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Markowska A, Tarnacka B. Molecular Changes in the Ischemic Brain as Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Targets-TMS and tDCS Mechanisms, Therapeutic Challenges, and Combination Therapies. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1560. [PMID: 39062133 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability. As the currently used neurorehabilitation methods present several limitations, the ongoing research focuses on the use of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). NIBS methods were demonstrated to modulate neural excitability and improve motor and cognitive functioning in neurodegenerative diseases. However, their mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated, and the clinical outcomes are often unpredictable. This review explores the molecular processes underlying the effects of TMS and tDCS in stroke rehabilitation, including oxidative stress reduction, cell death, stimulation of neurogenesis, and neuroprotective phenotypes of glial cells. A highlight is put on the newly emerging therapeutic targets, such as ferroptotic and pyroptotic pathways. In addition, the issue of interindividual variability is discussed, and the role of neuroimaging techniques is investigated to get closer to personalized medicine. Furthermore, translational challenges of NIBS techniques are analyzed, and limitations of current clinical trials are investigated. The paper concludes with suggestions for further neurorehabilitation stroke treatment, putting the focus on combination and personalized therapies, as well as novel protocols of brain stimulation techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Markowska
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Warsaw Medical University, Spartańska 1, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Tarnacka
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Warsaw Medical University, Spartańska 1, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland
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Chao TC, Lin CH, Lee MS, Chang CC, Lai CY, Huang CY, Chang WY, Chiang SL. The Efficacy of Early Rehabilitation Combined with Virtual Reality Training in Patients with First-Time Acute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:847. [PMID: 39063603 DOI: 10.3390/life14070847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Early rehabilitation has beneficial impacts on functional outcomes for patients with acute stroke. However, whether the addition of virtual reality (VR) training could further improve these patients' muscle strength, functional recovery, and psychological health is unknown. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 33 patients with first-time acute ischemic stroke. The patients were randomly assigned using a 1:1 randomization ratio to either the experimental group (EG) or the comparison group (CG). Both groups received early rehabilitation, and the EG received extra VR training during their stay in the hospital. Muscle strength, functional status, and psychological health were assessed before the intervention and at discharge. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the intervention effects via the interaction of time and group. After adjusting for potential covariates, the EG showed a more significant decrease in depression at discharge than the CG (ß = 3.77, p = 0.011). There were no differences in muscle strength and functional recovery between groups after intervention. Adding VR training into early rehabilitation facilitates substantial positive effects on psychological health, specifically depression, but not muscle strength and functional recovery, compared to receiving early rehabilitation alone in patients with first-time acute stroke during their hospitalized period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ta-Chung Chao
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Huei Lin
- School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Meei-Shyuan Lee
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chiang Chang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ying Lai
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yao Huang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yuan Chang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Lin Chiang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
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Alashram AR. Combined noninvasive brain stimulation virtual reality for upper limb rehabilitation poststroke: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:2523-2537. [PMID: 38286919 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07360-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Upper limb impairments are common consequences of stroke. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) and virtual reality (VR) play crucial roles in improving upper limb function poststroke. This review aims to evaluate the effects of combined NIBS and VR interventions on upper limb function post-stroke and to provide recommendations for future studies in the rehabilitation field. PubMed, MEDLINE, PEDro, SCOPUS, REHABDATA, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched from inception to November 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) encompassed patients with a confirmed stroke diagnosis, administrated combined NIBS and VR compared with passive (i.e., rest) or active (conventional therapy), and included at least one outcome assessing upper limb function (i.e., strength, spasticity, function) were selected. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Seven studies met the eligibility criteria. In total, 303 stroke survivors (Mean age: 61.74 years) were included in this review. According to the Cochrane Collaboration tool, five studies were classified as "high quality," while two were categorized as "moderate quality". There are mixed findings for the effects of combined NIBS and VR on upper limb function in stroke survivors. The evidence for the effects of combined transcranial direct current stimulation and VR on upper limb function post-stroke is promising. However, the evidence regarding the effects of combined repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and VR on upper limb function is limited. Further randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up are strongly warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anas R Alashram
- Department of Physiotherapy, Middle East University, Amman, Jordan.
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy.
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Soleimani M, Ghazisaeedi M, Heydari S. The efficacy of virtual reality for upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2024; 24:135. [PMID: 38790042 PMCID: PMC11127427 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-024-02534-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stroke frequently gives rise to incapacitating motor impairments in the upper limb. Virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation has exhibited potential for augmenting upper extremity recovery; nonetheless, the optimal techniques for such interventions remain a topic of uncertainty. The present systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to comprehensively compare VR-based rehabilitation with conventional occupational therapy across a spectrum of immersion levels and outcome domains. METHODS A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, IEEE, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycNET databases to identify randomized controlled trials about upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients utilizing VR interventions. The search encompassed studies published in the English language up to March 2023. The identified studies were stratified into different categories based on the degree of immersion employed: non-immersive, semi-immersive, and fully-immersive settings. Subsequent meta-analyses were executed to assess the impact of VR interventions on various outcome measures. RESULTS Of the 11,834 studies screened, 55 studies with 2142 patients met the predefined inclusion criteria. VR conferred benefits over conventional therapy for upper limb motor function, functional independence, Quality of life, Spasticity, and dexterity. Fully immersive VR showed the greatest gains in gross motor function, while non-immersive approaches enhanced fine dexterity. Interventions exceeding six weeks elicited superior results, and initiating VR within six months post-stroke optimized outcomes. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that adjunctive VR-based rehabilitation enhances upper limb motor recovery across multiple functional domains compared to conventional occupational therapy alone after stroke. Optimal paradigms likely integrate VR's immersive capacity with conventional techniques. TRIAL REGISTRATION This systematic review and meta-analysis retrospectively registered in the OSF registry under the identifier [ https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/YK2RJ ].
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Soleimani
- Department of Health Information Management and Medical Informatics, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marjan Ghazisaeedi
- Department of Health Information Management and Medical Informatics, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soroush Heydari
- Department of Health Information Management and Medical Informatics, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Baroni A, Antonioni A, Fregna G, Lamberti N, Manfredini F, Koch G, D’Ausilio A, Straudi S. The Effectiveness of Paired Associative Stimulation on Motor Recovery after Stroke: A Scoping Review. Neurol Int 2024; 16:567-589. [PMID: 38804482 PMCID: PMC11130975 DOI: 10.3390/neurolint16030043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Paired associative stimulation (PAS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique combining transcranial magnetic stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation. PAS allows connections between cortical areas and peripheral nerves (C/P PAS) or between cortical regions (C/C PAS) to be strengthened or weakened by spike-timing-dependent neural plasticity mechanisms. Since PAS modulates both neurophysiological features and motor performance, there is growing interest in its application in neurorehabilitation. We aimed to synthesize evidence on the motor rehabilitation role of PAS in stroke patients. We performed a literature search following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews Framework. Eight studies were included: one investigated C/C PAS between the cerebellum and the affected primary motor area (M1), seven applied C/P PAS over the lesional, contralesional, or both M1. Seven studies evaluated the outcome on upper limb and one on lower limb motor recovery. Although several studies omit crucial methodological details, PAS highlighted effects mainly on corticospinal excitability, and, more rarely, an improvement in motor performance. However, most studies failed to prove a correlation between neurophysiological changes and motor improvement. Although current studies seem to suggest a role of PAS in post-stroke rehabilitation, their heterogeneity and limited number do not yet allow definitive conclusions to be drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Baroni
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.B.); (G.F.); (N.L.); (F.M.); (G.K.); (A.D.); (S.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Ferrara University Hospital, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Annibale Antonioni
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.B.); (G.F.); (N.L.); (F.M.); (G.K.); (A.D.); (S.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Ferrara University Hospital, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
- Doctoral Program in Translational Neurosciences and Neurotechnologies, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giulia Fregna
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.B.); (G.F.); (N.L.); (F.M.); (G.K.); (A.D.); (S.S.)
- Doctoral Program in Translational Neurosciences and Neurotechnologies, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Nicola Lamberti
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.B.); (G.F.); (N.L.); (F.M.); (G.K.); (A.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Fabio Manfredini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.B.); (G.F.); (N.L.); (F.M.); (G.K.); (A.D.); (S.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Ferrara University Hospital, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giacomo Koch
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.B.); (G.F.); (N.L.); (F.M.); (G.K.); (A.D.); (S.S.)
- Center for Translational Neurophysiology of Speech and Communication (CTNSC), Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Non Invasive Brain Stimulation Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro D’Ausilio
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.B.); (G.F.); (N.L.); (F.M.); (G.K.); (A.D.); (S.S.)
- Center for Translational Neurophysiology of Speech and Communication (CTNSC), Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sofia Straudi
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.B.); (G.F.); (N.L.); (F.M.); (G.K.); (A.D.); (S.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Ferrara University Hospital, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
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Khokale R, S Mathew G, Ahmed S, Maheen S, Fawad M, Bandaru P, Zerin A, Nazir Z, Khawaja I, Sharif I, Abdin ZU, Akbar A. Virtual and Augmented Reality in Post-stroke Rehabilitation: A Narrative Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e37559. [PMID: 37193429 PMCID: PMC10183111 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.37559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are noble adjunctive technologies currently being studied for the neuro-rehabilitation of post-stroke patients, potentially enhancing conventional therapy. We explored the literature to find if VR/AR improves neuroplasticity in stroke rehabilitation for a better quality of life. This modality can lay the foundation for telerehabilitation services in remote areas. We analyzed four databases, namely Cochrane Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, by searching the following keywords: ("Stroke Rehabilitation" [Majr]) AND ("Augmented Reality" [Majr]), Virtual Augmented Reality in Stroke Rehabilitation. All the available open articles were reviewed and outlined. The studies conclude that VR/AR can help in early rehabilitation and yield better results in post-stroke patients in adjunct to conventional therapy. However, due to the limited research on this subject, we cannot conclude that this information is absolute. Moreover, VR/AR was seldom customized according to the needs of stroke survivors, which would have given us the full extent of its application. Around the world, stroke survivors are being studied to verify the accessibility and practicality of these innovative technologies. Observations conclude that further exploration of the extent of the implementations and efficacy of VR and AR, combined with conventional rehabilitation, is fundamental.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhutuja Khokale
- Neurology, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology LLC, Fairfield, USA
| | | | - Somi Ahmed
- Intensive Care Unit, Sumeru City Hospital, Lalitpur, NPL
| | - Sara Maheen
- General Medicine, Odessa National Medical University, Odessa, UKR
| | - Moiz Fawad
- Neurological Surgery, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, SAU
| | | | - Annu Zerin
- Internal Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneswar, IND
| | - Zahra Nazir
- Internal Medicine, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta, PAK
| | - Imran Khawaja
- Internal Medicine, Ayub Medical Institute, Abottabad, PAK
| | - Imtenan Sharif
- Community Medicine, Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences, Quetta, PAK
| | - Zain U Abdin
- Medicine, District Head Quarter Hospital, Faisalabad, PAK
| | - Anum Akbar
- Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA
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