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Background: To investigate the efficacy and usefulness of 12 sessions of overground robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in subacute stroke patients., Methods: In this pilot study, 17 subacute stroke survivors were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 9) and control (n = 8) groups. In addition to the conventional stroke neurorehabilitation program, the intervention group received 30 minutes of overground exoskeletal RAGT, while the control group received 30 minutes of conventional gait training by a physiotherapist. All interventions were performed in 12 sessions (3 times/week for 4 weeks). The primary aim was to assess ambulation ability using the functional ambulation category (FAC). The 10-m walk test, Berg Balance Scale, timed-up-and-go Timed-up-and-go, Fugl-Meyer assessment of lower extremity, pulmonary function test, the Korean version of the modified Barthel index, and Euro quality of life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) were assessed. All outcomes were evaluated both before and after the intervention., Results: The Berg Balance Scale, Korean version of the modified Barthel index, and EQ-5D scores (P < .05) improved significantly in both groups. Only those in the RAGT group improved significantly in the FAC, timed-up-and-go, and 10-m walk test (P < .05). In the FAC and EQ-5D, the intervention group showed greater improvement than the control group (P < .05)., Conclusion: We found that 4 weeks of overground RAGT combined with conventional training may improve walking independence and quality of life in patients with subacute stroke., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising tool for improving poststroke cognitive function. Home-based rehabilitation is increasingly required for patients with stroke, and additional benefits are expected if supplemented with remotely supervised tDCS (RS-tDCS). We evaluated the cognitive improvement effect and feasibility of RS-tDCS in patients with chronic stroke., Methods: Twenty-six patients with chronic stroke and cognitive impairment (Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment [K-MoCA] score <26) were randomized into real and sham RS-tDCS groups and underwent concurrent computerized cognitive training and RS-tDCS. Patients and caregivers underwent training to ensure correct tDCS self-application, were monitored, and treated 5 d/wk for 4 weeks. We investigated several cognition tests including K-MoCA, Korean version of the Dementia Rating Scale-2, Korean-Boston Naming Test, Trail Making Test, Go/No Go, and Controlled Oral Word Association Test at the end of the training sessions and one month later. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used for comparison between the groups and within each group. The adherence rate of the appropriate RS-tDCS session was also investigated., Results: In within-group comparison, unlike the sham group, the real group showed significant improvement in K-MoCA ( P real =0.004 versus P sham =0.132), particularly in patients with lower baseline K-MoCA (K-MoCA 10-17 ; P real =0.001 versus P sham =0.835, K-MoCA 18-25 ; P real =0.060 versus P sham =0.064) or with left hemispheric lesions (left; P real =0.010 versus P sham =0.454, right; P real =0.106 versus P sham =0.128). In between-group comparison, a significant difference was observed in K-MoCA in the lower baseline K-MoCA subgroup (K-MoCA 10-17 ; P time×group =0.048), but no significant difference was found in other cognitive tests. The adherence rate of successful application of the RS-tDCS was 98.4%, and no serious adverse effects were detected., Conclusions: RS-tDCS is a safe and feasible rehabilitation modality for poststroke cognitive dysfunction. Specifically, RS-tDCS is effective in patients with moderate cognitive decline. Additionally, these data demonstrate the potential to enhance home-based cognitive training, although significant differences were not consistently found in between-group comparisons; therefore, further larger studies are needed., Registration: URL: https://cris.nih.go.kr; Unique identifier: KCT0003427.

Background: Lateropulsion after stroke is defined as a postural bias toward the paretic side and push away from the non-paretic side. New rehabilitation techniques and programs should be designed to attenuate lateropulsion and improve functions of balance and gait., Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of whole-body tilting postural training (WTPT) using a Spine Balance 3D on lateropulsion and postural control as compared with general postural training (GPT). Postural training was performed and involved a whole-body tilt apparatus that enables postural training in the tilted position, in multiple directions., Methods: This was a pragmatic, single-blind, randomized controlled trial conducted between June 2018 and May 2019. We randomly allocated 30 patients with subacute stroke and lateropulsion based on the Scale of Contraversive Pushing (SCP score>0) to experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group received WTPT with a whole-body tilt apparatus, and the control group GPT. WTPT was performed with the Spine Balance 3D and GPT with postural training commonly applied in the clinic. All participants received treatment for 30min/session, 2 times/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks. The primary outcome measure was lateropulsion assessed with the Burke Lateropulsion Scale (BLS). Secondary outcome measures were postural control ability, activities of daily living, Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS) score, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score, Korea-modified Barthel index (K-MBI), and Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment-Lower Extremity (FMA-L) score., Results: For the primary outcome, after training, BLS scores were decreased more for the experimental than control group (Δ=-5.8 vs. Δ=-4.2, P=0.002). For secondary outcomes, scores were improved more for the experimental than control group: PASS (Δ=13.8 vs. Δ=8.5, P<0.001), BBS (Δ=20.1 vs. Δ=11.1, P=0.001), K-MBI (Δ=27.0 vs. Δ=20.1, P=0.005), and FMA-L (Δ=10.2 vs. Δ=6.3, P=0.002)., Conclusions: WTPT is a potentially effective therapeutic intervention for lateropulsion recovery in patients with subacute stroke. It may be useful for improving postural control and activities of daily living., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Our study aimed to confirm the therapeutic effects of using a trunk stabilization training robot (3DBT-33) in patients with chronic stroke. A total of 38 patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The robot group (n = 19) received 30 min of trunk stability robot training in addition to conventional physical therapy, while the control group (n = 19) received a similar conventional physical therapy as the robot group. All participants were assessed using the following: the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), timed up and go (TUG) test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Korean Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), and Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity (FMA-LE). There were statistically significant improvements in all parameters at follow-up assessment after 4 weeks of intervention (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the FMA-LE, K-MBI, and BBS between the robot and control groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in FAC (P = 0.935) and TUG (P = 0.442). Minimal detectable change was more significantly observed in the FMA-LE and BBS than in FAC, TUG, and K-MBI. The findings in the present study showed that trunk stabilization rehabilitation training using a rehabilitation robot in patients with chronic stroke was effective in improving the balance and functions in the lower extremities.

Background: Virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation is considered a beneficial therapeutic option for stroke rehabilitation. This pilot study assessed the clinical feasibility of a newly developed VR-based planar motion exercise apparatus (Rapael Smart Board™ [SB]; Neofect Inc., Yong-in, Korea) for the upper extremities as an intervention and assessment tool., Methods: This single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial included 26 stroke survivors. Patients were randomized to the intervention group (SB group) or control (CON) group. During one session, patients in the SB group completed 30 min of intervention using the SB and an additional 30 min of standard occupational therapy; however, those in the CON group completed the same amount of conventional occupational therapy. The primary outcome was the change in the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) score, and the secondary outcomes were changes in the Wolf motor function test (WMFT) score, active range of motion (AROM) of the proximal upper extremities, modified Barthel index (MBI), and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) score. A within-group analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and a between-group analysis was performed using a repeated measures analysis of covariance. Additionally, correlations between SB assessment data and clinical scale scores were analyzed by repeated measures correlation. Assessments were performed three times (baseline, immediately after intervention, and 1 month after intervention)., Results: All functional outcome measures (FMA, WMFT, and MBI) showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in the SB and CON groups. AROM showed greater improvements in the SB group, especially regarding shoulder abduction and internal rotation. There was a significant effect of time × group interactions for the SIS overall score (p = 0.038). Some parameters of the SB assessment, such as the explored area ratio, mean reaching distance, and smoothness, were significantly associated with clinical upper limb functional measurements with moderate correlation coefficients., Conclusions: The SB was available for improving upper limb function and health-related quality of life and useful for assessing upper limb ability in stroke survivors., Trial Registration: The study was registered with the clinical research information service (CRIS) ( KCT0003783 , registered 15 April 2019; retrospectively registered).

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of real instrument training in virtual reality (VR) environment for improving upper-extremity and cognitive function after stroke., Design: Single-blind, randomized trial., Setting: Medical center., Participants: Enrolled subjects (N=31) were first-episode stroke, assessed for a period of 6 months after stroke onset; age between 20 and 85 years; patients with unilateral paralysis and a Fugl-Meyer assessment upper-extremity scale score >18., Interventions: Both groups were trained 30 minutes per day, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks, with the experimental group performing the VR combined real instrument training and the control group performing conventional occupational therapy., Main Outcome Measures: Manual Muscle Test, modified Ashworth scale, Fugl-Meyer upper motor scale, hand grip, Box and Block, 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT), Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, and Korean-Montreal Cognitive Assessment., Results: The experimental group showed greater therapeutic effects in a time-dependent manner than the control group, especially on the motor power of wrist extension, spasticity of elbow flexion and wrist extension, and Box and Block Tests. Patients in the experimental group, but not the control group, also showed significant improvements on the lateral, palmar, and tip pinch power, Box and Block, and 9-HPTs from before to immediately after training. Significantly greater improvements in the tip pinch power immediately after training and spasticity of elbow flexion 4 weeks after training completion were noted in the experimental group., Conclusions: VR combined real instrument training was effective at promoting recovery of patients' upper-extremity and cognitive function, and thus may be an innovative translational neurorehabilitation strategy after stroke., (Copyright © 2019 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Robot-assisted rehabilitation therapy of the upper extremity after stroke has been studied widely; however, robotic devices remain expensive and bulky. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a newly developed, compact upper extremity training system (Neuro-X®) in patients with chronic stroke., Design: Pilot study., Subjects: Fifteen patients with hemiplegia., Methods: Chronic patients with stroke underwent upper extremity training using a newly developed upper extremity training system (Neuro-X®; Apsun Inc., Seoul, Korea). Patients were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Hand Function Test (HFT), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and Korean Mini-Mental Status Evaluation (K-MMSE). The assessment started with "pre 1 evaluation" (A1), followed by repeated "pre 2 evaluation" (A2) after 6 weeks without receiving any treatment, in order to generate repeated baseline data. After the A2 evaluation, upper extremity training was performed for 6 weeks. Post-training evaluation (B) was performed after treatment. Obtained data (A1-A2-B) were compared., Results: During the non-intervention phase (A1 to A2), no significant changes were found in the aforementioned evaluations. However, in the intervention phase (A2 to B), results of the FMA and HFT, and K-MMSE scores, except the MAS score, increased significantly (p <0.05)., Conclusion: The Neuro-X® training system improves functioning of the upper extremity and cognition in patients with stroke after 6 weeks of training.

Objectives: We investigated whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex affected the working memory performance of patients after a stroke., Design: Ten patients (mean age 47.7 yrs) with cognitive deficits after a first-ever stroke participated in this single-blind, crossover, and sham-controlled experiment. Each patient was randomly assigned to undergo two transcranial direct current stimulation sessions: anodal dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and sham stimulation within 48 hrs of a washout period. All participants performed a two-back working memory task before and after the administration of the transcranial direct current stimulation. Accuracy (correction rate), recognition accuracy (correction rate-commission error rate), and response time were measured during each experiment., Results: Repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated a significant interaction effect of transcranial direct current stimulation type and time on the recognition accuracy. Post hoc analyses revealed a significant difference between prestimulation and poststimulation in the anodal stimulation group but not in the sham stimulation group. Regarding the accuracy, the paired t test indicated significant improvement only after anodal transcranial direct current stimulation without a significant interaction effect between the two transcranial direct current stimulation types. The response time was not significantly different in the anodal and sham stimulation groups., Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was associated with enhanced working memory performance as indexed by the recognition accuracy in patients after a stroke.

The effects of short-term constraint-induced movement (CIM) therapy on the activation of the motor network were investigated with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Movement of the less-affected arms of five patients was restricted and intensive training of the affected upper limb was performed. Functional MRI was acquired before and after two-weeks of CIM therapy. All patients showed significant improvement of motor function in their paretic limbs after CIM therapy. For three patients, new activation in the contralateral motor/premotor cortices was observed after CIM therapy. Increased activation of the ipsilateral motor cortex and SMA was observed in the other patient. Our results demonstrated that plastic changes of the motor network occurred as a neural basis of the improvement subsequent to CIM therapy following brain injury.

Background: Cerebrolysin is a neuropeptide preparation with neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects. Combining Cerebrolysin treatment with a standardized rehabilitation program may have a potential synergistic effect in the subacute stage of stroke. This study aims to evaluate whether Cerebrolysin provides additional motor recovery on top of rehabilitation therapy in the subacute stroke patients with moderate to severe motor impairment. Methods: This phase IV trial was designed as a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. A total of 70 patients (Cerebrolysin n = 35, placebo n = 35) with moderate to severe motor function impairment were included within 7 days after stroke onset and were randomized to receive a 21-day treatment course of either Cerebrolysin or placebo, given in addition to standardized rehabilitation therapy. Assessments were performed at baseline, immediately after treatment as well as 2 and 3 months after stroke onset. The plasticity of motor system was assessed by diffusion tensor imaging and with resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in motor function (p < 0.05); however, no significant difference was found between the two groups. In the stroke patients with severe motor impairment, the Cerebrolysin group exhibited significantly more improvement in motor function compared with the placebo group (p < 0.05). Effects of Cerebrolysin were demonstrated as restricted increments of corticospinal diffusivity and as recovery of the sensorimotor connectivity. Conclusion: The combination of standard rehabilitation therapy with Cerebrolysin treatment in the subacute stroke has shown additional benefit on motor recovery and plastic changes of the corticospinal tract in patients with severe motor impairment. Trial Registration: NCT01996761 (November 5, 2013). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]