The Comparison of Dysphagia between COVID-19 Pneumonia and Aspiration Pneumonia / 대한연하장애학회지

Objective@#Patients recovering from moderate-to-severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reportedly have dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing. The current study compares the differences in dysphagia characteristics arising from COVID-19 pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia. We further identify factors affecting the severity of dysphagia. @*Methods@#Fifty-four patients diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia with dysphagia and 44 patients with aspiration pneumonia were referred for a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) since they presented with signs and symptoms of dysphagia. The electronic medical records were reviewed to compare the dysphagia characteristics of the patients. @*Results@#Intensive care unit (ICU) admission, intubation, tracheostomy, and a diagnosis of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) after admission were more common in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia (P＜0.001 for other variables and P=0.007 for tracheostomy) than in patients with aspiration pneumonia. Compared to patients with aspiration pneumonia, the COVID-19 patients had a significantly higher total modified videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (mVDS) score, indicating more severe dysphagia (P=0.038). Among the mVDS sub-scores, tracheal aspiration was significantly higher in the COVID-19 pneumonia group (P＜0.001). In logistic regression analysis, age (P=0.034), COVID-19 (P=0.001), ICU admission (P=0.012), tracheostomy (P=0.029), and ARDS diagnosis after admission (P=0.036) were significantly associated with tracheal aspiration. After adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, and clinical variables, COVID-19 was still significantly associated with worse tracheal aspiration scores (P=0.042). @*Conclusion@#Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia showed more severe dysphagia than subjects with aspiration pneumonia. This is particularly related to tracheal aspiration, as revealed by the VFSS. The dysphagia also correlated with a greater incidence of ICU admission, intubation, tracheostomy, and ARDS diagnosis in the COVID-19 pneumonia group.

Dysphagia Due to Bilateral Facial Palsy in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Case Report / 대한연하장애학회지

Dysphagia can cause aspiration pneumonia, a critical condition that increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients. The facial nerve plays an important role in oropharyngeal swallowing. Here, we present a rare case of a leukemia patient with bilateral facial palsy and dysphagia, detected by a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), which revealed oropharyngeal phase dysfunction. Severe drooling was observed due to poor lip sealing in the oral phase. The tongue movement was normal, but the patient had difficulty controlling dense food between his teeth and tongue, and under the tongue. In the pharyngeal phase, decreased elevation and closure of the larynx were observed. Penetration and aspiration were observed during liquid tests, however there was no cough. This case highlights the fact that the facial nerve plays an important role in the oropharyngeal phase of swallowing. VFSS should be preferentially considered to rule out aspiration pneumonia in bilateral facial palsy with suspected dysphagia.

Development of a Short Version of ICF Core Set for Stroke Adapted for Rehabilitation in Korea: a Preliminary Study

This study aimed to develop a short version of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) core set and verify functioning levels of patients for stroke rehabilitation in Korea. Using the Delphi technique, a 3-round consensus process was conducted. Thirty multidisciplinary rehabilitation experts from different hospitals completed the consensus study. The questionnaire for this study adopted the comprehensive ICF core set for stroke developed by the Geyh group. A 7-point Likert-type scale was used by participants to weigh the impact of each category on activities of daily living or rehabilitation after a stroke. The consensus of ratings was assessed with Spearman's rho and inter-quartile range indices. A core set to assess functioning levels of patients with stroke was developed from those categories. A short version of ICF core set to assess and verify functioning levels of patients with stroke was developed for 12 categories, including 3 categories (consciousness, muscle power, and attention) from body functions, 1 (structure of brain) from body structures, 5 (eating, walking, moving around, changing basic body position, and carrying out daily routine) from activities and participation, and 3 (individual attitudes of immediate family members, immediate family, and personal care providers/personal assistants) from environmental factors. This preliminary study developed a Delphi consensus process, gathering statistical evidence and expert commands based on the short version of ICF core set for rehabilitation of stroke patients in Korea.

Assessment of Functional Impairments in Male Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES@#Many studies have demonstrated comorbidities and overlapping symptoms in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). The purpose of this study was to examine the functional impairment in subjects with ADHD, ODD, and in those with both ADHD and ODD.@*METHODS@#172 male subjects, aged 6 to 15 years old, were enrolled in this study. Based on diagnoses made by applying the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime (K-SADS-PL), the subjects were categorized into four groups: ADHD group (n=64), ODD group (n=17), ADHD+ODD group (n=28), and control group (n=63). The Child and Adolescent Functioning Impairment Scale (CAFIS) was used to measure the functional impairment of the subjects. CAFIS consists of four subscales : Family relationship, Teacher relationship, Peer relationship, and Academic achievement scales. A high CAFIS score implies high functional impairment. Analysis of covariance was conducted to compare the scores between the four groups.@*RESULTS@#Both the ODD and the ADHD+ODD groups had significantly high scores for Parent relationship compared to that of the ADHD group. Compared to the control group, both the ADHD and the ADHD+ODD group had significantly higher scores for Peer relationship and Academic achievement, whereas, the ODD group showed no significant difference from the control group on those two subscales.@*CONCLUSION@#The present study showed that subjects with ADHD and ODD have different functional impairment characteristics. The subjects' relationships with their parents were worsened by the presence of ODD. Peer relationships and Academic achievements were significantly affected by the presence of ADHD.

Suicidal Ideation of the Elderly According to Their Involvement in Grandchild Care

The purpose of the present study was to examine the severity of suicidal ideation of the older adults according to the amount of involvement in grandchild care. Data for this research were drawn from a cross-sectional study conducted on community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older. The 922 participants were divided into three groups according to their involvement in grandchild care: 18.5% had provided daily care, 12.4% had provided occasional care, and 69.1% had never cared for their grandchildren. ANCOVA analysis showed that the scores for depression was significantly lower in the group which took care of their grandchildren occasionally compared to the other two groups. The scores for suicidal ideation was significantly higher in the group which had never taken care of their grandchildren compared to the other two groups. Current study suggests that grandparenting may have a positive effect on suicidal ideation of the older adults.

Superior Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training Compared to Conventional Therapy on Cardiovascular and Psychological Aspects in Myocardial Infarction

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on psychological symptoms, activity states, and cardiovascular functions in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) of low and moderate risk stratification. METHODS: This prospective study randomly allocated 44 patients with MI to 18 sessions of HIIT or conventional moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after 18 sessions. RESULTS: Post-exercise cardiovascular and functional states, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), metabolic equivalents (METs), 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), and Korean Activity Scale/Index (KASI) scores were significantly improved in the HIIT group compared to those in the MICT group after 18 exercise sessions. In particular, VO2max was significantly (p < 0.005) improved in the HIIT group (7.58 mL/kg/min) compared to that in the MICT group (2.42 mL/kg/min). In addition, post-exercise psychological states (i.e., scores of Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS] and depression items of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS_D]) were significantly improved in the HIIT group compared to those in the MICT group after 18 exercise sessions. HADS-D was improved by 1.89 in the HIIT group compared to decrement of 0.47 in the MICT group. FSS was improved by 6.38 in the HIIT group compared to decrement of 0.77 in the MICT group (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that HIIT can improve cardiac function, psychological, and activity states in low and moderate risk MI patients. Compared to conventional MICT, HIIT can improve cardiovascular functions, activity states, depression, and fatigue more effectively.

Validation of Korean Version of Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (K-CRSR)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (K-CRSR) for evaluation of patients with a severe brain lesion. METHODS: With permission from Giacino, the developer of the Coma Recovery Scale Revised (CRSR), the scale was translated into Korean and back-translated into English by a Korean physiatrist highly proficient in English, and then verified by the original developer. Adult patients with a severe brain lesion following traumatic brain injury, stroke, or hypoxic brain injury were examined. To assess the inter-rater reliability, all patients were tested with K-CRSR by two physiatrists individually. To determine intra-rater reliability, the same test was re-administered by the same physiatrists after three days. RESULTS: Inter-rater reliability (k=0.929, p < 0.01) and intra-rater reliability (k=0.938, p < 0.01) were both high for total K-CRSR scores. Inter- and intra-rater agreement rates were very high (94.9% and 97.4%, respectively). The total K-CRSR score was significantly correlated with K-GCS (r=0.894, p < 0.01), demonstrating sufficient concurrent validity. CONCLUSION: K-CRSR is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of patients with brain injury by trained physiatrists. This scale is useful in differentiating patients in minimally conscious state from those in vegetative state.

Effect of a Caregiver's Education Program on Stroke Rehabilitation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of caregiver's education program on their satisfaction, as well as patient functional recovery, performed in addition to daily conventional rehabilitation treatment. METHODS: Three hundred eleven subjects diagnosed with first-onset stroke and transferred to the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Inha University Hospital were surveyed. In 2015, caregivers attended an education program for acute and subacute stroke patients. Patients who received an additional rehabilitation therapy were assigned to the experimental group (n=81), whereas the control group (n=100) consisted of transfer cases in 2014 with only conventional treatment. The experimental group was classified by severity using the Korean version of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (K-NIHSS), which was administered to all 181 subjects, in addition to, the Korean version of the Mini Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE), a Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), and the Berg Balance Scale (K-BBS). Caregiver satisfaction and burden before and after education programs were assessed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), as well as family burden and caregiver burnout scales. RESULTS: No significant intergroup difference was observed between initial K-NIHSS, K-MMSE, K-BBS, K-MBI scores, and times from admission to transfer. Those with moderate or severe strokes under the experimental condition showed a more significant improvement than the control group as determined by the K-NIHSS and K-BBS, as well as tendential K-MMSE and K-MBI score increases. Satisfaction was significantly greater for family members and formal caregivers of patients with strokes of moderate severity in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The caregiver's education program for stroke subjects had a positive outcome on patients' functional improvement and caregiver satisfaction. The authors believe that the additional rehabilitation therapy with the education program aids patients to achieve functional improvements for an optimal return to social life.

Korean Database of Cerebral Palsy: A Report on Characteristics of Cerebral Palsy in South Korea

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the Korean Database of Cerebral Palsy (KDCP) and to provide the first report on characteristics of subjects with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: The KDCP is a nationwide database of subjects with CP, which includes a total of 773 subjects. Characteristics such as demography, birth history, onset and type of CP, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, functional ability and accompanying impairments, were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: Preterm delivery and low birth weight were found in 59.51% and 60.28% of subjects, respectively. Postnatally acquired CP was 15.3%. The distribution of CP was 87.32%, 5.17%, and 1.81% for spastic, dyskinetic, and ataxic types, respectively. Functional ability was the worst in dyskinetic CP, as compared to other types of CP. Speech-language disorder (43.9%), ophthalmologic impairment (32.9%), and intellectual disability (30.3%) were the three most common accompanying impairments. The number of accompanying impairments was elevated in subjects with preterm birth and low birth weight. Brain MRI showed normal findings, malformations, and non-malformations in 10.62%, 9.56%, and 77.35% of subjects, respectively. Subjects with normal MRI findings had better functional ability than subjects with other MRI findings. MRI findings of a non-malformation origin, such as periventricular leukomalacia, were more common in subjects with preterm birth and low birth weight. CONCLUSION: The KDCP and its first report are introduced in this report, wherein the KDCP established agreement on terminologies of CP. This study added information on the characteristics of subjects with CP in South Korea, which can now be compared to those of other countries and ethnicities.

Monitoring of Functioning Status in Subjects With Chronic Stroke in South Korea Using WHODAS II

OBJECTIVE: To follow up the long-term functioning in a community through assessing personal background and status based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) after a stroke, by using a Korean version of World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale II (K-WHODAS II). METHODS: We surveyed 146 patients diagnosed at the first-onset of acute stroke and discharged after Inha University Hospital, and 101 patients answered the K-WHODAS II survey. We analyzed the relationship of six functioning domains of K-WHODAS II with K-MMSE (Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination) and K-MBI (Korean version of Modified Barthel Index) at admission and discharge, and personal background. All subjects were divided into five groups, according to the disease durations, to assess the functional changes and the differences of K-MMSE and K-MBI at the admission and discharge. RESULTS: K-MBI and K-MMSE at admission and discharge showed no significant differences in all five groups, respectively (p>0.05), reflecting no baseline disparity for long-term follow-up. All subjects showed positive gains of K-MBI and K-MMSE at discharge (p<0.05). The six functioning domains and total scores of K-WHODAS II had decreasing trends until 3 years after the stroke onset, but rose thereafter. Higher scores of K-MBI and K-MMSE, younger age, women, working status, higher educational level, and living with a partner were correlated with lower scores of K-WHODAS II (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The long-term functioning after stroke was affected not only by cognitive and motor status in hospital, but also by certain kinds of personal background. K-WHODAS II may be used to monitor functioning status in a community and to assess personal backgrounds in subjects with chronic stroke.

Functional Impairment and Executive Dysfunction of Children with Tourette Disorder : Comparison with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Non-Affected Controls

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether children with Tourette disorder (TD) have functional impairment and executive dysfunction in comparison to children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and non-affected controls. METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2013, 45 children and adolescents with TD and 50 children and adolescents with ADHD diagnosed at the Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital and 50 non-affected controls were enrolled in this study. Functional impairment of the subjects was assessed using the Child and Adolescents Functioning Impairment Scale (CAFIS), parent and teacher versions. In addition, neuropsychological tests including Stroop color-word Test, Finger windows Test (FWT), and Digit span were administered. Outcomes were compared across the TD, ADHD, and non-affected controls. RESULTS: No difference in CAFIS-parent and CAFIS-teacher results was observed between children with TD and non-affected controls, whereas, children with ADHD showed more impairments relative to non-affected controls in the CAFIS-parent. According to the Stroop color-word Test, FWT, and Digit span, executive function in children with TD did not differ from non-affected controls. Children with ADHD had poorer performance in measures of the Stroop color-word Test compared to children with TD. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents with TD but not ADHD were not significantly different from non-affected controls on most measures of functional impairment and executive function. These findings suggest that an education program and intervention for children with TD would be important to reducing the stigma of TD.

Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Outcomes in Korea Derived from the Korean Brain Rehabilitation Centers' Online Database System for the Years 2007 to 2011

The purpose of this report was to provide information for patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation after stroke and to identify the possible factors influencing functional outcome after inpatient rehabilitation. Stroke patients (n = 5,212) who were discharged from the Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine (RM) of university hospitals and rehabilitation hospitals from 2007 through 2011 were participants. Prevalence, age, transfer time after onset, length of stay (LOS), functional status at admission and discharge were analyzed. In all stroke subjects, cerebral infarctions (67%) were more common than hemorrhages. Cerebral infarctions in the middle cerebral artery territory were most common, while the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex were the most common areas for hemorrhagic stroke. The LOS decreased from 45 to 28 days. Transfer time after onset decreased from 44 to 30 days. Shorter transfer time after onset was correlated with better discharge functional status and shorter LOS. Initial functional status was correlated with discharge functional status. In ischemic stroke subtypes, cerebellar and brainstem strokes predicted better outcomes, while strokes with more than one territory predicted poorer outcomes with more disabilities. In hemorrhagic stroke subtypes, initial and discharge functional status was the lowest for cortical hemorrhages and highest for brainstem hemorrhages. This report shows that LOS and transfer time after onset has been decreased over time and initial functional status and shorter transfer after onset are predictors of better functional outcome at discharge.

Abnormal Ocular Movement With Executive Dysfunction and Personality Change in Subject With Thalamic Infarction: A Case Report

The thalamus, located between the cerebrum and midbrain, is a nuclear complex connected to the cerebral cortex that influences motor skills, cognition, and mood. The thalamus is composed of 50-60 nuclei and can be divided into four areas according to vascular supply. In addition, it can be divided into five areas according to function. Many studies have reported on a thalamic infarction causing motor or sensory changes, but few have reported on behavioral and executive aspects of the ophthalmoplegia of the thalamus. This study reports a rare case of a paramedian thalamus infarction affecting the dorsomedial area of the thalamus, manifesting as oculomotor nerve palsy, an abnormal behavioral change, and executive dysfunction. This special case is presented with a review of the anatomical basis and function of the thalamus.

Concomitant Acute Transverse Myelitis and Sensory Motor Axonal Polyneuropathy in Two Children: Two Case Reports

Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is an upper motor neuron disease of the spinal cord, and concomitant association of peripheral polyneuropathy, particularly the axonal type, is rarely reported in children. Our cases presented with ATM complicated with axonal type polyneuropathy. Axonal type polyneuropathy may be caused by acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) or critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy (CIPNM). These cases emphasize the need for nerve and muscle biopsies to make the differential diagnosis between AMSAN and CIPNM in patients with ATM complicated with axonal polyneuropathy.

Erratum: Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Outcomes in Korea Derived from the Korean Brain Rehabilitation Centers' Online Database System for the Years 2007 to 2011

In this article (J Korean Med Sci 2015; 30: 644-50), one author's name is misspelled. Correct Sung-Hun Im into Seong Hoon Lim.

Arnold-Chiari Malformation Type III With Meningoencephalocele: A Case Report

Arnold-Chiari malformation type III (CM III) is an extremely rare anomaly with poor prognosis. An encephalocele with brain anomalies as seen in CM II, and herniation of posterior fossa contents like the cerebellum are found in CM III. The female infant was a twin, born at 33 weeks, weighing 1.7 kg with a huge hydrocele on the craniocervical junction. After operations were performed, she was referred to the department of rehabilitation medicine for poor motor development, swallowing dysfunction, and poor eye fixation at 22 months. The child was managed with neurodevelopmental treatment, oromotor facilitation, and light perception training. After 14 months, improvement of gross motor function was observed, including more stable head control, rolling, and improvement of visual perception. CM III has been known as a condition with poor prognosis. However, with the improvement in operative techniques and intensive rehabilitations, the prognosis is more promising than ever before. Therefore, more attention must be paid to the rehabilitation issues concerning patients with CM III.

Current update of therapeutic interventions for stroke rehabilitation

No abstract available.

Multiple Cranial Neuropathies Without Limb Involvements: Guillain-Barre Syndrome Variant?

Acute multiple cranial neuropathies are considered as variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome, which are immune-mediated diseases triggered by various cases. It is a rare disease which is related to infectious, inflammatory or systemic diseases. According to previous case reports, those affected can exhibit almost bilateral facial nerve palsy, then followed by bulbar dysfunctions (cranial nerves IX and X) accompanied by limb weakness and walking difficulties due to motor and/or sensory dysfunctions. Furthermore, reported cases of the acute multiple cranial neuropathies show electrophysiological abnormalities compatible with the typical Guillain-Barre syndromes (GBS). We recently experienced a patient with a benign infectious disease who subsequently developed symptoms of variant GBS. Here, we describe the case of a 48-year-old male patient who developed multiple symptoms of cranial neuropathy without limb weakness. His laboratory findings showed a positive result for anti-GQ1b IgG antibody. As compared with previously described variants of GBS, the patient exhibited widespread cranial neuropathy, which included neuropathies of cranial nerves III-XII, without limb involvement or ataxia.

Alien Hand Syndrome in Stroke: Case Report & Neurophysiologic Study

Alien Hand Syndrome is defined as unwilled, uncontrollable, but seemingly purposeful movements of an upper limb. Two major criteria for the diagnosis are complaint of a foreign limb and complex, autonomous, involuntary motor activity that is not part of an identifiable movement disorder. After a cerebrovascular accident in the corpus callosum, the parietal, or frontal regions, various abnormal involuntary motor behaviors may follow. Although different subtypes of Alien Hand Syndrome have been distinguished, this classification clearly does not cover the wide clinical variety of abnormal motor behaviors of the upper extremity. And there are few known studies about the neurophysiology of this syndrome using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We recently experienced 2 rare cases of Alien Hand Syndrome which occurred after anterior cerebral artery (ACA) infarction. A 72 year-old male with right hemiplegia following a left ACA infarct had difficulty with voluntarily releasing an object from his grasp. A 47 year-old female with left hemiplegia following a right ACA infarct had a problem termed 'intermanual conflict' in which the two hands appear to be directed at opposing purposes. Both of them had neurophysiologic studies done, and showed reduced amplitude by single pulse MEP and a lack of intracortical inhibition (ICI) by paired pulse TMS. No abnormalities were found in SSEP.

An Objective Assessment Scale for "Come-to-Sit" Using a Specifically Designed Jacket in Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: To compare an objective assessment scale for "come-to-sit" in stroke patients with the previously established subjective assessment scales of "performance-based assessment" and the "ability for basic movement scale". METHOD: A specifically designed jacket was used to determine the objective degree of assistance needed for patients to perform the task. While patients were sitting up, the investigator evaluated the amount of assistance needed in a fully dependent state (A) and with maximal effort (B). Using this measure, we obtained an objective scale, {(A-B)/A} x100. In addition, patients were tested in two starting positions: hemiplegic-side lying and sound-side lying. We then compared the objective scale with subjective scales and other parameters related to functional outcomes. RESULTS: For both starting positions, the objective assessment scale showed high correlation with the previously established subjective scales (p<0.01). Only the hemiplegic-side lying-to-sit objective scale showed a significant correlation with the parameters used to assess functional outcomes (p<0.05). In terms of Brunnstrom stages, only the leg stage showed a significant correlation with the objective "come-to-sit" scale (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The objective scale was comparable to established subjective assessment scales when used by an expert. The hemiplegic-side lying-to-sit maneuver had a high correlation with patient's functional recovery. Specifically, balance and lower extremity function appear to be important factors in the "come-to-sit" activity.