Noninvasive Brain Stimulation for Motor Dysfunction After Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the effectiveness of noninvasive brain stimulation on motor dysfunction after incomplete spinal cord injury. METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from the inception dates to April 30, 2022. Randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of noninvasive brain stimulation and sham stimulation on motor dysfunction in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury were included. Two reviewers performed the data extraction and assessed study quality using Cochrane Collaboration's Tool. The primary outcomes involved upper limb function, lower limb function, spasticity, and activities of daily living. They were analyzed using meta-analysis method and the results were reported as standardized mean difference with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Fourteen studies involving 225 patients were included. Noninvasive brain stimulation reduced spasticity at the end of intervention (standardized mean difference = -0.68, 95% confidence interval = -1.32 to -0.03, P = 0.04) and 1-wk follow-up (standardized mean difference = -0.82, 95% confidence interval = -1.48 to -0.16, P = 0.02), but no beneficial effect at 1-mo follow-up (standardized mean difference = -0.32, 95% confidence interval = -1.06 to 0.42, P = 0.39). In addition, noninvasive brain stimulation also increased lower limb muscle strength at 1-mo follow-up (standardized mean difference = 0.69, 95% confidence interval = 0.11 to 1.28, P = 0.02). Other main outcomes were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive brain stimulation can reduce spasticity, and the favorable effect can sustain for 1 wk after intervention. In addition, noninvasive brain stimulation can increase lower limb muscle strength at 1-mo follow-up.

Predictors of deep-vein thrombosis for acute stroke at admission to a rehabilitation unit: A retrospective study.

Background: Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication of acute stroke (AS). Only limited studies have discussed DVT in patients with AS at admission to a rehabilitation unit. The purpose of this study is to identify the predictors of DVT in AS patients admitted to a rehabilitation unit in China. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients with AS admitted within 14 days of stroke onset between July 2019 and June 2022 at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, China. Ultrasonography was used to diagnose DVT in all patients within 3 days after rehabilitation admission. Univariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for DVT. Results: Overall, 234 cases were identified and the incidence rate of DVT among AS patients was 13.2% (31/234). The univariate analysis showed that age, drinking, lower limb muscle strength, Brunnstrom Assessment (BRS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Barthel Index (BI) scale, serum albumin (Alb), and D-dimer were statistically significant factors. Age (OR = 1.037, 95% CI = 1.000-1.075, p < 0.05), BBS (OR = 0.952, 95% CI = 0.913-0.993, p < 0.05), and D-dimer (OR = 1.446, 95% CI = 1.130-1.849, p < 0.05) were demonstrated as independent risk factors for DVT. Conclusion: Older age, lower BBS, and higher D-dimer levels at rehabilitation admission were independent risk factors for DVT. Therefore, ultrasonography should be performed for those patients with these three significant factors before implementing rehabilitation therapy.