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Body awareness (BA) is a complex multi-dimensional construct that refers to the subject's ability to consciously perceive and integrate sensory and proprioceptive information related to the position, movement, and balance of one's own body and body parts. Since it involves multiple brain regions and include different functional networks, it is very often affected by cerebrovascular damage such as stroke. Deficits in the ability to monitor our actions and predict their consequences or recognize our body parts and distinguish them from those of others may emerge after stroke. In this study, we decided to explore whether specific treatments targeting BA are discussed in current literature, and whether BA is considered as an outcome in neurorehabilitation processes for stroke patients. To achieve our goal, a scoping review on this often-underreported problem was performed. After analyzing the existing literature, emerged BA in stroke patients is rarely assessed or rehabilitated through specific stimulation or rehabilitation protocol. Additionally, treatment outcomes related to BA are often considered only from a "physical" perspective such as improvements in walking, balance, or the movement of specific body parts, rather than from a proprioceptive standpoint. Further research is needed to facilitate developing early and effective intervention strategies for the recovery of BA after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder frequently associated with subcortical damage. However, the precise roles of the subcortical nuclei, particularly the basal ganglia and thalamus, in the speech production process remain poorly understood. Methods: The present study aimed to better understand their roles by mapping neuroimaging, behavioral, and speech data obtained from subacute stroke patients with subcortical lesions. Multivariate lesion-symptom mapping and voxel-based morphometry methods were employed to correlate lesions in the basal ganglia and thalamus with speech production, with emphases on linguistic processing and articulation. Results: The present findings revealed that the left thalamus and putamen are significantly correlated with concept preparation (r = 0.64, p < 0.01) and word retrieval (r = 0.56, p < 0.01). As the difficulty of the behavioral tasks increased, the influence of cognitive factors on early linguistic processing gradually intensified. The globus pallidus and caudate nucleus were found to significantly impact the movements of the larynx (r = 0.63, p < 0.01) and tongue (r = 0.59, p = 0.01). These insights underscore the complex and interconnected roles of the basal ganglia and thalamus in the intricate processes of speech production. The lateralization and hierarchical organization of each nucleus are crucial to their contributions to these speech functions. Discussion: The present study provides a nuanced understanding of how lesions in the basal ganglia and thalamus impact various stages of speech production, thereby enhancing our understanding of the subcortical neuromechanisms underlying dysarthria. The findings could also contribute to the identification of multimodal assessment indicators, which could aid in the precise evaluation and personalized treatment of speech impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Poststroke pain (PSP) is a prevalent and severe consequence of stroke, encompassing central, neuropathic, and nonneuropathic pain. In this study, we aimed to investigate clinical factors associated with PSP three months after stroke and concurrently explore the association between PSP and one-year mortality. Methods: This registry-based study comprised data from stroke patients admitted to three hospitals in Sweden between November 2014 and June 2019. The outcome was PSP three months after stroke. Twelve (out of 28) predictor variables were selected by three machine learning methods, and a multivariable binary logistic regression model was fitted for predicting PSP. The association between PSP and one-year poststroke mortality was examined using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Among 4,160 stroke patients participating in the three-month follow-up, 54.7% reported PSP. Antiplatelet use, diabetes, hemiparesis, sensory deficits, and need for assistance before stroke were significant predictors of PSP. Male sex, being born in Sweden, higher income, and regular prestroke physical activity predicted the absence of PSP. After adjustment for age, sex, region of birth, and stroke severity, patients experiencing PSP had a significantly higher one-year mortality rate than those without pain, and the most severe level of pain (constant pain) was associated with the highest cumulative mortality. Conclusion: The study findings indicate treatable factors associated with PSP, which highlight areas of improvement in management strategies. Clinicians should recognize that PSP is associated with increased one-year mortality, emphasizing the importance of pain prevention and treatment for enhanced poststroke outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neural mobilization and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) help in reducing spasticity, improve muscle flexibility and balance, enhancing mobility and elasticity of the nervous system in stroke subjects. Objectives: The objective of the study was to compare the effect of Dynamic Neural Mobilization and PNF on grip strength and upper limb function in sub-acute stroke subjects. Materials and methods: 30 post-stroke subjects were recruited and were randomly divided into two groups. 15 subjects in Group A received Dynamic Neural Mobilization while 15 subjects in Group B received PNF. The treatment sessions were scheduled for 30 minutes per day, 5 times a week, for 4 weeks. Subjects were assessed for upper limb function and grip strength prior to- and post-intervention using Fugl Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) subscale and Hand Held Dynamometer. Results: Pre-test score of FMA-UE and grip strength were 33.60±7.13 and 2.92±1.07 in Group A and 32.60±9.85 and 1.70±0.68 in Group B respectively. The post-test scores of FMA-UE and grip strength were 41.00±7.07 and 5.12±203 in Group A and 34.13±10.40 and 3.32±0.82 in Group B. Within group comparison showed significant improvement in Group A and in grip strength of Group B subjects. FMA-UE in Group B did not show significant results compared to pre-test scores. Between groups comparison showed statistically significant improvement in Group A in both the outcomes. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that Dynamic Neural Mobilization was more effective than PNF in improving grip strength and upper limb function in subacute stroke subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionDysarthria is a motor speech disorder frequently associated with subcortical damage. However, the precise roles of the subcortical nuclei, particularly the basal ganglia and thalamus, in the speech production process remain poorly understood.MethodsThe present study aimed to better understand their roles by mapping neuroimaging, behavioral, and speech data obtained from subacute stroke patients with subcortical lesions. Multivariate lesion-symptom mapping and voxel-based morphometry methods were employed to correlate lesions in the basal ganglia and thalamus with speech production, with emphases on linguistic processing and articulation.ResultsThe present findings revealed that the left thalamus and putamen are significantly correlated with concept preparation (r = 0.64, p < 0.01) and word retrieval (r = 0.56, p < 0.01). As the difficulty of the behavioral tasks increased, the influence of cognitive factors on early linguistic processing gradually intensified. The globus pallidus and caudate nucleus were found to significantly impact the movements of the larynx (r = 0.63, p < 0.01) and tongue (r = 0.59, p = 0.01). These insights underscore the complex and interconnected roles of the basal ganglia and thalamus in the intricate processes of speech production. The lateralization and hierarchical organization of each nucleus are crucial to their contributions to these speech functions.DiscussionThe present study provides a nuanced understanding of how lesions in the basal ganglia and thalamus impact various stages of speech production, thereby enhancing our understanding of the subcortical neuromechanisms underlying dysarthria. The findings could also contribute to the identification of multimodal assessment indicators, which could aid in the precise evaluation and personalized treatment of speech impairments.

Body awareness (BA) is a complex multi-dimensional construct that refers to the subject’s ability to consciously perceive and integrate sensory and proprioceptive information related to the position, movement, and balance of one’s own body and body parts. Since it involves multiple brain regions and include different functional networks, it is very often affected by cerebrovascular damage such as stroke. Deficits in the ability to monitor our actions and predict their consequences or recognize our body parts and distinguish them from those of others may emerge after stroke. In this study, we decided to explore whether specific treatments targeting BA are discussed in current literature, and whether BA is considered as an outcome in neurorehabilitation processes for stroke patients. To achieve our goal, a scoping review on this often-underreported problem was performed. After analyzing the existing literature, emerged BA in stroke patients is rarely assessed or rehabilitated through specific stimulation or rehabilitation protocol. Additionally, treatment outcomes related to BA are often considered only from a “physical” perspective such as improvements in walking, balance, or the movement of specific body parts, rather than from a proprioceptive standpoint. Further research is needed to facilitate developing early and effective intervention strategies for the recovery of BA after stroke.