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This paper provides an overview of the usability engineering process and relevant standards informing the development of medical devices, together with adaptations to accommodate situations such as global pandemics where use of traditional face-to-face methods is restricted. To highlight some of those adaptations, a case study of a project developing a novel electronic rehabilitation device is referenced, which commenced in November 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sheffield Adaptive Patterned Electrical Stimulation (SHAPES) project, led by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STH), aimed to design, manufacture and trial an intervention for use to treat upper arm spasticity after stroke. Presented is an outline and discussion of the challenges experienced in developing the SHAPES health technology intended for at-home use by stroke survivors and in implementing usability engineering approaches. Also highlighted, are the benefits that arose, which can offer easier involvement of vulnerable users and add flexibility in the ways that user feedback is sought. Challenges included: restricted travel; access to usual prototyping facilities; social distancing; infection prevention and control; availability of components; and changing work pressures and demands. Whereas benefits include: less travel; less time commitment; and greater scope for participants with restricted mobility to participate in the process. The paper advocates a more flexible approach to usability engineering and outlines the onward path for development and trialling of the SHAPES technology.

Background. People with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) prioritise gait as the most valuable function to be affected by MS. Physiotherapy plays a key role in managing gait impairment in MS. There is little evidence on the effectiveness of physiotherapy for severe MS. Objective. To undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to identify evidence for the effectiveness of physiotherapy for gait impairment in severe MS. Methods. The available literature was systematically searched, using a predetermined protocol, to identify research studies investigating a physiotherapy intervention for mobility in people with severe MS ( EDSS ≥ 6.0 ). Data on mobility related endpoints was extracted. Meta-analysis was performed where a given mobility end point was reported in at least 3 studies. Results. 37 relevant papers were identified, which included 788 pwMS. Seven mobility-related endpoints were meta-analysed. Robot-Assisted Gait Training (RAGT) was found to improve performance on the 6-minute walk test, 10-metre walk test, fatigue severity scale, and Berg Balance Scale. Neither body weight supported training nor conventional walking training significantly improved any mobility-related outcomes. Conclusion. Physiotherapy interventions are feasible for mobility in severe MS. There is some evidence for the effectiveness of RAGT.

We developed a 64 channel sensory electrical stimulator which delivers a dynamic and variable ‘Sensory Barrage’ Stimulation (SBS). Our aim was to assess the feasibility of caregivers delivering the stimulation in the community for a clinical trial comparing single channel Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) with SBS for post stroke upper limb spasticity. We trained caregivers of 16 participants with post stroke upper limb spasticity to sequentially administer SBS and TENS for 60 min daily for four weeks each, with a washout period of two weeks in between. Outcome measures tested were recruitment and retention rates, compliance with interventions and daily recording of Participant -reported Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). We also collected results of Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Leeds Arm Spasticity Impact Scale (LASIS) and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for spasticity. Out of 21 potential participants, 16 consented and 15 completed the protocol. Ten participants received TENS for 80% (23/28) of the intended hours. Eleven participants completed NRS for at 80% (45/56) of the study days. All participants attended all visits. The MAS reduced by at least one in five participants after SBS and in three after TENS. Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) of four points increase in ARAT was seen in five participants following TENS, and in four following SBS. A MCID of 18% decrease in NRS was reported by eight participants after TENS and three after SBS. This study demonstrated the feasibility of undertaking a trial of sensory electrical stimulation for post-stroke spasticity with caregivers delivering intervention in community. The study was not powered to detect efficacy of the interventions.Trial registration number:NCT02907775.Date 20-9-2016.

Background\ud \ud Fatigue is a widely experienced, incapacitating symptom of MS. It hinders daily functioning and has deleterious effects on quality of life. The UK MS Register is an online registry of over 20,000 participants with MS. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence, predictors, and impact of fatigue on people with MS using data from the UKMS register.\ud \ud \ud \ud Methods\ud \ud All participants who completed the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), WebEDSS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) within 28 days of each other were selected from the UK MS Register. Data on age, gender, duration and type of MS, use of disease modifying drugs and comorbidities were obtained from the UKMS register. We categorised people with FSS score of 5 or more as with fatigue and those with scores of 4 or less as without fatigue. Descriptive statistics and logistical and multiple regressions were used to explore predictors of fatigue and the effect of fatigue on mobility (MS Walking Scale), physical and psychological aspects of life (MS Impact Scale) and quality of life (European Quality of Life 5D-3 L).\ud \ud \ud \ud Results\ud \ud Amongst the 20,946 participants of the UK MS registry, 4620 completed FSS. Out of these, 775 (mean age= 54.71 years, SD= 10.90; mean duration of MS diagnosis =13.21 years, SD=9.75) had completed the FSS, Web EDSS and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale within 28 days of each other. 427 (55.1%) of pwMS had a FSS score >5 consistent with clinical fatigue. Logistic regression analysis showed that depression (p= 0.001) and physical (p > 0.001) domains of the MS Impact scale, MS walking scale (p = 0.003) and EQoL (p = 0.005).\ud \ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud \ud Fatigue was a common symptom amongst people with MS. Depression, longer duration of MS, secondary progressive MS, and high EDSS predicted fatigue. Fatigue had an adverse effect on physical activities, mobility, psychological wellbeing, and quality of life of people with MS.

BackgroundPeople living with long-term neurological conditions (LTNC) often require palliative care. Rehabilitation medicine specialists often coordinate the long-term care of these patients.ObjectiveThe aim of the present review was to undertake systematic literature searches to identify the evidence on palliative care for people with LTNC to guide rehabilitation medicine specialists caring for these patients in the UK.MethodsWe searched for evidence for (1) discussion of end of life, (2) planning for end-of-life care, (3) brief specialist palliative care interventions, (4) support for family and carers, (5) training of rehabilitation medicine specialists in palliative care, and (6) commissioning of services. The databases searched were MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, NHS Economic Evaluation Database and Health Technology Assessment Database. Evidence was assimilated using a simplified version of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation method.ResultsWe identified 2961 records through database searching for neurological conditions and 1261 additional records through database searches for specific symptoms. We removed duplicate records and conference presentations. We screened 3234 titles and identified 330 potentially relevant abstracts. After reading the abstracts we selected 34 studies for inclusion in the evidence synthesis.ConclusionsFrom the evidence reviewed we would like to recommend that we move forward by establishing a closer working relationship with specialists in palliative care and rehabilitation medicine and explore the implications for cross-specialty training.

Step detection is commonly performed using wearable inertial devices. However, methods based on the extraction of signals features may deteriorate their accuracy when applied to very slow walkers with abnormal gait patterns. The aim of this study is to test and validate an innovative step counter method (DiSC) based on the direct measurement of inter-leg distance. Data were recorded using an innovative wearable system which integrates a magneto-inertial unit and multiple distance sensors (DSs) attached to the shank. The method allowed for the detection of both left and right steps using a single device and was validated on thirteen people affected by multiple sclerosis (0 200 : 0–200 mm; DS 400 : 0–400 mm). Accuracy was evaluated by comparing the estimates of the DiSC method against video recordings used as gold standard. Preliminary results showed a good accuracy in detecting steps with half the errors in detecting the step of the instrumented side compared to the non-instrumented (mean absolute percentage error 2.4% vs 4.8% for DS 200 ; mean absolute percentage error 2% vs 5.4% for DS 400 ). When averaging errors across patients, over and under estimation errors were compensated, and very high accuracy was achieved (E % 200 ; E % 400 ). DS 400 is the suggested configuration for patients walking with a large base of support.

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) allow accurate quantification of gait impairment of people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Nonetheless, it is not clear how IMU-based metrics might be influenced by pragmatic aspects associated with clinical translation of this approach, such as data collection settings and gait protocols. In this study, we hypothesised that these aspects do not significantly alter those characteristics of gait that are more related to quality and energetic efficiency and are quantifiable via acceleration related metrics, such as intensity, smoothness, stability, symmetry, and regularity. To test this hypothesis, we compared 33 IMU-based metrics extracted from data, retrospectively collected by two independent centres on two matched cohorts of pwMS. As a worst-case scenario, a walking test was performed in the two centres at a different speed along corridors of different lengths, using different IMU systems, which were also positioned differently. The results showed that the majority of the temporal metrics (9 out of 12) exhibited significant between-centre differences. Conversely, the between-centre differences in the gait quality metrics were small and comparable to those associated with a test-retest analysis under equivalent conditions. Therefore, the gait quality metrics are promising candidates for reliable multi-centric studies aiming at assessing rehabilitation interventions within a routine clinical context. This work was supported by the Mobilise-D project that has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No. 820820. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). Content in this publication reflects the authors’ view and neither IMI nor the European Union, EFPIA, or any Associated Partners are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.

BackgroundRemote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) is the exposure of body parts to brief periods of circulatory occlusion and reperfusion. Recent studies have also shown that RIPC can improve exercise performance in healthy individuals.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effect of RIPC on walking in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).MethodsThis was a double-blind randomised controlled clinical trial. We used three cycles of RIPC delivered by occluding the upper arm with a blood pressure (BP) cuff inflated to a pressure of 30 mm Hg above the systolic BP. In patients in the sham intervention group, the BP cuff was inflated only to 30 mm Hg below diastolic BP. Outcome measures included the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), gait speed, the Borg rate of perceived exertion (RPE) scale, the tolerability of the RIPC using a Numerical Rating Scale for discomfort from 0 to 10, and adverse events. We identified responders meeting the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) established in the literature in each group.ResultsSeventy-five participants completed the study (RIPC: 38 and Sham: 37). The distance walked during the 6MWT improved by 1.9% in the sham group and 5.7% in the RIPC group (p=0.012). The number of responders meeting MCID criteria in the RIPC group was significantly greater compared with the sham intervention group. No serious adverse events occurred.ConclusionSingle cycle of RIPC resulted in immediate improvement in walking distances during 6MWT in people with MS.Trial registration numbersNCT03153553

Background Around a third of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience dysphagia. There is a need for disease-specific information on survival following placement of gastrostomy tube in people with MS. Objective We aimed to study survival following gastrostomy in patients with MS. Methods We reviewed medical records, home enteral feeding database and death certificates of people with MS who had gastrostomy from 2005 to 2017. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors associated with mortality after gastrostomy. Results Median survival of 53 patients with MS after gastrostomy was 21.73 months. Median duration of hospital stay after gastrostomy was 14 days (IQR 5.25, 51.5). Survival at 30 days, 3 months, 1, 2, 5 and 10 years were 100% (53/53), 98.1% (52/53), 81.1% (43/53), 54.7% (29/53), 22.4% (11/49) and 6.8% (3/44), respectively. Of 53 patients, 24 died due to respiratory tract infection. Patients who had gastrostomy tube before 50 years of age survived longer (median 28.48 months) compared with those who had the gastrostomy after age 50 years (median 17.51 months) ( p = 0.040). Conclusion Around 54% of patients with MS survived two or more years following gastrostomy. Younger patients had better survival. The most frequent cause of death was respiratory infection.

Introduction: One of the reasons for difficulty with walking in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is foot drop; the inability to dorsiflex the ankle during the swing phase of the gait. One approach to correct foot drop is to passively support the ankle joint with an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) or a foot up splint. Another approach is to use functional electrical stimulation (FES). Objective: Is FES effective in improving gait in people with foot drop due to multiple sclerosis (MS)? Materials and methods: AMED, EMBASE, BNI, MEDLINE, and CINAHL were searched. Meta-analysis, randomized control trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs, and case series involving investigating FES for foot drop in PwMS were reviewed. Conference abstracts, non-English articles, expert opinions, and FES for other indications were excluded. Full texts of the articles were reviewed by two authors independently using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. The strength of evidence was graded from 1 to 5. Results: Among the 172 results, we excluded 130 after reading the titles (duplicates, articles not in English, and articles on use of FES for indications other than foot drop). After reviewing the abstracts, we excluded further 27 (conference presentations, opinions, and reviews). The PEDro scores of the articles varied between 3 and 7. None of the studies blinded the participants and only one study used blinded assessors. Two RCTs and one meta-analysis found an orthotic effect of FES causing improvement in speed of walking by 0.05 to 0.08 m/s. Two RCTs reported 73 to 83% reduction in number of falls. There were no RCTs comparing effect of FES with AFO in this cohort. Conclusion: There is level-1 evidence that the FES increases speed of walking through an orthotic effect. There is level-2 evidence that it reduces number of falls in PwMS. Further appropriately powered multicenter studies are required to assess the comparison of FES with AFO in this cohort.

Single-blind, sham-controlled, crossover randomized feasibility study OBJECTIVES: (1) Assess the feasibility of a full-scale trial of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) for upper-limb sensorimotor dysfunction following spinal cord injury (SCI). (2) Determine the safety and tolerability of iTBS over primary motor cortex on upper-limb function in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).Large Tertiary Spinal Injuries Centre METHODS: Participants with incomplete SCI, suffering with upper-limb spasticity were recruited and randomized to receive active/sham iTBS over the hand representation of the primary motor cortex. The intervention was delivered in 10 sessions over a 2-week period, followed by a 2-week washout, before being crossed over to receive the alternative intervention for the same number of sessions. Feasibility was assessed by pre-specified criteria which included recruitment rate of 3 participants per month, 10 completed interventions and 10 complete data sets for 15 recruited participants with no serious adverse events. Secondary outcomes included preliminary data collection for spasticity, pain and sensorimotor function.Twelve participants were recruited over 10 weeks (i.e., 4.8 per month), with 11 randomized and 10 completing the intervention protocol with no serious adverse events. Eight complete data sets were obtained as two participants failed to attend follow-up. Data from 10 participants were analyzed, with one early dropout due to an unrelated adverse event.It is safe and feasible to conduct a full-scale trial. Whilst iTBS has shown promising results, further research optimizing the intervention is required to improve anticipated clinical efficacy.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis Quality-of-Life Questionnaire-54 (MSQoL-54) is a disease-specific instrument for assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Due to the number of items, the time taken to complete it is long. A shorter 29-item version, Multiple Sclerosis Quality-of-Life Questionnaire-29 (MSQoL-29) is yet to be evaluated in English. Objective: To assess reliability and acceptability of English version of MSQoL-29. Methods: Among 100 participants with MS who first completed both MSQoL-54 and MSQoL-29, 91 completed MSQoL-29 after 4–8 weeks. We looked for internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), acceptability, reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs)) and agreement (Bland–Altman plots). Results: ICCs were strongly positive between MSQoL-54 and MSQoL-29 (Physical Health Composite (PHC) –ICC = 0.914, confidence interval (CI) = 0.872–0.942; Mental Health Composite (MHC) – ICC = 0.875, CI = 0.814–0.916) and between the two MSQoL-29 (PHC – ICC = 0.970, CI = 0.955–0.980; MHC – ICC = 0.937, CI = 0.904–0.958). On Bland–Altman plots, the MSQoL-29 scores of 95% of participants during two visits were within the limits of agreement (LOAs). Time taken to complete MSQoL-29 was 7.2 ± 2.9 minutes and MSQoL-54 was 19.79 ± 5.4 minutes ( p = 0.0001). Conclusion: MSQoL-29 has good test–retest reliability in English-speaking population and was quicker to complete.

BACKGROUND: Wearable sensors offer the potential to bring new knowledge to inform interventions in patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) by thoroughly quantifying gait characteristics and gait deficits from prolonged daily living measurements. The aim of this study was to characterise gait in both laboratory and daily life conditions for a group of patients with moderate to severe ambulatory impairment due to MS. To this purpose, algorithms to detect and characterise gait from wearable inertial sensors data were also validated. METHODS: Fourteen patients with MS were divided into two groups according to their disability level (EDSS 6.5-6.0 and EDSS 5.5-5.0, respectively). They performed both intermittent and continuous walking bouts (WBs) in a gait laboratory wearing waist and shank mounted inertial sensors. An algorithm (W-CWT) to estimate gait events and temporal parameters (mean and variability values) using data recorded from the waist mounted sensor (Dynaport, Mc Roberts) was tested against a reference algorithm (S-REF) based on the shank-worn sensors (OPAL, APDM). Subsequently, the accuracy of another algorithm (W-PAM) to detect and classify WBs was also tested. The validated algorithms were then used to quantify gait characteristics during short (sWB, 5-50 steps), intermediate (iWB, 51-100 steps) and long (lWB, >100 steps) daily living WBs and laboratory walking. Group means were compared using a two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: W-CWT compared to S-REF showed good gait event accuracy (0.05-0.10 s absolute error) and was not influenced by disability level. It slightly overestimated stride time in intermittent walking (0.012 s) and overestimated highly variability of temporal parameters in both intermittent (17.5%-58.2%) and continuous walking (11.2%-76.7%). The accuracy of W-PAM was speed-dependent and decreased with increasing disability. The ANOVA analysis showed that patients walked at a slower pace in daily living than in the laboratory. In daily living gait, all mean temporal parameters decreased as the WB duration increased. In the sWB, the patients with a lower disability score showed, on average, lower values of the temporal parameters. Variability decreased as the WB duration increased. CONCLUSIONS: This study validated a method to quantify walking in real life in people with MS and showed how gait characteristics estimated from short walking bouts during daily living may be the most informative to quantify level of disability and effects of interventions in patients moderately affected by MS. The study provides a robust approach for the quantification of recognised clinically relevant outcomes and an innovative perspective in the study of real life walking.

Ankylosing spondylitis is the most common of the spondyloarthritides—the group of chronic inflammatory diseases of the axial skeleton that result in low back pain, spinal stiffness and restriction of movement. Extra-axial complications include peripheral arthritis, enthesitis (inflammation of the insertion of tendon into bone) and uveitis. In ankylosing spondylitis, chronic inflammation leads to ossification of the outer fibres of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral discs. The curved, bony spicules bridging the vertebral bodies give the impression of a bamboo stem on antero-posterior X-rays of the spine. Neurological complications are uncommon in ankylosing spondylitis and comprise mainly traumatic spinal cord injury (table 1).1 We report a rarely encountered slowly progressive neurological complication: the ‘cauda equina syndrome in ankylosing spondylitis’.1 ,2 View this table: Table 1 Neurological complications of ankylosing spondylitis A 57-year-old woman with a 36-year history of ankylosing spondylitis presented with sensory changes in the left buttock. She had no weakness or sphincter dysfunction. On examination, there was restricted hip rotation and abduction bilaterally and a diminished left ankle reflex. Straight leg raising test was negative bilaterally and light touch sensation was intact. An X-ray of her pelvis and knees showed fusion of her sacroiliac joints. Despite non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy, her symptoms continued slowly to progress. After 2 years, the altered sensation had spread to the posterior aspect of her …

Spasticity is common in many neurological disorders, such as stroke and multiple sclerosis. It is part of the upper motor neurone syndrome manifesting as increased tone, clonus, spasms, spastic dystonia and co-contractions. The impact of spasticity varies from it being a subtle neurological sign to severe spasticity causing pain and contractures. Existing spasticity can be worsened by external factors such as constipation, urinary tract infections or pressure ulcers. Its management involves identification and elimination of triggers; neurophysiotherapy; oral medications such as baclofen, tizanidine and dantrolene; focal injection of botulinum toxin, alcohol or phenol, or baclofen delivered intrathecally through a pump; and surgical resection of selected dorsal roots of the spinal cord. This article reviews the current understanding of pathophysiology, clinical features and management of spasticity.

Tics are involuntary non-rhythmic, stereotyped muscle contractions which can be suppressed temporarily. Tics usually start during childhood as part of Tourette syndrome. Adult onset tics are infrequent. This study reports on an adult man who developed tics 1 year after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).Case report and review of literature.A 19-year-old man sustained TBI following a road traffic accident. He did not have tics or features of obsessive compulsive disorder before the brain injury. A year after injury he developed motor and vocal tics. Magnetic resonance image of the brain showed lesions in the basal ganglia. A search of databases Medline, EMBASE and CINHAL found only four publications on tics in adults with TBI. None of these reported cases had lesions in the basal ganglia.Tics are a rare complication of TBI. People with early onset post-traumatic tics may have had a previously unrecognized, mild tic disorder or a genetic predisposition for tics, which was unmasked by the TBI. In contrast, late post-traumatic tics could be due to delayed effects of injury on neural circuits connecting the frontal cortex and basal ganglia.

Introduction/Background Remote ischemic preconditioning; exposure of body parts to brief periods of circulatory occlusion and reperfusion has been found to increase exercise tolerance in healthy individuals. The current study aimed to look at feasibility of conducting a double blind randomised control trial of ischaemic preconditioning on exercise tolerance in patients with multiple sclerosis. Material and method Twenty-three participants were randomly assigned to receive ischaemic preconditioning (12) or Sham intervention (11). The outcome measures were the 6-minute walking test and Borg's rating of perceived exertion. Results All patients tolerated the intervention without any serious adverse events. The active group performed better on the 6 minute walk after intervention (326.36 m ± 149.8) compared to baseline (316.82 m ± 162.76) (P = 0.297). The sham group did not show any improvement in the distance walked (310.45 m ± 163.82) compared to baseline (301.45 m ± 147.32) (P = 1.00). The Borg's rating of perceived exertion did not change in active group (before 10.09 ± 2.57; after 10.45 ± 2.97, P = 0.357) and worsened in control group (before 10.91 ± 3.60; after 12.36 ± 3.62, P = 0.017). Conclusion It is feasible to conduct a double blind RCT using ischaemic preconditioning in patients with multiple sclerosis. The results suggested that ischaemic preconditioning may increase exercise tolerance in MS patients.

Background Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in multiple sclerosis has been well documented. However, its occurrence and outcome in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) has only been variably reported. Objective To evaluate LUTD in ADEM, correlation with other neurological deficits, and outcome. Methods Patients with ADEM having significant LUTD were evaluated. LUTD was evaluated by symptom analysis, ultrasonography, and urodynamics. Storage symptoms were managed using antimuscarinics and significant voiding dysfunction by catheterization. Results Of 61 patients, 20 (33%) had LUTD. Voiding dysfunction was more common and 16 patients were in urinary retention. Cystometry demonstrated detrusor overactivity in four patients and underactivity in four patients. Incontinence was reported more often in patients with frontoparietal white matter changes in MR imaging. LUTD was found to be associated with occurrence of paraparesis or tetraparesis, though did not predict functional outcome at discharge. At 3 months follow up, five patients continued to have LUTD and urgency and hesitancy were commonest symptoms. Conclusion LUTD is common in ADEM, especially in patients with lower limb pyramidal involvement and its causes multifactorial. Presence of LUTD does not influence the functional outcome of patients with ADEM. Recovery may be incomplete and symptoms may persist even after recovery of other neurological deficits.

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of using a novel form of multichannel electrical stimulation, termed Sensory Barrage Stimulation (SBS) for the treatment of spasticity affecting the elbow flexor muscles and to compare this with conventional single-channel TENS stimulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Altogether ten participants with spasticity of the flexor muscles of the elbow of Grade 2 or above on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) were recruited to this crossover double blind randomized trial. The participants received two intervention sessions (SBS and TENS), one week apart in a randomized order. Both interventions were applied over the triceps brachii on the affected arm for a duration of 60 minutes. Spasticity was measured using the MAS. Secondary outcome measures were self-reported change in spasticity, measured on a visual analog scale (VAS, 0-100), and therapist-rated strength of elbow extension and strength of elbow flexion. Measurements were taken immediately before each intervention was applied, immediately after the intervention, and one hour after the intervention. RESULTS Immediately after stimulation spasticity showed a significant reduction for both TENS and SBS groups assessed by MAS -0.9 ± 0.2 vs. -1.1 ± 0.2 and by VAS -15 ± 3 vs. -31 ± 8. For SBS this improvement in MAS was still present at one hour after the stimulation, but not for TENS. Altogether seven SBS responders and four TENS responders were identified. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the feasibility and practicality of applying the new concept of SBS. Promising results indicate it causes a reduction in spasticity.

Summary points Spasticity is a common disorder affecting people with long term neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. A systematic review of 24 studies on the epidemiology of leg spasticity reported a prevalence of 28-38% in patients with stroke, 41-66% in patients with multiple sclerosis, and 13% in patients with traumatic brain injury.1 Spasticity varies from a subtle neurological sign to a gross increase in tone causing immobility of joints. The disorder is associated with several complications, including falls, pain, pressure ulcers, infections, and contractures,2 although it is not clear whether these complications are caused by spasticity or co-exist independently.1 Spasticity increases care needs and utilisation of healthcare resources,3 and carers of patients with spasticity are more likely to experience anxiety and depression.4 Some patients may make use of their spasticity to sit, stand, walk, or transfer. Management of spasticity requires a balanced approach, weighing the benefits of treatment against the usefulness of the spasticity. Current interventions to treat spasticity lack a robust evidence base, and guidelines often depend on expert recommendations. This review discusses the assessment and treatment of spasticity in adults. #### Sources and selection criteria We searched the databases PubMed, AMED, Embase, Medline, British Nursing Index, and CINAHL using the keywords “spasticity”, “contracture”, “upper motor neurone”, and “muscle tone” from 2004 to 2014. We based this review …

Sympathetic skin response (SSR) recording is an established test of sudomotor autonomic functions. However, knowledge of its pathways in spinal cord is putative.This study involved subjects with isolated spinal cord lesions to evaluate the afferent pathways of SSR.Clinical examination was done according to standard neurological classification of spinal cord injury. Electrophysiological evaluation included: (1) conventional nerve conduction studies to exclude peripheral nerve lesions, (2) scalp somato-sensory-evoked potentials (SEP) with posterior tibial nerve (PTN) stimulation and (3) SSR recording from palm by stimulating supra orbital nerve (SON) at forehead, and PTN at ankle. Subjects with absent SSR in palm to SON stimulation were excluded. In such patients, the afferent tracts were considered abnormal when SSR was absent in palm on stimulation of PTN.Among 37 subjects (age-28.1+/-12.8 years), the afferent tracts of SSR were affected in 13. Sparing of afferent SSR tracts correlated with preservation of bladder sensations (P0.01). There was no correlation between SSR and SEP.Spinal cord lesions frequently involve afferent tracts of SSR. Spinal afferents of SSR are closely related with tracts of bladder sensations and are different from pathways for SEP.

To measure the incidence of agitation after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an inpatient population and to identify any features associated with an adverse outcome.Prospective study of TBI admissions over 30 months in consecutive admissions with TBI to a regional neurorehabilitation unit. Outcome of agitation was compared to patient, injury and treatment features and any associations were sought. The presence of agitation was measured by the Agitation Behaviour Score. A good outcome for agitation was defined as a return to independent living with minimal care requirement at 6 months using an Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) score4.Over 30 months, there were 146 TBI admissions, of whom 53 cases had agitation (36.3%). Achieving 100% follow-up, 27 (51%) had a good outcome. On a multivariable logistic regression analysis, a good outcome was associated with the type of lesions seen on CT scan, the severity of agitation and the duration of the behaviour. Alcohol excess and type of treatment used for the behaviour were initially significant on univariate testing but dropped out of the logistic regression model.Over a third of TBI admissions, developed agitation and poor functional outcome was associated with CT scan findings, severity and duration of agitation.

Case report Myasthenia gravis (MG) complicating spinal cord injury (SCI) is extremely rare. We report a patient with SCI developing MG leading to death. There are no similar articles at present on literature search. A 54-year-old man, paralysed at the T12 level (ASIA A) for 40 years, was admitted for surgical repair of his grade IV sacral pressure sore. During the admission he developed diplopia, fluctuating dysphagia and slurred speech. Elevated anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies and single fibre electromyography confirmed the diagnosis of MG and pyridostigmine was commenced. His admission was complicated by intermittent episodes of unexplained tachycardia and tachypnoea. He succumbed following cardio respiratory within 6 weeks of admission. Post mortem examination was inconclusive of a definite cause of death. In the presence of SCI, it can be challenging to diagnose MG or its complications like myasthenic and cholinergic crisis. The case highlights the difficulty in diagnosis and management of MG in persons with SCI.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is an important complication of spinal cord and brain injuries but is rarely reported among patients with non-traumatic myelopathies. In a prospective study on medical problems seven (6.04%) among the 114 subjects with non-traumatic myelopathies had heterotopic ossification. All of them had involvement of hip joints. The co-morbid conditions were: urinary tract infection, seven; spasticity, three; pressure sores, five; and deep venous thrombosis, one. The initial diagnosis was often other than heterotopic ossification. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum alkaline phosphatase levels were elevated in all subjects. Following rest and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the range of motion improved in two patients. Heterotopic ossification can occur in patients with non-traumatic myelopathies and has risk factors and clinical features similar to patients with traumatic spinal cord injury. A high index of suspicion about this complication is necessary for early diagnosis and prompt intervention.

Prospective study between 1st Jan 1995 and 31st Dec 1999. To document medical complications among subjects with Nontraumatic Spinal Cord Lesions (NTSCL) during in-patient rehabilitation. Bangalore, India. Persons with NTSCL admitted for in-patient rehabilitation were included in the study. Clinical evaluation was carried out according to The International Standards for Neurological and Functional classification of Spinal Cord Injury. Disability was quantified using Barthel index. All medical complications were documented. A total of 297 subjects (154 men and 143 women) with NTSCL were included. The number of medical complications in each patient varied from 0 to 17 (mean=6.1±3.7). Common complications seen were urinary tract infections (184), spasticity (169), pain (149), urinary incontinence (147), depression (114), respiratory tract infections (101), constipation (92), pressure ulcers (89), contractures (52) and sleep disturbance (43). The number of medical complications correlated positively with duration of stay (Pearson's correlation coefficient r=0.5, P

Introduction – Therapeutic relevance of computed tomography (CT) in children with simple partial seizures (SPS) is reported to be remarkably low (1–2%). There are no studies, however, from the developing countries where neuroinfections are among important causes of seizures. The present study from India is aimed at evaluating the significance of CT in the management of SPS in children and to determine the difference in clinical features of children with and without focal brain lesions in CT. Patients and methods – CT scans of all patients aged 15 years or younger with SPS, seen over a period of 15 months, were reviewed. The clinical features of the patients with focal lesions in the CT were compared with those of children without focal abnormalities. Results – Focal structural lesions were present in 117 (59.09%) of 198 children. These included: solitary contrast enhancing CT lesion – 16.16%, focal calcification – 12.12%, cysticercosis – 10.10%, focal atrophy – 9.59%, tuberculoma – 6.56% and infarction – 6.06%. Neuroinfections or their sequelae were responsible for seizures in 89 children (44.94%). There were no statistically significant differences in clinical features of patients with and without focal lesions in CT. Conclusion – CT study in children with SPS in developing countries has significant therapeutic relevance. It is not possible to clinically differentiate children with focal lesions from those without focal lesions in CT.

Remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) refers to a process whereby periods of intermittent ischaemia, typically via the cyclical application of a blood pressure cuff to a limb at above systolic pressure, confers systemic protection against ischaemia in spatially distinct vascular territories. The mechanisms underlying this have not been characterised fully but have been shown to involve neural, hormonal and systemic inflammatory signalling cascades. Preclinical and early clinical studies have been promising and suggest beneficial effects of RIC in acute ischaemic stroke, symptomatic intracranial stenosis and vascular cognitive impairment. Through systematic searches of several clinical trials databases we identified 48 active clinical trials of RIC in ischaemic stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage and subarachnoid haemorrhage. We summarise the different RIC protocols and outcome measures studied in ongoing clinical trials and highlight which studies are most likely to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms of RIC and characterise its efficacy in the near future. We discuss the uncertainties of RIC including the optimal frequency and duration of therapy, target patient groups, cost-effectiveness, the confounding impact of medications and the absence of a clinically meaningful biomarker of the conditioning response. With several large clinical trials of RIC expected to report their outcomes within the next 2 years, this review aims to highlight the most important studies and unanswered questions that will need to be addressed before this potentially widely accessible and low-cost intervention can be used in clinical practice.

Objective: Mobility assessment is critical in the clinical management of people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). Instrumented gait analysis provides a plethora of metrics for quantifying concurrent factors contributing to gait deterioration. However, a gait model discriminating underlying features contributing to this deterioration is lacking in pwMS. This study aimed at developing and validating such a model. Methods: The gait of 24 healthy controls and 114 pwMS with mild, moderate, or severe disability was measured with inertial sensors on the shanks and lower trunk while walking for 6 minutes along a hospital corridor. Twenty out of thirty-six initially explored metrics computed from the sensor data met the quality criteria for exploratory factor analysis. This analysis provided the sought model, which underwent a confirmatory factor analysis before being used to characterize gait impairment across the three disability groups. Results: A gait model consisting of five domains (rhythm/variability, pace, asymmetry, and forward and lateral dynamic balance) was revealed by the factor analysis, which was able to highlight gait abnormalities across the disability groups: significant alterations in rhythm/variability-, asymmetry-, and pace-based features were present in the mild group, but these were more profound in the moderate and severe groups. Deterioration in dynamic balance-based features was only noted in pwMS with a moderate and severe disability. Conclusion: A conceptual model of gait for disease-specific mobility assessment in pwMS was successfully developed and tested. Significance: The new model, built with metrics that represent gait impairment in pwMS, highlighted clinically relevant changes across different disability levels, including those with no clinically observable walking disability. This shows the clear potential as a monitoring biomarker in pwMS. This work was supported by the Mobilise-D project, that has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No. 820820. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). Content in this publication reflects the authors’ view and neither IMI nor the European Union, EFPIA, or any Associated Partners are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.