Differences in Trunk Acceleration-Derived Gait Indexes in Stroke Subjects with and without Stroke-Induced Immunosuppression.

Background: Stroke-induced immunosuppression (SII) represents a negative rehabilitative prognostic factor associated with poor motor performance at discharge from a neurorehabilitation unit (NRB). This study aims to evaluate the association between SII and gait impairment at NRB admission. Methods: Forty-six stroke patients (65.4 ± 15.8 years, 28 males) and 42 healthy subjects (HS), matched for age, sex, and gait speed, underwent gait analysis using an inertial measurement unit at the lumbar level. Stroke patients were divided into two groups: (i) the SII group was defined using a neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥ 5, and (ii) the immunocompetent (IC) group. Harmonic ratio (HR) and short-term largest Lyapunov's exponent (sLLE) were calculated as measures of gait symmetry and stability, respectively. Results: Out of 46 patients, 14 (30.4%) had SII. HR was higher in HS when compared to SII and IC groups (p < 0.01). HR values were lower in SII when compared to IC subjects (p < 0.01). sLLE was lower in HS when compared to SII and IC groups in the vertical and medio-lateral planes (p ≤ 0.01 for all comparisons). sLLE in the medio-lateral plane was higher in SII when compared to IC subjects (p = 0.04). Conclusions: SII individuals are characterized by a pronounced asymmetric gait and a more impaired dynamic gait stability. Our findings underline the importance of devising tailored rehabilitation programs in patients with SII. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term outcomes and the role of other clinical features on gait pattern.

Effects of Combined Endurance and Resistance Training in Women With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that combined resistance and endurance training would improve muscle strength, fatigue, depression, and quality of life in persons with MS. Methods: Twenty-seven women with MS were randomly assigned to either control (CON, n = 13) or the experimental (EXP, n = 14) group. The participants in the EXP group trained twice a week for 12 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of detraining. Both CON and EXP groups were tested before and after 12 weeks of the intervention period, as well as 12 weeks after training cessation (follow-up), where measures of muscle strength, fatigue, depression, and quality of life were evaluated. Results: There were significant changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), 1RM leg extension, and 1RM chest press following the intervention period in the EXP group (P < 0.05), but not in the CON group (P > 0.05). These changes persisted after 12 weeks of detraining. Similar findings were found for fatigue, depression, and physical and mental composites of quality of life. Conclusion: These results suggest that combined exercise training, at a minimum, prevents the disease-related deterioration of muscular performance and quality of life and well-being in persons with MS.