30.4 mL (sensitivity 63%, specificity 75%); G3: 20.2 mL (sensitivity 76%, specificity 65%); G4: 16.9 mL (sensitivity 68%, specificity 70%). The non-age-adjusted cut-off point was 19.2 mL (sensitivity 70%, specificity 59%).In multivariate analysis, adjusting for confounders including age and FIV, achieving a FIV less than the age-adjusted threshold was an independent predictor of good outcome (aOR=2.72, 95% CI 1.41 to 5.24, p<0.001). In contrast, a similar model including the non-age-adjusted target cut-off point failed to reveal an association with good outcome (aOR=1.72, 95% CI 0.93 to 3.19, p<0.085). Furthermore, the latter model had a weaker outcome predictive ability as assessed by the Akaike information criterion (409 vs 403).

CONCLUSIONS

Age-adjusted infarct volume represents a strong outcome discriminator beyond age and infarct volume in isolation and might help to refine patient selection and improve outcome prognostication in stroke thrombectomy.

Decoding of Ankle Joint Movements in Stroke Patients Using Surface Electromyography

Stroke is a cerebrovascular disease (CVD), which results in hemiplegia, paralysis, or death. Conventionally, a stroke patient requires prolonged sessions with physical therapists for the recovery of motor function. Various home-based rehabilitative devices are also available for upper limbs and require minimal or no assistance from a physiotherapist. However, there is no clinically proven device available for functional recovery of a lower limb. In this study, we explored the potential use of surface electromyography (sEMG) as a controlling mechanism for the development of a home-based lower limb rehabilitative device for stroke patients. In this experiment, three channels of sEMG were used to record data from 11 stroke patients while performing ankle joint movements. The movements were then decoded from the sEMG data and their correlation with the level of motor impairment was investigated. The impairment level was quantified using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale. During the analysis, Hudgins time-domain features were extracted and classified using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and artificial neural network (ANN). On average, 63.86% ± 4.3% and 67.1% ± 7.9% of the movements were accurately classified in an offline analysis by LDA and ANN, respectively. We found that in both classifiers, some motions outperformed others (p < 0.001 for LDA and p = 0.014 for ANN). The Spearman correlation (ρ) was calculated between the FMA scores and classification accuracies. The results indicate that there is a moderately positive correlation (ρ = 0.75 for LDA and ρ = 0.55 for ANN) between the two of them. The findings of this study suggest that a home-based EMG system can be developed to provide customized therapy for the improvement of functional lower limb motion in stroke patients.

Cognitive reserve in stroke patients

At present, a limited amount of information exists on the association between cognitive reserve and cognitive impairment in stroke populations. To determine predictors of cognitive reserve among stroke patients, 80 stroke patients attending the neurological and rehabilitation clinic in two different Malaysian general hospitals participated in this study. The Malay Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq-M), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales-Short Form (DASS-21), WHO Quality of Life assessment BREF-21 (WHO-QOL BREF-21), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used as instruments in this study. The study found that cognitive reserve (CRIq-M) is positively correlated with cognitive function (MoCA), r = 0.529, p < .01. Multiregression showed that education was a significant predictor of cognitive impairment whereas cognitive impairment as assessed by the MoCA is a significant predictor for cognitive reserve in people with stroke. Early identification of cognitive impairment among stroke patients is important so that effective individual rehabilitation can be designed to enhance individual cognitive reserve and quality of life.

Neuroprotective effects of human amniotic fluid stem cells-derived secretome in an ischemia/reperfusion model

Stem cells offer the basis for the promotion of robust new therapeutic approaches for a variety of human disorders. There are still many limitations to be overcome before clinical therapeutic application, including a better understanding of the mechanism by which stem cell therapies may lead to enhanced recovery. In vitro investigations are necessary to dissect the mechanisms involved and to support the potential development in stem cell-based therapies. In spite of growing interest in human amniotic fluid stem cells, not much is known about the characteristics of their secretome and regarding the potential neuroprotective mechanism in different pathologies, including stroke. To get more insight on amniotic fluid cells therapeutic potential, signal transduction pathways activated by human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs)-derived secretome in a stroke in vitro model (ischemia/reperfusion [I/R] model) were investigated by Western blot. Moreover, miRNA expression in the exosomal fraction of the conditioned medium was analyzed. hAFSCs-derived secretome was able to activate pro-survival and anti-apoptotic pathways. MicroRNA analysis in the exosomal component revealed a panel of 16 overexpressed miRNAs involved in the regulation of coherent signaling pathways. In particular, the pathways of relevance in ischemia/reperfusion, such as neurotrophin signaling, and those related to neuroprotection and neuronal cell death, were analyzed. The results obtained strongly point toward the neuroprotective effects of the hAFSCs-conditioned medium in the in vitro stroke model here analyzed. This can be achieved by the modulation and activation of pro-survival processes, at least in part, due to the activity of secreted miRNAs.

The effects of abdominal "I LOV U" massage along with lifestyle training on constipation and distension in the elderly with stroke

INTRODUCTION

Constipation and distension are dominant gastrointestinal problems after stroke in the elderly. Always they are treated by the use of laxatives and fibers. Abdominal massage along with a healthy lifestyle can be a solution.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of abdominal massage and lifestyle training on constipation and distention of the elderly with stroke.

METHOD

This study was a randomized clinical trial that was conducted on elderly patients with stroke at Qaem hospital of Mashhad, Iran. 68 patients were randomly allocated into control (n = 34) and intervention (n = 34) groups in 2017-2018. Finally 29 elderly in the intervention and 34 in the control group completed the study. Intervention included the abdominal massage by using "I LOV U" method along with lifestyle education. Each abdominal massage lasted for 15 min, twice daily for ten days that was performed at first session by the researcher and then continued by the key care giver. Data were collected by the demographic form, constipation assessment score (CAS), distension measurement tool (meter), and food tolerance evaluation checklist.

RESULTS

The results indicated that both groups were homogeneous in demographic variables (P > 0.05). The repeated ANOVA showed a more significant decrease in abdominal circumference of the intervention group during the 10- days study (P = 0.029).The Friedman test showed a significant difference in frequency of defecation in two groups in 10- day study (P < 0.0001). Therefore the CAS Score was significantly decreased in intervention group more than the control group (0.30 < 0.98 < 1.59, P = 0.001, EF = 0.44). The food tolerance frequencies through Gavage (P = 0.20), and also orally (P < 0.001) were significantly improved in the intervention group.

CONCLUSION

According to results, the abdominal massage along with lifestyle training could improve constipation and distension and also increase food intake tolerance in the elderly patients with stroke.

Early Rehabilitation in Acute Care Inpatient Wards May Be Crucial to Functional Recovery 3 Months After Ischemic Stroke

OBJECTIVE

Early rehabilitation in acute care inpatient wards may maximize functional outcome at 3 months after stroke in survivors of stroke. It is unknown whether functional change during acute care hospitalization is significantly associated with functional recovery at 3 months in survivors of acute stroke. The purposes of this study were to examine the association of the Barthel Index (BI) at 3 months with functional change as measured with the Barthel Index (ΔBI) in an acute care inpatient ward and to identify the factors associated with ΔBI and who could benefit from an early rehabilitation program.

METHODS

In this prospective longitudinal study, 76 patients with ischemic stroke in an acute care inpatient ward received early rehabilitation of up to 2 sessions per day for 5 d/wk during their stay. Therapy density was calculated as the proportion of total therapy sessions completed. At admission and discharge, they were assessed with the BI and the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS). Demographic and health-related information was also collected. The Barthel Index (BI) was reassessed at 3 months.

RESULTS

ΔBI in the acute care inpatient ward significantly predicted the BI at 3 months, over and above the other significant variables; in addition, therapy density and change in PASS were significantly associated with ΔBI. Patients with moderate initial functional dependence had the largest ΔBI, followed by the group with a more severe condition.

CONCLUSIONS

ΔBI in acute care inpatient wards may be an important predictor of the BI at 3 months. Therapy density and change in PASS were significantly associated with ΔBI.

IMPACT

Survivors of acute stroke who receive up to 2 rehabilitation sessions per day for 5 d/wk early in their hospitalization have better functional recovery at 3 months after stroke.

Effect of a tailored multidimensional intervention on the care burden among family caregivers of stroke survivors: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Caring for stroke survivors creates high levels of care burden among family caregivers. Previous initiatives at alleviating the care burden have been unsuccessful. The proposed study aims to evaluate the effect of a tailored multidimensional intervention on the care burden among family caregivers of stroke survivors. Based on the perceived needs of family caregivers, this intervention takes into account scientific recommendations to combine three different approaches: skill-building, psychoeducation and peer support.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Using a prospective, randomised, open-label, parallel-group design, 110 family caregivers will be enrolled from Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt between December 2019 and May 2020, and randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The tailored multidimensional intervention will be administered for 6 months, including three home visits, six home-based telephone calls and one peer support session. The primary outcome is the care burden as measured using the Zarit Burden Interview. Secondary outcomes include changes in the family caregivers' perceived needs (Family Needs Questionnaire-Revised), coping strategies (Brief-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) and quality of life (WHO Quality of Life-BREF). Outcomes evaluation will be conducted at baseline (T0), month 3 (T1) and month 6 (T2). Independent t-test will be performed to compare the mean values of study variables between the two groups at both T1 and T2. After adjusting for confounding variables, analysis of covariance will be used to assess the effect of the intervention. In addition, repeated measures analysis of variance will be conducted to assess changes in effect over time.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt (P.0195). The results will be published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal, and findings will be disseminated at the local and international levels.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04211662.

Agrin Involvement in Synaptogenesis Induced by Exercise in a Rat Model of Experimental Stroke

BACKGROUND

Agrin is a proteoglycan that aggregates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on neuromuscular junctions and takes part in synaptogenesis in the development of the central nervous system. However, its effects on neural repair and synaptogenesis after stroke are still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of agrin on neural repair and synaptogenesis after stroke and the effects of exercise on this process in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

Exercise with gradually increased intensity was initiated at 1 day after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for a maximum of 14 days. Neurological deficit scores and foot fault tests were used to assess the behavioral recovery. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopic images were used to detect the expression of agrin, synaptogenesis-related proteins, and synaptic density in vivo. In vitro, the ischemic neuron model was established via oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). The lentivirus overexpressed agrin and CREB inhibitor were used to investigate the mechanism by which agrin promoted synaptogenesis.

RESULTS

Exercise promoted behavioral recovery and this beneficial role was linked to the upregulated expression of agrin and increased synaptic density. Overexpressed agrin promoted synaptogenesis in OGD neuron, CREB inhibitor downregulated the expression of agrin and hampered synaptogenesis in cultured neurons.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that exercise poststroke improved the recovery of behavioral function after stroke. Synaptogenesis was an important and beneficial factor, and agrin played a critical role in this process and could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of stroke and other nervous system diseases.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle-based therapies protect against coupled degeneration of the central nervous and vascular systems in stroke

Stem cell-based treatments have been suggested as promising candidates for stroke. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported as potential therapeutics for a wide range of diseases. In particular, clinical trial studies have suggested MSCs for stroke therapy. The focus of MSC treatments has been directed towards cell replacement. However, recent research has lately highlighted their paracrine actions. The secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is offered to be the main therapeutic mechanism of MSC therapy. However, EV-based treatments may provide a wider therapeutic window compared to tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), the traditional treatment for stroke. Exosomes are nano-sized EVs secreted by most cell types, and can be isolated from conditioned cell media or body fluids such as plasma, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Exosomes apply their effects through targeting their cargos such as microRNAs (miRs), DNAs, messenger RNAs, and proteins at the host cells, which leads to a shift in the behavior of the recipient cells. It has been indicated that exosomes, in particular their functional cargoes, play a significant role in the coupled pathogenesis and recovery of stroke through affecting the neurovascular unit (NVU). Therefore, it seems that exosomes could be utilized as diagnostic and therapeutic tools in stroke treatment. The miRs are small endogenous non-coding RNA molecules which serve as the main functional cargo of exosomes, and apply their effects as epigenetic regulators. These versatile non-coding RNA molecules are involved in various stages of stroke and affect stroke-related factors. Moreover, the involvement of aging-induced changes to specific miRs profile in stroke further highlights the role of miRs. Thus, miRs could be utilized as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tools in stroke. In this review, we discuss the roles of stem cells, exosomes, and their application in stroke therapy. We also highlight the usage of miRs as a therapeutic choice in stroke therapy.

Sexual dysfunction after stroke-A biopsychosocial perspective

OBJECTIVES

Poststroke sexual dysfunction (PSSD) is widespread and underrecognised, affecting over half of stroke patients with significant effects on a patients' quality of life. We reviewed the postulated factors contributing to PSSD and explore the underrecognition by presenting a questionnaire study as well as examining existing literature.

METHODS

A literature search between January 1980 and December 2019 in electronic databases such as EMBASE, MEDLINE and PubMed was conducted. The questionnaire study involved all adult stroke patients attending the outpatient clinic over a 6-month period, containing multiple choice and open questions relating to prevalence, impact and provision provided for patients with PSSD.

FINDINGS

Poststroke sexual dysfunction is unlikely attributed solely to the physical effects of stroke. We present a biopsychosocial model summarising the wide range of factors which can contribute to PSSD. Less than 10% of patients receive any advice despite 90% of patients hoping for advice relating to sexual dysfunction in stroke.

INTERPRETATION AND IMPLICATIONS

A multidisciplinary, proactive involvement in screening and managing PSSD is required to successfully manage a commonly forgotten complication of stroke. As part of the wider theme of managing lifestyle factors poststroke (eg, smoking, driving advice, dietary advice, alcohol), the 'sexual function aspect' of patients' lives must not be ignored.

Role of 18F-FDG positron emission tomography in carotid atherosclerotic plaque imaging: A systematic review

Stroke and other thromboembolic events in the brain are often due to carotid artery atherosclerosis, and atherosclerotic plaques with inflammation are considered particularly vulnerable, with an increased risk of becoming symptomatic. Positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-deoxy-2-[Fluorine-18] fluoro-D-glucose (¹⁸F-FDG) provides valuable metabolic information regarding arteriosclerotic lesions and may be applied for the detection of vulnerable plaque. At present, however, patients are selected for carotid surgical intervention on the basis of the degree of stenosis alone, and not the vulnerability or inflammation of the lesion. During the past decade, research using PET with the glucose analog tracer ¹⁸F-fluor-deoxy-glucose, has been implemented for identifying increased tracer uptake in symptomatic carotid plaques, and tracer uptake has been shown to correlate with plaque inflammation and vulnerability. These findings imply that ¹⁸F-FDG PET might hold the promise for a new and better diagnostic test to identify patients eligible for carotid endarterectomy. The rationale for developing diagnostic tests based on molecular imaging with ¹⁸F-FDG PET, as well as methods for simple clinical PET approaches, are discussed. This is a systematic review, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines, which interrogated the PUBMED database from January 2001 to November 2019. The search combined the terms, “atherosclerosis,” “inflammation,” “FDG,” and “plaque imaging.” The search criteria included all types of studies, with a primary outcome of the degree of arterial vascular inflammation determined by ¹⁸F-FDG uptake. This review examines the role of ¹⁸F-FDG PET imaging in the characterization of atherosclerotic plaques.

Health-related quality of life of patients after ischaemic stroke treated in a provincial hospital in Poland

BACKGROUND

Ischaemic stroke (IS) is a major cause of death and disability and affects the quality of life of patients. Previous studies focused on urban populations.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the health-related quality of life (QoL) of patients with history of IS and living in a rural area in Poland.

PATIENTS

Rural population of 172 patients discharged from a district hospital in Zakopane, Poland with a diagnosis of IS in the period from 01.01.2005 to 31.10.2006.

INTERVENTION

QoL was evaluated using the European Quality of Life Scale-5 Dimensions EQ-5D-3 L (EQ-5D) and the Short Form Health Survey - 12 version 2 (SF-12).

RESULTS

In the EQ-5D survey, 57.3% of patients had only some problems with mobility, 40.3% with usual activities, 63.2% with pain/discomfort, 59% with anxiety/depression, and 32.2% with self-care. In the SF-12 survey, both summary components (physical and psychological) were reduced compared to the population norm.

CONCLUSION

The quality of life in IS survivors is clearly reduced in the majority of domains assessed by the EQ-5D and SF-12 questionnaires. The most important factors affecting QoL were the functional state, depression and anxiety. A significant difference as compared to to urban and mixed populations was observed for a reduced SF-12 mental health component and for the EQ-5D visual analogue scale. We found no effect of gender, age or cognitive disorders on the outcomes of SF-12.

Post-Ischaemic Immunological Response in the Brain: Targeting Microglia in Ischaemic Stroke Therapy

Microglia, the major endogenous immune cells of the central nervous system, mediate critical degenerative and regenerative responses in ischaemic stroke. Microglia become "activated", proliferating, and undergoing changes in morphology, gene and protein expression over days and weeks post-ischaemia, with deleterious and beneficial effects. Pro-inflammatory microglia (commonly referred to as M1) exacerbate secondary neuronal injury through the release of reactive oxygen species, cytokines and proteases. In contrast, microglia may facilitate neuronal recovery via tissue and vascular remodelling, through the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors (a profile often termed M2). This M1/M2 nomenclature does not fully account for the microglial heterogeneity in the ischaemic brain, with some simultaneous expression of both M1 and M2 markers at the single-cell level. Understanding and regulating microglial activation status, reducing detrimental and promoting repair behaviours, present the potential for therapeutic intervention, and open a longer window of opportunity than offered by acute neuroprotective strategies. Pharmacological modulation of microglial activation status to promote anti-inflammatory gene expression can increase neurogenesis and improve functional recovery post-stroke, based on promising preclinical data. Cell-based therapies, using preconditioned microglia, are of interest as a method of therapeutic modulation of the post-ischaemic inflammatory response. Currently, there are no clinically-approved pharmacological options targeting post-ischaemic inflammation. A major developmental challenge for clinical translation will be the selective suppression of the deleterious effects of microglial activity after stroke whilst retaining (or enhancing) the neurovascular repair and remodelling responses of microglia.

Patients with neuropsychological disorders short after stroke have worse functional outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To investigate if patients with neuropsychological disorders (neglect, aphasia, or cognitive dysfunction measured with the Mini-mental state examination) short after stroke have different functional outcome at follow-up compared to patients without these disorders.

METHODS

Embase, Medline-Ovid, PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science and Google Scholar were systematically searched for cohort studies up to 3 March 2019. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Functional outcome had to be measured with the Barthel Index or the Functional Independence Measure. If at least three studies studying the same neuropsychological disorder reported functional outcome at comparable follow-up, meta-analysis were performed and the quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE.

RESULTS

The search resulted in 5398 unique articles and finally 27 articles were included. Pooled results show a standardized mean difference of -0.93 (95% confidence interval [-1.27 to -0.59]), indicating that the group with neglect short after stroke has significant lower functional outcome at follow-up. Regarding aphasia, the standardized mean difference was -0.50 (95% confidence interval [-0.72 to -0.28]). It appears in the limited articles available that patients with cognitive dysfunction have lower scores for functional outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with neglect or aphasia, especially aphasia with comprehension deficits, short after stroke have significant worse functional outcome.Implications for rehabilitationClinicians should perform an extensive screening for neglect, aphasia, and cognitive disorders to make sure to diagnose the different neuropsychological disorders correctly.When patients with neuropsychological disorders are referred for rehabilitation, it can be expected that they need a longer rehabilitation period or may never reach the same level of functioning.Clinicians should pay attention to instructions of training moments outside therapy and involve caregivers and patients family making these training moments more effective.

Management protocols and encountered complications among stroke patients admitted to stroke unit of Jimma university medical center, Southwest Ethiopia: Prospective observational study

Objectives

The number of stroke patients receiving recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) in developing world is extremely low. Pre-hospital delay, financial constraints and lack of infrastructure are the main barriers. Additionally, various medical, neurological and psychological complications are allied to stroke patients after the acute attack. Hence, the study was aimed to identify management protocols and encountered complications among stroke patients admitted to stroke unit of Jimma university medical center (JUMC).

Patients and methods

Prospective observational study was conducted at stroke unit of JUMC from March 10 to July 10, 2017. All eligible consecutive stroke patients of ≥18 years were included. Data was entered to Epi data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Results

A total of 116 eligible stroke patients were followed with mean age of 55.14 ± 14.04 years and males comprised of 62.9%. Using world health organization (WHO) criteria, 60 (51.7%) patients had ischemic while 56 (48.3%) had hemorrhagic stroke. During admission, 93 (80.2%) patients had developed at least one complication. The most complication was brain edema (increased intracranial pressure) detected in about one third of the patients (30.2%) followed by urinary incontinence (28.4%) and aspiration pneumonia (19.8%). Almost half of the patients (52.5%) had at least one past medication history. During hospitalization, 111(95.7%) of patients had received at least one medication and the median start time of the medications after hospital arrival was 15 h. The most common medication given for the patients during hospitalization were antiplatelets and statins for 63 (54.3%) patients. During discharge, about 78 (67.2%) patients had received medications and antihypertensives were the prominent medications prescribed for half of the discharged patients.

Conclusion

Both neurologic and medical complications were common in majority of stroke patients. But the management protocol for stroke patients was sub-optimal and lagging behind the recommended guidelines due to lack of skilled personnel, appropriate treatment and diagnostic agents. The clinical team involved in the care of stroke patients should make preparations to take preventive measures that will save a lot of lives.

Endovascular Treatment Decision Making in Octogenarians and Nonagenarians : Insights from UNMASK EVT an International Multidisciplinary Study

BACKGROUND

Evidence for efficacy and safety in stroke patients ≥80 years is limited, since they were underrepresented in randomized thrombectomy trials. This study sought to explore how physicians approach endovascular therapy (EVT) decision making in octogenarians and nonagenarians under their current local resources under assumed ideal conditions, i.e. without external (monetary or infrastructural) limitations.

METHODS

In an international multidisciplinary survey, 607 physicians involved in acute stroke care were randomly assigned 10 out of a pool of 22 case scenarios with different evidence levels for EVT, 4 of which involved octogenarians and 2 nonagenarians, and asked how they would treat the patient in the given scenario A) under their current local resources and B) under assumed ideal conditions, i.e. with no external restraints. Decision rates were calculated and clustered multivariable regression analysis performed to determine adjusted measures of effect size for patient age.

RESULTS

In octogenarians, physicians decided in favor of EVT in 76.7% (all of which were level 2B evidence scenarios) under current local resources and in 80.2% under assumed ideal conditions. In nonagenarians, 74.0% decided in favor of EVT under current local resources (level 1A scenarios: 87.7%, level 2B scenarios: 60.3%) and 79.2% would offer EVT under assumed ideal conditions (level 1A scenarios: 91.3%, level 2B scenarios: 67.2%). Age was not a significant predictor for treatment decision under current local resources (adjusted odds ratio, OR: 0.99, confidence interval, CI: 0.96-1.02 per decile increase) and under assumed ideal conditions (adjusted OR: 1.00, CI 0.97-1.03 per decile increase).

CONCLUSION

The vast majority of physicians participating in this survey would offer EVT to acute ischemic stroke patients above 80 years.

A multimodal training with visual biofeedback in subacute stroke survivors: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Early interventions maximizing patient's involvement are essential to promote gait restoration and motor recovery after stroke.

AIM

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a multimodal biofeedback training involving cycling augmented by functional electrical stimulation (FES) and balance exercises on walking ability and motor recovery.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial (NCT02439515).

SETTING

Inpatient rehabilitation facility.

POPULATION

Subacute stroke survivors (less than 6 months from the first event) aged up to 90 years old.

METHODS

Sixty-eight participants were randomly allocated to an experimental group, performing 15 sessions of biofeedback FES-cycling training followed by 15 sessions of biofeedback balance training (20 minutes each) in addition to usual care (70 minutes), and a control group performing 30 sessions (90 minutes) of usual care. Participants were evaluated before training, after 15 sessions, after 30 sessions, and at 6-month follow-up through: gait speed (primary outcome), spatiotemporal gait parameters, Six-Minute Walking Test, Functional Independence Measure, Motricity Index, Trunk Control Test, Berg Balance Scale, and Fall Efficacy Scale.

RESULTS

Both groups significantly improved over time, but no group and interaction effects were found for any outcomes. The 73% of the experimental group achieved a clinically meaningful change in gait speed compared to the 38% of the control group (P=0.048). These percentages were even more unbalanced for patients with a moderate to severe gait impairment at baseline (91% versus 36%; P=0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

The multimodal biofeedback training was not statistically superior to usual care, showing only a positive trend in favor of the experimental group on locomotion recovery. Patients initially not able to walk might be the best candidates for such a training.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

The multimodal biofeedback training is a task-specific, repetitive and intensive training requiring a minimal supervision, which might result in a lower staff to patient ratio if organized in group sessions. Therefore, it can represent a good alternative for early stroke rehabilitation.

A newly designed intensive caregiver education program reduces cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression in patients with acute ischemic stroke

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a newly designed intensive caregiver education program (ICEP) on reducing cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. One hundred and ninety-six AIS patients were divided into ICEP group and Control group in a 1:1 ratio using blocked randomization method. In the ICEP group, the caregivers received ICEP, while in the Control group caregivers received usual education and guidance. All patients received conventional rehabilitation treatment. Cognitive impairment (assessed by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score), anxiety (assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-A score and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) score), and depression (assessed by HADS-D score and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) score) were assessed at baseline (M0), 3 months (M3), 6 months (M6), and 12 months (M12). Cognitive impairment score at M12 and cognitive impairment score change (M12-M0) were increased, while cognitive impairment rate at M12 was reduced in the ICEP group compared with the Control group. Anxiety score change (M12-M0), anxiety score at M12, and anxiety rate at M12 were decreased in the ICEP group compared with the Control group. Depression score change (M12-M0), depression score at M12, and depression rate at M12 were lower in the ICEP group compared with the Control group. Further subgroup analysis based on baseline features also provided similar results. In conclusion, ICEP effectively reduced cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression in AIS patients.

Hyperglycemia is associated with poor in-hospital outcome in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke

Fasting hyperglycemia is associated with poor neurologic outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but its relationship with in-hospital outcome in elderly patients remains largely unknown. To assess the association of in-hospital outcome with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels at admission in individuals with AIS.This retrospective propensity score-matched case-control study included patients aged over 60 years suffering from AIS and who were admitted to the emergency department from November 2013 to October 2016. Subjects were grouped into the poor-outcome and good-outcome groups based on mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission.The poor- and good-outcome groups comprised 74 and 1927 cases, respectively, before propensity score matching (PSM), and 74 and 296 cases, respectively, after PSM. Univariable logistic regression analysis showed that initial FPG after admission was associated with poor in-hospital outcome. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that initial FPG after admission was an independent predictor of poor in-hospital outcome (odds ratio = 1.11, 95% confidence interval: 1.037-1.188, P = .003).This study used PSM and strongly suggests that FPG is an independent predictive factor of poor in-hospital outcome in elderly patients with AIS. High initial FPG levels after admission may predict poor in-hospital outcome. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Targeted Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Rehabilitation After Stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and in approximately 60% of individuals, upper limb deficits persist 6 months after stroke. These deficits adversely affect the functional use of the upper limb and restrict participation in day to day activities. An important goal of stroke rehabilitation is to improve the quality of life by enhancing functional independence and participation in activities. Since upper limb deficits are one of the best predictors of quality of life after stroke, effective interventions targeting these deficits may represent a means to improve quality of life. An increased understanding of the neurobiological processes underlying stroke recovery has led to the development of targeted approaches to improve motor deficits. One such targeted strategy uses brief bursts of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation to enhance plasticity and support recovery of upper limb function after chronic stroke. Stimulation of the vagus nerve triggers release of plasticity promoting neuromodulators, such as acetylcholine and norepinephrine, throughout the cortex. Timed engagement of neuromodulators concurrent with motor training drives task-specific plasticity in the motor cortex to improve function and provides the basis for paired VNS therapy. A number of studies in preclinical models of ischemic stroke demonstrated that VNS paired with rehabilitative training significantly improved the recovery of forelimb motor function compared to rehabilitative training without VNS. The improvements were associated with synaptic reorganization of cortical motor networks and recruitment of residual motor neurons controlling the impaired forelimb, demonstrating the putative neurobiological mechanisms underlying recovery of motor function. These preclinical studies provided the basis for conducting two multi-site, randomized controlled pilot trials in individuals with moderate to severe upper limb weakness after chronic ischemic stroke. In both studies, VNS paired with rehabilitation improved motor deficits compared to rehabilitation alone. The trials provided support for a 120-patient pivotal study designed to evaluate the efficacy of paired VNS therapy in individuals with chronic ischemic stroke. This manuscript will discuss the neurobiological rationale for VNS therapy, provide an in-depth discussion of both animal and human studies of VNS therapy for stroke, and outline the challenges and opportunities for the future use of VNS therapy.

Vinpocetine in the treatment of poststroke cognitive dysfunction: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous clinical trials have reported that vinpocetine can be used for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction. However, its efficacy is still inconclusive. In this systematic review study, we aim to assess its efficacy and safety for the treatment of poststroke cognitive dysfunction (PSCD).

METHODS

We will search the following electronic databases from the inception to the present to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vinpocetine for patients with PSCD. These databases include CENTRAL, EMBASE, MEDILINE, CINAHL, AMED, and four Chinese databases. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of vinpocetine for PSCD will be considered for inclusion without the language restrictions. The methodological quality of all included RCTs will be evaluated by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The 95% confidence intervals will be utilized to calculate the continuous data, the mean difference or standard mean difference, and dichotomous data with risk ratio.

DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS

The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals. Its results may provide important evidence for the clinical practice, as well as the future studies. It does not require ethical approval, because this systematic review will not involve the individual data.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42018115224.