Efficacy of REAC Neurobiological Optimization Treatments in Post-Polio Syndrome: A Manual Muscle Testing Evaluation.

Background: This study evaluated the effectiveness of radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) neurobiological optimization treatments on muscle strength (MS) in individuals with post-polio syndrome (PPS), a condition causing new muscle weakness in polio survivors. Traditional treatments focus on symptom management, whereas REAC technology uses radio electric symmetric conveyed fields to modulate neurotransmission and cellular function. Methods: This open-label study involved 17 PPS patients who maintained their existing medications. The participants underwent four REAC treatment protocols: neuro-postural optimization (NPO), neuro-psycho-physical optimization (NPPO), neuro-psycho-physical optimization-cervical brachial (NPPO-CB), and neuromuscular optimization (NMO). MS was assessed using manual muscular tests (MMT) before and after each protocol. Results: A statistical analysis via repeated measures ANOVA showed significant MS improvements, particularly in the proximal muscles of the left lower limb (LLL), distal muscles of both lower limbs (LLs), and distal muscles of the left upper limb. The LLL, the most severely affected limb at this study's start, exhibited the greatest improvement. Conclusions: These results suggest REAC treatments could enhance MS in PPS patients, potentially reorganizing motor patterns and reducing functional overload on less affected limbs.

Differentiation of Post-Polio Syndrome from Prior Poliomyelitis Sequela by Assessing Paraspinal Muscle Involvement in Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Background/Objectives: Post-polio syndrome (PPS) affects former polio patients, manifesting decades after initial infection with progressive symptoms like pain, fatigue, and muscle weakness. Diagnosis relies on the clinical criteria and exclusion of other probable causes. The purpose of this study is to determine the scope and new diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in identifying muscle involvement in PPS and distinguishing it from prior poliomyelitis (PPM). Methods: This study was approved by the Koç University Ethics Committee with Approval No. 2023.409.IRB2.090. Electronic medical archives from two academic institutions were searched for records tagged with ICD code B-91 for poliomyelitis sequalae. The resulting search query of 291 records was manually sorted for PPS and PPM, medical history, clinical examination findings, and lumbar MR images down to 32 patients. Two independent radiologists evaluated the paraspinal musculature in the MRIs using the Mercuri scale. Inter-rater agreement, comparison of the paraspinal musculatures between groups, and their relationship to leg involvement were assessed with the resulting data. Results: Inter-rater agreement was found to be almost perfect across all muscles, except for the multifidus muscle. When clinical examination findings were included for these muscles, quadratus lumborum (QL) degradation was found in both right-side (p = 0.017) and left-side (p = 0.002) leg involvement. Conclusions: QL muscle deterioration may serve as a diagnostic marker for PPS, potentially guiding lumbar pain treatment through rehabilitation.

Neurobiological modulation with REAC technology: enhancing pain, depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life in post-polio syndrome subjects.

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) brings new challenges for polio survivors, including muscle decline, pain, depression, and diminished quality of life. This study explored the potential of REAC neuromodulatory treatments to ease pain, improve mood, and enhance quality of life in PPS patients. 17 individuals with PPS (average age 54.8) received three REAC treatments: Neuro Postural Optimization, Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization, and Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization-Cervico Brachial. Pain, depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life were assessed before and after using established scales. REAC treatments significantly reduced pain across various dimensions, along with depression, anxiety, and stress levels. Additionally, patients reported improved physical and psychological quality of life. This study suggests REAC neuromodulatory treatments as a promising non-invasive option to improve pain, emotional well-being, and quality of life in individuals with PPS.

Improving Strength and Fatigue Resistance in Post-Polio Syndrome Individuals with REAC Neurobiological Treatments.

Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) is a chronic condition characterized by the emergence of new symptoms and functional decline in individuals who previously had polio. Despite advances in medical understanding, management of PPS remains challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the use of neurobiological modulation treatments using Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer (REAC) technology on fatigue and muscle strength. An open-label study was conducted with 17 patients submitted to four neuromodulation protocols: Neuro Postural Optimization (NPO), Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization (NPPO), Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization-Cervico Brachial (NPPO-CB), and Neuromuscular Optimization (NMO). The Time Up and Go (TUG) test, Handgrip Strength Test, and Revised Piper Fatigue Scale (RPFS) were used to assess participants' fatigue and muscle strength, being applied at the beginning and end of each protocol. The results obtained from the improvement in strength, physical endurance, and particularly the RPFS behavioral dimension, affective dimension, and psychological sensory dimension, through the utilization of REAC neurobiological modulation treatments, highlight this correlation. These results suggest that these treatments could be considered as a potential therapeutic approach for PPS.

Spontaneous pulmonary herniation in post-polio syndrome.

Pulmonary hernias are typically a result of trauma, thoracic operations, or congenital defects. Spontaneous lung hernias without a prior overt injury are notably rare. The presence of spontaneous lung hernias has not been reported in post-polio syndrome. Post-polio syndrome is a late sequela of poliomyelitis that usually presents 30-40 years after the initial illness with new presentations of progressive muscle weakness, abnormal muscle fatigue, muscle atrophy, and myalgia. This case report describes the presentation and imaging of a post-polio patient with an atraumatic, spontaneous lung hernia. A discussion on pulmonary hernias, diagnostic imaging, and management is also included.

Non-prosthetic implant-related femur fractures in post-polio patients.

The overall societal impact of poliomyelitis worldwide is decreasing, rendering it almost absent in most developed countries. However, even there, patients are still seen who contracted it in endemic areas or developed polio before vaccinations became widely available. Post-polio syndrome (PPS) causes skeletal and neurological changes that increase affected individuals' likelihood of fractures, including fractures requiring complex surgical treatment. The existence of previous internal fixation creates a particularly difficult challenge. We present here the surgical management of four post-polio patients who suffered non-prosthetic implant-related femoral fractures. Injuries occurred at earlier ages than implant-related fractures in non-polio patients and three of the four fractures occurred around plates, a phenomenon which is usually rare. The treatment of implant-related fractures in patients with post-polio syndrome poses significant technical challenges, often creating problematic functional sequelae for patients and high costs for healthcare systems.

Post-polio syndrome presenting as isolated neck extensor myopathy: a case report.

Background: Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is characterized by new or worsening muscular weakness, atrophy, muscle and joint pain, and muscle fatiguability decades after paralytic poliomyelitis infection. Case Description: A 56-year-old man was diagnosed with paralytic poliomyelitis at the age of five, which left him with flaccid paralysis and weakness of the right leg. One year before seeking chiropractic care, the patient saw his primary care physician with neck pain, low back pain, and fatigue. At the time, he had been diagnosed with degenerative spondylosis and was being treated with tricyclic antidepressants, clonazepam, and tramadol. Despite taking the drugs, his spinal pain and fatigability deteriorated, and he acquired head ptosis during the following six months. As a result, he sought chiropractic care for second opinion. Due to the patient's failure to respond to oral analgesics, radiographs were performed, which revealed degenerative spondylosis, cervical flexion deformity, right pelvic drop, and right thoracolumbar scoliosis. The patient met the PPS diagnostic criteria. PPS related isolated neck extensor myopathy (INEM) was impressed. Multimodal intervention including cervical and lumbar manipulation, spinal traction, micro-vibration deep muscle massage, and core muscle training was provided. As a result of 40-month treatment, the patient reported full resolution of physical complaints. Head posture restored, cervical curvature retrieved and pelvic obliquity relatively corrected. Conclusions: Survivors of paralytic polio are especially vulnerable to developing leg weakness and length discrepancy, pelvic obliquity, asymmetric axial loading, and trunk muscular imbalance. The current case demonstrates a rare myopathy in a patient at post-polio stage, as well as the restoration of neck function with chiropractic intervention.

Post-Polio Syndrome Revisited.

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is characterized by recrudescence or worsening of motor neuron disease symptoms decades after recovery from acute paralytic poliovirus infection, i.e., poliomyelitis. PPS afflicts between 25% and 40% of poliomyelitis survivors and mimics motor neuron diseases (MNDs), such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), due to its selective impairment, degeneration, or death of motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord. Herein, we report a case of PPS in a 68-year-old man with a remote history of bulbar and cervical cord involvement by poliomyelitis, review the relevant literature, and contrast the salient histopathologic features that distinguish our case of PPS from ALS.

[Think Interdisciplinary to Improve a Complex Multifactorial Gait Disorder of a 28-Year-Old Polio Patient]. / Interdisziplinär denken, um die komplexe multifaktorielle Gangstörung eines 28-jährigen Polio-Patienten zu verbessern.

Think Interdisciplinary to Improve a Complex Multifactorial Gait Disorder of a 28-Year-Old Polio Patient Abstract. Poliomyelitis with the resulting paralytic sequelae is hardly present in Switzerland anymore and if so, only in elderly persons. The last reported case of poliomyelitis in Switzerland was received by the FOPH in 1982. A 28-year-old patient with paralytic poliomyelitis is extremely rare in this country. A combined multifactorial gait disorder with symptomatic hip dysplasia, pronounced leg length shortening and axial malalignment of the leg on the polio-affected side make this case unique and a special interdisciplinary challenge.

Functional exercise capacity in maximal and submaximal activities of individuals with polio sequelae.

PURPOSE: Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease that can cause total paralysis. Furthermore, poliomyelitis survivors may develop new signs and symptoms, including muscular weakness and fatigue, years after the acute phase of the disease, i.e., post-polio syndrome (PPS). Thus, the objective was to compare the functional exercise capacity during maximal and submaximal exercises among individuals with polio sequelae (without PPS diagnosis), PPS, and a control group. METHODS: Thirty individuals participated in three groups: a control group (CG, n = 10); a group of individuals with polio sequelae but without PPS diagnosis (PG, n = 10); and a PPS group (PPSG, n = 10). All participants underwent (i) a cardiopulmonary exercise test to determine their maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) and (ii) a series of functional field tests (i.e., walking test, sit-to-stand test, and stair climbing test). RESULTS: [Formula: see text]O2max was 30% lower in PPSG than in CG and PG. Regarding functional field tests, walking and stair climbing test performances were significantly different among all groups. The PPSG sit-to-stand performance was lower than CG. CONCLUSION: The sequelae of paralytic poliomyelitis impair functional exercise capacity obtained from maximal and submaximal tests, especially in patients with PPS. Furthermore, submaximal variables appear to be more negatively impacted than maximal variables.

Poliomyelitis is a current challenge: long-term sequelae and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus.

For more than 20 years, the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region (WPR) has been polio-free. However, two current challenges are still polio-related. First, around half of poliomyelitis elderly survivors suffer late poliomyelitis sequelae with a substantial impact on daily activities and quality of life, experiencing varying degrees of residual weakness as they age. The post-polio syndrome as well as accelerated aging may be involved. Second, after the worldwide Sabin oral poliovirus (OPV) vaccination, the recent reappearance of strains of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) circulating in the environment is worrisome and able to persistent person-to-person transmission. Such VDPV strains exhibit atypical genetic characteristics and reversed neurovirulence that can cause paralysis similarly to wild poliovirus, posing a significant obstacle to the elimination of polio. Immunization is essential for preventing paralysis in those who are exposed to the poliovirus. Stress the necessity of maintaining high vaccination rates because declining immunity increases the likelihood of reemergence. If mankind wants to eradicate polio in the near future, measures to raise immunization rates and living conditions in poorer nations are needed, along with strict observation. New oral polio vaccine candidates offer a promissory tool for this goal.

Coexistence of fibromyalgia and post-polio syndrome in persons with prior poliomyelitis in Turkey: the relations with symptoms, polio-related impairments, and quality of life.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of fibromyalgia(FM) and to show its relations with symptoms, polio-related impairments (PRI), and quality of life (QoL) in persons with prior paralytic poliomyelitis (PsPP) with and without post-polio syndrome (PPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 74 PsPP under 60 years of age, 60 of whom met the criteria for PPS. Presence and severity of FM were assessed by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990, 2010, and 2016 criteria, and Fibromyalgia Severity Score. PPS symptoms, PRI, and QoL were evaluated using the Self-Reported Impairments in Persons with Late Effects of Polio Rating Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Nottingham Health Profile. Frequency, comparison, and correlation analyses were performed. RESULTS: While 15% of PsPP with PPS met the criteria of ACR 1990, 32% of ACR 2010, and 35% of ACR 2016, none of those without PPS met any of the criteria for FM. Severity of PPS symptoms and PRI were significantly higher, and QoL was significantly lower in those with co-existing FM. FM severity was found to be significantly associated with severity of PPS symptoms, PRI and reduced QoL. CONCLUSIONS: FM frequently coexists in PsPP with PPS and may increase the burden of PPS.Implications for RehabilitationFibromyalgia (FM) is commonly seen in patients with post-polio syndrome (PPS).Co-existing FM may increase the burden of PPS, as it is associated with more severe symptoms, more polio-related impairments, and worse quality of life.Recognition, appropriate referral, and successful management of co-existing FM may allow for reduced symptoms or symptom severity and improved quality of life in persons with PPS.

Post-Polio Syndrome in a Primary Care Setting: A Case Report.

Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) is a sequela of poliovirus infection that causes weakness in previously infected polio patients years after the initial infection. The diagnosis is one of exclusion and entails the following: 1) a prior episode of poliomyelitis with residual motor neuron function loss, 2) a period of at least 15 years or more after the acute onset of polio with neurologic and functional stability, and 3) a gradual onset of new weakness and abnormal muscle fatigability that has persisted for at least one year. While the exact etiology is unknown, the prevalence of PPS has increased as patients who have previously survived polio are getting older. In this report, we discuss a patient presenting to his primary care provider for evaluation of worsening lower extremity weakness over the course of the past three years. In addition to general characteristics of PPS, we will review the use of electromyography (EMG)/nerve conduction studies and imaging for evaluation. This report will also review prevention methods with vaccinations and identify potential treatment regimens including aerobic exercise and medications ranging from tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) to dopamine agonists. The goal of this paper is to not only shine a light on PPS in general, but to show how social determinants i.e., economic stability, healthcare access and quality of health may affect the diagnosis of uncommon conditions.

Poliomyelitis in Pakistan: Challenges to polio eradication and future prospects.

Poliomyelitis is a viral disease that causes acute paralysis, muscle weakness and autonomic dysfunction. It primarily affects children under the age of five. It is mainly transmitted via the feco-oral route, through contaminated water. As of the year 2022, Pakistan remains one of the two countries where polio is still endemic, the other being Afghanistan. Numerous myths and misconceptions regarding the polio vaccine, lack of awareness and proper governance, terrorism and difficult access to remote areas due to poor infrastructure are just some of the reasons why polio remains endemic in Pakistan to this day. Therefore, the government should take measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of health care workers, as well as spread awareness regarding the importance of polio vaccines, while addressing the myths and misconception regarding said vaccines.

The effect of adding whole-body vibration exercises to home exercise program on muscle strength in patients with post-polio syndrome.

Objectives: This study aims to understand the effectiveness of whole-body vibration (WBV) exercises performed with home exercise program in patients with post-polio syndrome (PPS) in terms of muscle strength, fatigue, the quality of life, and laboratory parameters. Patients and methods: Between October 2015 and March 2016, a total of 14 patients (7 males, 7 females; mean age: 45.1±6.6 years; range, 34 to 57 years) who were diagnosed with PPS were included in the study. The patients were randomized into two groups: the first group received WBV, home exercise program and patient education while the second (control) group received home exercise program and patient education. The patients were evaluated by knee isometric and isokinetic peak torque, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), serum creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase at baseline and at the end of the treatment. Results: At the end of the treatment, the exercise program administered to the patients was found to be effective in increasing knee muscle strength in PPS patients (p<0.05). This difference was more apparent on the sequela side, isometric extension peak torque in the group with WBV. There was no significant change in the markers of muscle damage or NHP in both groups. Conclusion: Inclusion of WBV in home exercise program in PPS patients does not seem to be superior, except for reducing the effect of fatigue on the patient's life.

Femoral Shaft Fracture in Post-polio Syndrome Patients: Case Series from a Level-I Trauma Center and Review of Literature.

Background: Femoral shaft fracture in patients of post-polio syndrome (PPS) represents an uncommon yet complex injury pattern. Poorly developed soft-tissue envelope, decreased muscle bulk, reduced vascularity, regional osteopenia, joint contractures, and altered bony anatomy impose significant surgical challenges. Thorough pre-operative planning is imperative as each case requires individualized approach and method of fixation. The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical outcomes in such patients following fracture fixation and to assess the surgical challenges encountered and provide solutions. Materials and Methods: A retrospective case series of 33 patients with femoral shaft fracture in PPS limbs was undertaken. Mode of injury, method of fixation, surgical time, intra-operative blood loss, union time, and complications were recorded. Results: Low-energy fall was the most common mechanism of injury (73%). Thirty-three patients underwent fixation with intramedullary nailing being the most common mode (79%). Femoral canal diameter, femoral bow, fracture location and morphology and clinical deformities of the patients are key governing factors that determine the choice of implant. Locking plates, pre-contoured anatomical plates, and titanium elastic nailing system offer an alternative in patients unsuitable for nailing. With no difference between various implants, average time for bone healing was 13.8 ± 4.4 weeks. All patients resumed full weight-bearing mobilization and returned to pre-injury activity status at the end of 6 months post-surgery. Conclusion: With detailed pre-operative work-up, contemplating intra-operative difficulties, individualized surgical plan, careful handling of soft tissues, and availability of back-up implants, good clinical outcomes can be achieved in femur fractures in PPS patients.

Changes in neuromuscular function in elders: Novel techniques for assessment of motor unit loss and motor unit remodeling with aging.

Functional muscle fiber denervation is a major contributor to the decline in physical function observed with aging and is now a recognized cause of sarcopenia, a muscle disorder characterized by progressive and generalized degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass, quality, and strength. There is an interrelationship between muscle strength, motor unit (MU) number, and aging, which suggests that a portion of muscle weakness in seniors may be attributable to the loss of functional MUs. During normal aging, there is a time-related progression of MU loss, an adaptive sprouting followed by a maladaptive sprouting, and continuing recession of terminal Schwann cells leading to a reduced capacity for compensatory reinnervation in elders. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, increasing age at onset predicts worse survival ALS and it is possible that age-related depletion of the motor neuron pool may worsen motor neuron disease. MUNE methods are used to estimate the number of functional MU, data from MUNIX arguing for motor neuron loss with aging will be reviewed. Recently, a new MRI technique MU-MRI could be used to assess the MU recruitment or explore the activity of a single MU. This review presents published studies on the changes of neuromuscular function with aging, then focusing on these two novel techniques for assessment of MU loss and MU remodeling.

Describing post-polio syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Patients presenting sequelae of poliomyelitis may present new symptoms, known as post-polio syndrome (PPS). OBJECTIVE: To identify the clinical and functional profile and epidemiological characteristics of patients presenting PPS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 400 patients with poliomyelitis attended at the Institut Guttmann outpatient clinic, of whom 310 were diagnosed with PPS. We describe patients' epidemiological, clinical, and electromyographic variables and analyse the relationships between age of poliomyelitis onset and severity of the disease, and between sex, age of PPS onset, and the frequency of symptoms. RESULTS: PPS was more frequent in women (57.7%). The mean age at symptom onset was 52.4 years, and was earlier in women. Age at primary infection > 2 years was not related to greater poliomyelitis severity. The frequency of symptoms was: pain in 85% of patients, loss of strength in 40%, fatigue in 65.5%, tiredness in 57.8%, cold intolerance in 20.2%, dysphagia in 11.7%, cognitive complaints in 9%, and depressive symptoms in 31.5%. Fatigue, tiredness, depression, and cognitive complaints were significantly more frequent in women. Fifty-nine percent of patients presented electromyographic findings suggestive of PPS. CONCLUSIONS: While the symptoms observed in our sample are similar to those reported in the literature, the frequencies observed are not. We believe that patients' clinical profile may be very diverse, giving more weight to such objective parameters as worsening of symptoms or appearance of weakness; analysis of biomarkers may bring us closer to an accurate diagnosis.

Spinal cord gray matter atrophy is associated with functional decline in post-polio syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if patients with post-polio syndrome (PPS) show spinal cord gray matter (SCGM) atrophy and to assess associations between SCGM atrophy, muscle strength and patient-reported functional decline. METHODS: Twenty patients diagnosed with PPS (March of Dimes criteria) and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) underwent 3T axial 2D-rAMIRA magnetic resonance imaging at the intervertebral disc levels C2/C3-C6/C7, T9/T10 and the lumbar enlargement level (Tmax ) (0.5 × 0.5 mm2 in-plane resolution). SCGM areas were segmented manually by two independent raters. Muscle strength, self-reported fatigue, depression and pain measures were assessed. RESULTS: Post-polio syndrome patients showed significantly and preferentially reduced SCGM areas at C2/C3 (p = 0.048), C3/C4 (p = 0.001), C4/C5 (p < 0.001), C5/C6 (p = 0.004) and Tmax (p = 0.041) compared to HC. SCGM areas were significantly associated with muscle strength in corresponding myotomes even after adjustment for fatigue, pain and depression. SCGM areaTmax together with age and sex explained 68% of ankle dorsiflexion strength variance. No associations were found with age at or time since infection. Patients reporting PPS-related decline in arm function showed significant cervical SCGM atrophy compared to stable patients adjusted for initial disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PPS show significant SCGM atrophy that correlates with muscle strength and is associated with PPS-related functional decline. Our findings suggest a secondary neurodegenerative process underlying SCGM atrophy in PPS that is not explained by aging or residua of the initial infection alone. Confirmation by longitudinal studies is needed. The described imaging methodology is promising for developing novel imaging surrogates for SCGM diseases.

PAIN IN POST-POLIO SYNDROME: A SEPARATE PAIN ENTITY?

BACKGROUND: Most patients with polio recover from the initial infection, but develop muscle weakness, pain and fatigue after 15-40 years, a condition called post-polio syndrome. Although poliovirus has been almost eliminated, 12-20 million people worldwide still have polio sequelae. The pain is described mainly as nociceptive, but some patients experience neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to further characterize post-polio pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients with post-polio syndrome participated in the study. Physical examination was performed, and questionnaires containing pain drawing and visual analogue scales (VAS) for pain intensity during rest and motion and VAS for fatigue were completed. A walk test was performed to evaluate physical performance. RESULTS: Pain intensity was high (42/100 on the VAS at rest and 62/100 while moving). The pain was localized in both joints and muscles. Pain in the muscles was of "deep aching" character, included "muscle cramps" and was located mainly in polio-weakened limbs. CONCLUSION: Muscle pain in patients with post-polio syndrome does not fulfil the criteria for either nociceptive or neuropathic pain; thus, it is suggested that the pain is termed "post-polio muscular pain". The intensity of post-polio muscular pain is higher while moving, but does not influence physical function, and is separate from fatigue.