French clinical guidelines for peripheral motor nerve blocks in a PRM setting.

INTRODUCTION: Motor nerve blocks with anesthetic drug for local anesthesia are commonly used in physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM), especially in the field of spasticity. Guidelines in this context are currently lacking. METHOD: Eighteen experts selected on the basis of their recognized experience by the scientific committees of the French PRM (SOFMER) and Anesthesia and Intensive care (SFAR) societies were invited to work and propose guidelines for the use of loco-regional anesthetic drug for motor nerve blocks in PRM setting. Eight issues were addressed: which neural blocks for which indications; drugs and contraindications; medical survey and attitude in case of adverse event; injection and guidance material; patient preparation and pain relief; efficacy assessment; patient information; education of PRM physiatrists. The Medline, Cochrane and Embase databases for the period 1999 to 2018 were consulted and 355 papers analyzed. The drafts were commented then approved by the whole group using electronic vote, before final approval by scientific committee of each society. RESULTS: No scientific evidence emerged from the literature. Thus, these guidelines are mainly based on the opinion of the expert panel. Guidelines for each issue are reported with the main points of arguments. The main question deals with the recommendation about doses for each drug: for lidocaine - up to 2mg/kg - "check contraindications, emergency truck available, no need of previous anesthetic consultation nor presence of anesthetic physician"; for ropivacaine - up to 1.5mg/kg, with a maximum of 100mg - the same but after intravenous line. Beyond these doses, SFAR guidelines have to be applied with the need of anesthetic physician. CONCLUSION: These are the first organizational guidelines devoted to increase the security of motor nerve block use in PRM settings.

Early post-stroke period: A privileged time for sensory re-weighting?

BACKGROUND: Shortly after stroke, patients exhibit excessive sensitivity to visual, proprioceptive and vestibular perturbations regarding balance control. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the stability of this perceptual behaviour after stroke and test the relationships between sensory sensitivity and balance. METHODS: Thirty subjects following a hemispheric stroke (mean age 54.7 (standard deviation (SD) 10.6 years), 21 men, right hemisphere lesion = 13) and 30 control subjects (mean age 52.0 (SD 12.0), 14 men). Sensitivity to sensory perturbations was evaluated using the displacement of the centre of pressure during tendon vibration (proprioception score), optokinetic (visual score) and galvanic perturbations (vestibular score) while standing on a force-platform a mean of 2 months after stroke, and 1 month later. Balance and independence were evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Barthel Index (BI). RESULTS: Global sensitivity to perturbations decreased (p = 0.001). Patients remained more sensitive to visual perturbation than did controls (p = 0.033). The Vestibular Score was correlated with BBS (Rs = -0.576, p = 0.006), TUG (Rs = 0.408, p = 0.045), BI (Rs = -0.481, p = 0.016); the Visual Score was correlated with BBS (Rs = -0.500, p = 0.019), TUG (Rs = 0.401, p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: The initial months following stroke appear to be a period of individual perceptual motor adaptation. Sensory re-weighting is likely to be a major component of that process.

Rehabilitation of balance after stroke with multisensorial training: a single-blind randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare 2 rehabilitation strategies to improve balance after stroke: (1) a multisensorial approach based on higher intensity of balance tasks and exercise during visual deprivation and (2) a conventional neurodevelopmentaltheory-based treatment (NDT) that used a general approach for sensorimotor rehabilitation. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel-group study measured outcomes with blinded assessors. Sixty-eight patients able to walk without human assistance were entered from 3 to 15 months (mean, 7 months) after a first hemispheric stroke. They received 20 sessions in 4 weeks of NDT or multisensorial rehabilitation. On day 0, day 30, and day 90, assessment included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), posturography, gait (velocity, double stance phase, climbing 10 steps, amount of walking per day), the Functional Independence Measure, and the Nottingham Health Profile. RESULTS: All subjects improved significantly in balance and walking parameters. Regarding the main dependent variable (BBS on day 30), no difference between groups was found. Analysis of secondary outcomes suggested small differences in favor of the experimental group, but the differences are not likely to be clinically relevant. CONCLUSION: No evidence was found for the superiority of a multisensorial rehabilitation program in ambulatory patients with impairments beyond the time of inpatient therapy. Additional studies are recommended.

Treatment of shoulder pain in spastic hemiplegia by reducing spasticity of the subscapular muscle: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study of botulinum toxin A.

OBJECTIVE: This randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, two parallel group study was conducted to assess the beneficial effect of injection of botulinum toxin A (Dysport) into the subscapularis muscle on shoulder pain in stroke patients with spastic hemiplegia. METHODS: A single dose of botulinum toxin A (500 Speywood units) or placebo was injected into the subcapularis muscle. Pain was assessed using a 10 point verbal scale. Subscapularis spasticity was assessed by the change in passive shoulder lateral rotation and abduction. Upper limb spasticity was assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale for shoulder medial rotators, and elbow, wrist and finger flexors. Assessments were carried out at baseline and at weeks 1, 2 and 4. RESULTS: Twenty patients (10 patients per group), 11 with ischaemic stroke and 9 with haemorrhagic stroke, completed the study. Pain improvement with botulinum toxin A was observed from week 1; score difference from baseline at week 4 was 4 points versus 1 point with placebo (p = 0.025). Lateral rotation was also improved, with a statistically significant difference compared with placebo at week 2 (p = 0.05) and week 4 (p = 0.018). A general improvement in upper limb spasticity was observed; it was significant for finger flexors at week 4 (p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Subscapularis injection of botulinum toxin A appears to be of value in the management of shoulder pain in spastic hemiplegic patients. The results confirm the role of spasticity in post-stroke shoulder pain.

Subjective visual vertical perception relates to balance in acute stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether misperception of the subjective visual vertical (SVV) underlies balance difficulties in hemiplegic patients. DESIGN: Descriptive study, using a convenience sample. SETTING: Department of physical medicine of a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty inpatients with hemiplegia after a hemispheric stroke during the 3 previous months. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The SVV was tested while subjects sat in a dark room and were asked to adjust a luminous line to the vertical position. Mean SVV deviation and uncertainty, defined as the standard deviation, were calculated for 8 trials. Balance was assessed by the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS) and while patients sat on a laterally rocking platform placed on a Satel force platform. The mean body position and the instability score (Lx), calculated as the length of the course of the center of pressure, were recorded. Functional outcome was also evaluated by the FIM instrument. RESULTS: An abnormal SVV was recorded for 20 of 30 patients. Balance (ie, PASS, Lx) and FIM correlated significantly with SVV tilt (P<.001, P=.01, and P<.001, respectively) and with uncertainty (PASS, P=.006; FIM, P=.003). CONCLUSIONS: Verticality misperception was related to poor balance and might be an important element in the assessment of contributing factors to balance disorders after stroke. It should probably be taken into account when establishing balance rehabilitation programs for patients with hemiplegia.

Reliance on visual information after stroke. Part I: Balance on dynamic posturography.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that postural imbalance after stroke may be caused by inability to use pertinent somatosensory, vestibular, or visual information. DESIGN: Description of the sensory organization of patients with hemiplegia. SETTING: Public rehabilitation center in France. PARTICIPANTS: Forty patients with hemiplegia after a single hemisphere stroke who were at least 12 months post stroke. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The patients performed computerized dynamic posturography (EquiTest), which is designed to assess a patient's ability use sensory inputs separately and to effectively suppress inaccurate inputs in case of sensory conflict. Body stability under each of 6 sensory conditions was assessed by an equilibrium score (ES). RESULTS: In conditions of altered somatosensory information, with visual deprivation (ES5) or visuovestibular conflict (ES6), the median scores for patients with hemiplegia (ES5-43; ES6-20) were significantly lower than those for normal subjects (ES5-69; ES6-67). CONCLUSIONS: Many patients with hemiplegia seem to rely on visual input. The mechanism of this excessive visual reliance is discussed. Rehabilitation programs of postural control for the patients with hemiplegia should take into account the possible impairment of sensory organization and should include exercises to be performed under conditions of sensory input deprivation and sensory conflict.

Reliance on visual information after stroke. Part II: Effectiveness of a balance rehabilitation program with visual cue deprivation after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that balance rehabilitation with visual cue deprivation improves balance more effectively than rehabilitation with free vision. DESIGN: Single-blind, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Public rehabilitation center in France. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients with hemiplegia after a single-hemisphere stroke that occurred at least 12 months before the study. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 balance rehabilitation programs-with and without visual cue deprivation. In all other respects, the programs were identical. Each lasted for 1 hour and was implemented 5 days a week for 4 weeks. All patients completed the program. Mean outcome measures Balance under 6 sensory conditions was assessed by computerized dynamic posturography (EquiTest), gait velocity, timed stair climbing, and self-assessment of ease of gait before and after program completion. RESULTS: After completing the program, balance, gait velocity, and self-assessment of gait improved significantly in all patients. The improvements in gait velocity (P= .03) and timed stair climbing (P= .01) correlated significantly with improved balance. Balance improved more in the vision-deprived group than in the free-vision group. CONCLUSIONS: Balance improved more after rehabilitation with visual deprivation than with free vision. Visual overuse may be a compensatory strategy for coping with initial imbalance exacerbated by traditional rehabilitation.

Treatment of pain and limited movement of the shoulder in hemiplegic patients with botulinum toxin a in the subscapular muscle.

Three poststroke hemiplegic patients were treated by injecting Botulinum toxin A (BtxA) into the subscapularis muscle, to reduce pain and increase the range of motion in the shoulder. According to the described procedure, 250 units of Dysport toxin were injected through a 0.8-mm diameter needle with electrostimulation guidance. In the 3 cases, injection of BtxA reduced pain and improved the range of motion, especially abduction and external rotation, of the hemiplegic shoulder. This result confirms the role of spasticity in hemiplegic shoulder pain and the beneficial effects of Botulinum toxin injection into the subscapularis muscle deserve to be confirmed in further series.

Disabling overactivity of the extensor hallucis longus after stroke: clinical expression and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical characteristics of persistent extension of the great toe related to overactivity of the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) after a stroke and to explore the efficacy of treatment with botulinum toxin type A. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: A physical medicine and rehabilitation department in France. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven patients with hemiplegia disabled by overactivity of the EHL were classified according to the different ways in which that overactivity was triggered. Disability was related to pain in 5 patients, to shoe difficulties in 10 patients, and to varus foot in 6 patients. INTERVENTION: Injection of botulinum toxin type A into the EHL. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Efficacy was assessed on day 15 by triggering of pain, shoe difficulties, and varus deformity and by patients' subjective assessment on day 15, at 3 months, and at 6 months. RESULTS: On day 15, EHL overactivity disappeared after 16 of the 18 injections in 10 patients; subjective assessment was very good for pain and shoe difficulties and remained good or very good at 3 months for 8 patients who received 12 injections. CONCLUSION: Botulinum toxin type A is effective in treating disability related to poststroke overactivity of the EHL.

Perception of verticality after recent cerebral hemispheric stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Perception of the subjective visual vertical (SVV) is affected by cerebral hemispheric lesions. Knowledge of this disturbance is of interest for the study of its possible relation to balance disturbances. There is still uncertainty about the possible effects of a visual field defect and of the side and site of the lesion. This study was conducted to assess SVV with the head upright or tilted and to explore its relation to a visual field defect, visuospatial neglect, and the site of lesion. METHODS: Forty patients with hemiplegia after a recent hemispheric stroke (20 with left and 20 with right stroke) were studied. The site of the lesion was determined on CT scan, with special attention focused on the vestibular cortex. A neurological examination with determination of the visual field and visual neglect was conducted before SVV was tested. Subjects sat in a dark room and adjusted a luminous rod to the vertical position. Measures were repeated with binocular and monocular vision and with the head upright or tilted to the right or left. RESULTS: SVV was abnormally deviated in 23 of 40 patients (57%). The deviation was significantly greater among patients with a right or left hemispheric lesion than among healthy controls (-2.2 degrees and 1.5 degrees versus 0.2 degrees ); the same applied to the range of uncertainty (7.6 degrees and 4.7 degrees versus 1.9 degrees ). SVV deviation was not significantly related to the location of the lesion but was closely related to visuospatial neglect. The "E" effect observed in controls with the head tilted, ie, an SVV shift in the direction opposite to the head tilt, was not observed in hemiplegic patients with the head tilted toward the nonparetic side. CONCLUSIONS: Recent hemispheric stroke affects SVV perception, which is closely correlated to visuospatial neglect. It is suggested that the E effect might be mediated by the stretching of the somatosensory structure of the neck.