Influence of CReatine supplementation on mUScle mass and strength after stroke (ICaRUS Stroke Trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability, and its sequelae are associated with inadequate food intake which can lead to sarcopenia. The aim of this study is to verify the effectiveness of creatine supplementation on functional capacity, strength, and changes in muscle mass during hospitalization for stroke compared to usual care. An exploratory subanalysis will be performed to assess the inflammatory profiles of all participants, in addition to a follow-up 90 days after stroke, to verify functional capacity, muscle strength, mortality, and quality of life. METHODS: Randomized, double-blind, unicenter, parallel-group trial including individuals with ischemic stroke in the acute phase. The duration of the trial for the individual subject will be approximately 90 days, and each subject will attend a maximum of three visits. Clinical, biochemical, anthropometric, body composition, muscle strength, functional capacity, degree of dependence, and quality of life assessments will be performed. Thirty participants will be divided into two groups: intervention (patients will intake one sachet containing 10g of creatine twice a day) and control (patients will intake one sachet containing 10g of placebo [maltodextrin] twice a day). Both groups will receive supplementation with powdered milk protein serum isolate to achieve the goal of 1.5g of protein/kg of body weight/day and daily physiotherapy according to the current rehabilitation guidelines for patients with stroke. Supplementation will be offered during the 7-day hospitalization. The primary outcomes will be functional capacity, strength, and changes in muscle mass after the intervention as assessed by the Modified Rankin Scale, Timed Up and Go test, handgrip strength, 30-s chair stand test, muscle ultrasonography, electrical bioimpedance, and identification of muscle degradation markers by D3-methylhistidine. Follow-up will be performed 90 days after stroke to verify functional capacity, muscle strength, mortality, and quality of life. DISCUSSION: The older population has specific nutrient needs, especially for muscle mass and function maintenance. Considering that stroke is a potentially disabling event that can lead the affected individual to present with numerous sequelae, it is crucial to study the mechanisms of muscle mass loss and understand how adequate supplementation can help these patients to better recover. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBEC) RBR-9q7gg4 . Registered on 21 January 2019.

Visual and haptic verticality misperception and trunk control within 72 h after stroke.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke patients often exhibit an altered perception of verticality, but there are no studies evaluating verticality perception in the first 72 h after stroke and its relationship with trunk control. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze visual and haptic verticality in the acute phase of stroke. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with two groups: (a) 13 individuals with stroke and (b) 12 healthy participants. We assessed verticality via the subjective visual vertical (SVV) and the subjective haptic vertical (SHV); and we measured trunk control with the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS). We performed t-tests to compare the SVV and SHV between groups. Pearson correlation was performed between verticality tests with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the TIS. RESULTS: Participants with recent stroke presented higher true and absolute SVV deviation values than did the control group. There was significant negative correlation between absolute (r = -0.57; p = 0.02) and true SVV (r = -0.54; p = 0.01) with TIS scores There was also significant positive correlation between absolute (r = 0.63; p = 0.009) and true SVV (r = 0.61; p = 0.003) with NIHSS. A significant negative correlation between NIHSS and TIS scores also was found (r = -0.80; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Individuals with acute stroke presented larger variability in their perceptions of visual verticality than did healthy controls, and verticality perceptions were positively correlated with trunk impairment.

Hip abduction with ankle dorsiflexion (HAAD) score and trunk seating control within 72 h after stroke predicts long-term disability: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether muscle strength of the lower limb and trunk during the acute phase after stroke are predictors of motor function and disability 90 days after hospital discharge. METHODS: This prospective study used a nonconcurrent design to evaluate stroke patients at two time points: a) first 72 h: hip abduction and ankle dorsiflexion (HAAD) score, trunk sitting control, clinical evaluation, demographic profile, and stroke severity using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS); b) 90 days after hospital discharge: modified Rankin scale (mRS). The participants were divided into two groups: good outcome (mRS 0-2) and worse outcome (mRS>2), and the differences between them were assessed statistically. Clinical and demographic variables were included in the multiple logistic regression analysis. The ROC curve was used to illustrate the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the HAAD score cutoff for the outcomes. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were included: 16 with mRS≤2 and 21 with mRS>2. Patients in the worse outcome group were older (p = 0.02) and presented with higher NIHSS scores (p = 0.002), lower HAAD scores (p < 0.001), higher pain sensation (p = 0.04), greater altered perception (p = 0.008), and no trunk control in the sitting position (p = 0.004). A lower HAAD score (OR = 0.09; 95%CI: 0.14-0.53; p < 0.001) and the absence of trunk control in the sitting position (OR = 0.55; 95%CI:0.54-0.95; p < 0.001) were associated with unsatisfactory outcomes. CONCLUSION: A HAAD score <6 and the absence of trunk control while sitting during the first 72 h are predictors of worse long-term disability in stroke patients.

Main prognostic factors and physical therapy modalities associated with functional recovery in patients with peripheral facial paralysis / Principais fatores prognósticos e modalidades fisioterapêuticas associados à recuperação funcional em pacientes com paralisia facial periférica / Principales factores pronósticos y modalidades de fisioterapia relacionadas a la recuperación funcional de pacientes con parálisis facial periférica

ABSTRACT Patients with peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) have some degree of recovery. The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors and physical therapy modalities associated with functional recovery in patients with PFP. This is a cohort study with 33 patients. We collected the following variables of patients who underwent treatment at the rehabilitation center: age, sex, risk factors, affected side, degree of facial paralysis (House-Brackmann scale), start of rehabilitation, and therapy modality (kinesiotherapy only; kinesiotherapy with excitomotor electrotherapy; and kinesiotherapy with excitomotor electrotherapy and photobiomodulation therapy). The outcomes were: degree of facial movement (House-Brackmann) and face scale applied 90 days after treatment. Degree of PFP was associated with functional recovery (RR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.51-0.98; p=0.036). The facial movement was associated with the time to start rehabilitation (r=−0.37; p=0.033). Lower facial comfort was observed among women, worse ocular comfort was associated with diabetes mellitus, worse tear control with prior PFP, and worse social function with the degree of PFP. Our results indicate that the all modalities present in this study showed the same result in PFP. Recovery of PFP was associated with degree of nerve dysfunction, the length of time to onset of rehabilitation, female sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and previous PFP, all of which were associated with worse outcomes on the face scale.

RESUMO Os pacientes com paralisia facial periférica (PFP) apresentam diversos graus de recuperação. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os fatores prognósticos e as modalidades fisioterapêuticas associados à recuperação funcional em pacientes com PFP. Trata-se de um estudo coorte prospectiva de 33 pacientes. Foram coletadas variáveis de pacientes submetidos ao tratamento no centro de reabilitação: idade, sexo, fatores de risco, lado afetado, grau de paralisia facial (escala de House-Brackmann), início da reabilitação e modalidade de terapia (cinesioterapia; cinesioterapia associada à eletroterapia; cinesioterapia associada à eletroterapia e terapia de fotobiomodulação). Os desfechos foram: grau de movimento facial (House-Brackmann) e face scale aplicados 90 dias após o tratamento. O grau de PFP foi associado à recuperação funcional (RR=0,51, 95% IC: 0,51-0,98; p=0,036). O movimento facial foi associado com o tempo para iniciar a reabilitação (r=−0,37; p=0,033). Menor conforto facial foi observado entre as mulheres, pior conforto ocular em indivíduos com diabetes mellitus, pior controle lacrimal em indivíduos com PFP prévia e pior função social com o grau de PFP. Todas as modalidades apresentadas neste estudo tiveram o mesmo resultado na PFP. A recuperação da PFP foi associada ao grau de disfunção nervosa, ao tempo de início da reabilitação, ao sexo feminino, à hipertensão arterial sistêmica, ao diabetes mellitus e à PFP prévia, todos associados a piores desfechos na face scale.

RESUMEN Los pacientes con parálisis facial periférica (PFP) tienen diferentes grados de recuperación. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar los factores pronósticos y las modalidades de fisioterapia relacionadas a la recuperación funcional de pacientes con PFP. Este es un estudio de cohorte prospectivo con 33 pacientes. Se recogieron las siguientes variables de pacientes sometidos a tratamiento en el centro de rehabilitación: edad, sexo, factores de riesgo, lado afectado, grado de parálisis facial (escala de House-Brackmann), inicio de la rehabilitación y modalidad de terapia (kinesioterapia, kinesioterapia asociada a la electroterapia, kinesioterapia asociada a la electroterapia y terapia de fotobiomodulación). Los resultados fueron: grado de movimiento facial (House-Brackmann) y face scale, aplicados 90 días después del tratamiento. El grado de PFP se asoció con la recuperación funcional (RR=0,51,95% IC: 0,51-0,98; p=0,036). El movimiento facial se asoció con el tiempo para comenzar la rehabilitación (r=−0,37; p=0,033). Se observó menor comodidad facial entre las mujeres, peor comodidad ocular en personas con diabetes mellitus, peor control lagrimal en individuos con PFP previa y peor función social con el grado de PFP. Todas las modalidades presentadas en este estudio tuvieron el mismo resultado en PFP. La recuperación de la PFP se asoció con el grado de disfunción nerviosa, el tiempo inicial de la rehabilitación, el sexo femenino, la hipertensión arterial sistémica, la diabetes mellitus y la PFP previa, todos asociados con peores resultados en face scale.

Cannabinoids for spasticity due to multiple sclerosis or paraplegia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

OBJECTIVES: Spasticity remains highly prevalent in patients with spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis. To summarize the effects of cannabinoids compared with usual care, placebo for spasticity due to multiple sclerosis (MS) or paraplegia. METHODS: Searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and LILACS to March 2017 were performed to identify randomized controlled trials. The primary outcomes were spasticity and spasm frequency. The criteria were any patient with MS and spasticity affecting upper or lower limbs or both, and that had a confirmed diagnosis of MS based on validated criteria, or however defined by the authors of the included studies. RESULTS: 16 trials including 2597 patients were eligible. Moderate-certainty evidence suggested a non-statistically significant decrease in spasticity (standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.36 [confidential interval (CI) 95% -0.17 to 0.88; p=0.18; I2=88%]), and spasm frequency (SMD 0.04 [CI 95% -0.15 to 0.22]). There was an increase in adverse events such as dizziness (risk ratio (RR) 3.45 [CI 95% 2.71-4.4; p=0.20; I2=23%]), somnolence (RR 2.9 [CI 95% 1.98-4.23; p=0.77; I2=0%]), and nausea (RR 2.25 [CI 95% 1.62-3.13; p=0.83; I2=0%]). CONCLUSIONS: There is moderate certainty evidence regarding the impact of cannabinoids in spasticity (average 0.36 more spasticity; 0.17 fewer to 0.88 more) due to multiple sclerosis or paraplegia, and in adverse events such as dizziness (419 more dizziness/1000 over 19 weeks), somnolence (127 more somnolence/1000 over 19 weeks), and nausea (125 more somnolence/1000 over 19 weeks).

Association between clinical condition and F-waves changes in the acute phase of stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To relate F-waves with clinical and laboratory exams in the acute phase of stroke. METHODS: Inclusion criteria for this cross-sectional study were: hemiplegia, absence of previous cranial trauma, myopathy, diabetes, alcoholism or other known causes of peripheral neuropathy, and normal sensory and motor conduction. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, glycemia, glucosilate hemoglobin, and CPK were obtained at admission by routine blood exams. After hospital admission, the F-wave latencies and persistence were obtained from the deep peroneal nerve using symmetrical techniques. RESULTS: Evaluation of 20 individuals - mean age 66 years, 50% male and 85% Caucasian - showed association of F-wave persistence with glycemia (r = 0.71; p < 0.001) and NIHSS categorized (NIHSS 1-7 = 65.0 x NIHSS 9-23 = 100; p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis found only association of F-wave persistence with glycemia ß = 0.59 (0.44-0.74); p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: The increase in the persistence of F-waves are associated with hyperglycemia in the acute phase of stroke.

Association between clinical condition and F-waves changes in the acute phase of stroke / Associação entre condição clínica e alterações das ondas-F na fase aguda do acidente vascular cerebral

ABSTRACT Objective To relate F-waves with clinical and laboratory exams in the acute phase of stroke. Methods Inclusion criteria for this cross-sectional study were: hemiplegia, absence of previous cranial trauma, myopathy, diabetes, alcoholism or other known causes of peripheral neuropathy, and normal sensory and motor conduction. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, glycemia, glucosilate hemoglobin, and CPK were obtained at admission by routine blood exams. After hospital admission, the F-wave latencies and persistence were obtained from the deep peroneal nerve using symmetrical techniques. Results Evaluation of 20 individuals – mean age 66 years, 50% male and 85% Caucasian – showed association of F-wave persistence with glycemia (r = 0.71; p < 0.001) and NIHSS categorized (NIHSS 1-7 = 65.0 x NIHSS 9-23 = 100; p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis found only association of F-wave persistence with glycemia β = 0.59 (0.44–0.74); p < 0.001. Conclusion The increase in the persistence of F-waves are associated with hyperglycemia in the acute phase of stroke.

RESUMO Objetivo Relacionar as ondas-F com exames clínicos e laboratoriais na fase aguda do acidente vascular cerebral (AVC). Os critérios de inclusão para este estudo transversal foram: hemiplegia, ausência de trauma craniano, miopatia, diabetes, alcoolismo ou outra causa conhecida de neuropatia periférica, além de condução sensorial e motora normal. O National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), glicemia, hemoglobina glicada e CPK foram obtidos na admissão por meio de exames de rotina. Após a admissão hospitalar, a latência e persistência das ondas-F foram obtidas por meio da estimulação do nervo fibular profundo utilizando técnicas simétricas. Foram avaliados 20 indivíduos – média de idade 66 anos, 50% homem e 85% caucasianos – apresentaram associação univariada da persistência das ondas-F com glicemia (r = 0.71; p < 0.001) e NIHSS categorizado (NIHSS 1–7 = 65.0 x NIHSS 9-23 = 100; p = 0.004). Na regressão multivariada foi encontrado associação somente entre persistência de ondas-F com glicemia β = 0.59(0.44–0.74); p < 0.001. Conclusão O aumento da persistência de ondas-F está associado com maior nível de glicemia na fase aguda do AVC.