Clinical Assessment of Subjective Visual and Haptic Vertical Norms in Healthy Adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Accurate verticality perception is essential for daily life activities, such as correctly estimating object orientation in space. This study established normative data for the subjective visual vertical (SVV) and subjective haptic vertical (SHV) using the portable and self-constructable modified Bucket test and Rotating-Column test. Additionally, the contribution of age, sex, and starting position of the line/ column on SVV and SHV accuracy were evaluated. METHOD: This study, part of the PRECISE project (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05978596), was conducted following the STROBE guidelines. Healthy adults without visual/neurological/vestibular disorders were recruited. Subjective visual vertical and SHV accuracy were described in terms of constant errors (i.e., mean deviation from 0° [true vertical] respecting its direction), unsigned errors (i.e., mean deviation from 0° irrespective of direction), and variability (i.e., intra-individual standard deviation). RESULTS: Sixty participants were evaluated (mean age: 41.14 [SD = 16.74] years). Subjective visual vertical constant errors between -2.82° and 2.90°, unsigned errors up to 2.15°, and variability up to 1.61° are considered normal. Subjective haptic vertical constant errors ranged from -6.94° to 8.18°, unsigned errors up to 6.66° and variability up to 4.25°. Higher ages led to higher SVV unsigned errors and variability. SHV variability was higher in females compared to males. Certain starting positions led to higher SVV and SHV constants and SVV unsigned errors. DISCUSSION: Normative data are provided for affordable, self-constructable, and portable SVV and SHV tools. These norms are consistent with more sophisticated equipment and can be used to distinguish between normal and abnormal values.

Is a portable pressure plate an alternative to force plates for measuring postural stability and interlimb coordination of quiet standing balance control?

Introduction: Center-of-pressure (COP) synchronization and symmetry can inform adaptations in balance control following one-sided sensorimotor impairments (e.g., stroke). As established force plates are impossible to transport, we aimed to criterion validate a portable pressure plate for obtaining reliable COP synchronization and symmetry measures, next to conventional postural stability measures. Methods: Twenty healthy adults participated. In a single session, three 40-s eyes-open and eyes-closed quiet stance trials were performed per plate-type, randomly ordered. Individual-limb COPs were measured to calculate between-limb synchronization (BLS) and dynamic control asymmetry (DCA). Net COP (i.e., limbs combined) area, amplitude, and velocity were used to describe anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) postural stability. Criterion validity was evaluated using Spearman correlations (r) and Bland-Altman plots. Test-retest reliability was tested using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: Strong correlations (r > 0.75) and acceptable reliability (ICC > 0.80) were found regarding individual-limb COP velocity and DCA, net COP ML amplitude and AP and ML velocities. Bland-Altman plots yielded possible proportional bias; the pressure plate systematically underestimated COP scores by force plates and a larger error associated with a larger measurement. Conclusions: Despite correlations between instruments and sufficient reliability for measuring postural stability and DCA, this technical note strongly suggests, due to a systematic deviation, using the same plate-type to accurately assess performance change within subjects longitudinally over time.

Assessment and treatment of visuospatial neglect using active learning with Gaussian processes regression.

Visuospatial neglect is a disorder characterised by impaired awareness for visual stimuli located in regions of space and frames of reference. It is often associated with stroke. Patients can struggle with all aspects of daily living and community participation. Assessment methods are limited and show several shortcomings, considering they are mainly performed on paper and do not implement the complexity of daily life. Similarly, treatment options are sparse and often show only small improvements. We present an artificial intelligence solution designed to accurately assess a patient's visuospatial neglect in a three-dimensional setting. We implement an active learning method based on Gaussian process regression to reduce the effort it takes a patient to undergo an assessment. Furthermore, we describe how this model can be utilised in patient oriented treatment and how this opens the way to gamification, tele-rehabilitation and personalised healthcare, providing a promising avenue for improving patient engagement and rehabilitation outcomes. To validate our assessment module, we conducted clinical trials involving patients in a real-world setting. We compared the results obtained using our AI-based assessment with the widely used conventional visuospatial neglect tests currently employed in clinical practice. The validation process serves to establish the accuracy and reliability of our model, confirming its potential as a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring visuospatial neglect. Our VR application proves to be more sensitive, while intra-rater reliability remains high.

Does visuospatial neglect contribute to standing balance within the first 12 weeks post-stroke? A prospective longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Visuospatial neglect (VSN) has been suggested to limit standing balance improvement post-stroke. However, studies investigating this association longitudinally by means of repeated within-subject measurements early post-stroke are lacking. This prospective longitudinal cohort study evaluates the longitudinal association of egocentric and allocentric VSN severity with 1) standing balance independence and 2) postural control and weight-bearing asymmetry (WBA) during quiet standing, in the first 12 weeks post-stroke. METHODS: Thirty-six hemiplegic individuals after a first-ever unilateral stroke were evaluated at weeks 3, 5, 8 and 12 post-stroke. Egocentric and allocentric VSN severity were evaluated using the Broken Hearts Test. The standing unperturbed item of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS-s) was used to clinically evaluate standing independence. Posturographic measures included measures of postural control (mediolateral (ML)/anteroposterior (AP) net center-of-pressure velocities (COPvel)) and WBA during quiet standing. A linear mixed model was used to examine longitudinal associations between egocentric and allocentric VSN, and BBS-s, COPvel-ML, COPvel-AP and WBA within the first 12 weeks post-stroke. RESULTS: Egocentric (ß = -0.08, 95%CI[-0.15;-0.01], P = .029) and allocentric VSN severity (ß = -0.09, 95%CI[-0.15; -0.04], P = .002) were significant independent factors for BBS-s scores in the first 12 weeks post-stroke. Egocentric and allocentric VSN were no significant independent factors for COPvel-ML, COPvel-AP and WBA in the first 12 weeks post-stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Allocentric and egocentric VSN severity were significantly associated with decreased standing independence, but not impaired postural control or greater asymmetric weight-bearing, in the early subacute post-stroke phase. This may involve traditional VSN measures being not sensitive enough to detect fine-grained VSN deficits due to a ceiling effect between 5 and 8 weeks post-stroke, once the individual regains standing ability. Future studies may require more sensitive VSN measurements to detect such deficits. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov. unique identifier NCT05060458.

The Association of Personal Neglect with Motor, Activities of Daily Living, and Participation Outcomes after Stroke: A Systematic Review.

Despite its potential clinical impact, the association of personal neglect (PN) with motor, activities of daily living (ADL), and participation outcomes after stroke is not well-understood. This first-ever systematic review on the topic therefore evaluates this association, taking into account suggested subtypes of PN, including body representation neglect, somatosensory neglect, motor neglect, and premotor neglect. A systematic literature search was conducted on February 17, 2023 in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PubPsych, and PsycArticles databases. The study adheres to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, and its protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020187460). Eleven observational studies were included, gathering 1,400 individuals after stroke (429 showed PN). Results show that individuals with body representation neglect after stroke have significantly decreased movement control and motor strength, lower functional mobility, and ADL independency compared with those without body representation neglect after stroke. Individuals with motor neglect after stroke showed worse motor function and spasticity than to those without motor neglect after stroke. Nonspecified PN (i.e., PN evaluated with an outcome measure that does not allow subcategorization) was related to worse lateropulsion with pushing, longer length of stay and greater odds of being discharged to somewhere other than home. No study evaluated somatosensory and premotor neglect. This review highlights the limited research in this area and emphasizes the need for a more comprehensive PN assessment. However, currently available assessment tools show limited ability to accurately diagnose PN subtypes and future research should prioritize the development of comprehensive diagnostic test batteries.

Do we need to consider head-on-body position, starting roll position and presence of visuospatial neglect when assessing perception of verticality after stroke?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Considering various factors that influence the accuracy of the Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV) and Subjective Postural Vertical (SPV), standardization of assessment methods is needed. This retrospective study examined the contribution of Head-on-Body (HOB) position, starting roll position (SRP) and visuospatial neglect (VSN) to SVV and SPV constant errors (i.e. deviation from true vertical). Also, the contribution of HOB position and VSN presence to SVV and SPV variability (i.e. intra-individual consistency between trials) was assessed. METHODS: First-ever unilateral hemispheric stroke survivors (<85 years; <100 days post-stroke) were assessed with three HOB positions (neutral, contralesional, and ipsilesional) and seven starting positions (20°Contralesional to 20° ipsilesional) of the laser bar and tilt chair. Linear mixed models were selected to evaluate the contribution of HOB, SRP, and VSN to SVV/SPV constant errors and variability. RESULTS: Thirty-four subjects (24 VSN-/10 VSN+) were assessed. A tilted HOB position led to significantly higher constant errors for the SVV and SPV (the latter only in the VSN- group), and an increased SVV variability. SRP only significantly contributed to the SVV constant errors and only in the VSN- group. Furthermore, the presence of VSN resulted in a significantly higher SVV and SPV variability. CONCLUSIONS: HOB position and the presence of SRP and VSN are important factors to consider during SVV and SPV measurements. Assessment with a neutral HOB position leads to more accurate results. HOB position and SRP influence the results of SVV and SPV differently in individuals with and without VSN, which highlights the relevance of VSN assessment.

A full-body motion capture gait dataset of 138 able-bodied adults across the life span and 50 stroke survivors.

This reference dataset contains biomechanical data of 138 able-bodied adults (21-86 years) and 50 stroke survivors walking bare-footed at their preferred speed. It is unique due to its size, and population, including adults across the life-span and over 70 years, as well as stroke survivors. Full-body kinematics (PiG-model), kinetics and muscle activity of 14 back and lower limbs muscles was collected with a Vicon motion capture system, ground-embedded force plates, and a synchronized surface EMG system. The data is reliable to compare within and between groups as the same methodology and infrastructure were used to gather all data. Both source files (C3D) and post-processed ready-to-use stride-normalized kinematics, kinetics and EMG data (MAT-file, Excel file) are available, allowing high flexibility and accessibility of analysis for both researchers and clinicians. These records are valuable to examine ageing, typical and hemiplegic gait, while also offering a wide range of reference data which can be utilized for age-matched controls during normal walking.

Prevalence, associated factors and predictors of post stroke pneumonia in a Nigerian population: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Stroke can trigger an immune response that can raise the risk of infection, alter tracheal epithelium, reduce pulmonary clearance and impair secretions drainage capacity. Infection, altered tracheal epithelium, reduced pulmonary clearance, impaired secretions drainage capacity and aspiration can cause pneumonia after stroke. The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence of post stroke pneumonia in a Nigerian population and factors that are associated with it. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Study data was extracted from the case files of patients with stroke who were managed between 1st January, 2011 and 1st February, 2021 in the study setting. RESULTS: The result showed that, there was a record of only 591 patients with stroke (mean age, 62.78 ± 14.86 years) who were managed in the two hospitals during the period of the study. Out of this number, only 102 (17.3 %) had pneumonia. Presence of the pneumonia was only significantly (p < 0.05) associated with sex, type of stroke, lower limb muscle power, and outcome (died or alive). However, only those with ischaemic stroke are less likely to have pneumonia (Odds ratio=  0.467; CI: 0.275 to 0.791, p=  0.005), and patients who survived the stroke and are alive are less likely to develop pneumonia (Odds ratio=  0.150; CI: 0.092 to 0.245, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonia occurs to a large extent after stroke. Therefore, it is important measures are taken to prevent it or complications arising from it especially in those with a hemorrhagic stroke.

Recovery of Quiet Standing Balance and Lower Limb Motor Impairment Early Poststroke: How Are They Related?

BACKGROUND: Recovery of quiet standing balance early poststroke has been poorly investigated using repeated measurements. OBJECTIVE: To investigate (1) the time course of steady-state balance in terms of postural stability and inter-limb symmetry, and (2) longitudinal associations with lower limb motor recovery in the first 3 months poststroke. METHODS: Forty-eight hemiparetic subjects (age: 58.9 ± 16.1 years) were evaluated at weeks 3, 5, 8, and 12 poststroke. Motor impairments concerned the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FM-LE) and Motricity Index total score (MI-LE) or ankle item separately (MI-ankle). Postural stability during quiet 2-legged stance was calculated as the net center-of-pressure area (COPArea) and direction-dependent velocities (COPVel-ML and COPVel-AP). Dynamic control asymmetry (DCA) and weight-bearing asymmetry (WBA) estimated inter-limb symmetries in balance control and loading. Linear mixed models determined (1) time-dependent change and (2) the between- and within-subject associations between motor impairments and postural stability or inter-limb symmetry. RESULTS: Time-dependent improvements were significant for FM-LE, MI-LE, MI-ankle, COPArea, COPVel-ML, and COPVel-AP, and tended to plateau by week 8. DCA and WBA did not exhibit significant change. Between-subject analyses yielded significant regression coefficients for FM-LE, MI-LE, and MI-ankle scores with COPArea, COPVel-ML, and COPVel-AP up until week 8, and with WBA until week 12. Within-subject regression coefficients of motor recovery with change in COPArea, COPVel-ML, COPVel-AP, DCA, or WBA were generally non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: Postural stability improved significantly in the first 8 weeks poststroke, independent of lower limb motor recovery at the most affected side within subjects. Our findings suggest that subjects preferred to compensate with their less affected side, making metrics reflecting inter-limb asymmetries in balance invariant for change early poststroke.Clinical Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov. unique identifier NCT03728036.

Gait Stride Length Estimation Using Embedded Machine Learning.

INTRODUCTION: Spatiotemporal gait parameters, e.g., gait stride length, are measurements that are classically derived from instrumented gait analysis. Today, different solutions are available for gait assessment outside the laboratory, specifically for spatiotemporal gait parameters. Such solutions are wearable devices that comprise an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor and a microcontroller (MCU). However, these existing wearable devices are resource-constrained. They contain a processing unit with limited processing and memory capabilities which limit the use of machine learning to estimate spatiotemporal gait parameters directly on the device. The solution for this limitation is embedded machine learning or tiny machine learning (tinyML). This study aims to create a machine-learning model for gait stride length estimation deployable on a microcontroller. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Starting from a dataset consisting of 4467 gait strides from 15 healthy people, measured by IMU sensor, and using state-of-the-art machine learning frameworks and machine learning operations (MLOps) tools, a multilayer 1D convolutional float32 and int8 model for gait stride length estimation was developed. RESULTS: The developed float32 model demonstrated a mean accuracy and precision of 0.23 ± 4.3 cm, and the int8 model demonstrated a mean accuracy and precision of 0.07 ± 4.3 cm. The memory usage for the float32 model was 284.5 kB flash and 31.9 kB RAM. The int8 model memory usage was 91.6 kB flash and 13.6 kB RAM. Both models were able to be deployed on a Cortex-M4F 64 MHz microcontroller with 1 MB flash memory and 256 kB RAM. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that estimating gait stride length directly on a microcontroller is feasible and demonstrates the potential of embedded machine learning, or tinyML, in designing wearable sensor devices for gait analysis.

Physical functioning factors predicting a return home after stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to identify the physical functioning factors associated with home discharge after inpatient stroke rehabilitation. DATA SOURCES: A search of PubMed, Embase, CINHAL, The Cochrane Library (Trials), Web of Science, and PEDro were conducted up until May 2023. METHODS: Two independent reviewers selected studies for population (patients with stroke), predictive factors (physical functioning), outcome (discharge destination), setting (inpatient rehabilitation), and study designs (observational and experimental studies). Predictive factors were identified among assessments of the "body function" and "activity" components of the International Classification of Functioning. Methodological quality was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The findings used quantitative and narrative syntheses. Meta-analyses were performed with the inverse variance method and the random-effects model using included studies with sufficient data. RESULTS: Forty-five studies were included with 204,787 participants. Included studies assessed the association of independence in activities of daily living, walking, rolling, transferring, and balance on admission with a probability of returning home. Motor (odds ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence interval: 1.12-1.35, p < .001) and total (odds ratio = 1.34, 95% confidence interval: 1.14-1.57, p < .001) Functional Independence Measure scores on admission were significantly associated with home discharge in meta-analyses. Additionally, included studies showed that independence in motor activities, such as sitting, transferring, and walking, and scores above thresholds for the Functional Independence Measure and Berg Balance Scale on admission were associated with discharge destination. CONCLUSION: This review showed that higher independence in activities of daily living on admission is associated with home discharge after inpatient stroke rehabilitation.

Clinical practice recommendations for management of lateropulsion after stroke determined by a Delphi expert panel.

OBJECTIVE: People exhibiting post-stroke lateropulsion actively push their body across the midline to the more affected side and/or resist weight shift toward the less affected side. Despite its prevalence and associated negative rehabilitation outcomes, no clinical practice guidelines exist for the rehabilitation of post-stroke lateropulsion. We aimed to develop consensus-based clinical practice recommendations for managing post-stroke lateropulsion using an international expert panel. DESIGN: This Delphi panel process conformed with Guidance on Conducting and Reporting Delphi Studies recommendations. PARTICIPANTS: Panel members had demonstrated clinical and/or scientific background in the rehabilitation of people with post-stroke lateropulsion. MAIN MEASURES: The process consisted of four electronic survey rounds. Round One consisted of 13 open questions. Subsequent rounds ascertained levels of agreement with statements derived from Round One. Consensus was defined a priori as ≥75% agreement (agree or strongly agree), or ≥70% agreement after excluding 'unsure' responses. RESULTS: Twenty participants completed all four rounds. Consensus was achieved regarding a total of 119 recommendations for rehabilitation approaches and considerations for rehabilitation delivery, positioning, managing fear of falling and fatigue, optimal therapy dose, and discharge planning. Statements for which 'some agreement' (50%-74% agreement) was achieved and those for which recommendations remain to be clarified were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations build on existing evidence to guide the selection of interventions for post-stroke lateropulsion. Future research is required to elaborate specific rehabilitation strategies, consider the impact of additional cognitive and perceptual impairments, describe positioning options, and detail optimal therapy dose for people with lateropulsion.

Association between spatial neglect and impaired verticality perception after stroke: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Although most research on spatial neglect (SN) has focused on spatial perception deficits with regard to the lateral (left-right) axis, deficits of spatial perception with regard to the vertical (up-down) axis, such as disturbances in the perception of verticality (e.g., judgement of vertical orientations), have also been suggested. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to systematically analyse reported associations between SN and characteristics of verticality perception while considering the time post-stroke. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PubPsych and PsycArticles databases were searched on May 24, 2022 for articles written in English that evaluated the association between SN and verticality perception (i.e., the subjective visual vertical [SVV], subjective postural vertical [SPV] and subjective haptic vertical [SHV]) in adults after stroke. Left and right SN were considered and had to be assessed using standardized methods. Data were manually extracted, and risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The tilt of the line/chair relative to the gravitational vector and its direction, together with uncertainty (i.e., variability across measurements), were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included (431 participants after stroke); at least 191 participants exhibited SN. Mainly the first 3 to 6 months post-stroke were evaluated. SN was associated with SVV misperception, which resulted in larger SVV tilts (mostly in the contralesional direction) and uncertainty in participants with than without SN. SVV tilt magnitudes ranged from a mean/median of -8.9° to -2.3° in SN participants and from -1.6° to 0.6° in non-SN participants, the latter falling within normative ranges. For SPV and SHV measurements, the magnitude of tilt and the uncertainty were insufficiently assessed or results were inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: SN was associated with larger SVV tilts and uncertainty, which suggests that SVV misperception is a key feature of SN. This observation highlights the importance of regular SVV assessment in people with SN in clinical practice. PROSPERO: CRD42019127616.

The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the general health status of people with chronic health conditions in Belgium: a cross-sectional survey study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic health conditions risk aggravation of their health status due to reduced access to health services during the COVID-19 related lockdown. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of Belgian COVID-19 measures on general health status (i.e. worse or stable/better) of patients, adult and pediatric, with chronic health conditions and how this change in health status relates to personal and health behavior-related factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted during the first COVID-19 related lockdown in Belgium. METHODS: Associations between change in health status since the lockdown and (change in) personal and health behavior-related factors (including physical activity, access to health-care services and social activities) were investigated. RESULTS: In adults (n = 561), almost all personal factors, including feelings of distress, depression, anxiety, somatization, and low self-efficacy, were significantly worse in patients with a worse health status during the lockdown (n = 293, 52%) compared to patients reporting a stable/better health status (p < .001-0.002). Also, these patients reported lower physical activity levels, more tele-consultations and less social activities (p < .001-0.006). In children (n = 55), all surveys were completed by a proxy (parent(s)/guardian) who reported a worse health status in 38% of the children. Level of distress of the child (p = .005) since the lockdown and somatization of the parent(s) (p = .0018) were significantly worse in children with a worse versus a stable/better health status. CONCLUSION: Fifty-two percent of the adults and 38% of children with chronic health conditions reported worsening of their general health status during the lockdown in March-May 2020 in Belgium. Negative personal factors and unhelpful health behavior seems to be associated with a worse health status.

Lateropulsion with active pushing in stroke patients: its link with lesion location and the perception of verticality. A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Lateropulsion with active Pushing (LwP) is characterized by impairments in postural control. Previous research suggests an association between LwP, lesion location and verticality misperception. This first-ever systematic review evaluates the association between LwP, lesion location and the perception of verticality (PROSPERO: CRD42020159248). METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, REHABDATA, Embase, Cochrane Library and PEDro were systematically searched on December 16, 2021. Studies were included when examining lesion location or perception of verticality (Subjective Haptic, Visual or Postural Vertical) in supratentorial stroke patients showing LwP. Two reviewers independently screened and assessed risk of bias using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Data were qualitatively analyzed and extracted. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were included, examining a total of 340 LwP patients. Lesions in: the thalamus, internal capsule, inferior parietal lobule at the junction of the postcentral gyrus, the posterior insula and the superior temporal gyrus, were associated with LwP. Whereas all studies examining the Subjective Postural and Haptic Vertical (haptic only examined once) reported a significant increased deviation in LwP patients, inconsistent results were found for the Subjective Visual Vertical. Furthermore, the Subjective Visual and Postural Vertical showed inconsistent results for magnitude, direction and variability of this deviation. DISCUSSION: A complex brain network, rather than only one brain region, seems responsible for body control with respect to gravity. A disruption within this network might lead to a bias in the construction of a correct internal reference frame, crucial for perceiving verticality. There was an association of LwP with verticality misperception in all three modalities.

Factors influencing recovery of upper limb motor function during constraint-induced movement therapy for people with stroke.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the personal and clinical factors that can predict recovery of motor function in people with stroke. Methods: Characteristics of the study participants such as age, sex, time since stroke and type of stroke, motor function, shoulder pain, amount and quality of use of the affected limb in the real world, wrist and elbow spasticity, handedness, central post-stroke pain and dose of massed practice were recorded. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. Results: A total of 144 patients with stroke with mean age, 58.71 ± 19.90 years participated in the study. The result showed that, the whole model significantly explained the total variance by 88.4%, F(14, 144) = 32.870, R 2 = 0. 0.781, p < 0.001. However, in the final model, only four independent variables in the order of degree of predictability, amount of use of the limb in the real world (Beta = 0.455, p = 0.003), intensity of practice during rehabilitation session (Beta = 0.321, p < 0.001), wrist spasticity (Beta = 0.148, p = 0.004) and side affected (Beta = 0.093, p = 0.033) significantly predicted recovery of motor function. Conclusion: Encouraging the use of the limb in the real world may be more important than practice during rehabilitation session in the clinic or in the laboratory.

Prevalence of chronic non-specific low back pain among caregivers of stroke survivors in Kano, Nigeria and factors associated with it: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) may have a specific or non-specific cause such as abnormal posture or repetitive tasks. For instance, lifting and transferring patients during caregiving for stroke survivors may predispose the caregivers to LBP. Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of chronic non-specific LBP and factors associated with it in caregivers of stroke survivors. Method: The research design used is cross-sectional study design. Participants of the study were caregivers of stroke survivors in Kano, Nigeria who were at least 18 years old. They were included if they had at least one-month experience with caregiving for at least 1 h per day. Presence of LBP and level of disability were assessed using participants' self-report and Rolland Morris Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire respectively. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive, Chi-square statistics and Binary Logistics Regression. Result: Three hundred caregivers with mean age, 33.24 ± 10.32 years in which 207 and 93 were males and females respectively, participated in the study. The results showed that, there was a high prevalence (64.7%) of LBP among the caregivers. The prevalence was significantly associated with gender (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.029), occupation (p < 0.001) and duration of caregiving (p < 0.001) of the study participants. In addition, the result of the regression model showed that, being a female (p = 0.001), a civil servant (p = 0.031), a trader (p = 0.013), and a complete caregiver (0.001); and caregiving for a duration of 5 h or more per day (p = 0.024) are significant predictors of having LBP. Similarly, level of disability due to the presence of LBP among the study participants was significantly associated with gender (p < 0.001), occupation (p < 0.001), duration of caregiving (p = 0.025), and the nature of the caregiving (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Informal caregiving for stroke survivors may result in developing chronic non-specific LBP, especially among females, Civil servants, traders, complete caregivers and those with long duration of caregiving. This can add an additional burden on the family in terms of cost of care, result in reduced quality of caregiving and cause psychological stress. Thus, it is important the health of the caregivers of stroke survivors is considered during stroke rehabilitation.

Vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of epilepsy: things to note on the protocols, the effects and the mechanisms of action.

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder that is characterized by repetitive un-triggered seizures that occur severally within 24 h or more. Non-pharmacological methods for the management of epilepsy were discussed. The non-pharmacological methods include the vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) which is subdivided into invasive and non-invasive techniques. For the non-invasive techniques, the auricular VNS, stimulation of the cervical branch of vagus nerve in the neck, manual massage of the neck, and respiratory vagal nerve stimulation were discussed. Similarly, the stimulation parameters used and the mechanisms of actions through which VNS improves seizures were also discussed. Use of VNS to reduce seizure frequency has come a long way. However, considering the cost and side effects of the invasive method, non-invasive techniques should be given a renewed attention. In particular, respiratory vagal nerve stimulation should be considered. In doing this, the patients should for instance carry out slow-deep breathing exercise 6 to 8 times every 3 h during the waking hours. Slow-deep breathing can be carried out by the patients on their own; therefore this can serve as a form of self-management.HIGHLIGHTSEpilepsy can interfere with the patients' ability to carry out their daily activities and ultimately affect their quality of life.Medications are used to manage epilepsy; but they often have their serious side effects.Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is gaining ground especially in the management of refractory epilepsy.The VNS is administered through either the invasive or the non-invasive methodsThe invasive method of VNS like the medication has potential side effects, and can be costly.The non-invasive method includes auricular VNS, stimulation of the neck muscles and skin and respiratory vagal nerve stimulation via slow-deep breathing exercises.The respiratory vagal nerve stimulation via slow-deep breathing exercises seems easy to administer even by the patients themselves.Consequently, it is our opinion that patients with epilepsy be made to carry out slow-deep breathing exercise 6-8 times every 3 h during the waking hours.

Predictors of high dose of massed practice following stroke.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the factors that affect patients' ability to carry out high dose of massed practice. Methods: Patients with stroke were included in the study if they had no severe impairment in motor and cognitive functions. Dose of massed practice, motor function, perceived amount and quality of use of the arm in the real world, wrist and elbow flexors spasticity, dominant hand stroke, presence of shoulder pain, and central post-stroke pain were assessed on the first day. Dose of massed practice was assessed again on the second day. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear multiple regression. Results: Only motor function (ß = -0.310, r = 0.787, P < 0.001), perceived amount of use (ß = 0.300, r = 0.823; 95% CI = 0.34-107.224, P = 0.049), severity of shoulder pain (ß = -0.155, r = -0.472, P = 0.019), wrist flexors spasticity (ß = -0.154, r = -0.421, P = 0.002), age (ß = -0.129, r = -0.366, P = 0.018), dominant hand stroke (ß = -0.091, r = -0.075, P = 0.041), and sex (ß = -0.090, r = -0.161, P = 0.036) significantly influenced patients' ability to carry out high dose of massed practice. Conclusion: Many factors affect patients' ability to carry out high dose of massed practice. Understanding these factors can help in designing appropriate rehabilitation.

Post-stroke lateropulsion terminology: pushing for agreement amongst experts.

Post-stroke lateropulsion is prevalent. The global inconsistency in terminology used to describe the condition presents obstacles in accurately comparing research results, reaching consensus on use of measurement tools, agreeing upon a consistent approach to rehabilitation, and translating research to clinical practice. Commencing in 2021, 20 international experts undertook a Delphi Process that aimed to compile clinical practice recommendations for the rehabilitation of lateropulsion. As a part of the process, the panel agreed to aim to reach consensus regarding terminology used to describe the condition. Improved understanding of the condition could lead to improved management, which will enhance patient outcomes after stroke and increase efficiency of healthcare resource utilisation. While consensus was not reached, the panel achieved some agreement that 'lateropulsion' is the preferred term to describe the phenomenon of 'active pushing of the body across the midline toward the more affected side, and / or actively resisting weight shift toward the less affected side'. This group recommends that 'lateropulsion' is used in future research and in clinical practice.