Role of music therapy in improving cognitive function post-traumatic brain injury: A systematic review.

Cognitive deficits are one of the most prevalent impairments in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Music therapy has the potential to be a valuable intervention for improving cognitive function. This review aimed to investigate the effects of music therapy on cognitive function in patients with TBI. Scopus, PubMed, REHABDATA, PEDro, EMBASE, and web of science were searched for experimental trials examining the impacts of music therapy on cognition in patients with TBI from inception until December 2022. Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. Five studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 122 patients with TBI were included in this review, 32% of whom were females. The PEDro scores ranged from four to seven, with a median of five. The findings showed that music therapy could be effective in improving executive function post-TBI, with limited evidence for the effects on memory and attention. Music therapy might be safe in patients with TBI. The evidence for the effect of music therapy on executive function in patients with TBI is promising. Further studies with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-ups are strongly needed.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for cognitive impairments in patients with traumatic brain injury: A systematic review.

Cognitive deficits are the most common impairments after traumatic brain injury (TBI). It can be linked with poor physical function. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) increases blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain. This review aimed to summarize and evaluate the available literature on the influences of HBOT on cognitive deficits in patients with TBI. PubMed, SCOPUS, PEDro, REHABDATA, MIDLINE, CHINAL, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched from inception until June 2021. The methodological quality was measured using the physiotherapy evidence database (PEDro) scale. Ten studies met the eligibility criteria. Six studies were randomized controlled trials, and four were pilot studies. The scores on the PEDro scale ranged from two to nine, with a median score of seven. The included studies showed heterogeneity results for the beneficial effects of HBOT on improving cognitive functions in patients with TBI. The evidence for the beneficial effects of HBOT on cognitive functions post-TBI was limited. Further randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes are strongly needed to understand the effects of HBOT on cognitive functions in patients with TBI.

Changes in spasticity following functional electrical stimulation cycling in patients with spinal cord injury: A systematic review.

CONTEXT: Spasticity is one of the most common secondary impairment after spinal cord injury (SCI). It can lead to an increase in the level of disability. The functional electrical stimulation cycling (FES-cycling) promotes recovery in patients with SCI. No systematic review has been published examining the influence of FES-cycling on the spasticity of lower extremities post-SCI.Objective: This review aimed to investigate the effects of the FES-cycling on the lower extremities spasticity in patients with SCI.Methods: PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, REHABDATA, Web of Science, and MEDLINE were searched until December 2019. The methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale.Results: Ten studies were met the inclusion criteria. Two were randomized clinical trials, cohort study (n = 2), and pilot study (n=6). The scores on the PEDro scale ranged from one to nine, with a median score of three. The results showed evidence for the beneficial effects of FES-cycling on the spasticity of lower extremities in individuals with SCI.Conclusion: The FES-cycling intervention may reduce the lower extremities spasticity in patients with various injury levels of SCI. It is not a suitable intervention for medically unstable patients or with contraindication for lower extremities movement. Further randomized controlled trials with a large sample size strongly warranted to confirm our findings.

Rhythmic auditory stimulation in gait rehabilitation for traumatic brain and spinal cord injury.

Walking impairments consider one from common secondary impairments post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI). As the evidence showed that RAS is effective in improving the gait ability in those with other neurological disorders, we propose that RAS is also effective in those with TBI and SCI. The aim was to test our hypothesis. Two pilot studies were included. In the first study, eight individuals with TBI participated in RAS experimental 1. Besides, five individuals participated in RAS experimental 2. In the second study, seventeen individuals with incomplete SCI participated RAS intervention. The included studies reported beneficial effects of RAS on gait ability in TBI and SCI population. Specifically, in the walking pattern aspect post-TBI, the cadence post thoracic incomplete SCI, besides, velocity and stride length post cervical incomplete SCI. Despite no confirmed conclusion that can be drawn, the initial findings of the existing evidence on the influences of RAS on gait ability in individuals with TBI and SCI are promising. Special attention should be given by researchers to conduct more researches on this topic to confirm using this approach in clinical practice in the future.