Balance function in critical illness survivors and evaluation of psychometric properties of the Mini-BESTest.

Critical illness survivors commonly face impairments, such as intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) which is characterized by muscle weakness and sensory deficits. Despite these symptoms indicating potential balance deficits, systematic investigations and validated assessments are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to assess balance function using the Mini-BESTest, evaluate its psychometric properties, and identify associated variables. Balance was assessed post-ICU discharge (V1) and at discharge from inpatient neurorehabilitation (V2) in patients with ≥ 5 days of invasive ventilation. Mini-BESTest measurement characteristics were evaluated in an ambulatory subgroup. A multiple linear regression was conducted. The prospective cohort study comprised 250 patients (34% female, 62 ± 14 years, median ICU stay 55 days). Median Mini-BESTest scores improved significantly from V1 (5 (IQR 0-15)) to V2 (18.5 (10-23)) with a large effect size. Excellent inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities of the Mini-BESTest were observed (ICC = 0.981/0.950). Validity was demonstrated by a very high correlation with the Berg Balance Scale (ρ = 0.90). No floor or ceiling effects were detected. Muscle strength, cognitive function, cerebral disease, critical illness polyneuropathy/myopathy, and depression were significantly associated with balance. Despite significant improvements during the rehabilitation period, balance disorders were prevalent in critical illness survivors. Ongoing therapy is recommended. Due to its excellent psychometric properties, the Mini-BESTest is suitable for use in critical illness survivors.Registration: The study was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00021753, date of registration: 2020-09-03).

Outcome, predictors and longitudinal trajectories of subjects with critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy (CINAMOPS): study protocol of an observational cohort study in a clinical and post-clinical setting.

INTRODUCTION: Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy (CIP/CIM) are frequent complications in the intensive care unit (ICU) with major consequences for the progress and outcome of subjects. CIP/CIM delays the weaning process, prolongs the hospital stay and increases the mortality rate. Additionally, it may have long-term consequences beyond the hospitalisation phase with prolonged disability. Even though there is growing interest in CIP/CIM, research about the clinical and post-clinical course as well as the middle-term and long-term outcomes of subjects with CIP/CIM is scarce. A large prospective study of critically ill subjects is needed with accurate diagnosis during the acute stage and comprehensive assessment during long-term follow-up. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This prospective observational cohort study aims to compare the clinical and post-clinical course of chronically critically ill subjects with and without the diagnosis of CIP/CIM and to determine predictors for the middle-term and long-term outcomes of subjects with CIP/CIM. In addition, the influence of the preclinical health status and the preclinical frailty on the long-term outcome of subjects with CIP/CIM will be investigated.This single-centre study will include 250 critically ill patients who were invasively ventilated for at least 5 days at the ICU and show reduced motor strength. At five study visits at admission and discharge to neurological rehabilitation, and 12, 18 and 24 months after disease onset, a comprehensive test battery will be applied including assessments of functioning and impairment, independence, health-related quality of life, activity and participation, cognition, gait and balance, fatigue, mental health and frailty.Secondary objectives are the documentation of therapy goals, therapy content and achieved milestones during the rehabilitation, to evaluate the clinimetric properties of the Mini-BESTest in critically ill patients, and to evaluate the time course and outcome of subjects with CIP/CIM after SARS-CoV-2 infection. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the ethical committee of the Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich. Participants will be included in the study after having signed informed consent.Results will be published in scientific, peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00021753).

Reduced health-related quality of life, fatigue, anxiety and depression affect COVID-19 patients in the long-term after chronic critical illness.

The term chronic critical illness describes patients suffering from persistent organ dysfunction and prolonged mechanical ventilation. In severe cases, COVID-19 led to chronic critical illness. As this population was hardly investigated, we evaluated the health-related quality of life, physical, and mental health of chronically critically ill COVID-19 patients. In this prospective cohort study, measurements were conducted on admission to and at discharge from inpatient neurorehabilitation and 3, 6, and 12 months after discharge. We included 97 patients (61 ± 12 years, 31% women) with chronic critical illness; all patients required mechanical ventilation. The median duration of ICU-treatment was 52 (interquartile range 36-71) days, the median duration of mechanical ventilation was 39 (22-55) days. Prevalences of fatigue, anxiety, and depression increased over time, especially between discharge and 3 months post-discharge and remained high until 12 months post-discharge. Accordingly, health-related quality of life was limited without noteworthy improvement (EQ-5D-5L: 0.63 ± 0.33). Overall, the burden of symptoms was high, even one year after discharge (fatigue 55%, anxiety 42%, depression 40%, problems with usual activities 77%, pain/discomfort 84%). Therefore, patients with chronic critical illness should receive attention regarding treatment after discharge with a special focus on mental well-being.Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00025606. Registered 21 June 2021-Retrospectively registered, https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00025606 .

Lateropulsion in Right-Sided Stroke: Brain Anatomical Correlates of Severity and Duration.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Lateropulsion (LP) is a profound disorder of postural control that has a significant impact on neurorehabilitation. Knowledge of relevant brain areas could guide decisions on appropriate intervention methods. Although LP severity and duration are highly variable in individuals with LP, imaging studies on LP have not sufficiently considered these aspects. The aim of this study was to investigate the lesion location in individuals after stroke and the correlation with LP duration and severity. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study using voxel lesion symptom mapping (VLSM) in 74 individuals with right-sided brain lesion (49 with and 25 without LP) was performed to analyze the correlation between lesion location and LP severity. Duration was investigated in a subsample of 22 individuals with LP. LP was diagnosed by means of the Scale for Contraversive Pushing. RESULTS: Individuals with LP showed significantly larger lesion sizes compared with the individuals with no LP. VLSM analysis of LP severity did not reveal statistically significant results. VLSM analysis showed a statistically significant association with longer LP duration for the inferior frontal gyrus, the hippocampus, the inferior parietal gyrus, the supramarginal gyrus, the angular gyrus, the temporal cortex, the sagittal stratum, and the superior longitudinal fasciculus. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: LP-relevant areas are located in the multisensory network. Areas of the frontoparietal network, which are related to spatial cognition, memory, and attention, were found to be relevant for duration and severity. The findings, especially those regarding duration involving the middle temporal cortex, could explain the better intervention outcomes for methods based more on implicit than on explicit knowledge of verticality.Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see the Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1 available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A433 ).

Clinical practice recommendations for management of lateropulsion after stroke determined by a Delphi expert panel.

OBJECTIVE: People exhibiting post-stroke lateropulsion actively push their body across the midline to the more affected side and/or resist weight shift toward the less affected side. Despite its prevalence and associated negative rehabilitation outcomes, no clinical practice guidelines exist for the rehabilitation of post-stroke lateropulsion. We aimed to develop consensus-based clinical practice recommendations for managing post-stroke lateropulsion using an international expert panel. DESIGN: This Delphi panel process conformed with Guidance on Conducting and Reporting Delphi Studies recommendations. PARTICIPANTS: Panel members had demonstrated clinical and/or scientific background in the rehabilitation of people with post-stroke lateropulsion. MAIN MEASURES: The process consisted of four electronic survey rounds. Round One consisted of 13 open questions. Subsequent rounds ascertained levels of agreement with statements derived from Round One. Consensus was defined a priori as ≥75% agreement (agree or strongly agree), or ≥70% agreement after excluding 'unsure' responses. RESULTS: Twenty participants completed all four rounds. Consensus was achieved regarding a total of 119 recommendations for rehabilitation approaches and considerations for rehabilitation delivery, positioning, managing fear of falling and fatigue, optimal therapy dose, and discharge planning. Statements for which 'some agreement' (50%-74% agreement) was achieved and those for which recommendations remain to be clarified were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations build on existing evidence to guide the selection of interventions for post-stroke lateropulsion. Future research is required to elaborate specific rehabilitation strategies, consider the impact of additional cognitive and perceptual impairments, describe positioning options, and detail optimal therapy dose for people with lateropulsion.

Severe Post-COVID-19 Condition after Mild Infection: Physical and Mental Health Eight Months Post Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Severe acute COVID-19 infections requiring intensive care treatment are reported risk factors for the development of post-COVID-19 conditions. However, there are also individuals suffering from post-COVID-19 symptoms after mild infections. Therefore, we aimed to describe and compare the health status of patients who were initially not hospitalized and patients after critical illness due to COVID-19. The outcome measures included health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L, visual analogue scale (VAS)); mental health (hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS)); general disability (WHODAS-12); and fatigue (Fatigue-Severity-Scale-7). Individuals were recruited at Schoen Clinic Bad Aibling, Germany. A total of 52 non-hospitalized individuals (47 ± 15 years, 64% female, median 214 days post-infection) and 75 hospitalized individuals (61 ± 12 years, 29% female, 235 days post-infection) were analyzed. The non-hospitalized individuals had more fatigue (87%) and anxiety (69%) and a decreased health-related quality of life (VAS 47 ± 20) compared to the hospitalized persons (fatigue 45%, anxiety 43%, VAS 57 ± 21; p < 0.010). Severe disability was observed in one third of each group. A decreased quality of life and disability were more pronounced in the females of both groups. After adjusting for confounding, hospitalization did not predict the burden of symptoms. This indicates that persons with post-COVID-19 conditions require follow-up services and treatments, independent of the severity of the acute infection.

Critical COVID-19 disease: Clinical course and rehabilitation of neurological deficits.

Background: The COVID-19 disease frequently causes neurological symptoms. Critically ill patients often require neurorehabilitation for manifestations like intensive care unit (ICU) acquired weakness or encephalopathy. The outcome of these patients, however, is largely unknown. Here we report the clinical course of critical affected COVID-19 patients from hospital admission to discharge from inpatient neurorehabilitation. Methods: Prospective cohort study. COVID-19 patients admitted to neurorehabilitation were included based on a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Assessments [modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Barthel-Index, Fatigue-Severity-Scale-7 and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L)] were conducted at admission and before discharge from inpatient care. Data were compared to the preclinical health status. Results: Sixty-one patients (62 ± 13 years, 16 female) were included in the analysis. Most patients had been treated on ICU (n = 58; 57 ± 23 days) and had received invasive ventilation (n = 57; 46 ± 21 days). After discharge from ICU, patients spent on average 57 ± 26 days in neurorehabilitation. The most frequent neurological diagnoses were ICU-acquired weakness (n = 56) and encephalopathy (n = 23). During rehabilitation overall disability improved [mRS median (IQR) 4.0 (1.0) at inclusion and 2.0 (1.0) at discharge]. However, the preclinical health state [mRS 0.0 (0.0)] was not regained (p < 0.001). This was also reflected by the Barthel-Index [preclinical 100.0 (0.0), at inclusion 42.5 (35.0), at discharge 65.0 (7.5); p < 0.001]. Patients had only minor fatigue during inpatient care. Quality of life generally improved but was still low at discharge from hospital. Conclusion: Patients with neurological sequelae after critical COVID-19 disease showed substantial deficits at discharge from inpatient care up to 4 months after the initial infection. They were restricted in activities of daily living and had reduced health-related quality of life. All patients needed continued medical support and physical treatment.

Post-stroke lateropulsion terminology: pushing for agreement amongst experts.

Post-stroke lateropulsion is prevalent. The global inconsistency in terminology used to describe the condition presents obstacles in accurately comparing research results, reaching consensus on use of measurement tools, agreeing upon a consistent approach to rehabilitation, and translating research to clinical practice. Commencing in 2021, 20 international experts undertook a Delphi Process that aimed to compile clinical practice recommendations for the rehabilitation of lateropulsion. As a part of the process, the panel agreed to aim to reach consensus regarding terminology used to describe the condition. Improved understanding of the condition could lead to improved management, which will enhance patient outcomes after stroke and increase efficiency of healthcare resource utilisation. While consensus was not reached, the panel achieved some agreement that 'lateropulsion' is the preferred term to describe the phenomenon of 'active pushing of the body across the midline toward the more affected side, and / or actively resisting weight shift toward the less affected side'. This group recommends that 'lateropulsion' is used in future research and in clinical practice.

The scale for retropulsion: Internal consistency, reliability and construct validity.

BACKGROUND: Retropulsion is an impairment of body orientation against gravity in the sagittal plane. In a Delphi study, the Scale for Retropulsion (SRP) was developed with a high level of expert agreement. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinimetric properties of the German SRP in patients with neurological disorders. METHODS: The SRP was applied to 70 hospitalized patients with neurological disorders (stroke, critical illness neuropathy and/or myopathy, Parkinson syndromes). Internal consistency was determined with the Cronbach ɑ. Test-retest and interrater reliabilities were evaluated with the weighted kappa, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman plots. The construct validity was evaluated with Spearman correlation. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) SRP score was 5 (3-8) and ranged from 0 to 22 (total scale range: 0 to 24). The SRP had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach ɑ=0.875) and good to excellent test-retest reliability (weighted kappa=0.957, ICC=0.957) and interrater reliability (weighted kappa=0.837, ICC=0.837). Analysis of construct validity resulted in good correlations with other clinical balance scales (rSp>0.80), and fair to moderate correlations with posturographic measures (rSp=0.27-0.56) and the subjective postural vertical error in the sagittal plane (rSp=-0.325, P=0.012) as well as the range in the frontal plane (rSp=0.359, P=0.007). The SRP discriminated between patients classified with and without retropulsion by an independent clinical expert (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The SRP provides a valid and reliable bedside test to quantify retropulsion in individuals with neurological disorders.

Influence of footwear on postural sway: A systematic review and meta-analysis on barefoot and shod bipedal static posturography in patients and healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Bipedal static posturography is widely used to assess postural control. However, standardized methods and evidence on the influence of footwear on balance in comparison to barefoot stance is sparse. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: Is bipedal static posturography applied in a standardized way with respect to demographics and the experimental set-up (systematic review)? Does habitual footwear influence postural control in comparison to barefoot condition during bipedal static posturography in adult patients and healthy subjects (meta-analysis)? METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, a comprehensive follow-up literature search was conducted from March 2009 until January 2020 according to the PRISMA guidelines. Original, research articles reporting on bipedal, unsupported, static posturography in adults (≥18 years) were included according to inclusion criteria (age, sex, height, weight, duration, repetitions, visual/foot condition, sampling frequency). Studies comparing habitual footwear with barefoot condition during bipedal static posturography were included for the meta-analysis. Center of pressure parameters (sway velocity, range, root mean square, paths lengths) with subjects having eyes closed (EC) or open (EO) were analyzed using random effects models. RESULTS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, 207 and eight out of 5189 studies with 12'341 and 156 subjects, respectively, were eligible. Most studies (89%) reported barefoot, 5% shod, and 6% barefoot and shod measurements. Less than half of studies (44%) included patients of which the minority (13%) suffered from neurological disease. Sway velocity in the anterior-posterior direction was higher in habitual shoes compared to barefoot with EC (SMD: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.68-1.48; p < 0.01; I2 = 0%), with EO (SMD: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.11-1.26; p = 0.02; I2 = 1%), and in the medio-lateral direction with EC (SMD: 1.30; 95% CI: 0.76-1.85, p < 0.01; I2 = 37%). SIGNIFICANCE: Methodical heterogeneity of bipedal static posturography hampers studies' comparability. Thus, we provide a standardized approach to increase knowledge whether habitual footwear decrease postural control in comparison to barefoot stance.

The German version of the Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale: Translation, cross-cultural adaption and evaluation of its psychometric properties.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the psychometric properties of a newly developed German version of the Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Neurorehabilitation clinic. SUBJECTS: Patients after stroke (n = 50) with moderate to severe upper limb hemiparesis undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN MEASURES: The SULCS was administered twice by two different raters on the first day of assessments and another time the day after. Additionally the Fugl-Meyer-Assessment, Action Research Arm Test and the Box and Block Test were conducted. Three and six weeks later, the SULCS, Fugl-Meyer-Assessment and Box and Block Test were repeated. Floor and ceiling effects were analyzed. RESULTS: Reliability was demonstrated to be excellent as displayed by weighted kappa of 0.960 (95%-confidence interval: CIκw = 0.808-1.112) for the intra-rater reliability and 0.936 (CIκw = 0.749-1.123) for the inter-rater reliability. High correlations of the SULCS with the Fugl-Meyer-Assessment (ρ = 0.889), Action Research Arm Test (ρ = 0.872), and Box and Block Test (ρ = 0.845; all P < 0.001) confirmed a high convergent validity. The longitudinal validity was determined by a moderate to high correlation of the SULCS and Box and Block Test changes (ρ ⩾ 0.695, P ⩽ 0.001). Although floor effects were observed for the SULCS (16%), they were more substantial for the Action Research Arm Test and the Box and Block Test (>38%). CONCLUSION: Due to the good to excellent psychometric properties and the low level of floor effects of the German version of the SULCS, the usage for clinical and scientific purposes can be recommended.

Comparison of two methods based on one psychophysical paradigm to measure the subjective postural vertical in standing.

The perception of verticality can be altered with age or due to neurological diseases. Different procedures have been described to measure the subjective postural vertical (SPV). A deviation from the earth vertical was either described as a single position or as a sector defined by two positions representing the edges of the perceived verticality. In this study, for the first time, we investigated if these two methods produce equal values, and consequently can be merged to set normative values. SPV in standing was tested in 24 healthy young adults (28.4 (5.2) years of age, 12 women). Each participant performed both methods in the sagittal and the frontal plane. Absolute and constant error values were found to be similar for both methods in both planes with a mean difference of less than 0.3° (p > 0.148). The mean width of the SPV sector was 3.9° (0.9°) in the sagittal and 3.7° (1.4°) in the frontal plane, ranging in the mean from -5.5° to 8.1° in the sagittal and -5.3° to 4.3° in the frontal plane. SPV values significantly differed in range between both methods in both planes with a mean difference of more than 3.1° (p<0.002). Results show that both methods, SPVposition and SPVsector, produce equal error values when applied with otherwise similar methodological settings and can therefore be used alternatively or within the same meta-analysis. The SPVsector, however, led to wider range values and was less frequently rated as the preferred method to represent the participants' subjective verticality.

Perception of postural verticality in roll and pitch while sitting and standing in healthy subjects.

Assessment of verticality perception is increasingly used in patients with disorders of upright body orientation, e.g. in pusher behavior after hemispheric stroke or in retropulsion in neurovascular or degenerative diseases. The subjective postural vertical (SPV) assesses the individual's perceived upright body orientation in space and can be determined in a sitting or a standing position. As somatosensory input differs between sitting and standing, we suppose a different representation of verticality. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the SPV while sitting and while standing, and to determine the influence of proprioceptive and visual stimulations on the SPV in both positions. Twenty healthy subjects (18-40 years, 9 female) participated in two experiments. In experiment 1 the SPV was assessed in the pitch and roll planes while sitting and standing. In experiment 2 we additionally applied somatosensory Achilles tendon vibration and visual optokinetic stimulation. Results of experiment 1 revealed no difference of the SPV error between sitting and standing. Though, we found an increased SPV variability while sitting. Experiment 2 showed no effect of sensory manipulation in the pitch plane, but an effect of optokinetic stimulation in the roll plane. The tilt in direction of the visual stimuli was more pronounced while sitting. Optokinetic stimulation also resulted in a larger SPV variability in roll, indicating larger insecurity in verticality estimation during stimulation. In conclusion, even though the SPV assessment while sitting and standing resulted in similar mean values, the larger variability and the higher sensitivity to visual stimuli while sitting suggest different strategies for verticality estimation while sitting and while standing.

A new cutoff score for the Burke Lateropulsion Scale improves validity in the classification of pusher behavior in subactue stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Pusher behavior substantially hampers balance during sitting, standing, and posture transitions in stroke patients. The Burke Lateropulsion Scale (BLS) was recommended to evaluate pusher behavior. However, its cutoff score has not been validated and recent studies found evidence for a need to modify it. As there is no gold standard for the diagnosis of pusher behavior, functions that are typically disturbed in these patients should be used for the validation of the cutoff score. RESEARCH QUESTION: To investigate whether pusher behavior correlates with balance performance during sitting, standing and posture transitions, and to validate the BLS cutoff score. METHODS: 44 subacute stroke patients with pusher behavior (BLS ≥ 2) were included in this study. The BLS and the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment Balance subscale (POMA-B) were assessed several times at intervals of two weeks resulting in a total of 137 data sets. RESULTS: Correlation analysis between the BLS score and the POMA-B score revealed a moderate negative correlation (rSp=-0.602, p < 0.001): The lower the BLS score, the higher the balance performance. The maximum Youden Index (J=0.864) was found for a cutoff score ≥2.5. Patients with a BLS score ≥2 scored ≥1 on the POMA-B, while patients with a BLS score ≥3 scored at no item or only at the sitting balance task. SIGNIFICANCE: In line with previous findings, the results of this study support using a BLS cutoff score of ≥3 instead of ≥2 to diagnose PB for research purposes and intervention planning. A score ≥3 correlates with severe balance impairments and with an impaired verticality perception in the frontal plane, and it improves the agreement with the Scale for Contraversive Pushing.

Robot-assisted gait training to reduce pusher behavior: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of 2 weeks of intensive robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) on pusher behavior compared to nonrobotic physiotherapy (nR-PT). METHODS: In a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial with 2 parallel arms, we compared 2 weeks of daily RAGT (intervention group) with the same amount of nR-PT (control group). Patients with subacute stroke who had pusher behavior according to the Scale for Contraversive Pushing (SCP) were included. The primary research questions were whether changes in pusher behavior would differ between groups post intervention, and at a follow-up 2 weeks afterward (SCP and Burke Lateropulsion Scale, Class II evidence). Secondary outcomes included the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment, the Functional Ambulation Classification, and the Subjective Visual Vertical. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were randomized. Thereof, 30 patients received the allocated intervention and were included in the analyses. RAGT led to a larger reduction of pusher behavior than nR-PT at post test (SCP: U = 69.00, r = -0.33, p = 0.037; Burke Lateropulsion Scale: U = 47.500, r = -0.50, p = 0.003) and at follow-up (SCP: U = 54.00, r = -0.44, p = 0.008). Pusher behavior had ceased in 6 of 15 participants in the intervention group and 1 of 15 participants in the control group at post test. At follow-up, 9 of 15 and 5 of 15 participants, respectively, no longer exhibited the behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Two weeks of RAGT seems to persistently reduce pusher behavior, possibly by recalibrating the disturbed inner reference of verticality. The potential benefits of RAGT on pusher behavior and verticality perception require further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (registration number: DRKS00003444). CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that RAGT is beneficial to reduce pusher behavior in patients with stroke.

Movement Sonification in Stroke Rehabilitation.

Stroke often affects arm functions and thus impairs patients' daily activities. Recently, several studies have shown that additional movement acoustics can enhance motor perception and motor control. Therefore, a new method has been developed that allows providing auditory feedback about arm movement trajectories in real-time for motor rehabilitation after stroke. The present article describes the study protocol for a randomized, controlled, examiner, and patient blinded superiority trial (German Clinical Trials Register, www.drks.de, DRKS00011419), in which the method will be applied to 13 subacute stroke patients with hemiparesis during 12 sessions of 30 min each as additional feedback during the regular movement therapy. As primary outcome, a significant pre-post-change in the Box and Block Test is expected that exceeds the performance increase of 13 patients who will be provided with sham-acoustics. Possible limitations of the method as well as the study design are discussed.

Virtual reality to augment robot-assisted gait training in non-ambulatory patients with a subacute stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Active performance is crucial for motor learning, and, together with motivation, is believed to be associated with a better rehabilitation outcome. Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative approach to engage and motivate patients during training. There is promising evidence for its efficiency in retraining upper limb function. However, there is insufficient proof for its effectiveness in gait training. AIM: To evaluate the acceptability of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) with and without VR and the feasibility of potential outcome measures to guide the planning of a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT). DESIGN: Single-blind randomized controlled pilot trial with two parallel arms. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital. POPULATION: Twenty subacute stroke patients (64±9 years) with a Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) ≤2. METHODS: Twelve sessions (over 4 weeks) of either VR-augmented RAGT (intervention group) or standard RAGT (control group). Acceptability of the interventions (drop-out rate, questionnaire), patients' motivation (Intrinsic Motivation Inventory [IMI], individual mean walking time), and feasibility of potential outcome measures (completion rate and response to interventions) were determined. RESULTS: We found high acceptability of repetitive VR-augmented RAGT. The drop-out rate was 1/11 in the intervention and 4/14 in the control group. Patients of the intervention group spent significantly more time walking in the robot than the control group (per session and total walking time; P<0.03). In both groups, motivation measured with the IMI was high over the entire intervention period. The felt pressure and tension significantly decreased in the intervention group (P<0.01) and was significantly lower than in the control group at the last therapy session (r=-0.66, P=0.005). The FAC is suggested as a potential primary outcome measure for a definitive RCT, as it could be assessed in all patients and showed significant response to interventions (P<0.01). We estimated a sample size of 44 for a future RCT. CONCLUSIONS: VR-augmented RAGT resulted in high acceptability and motivation, and in a reduced drop-out rate and an extended training time compared to standard RAGT. This pilot trial provides guidance for a prospective RCT on the effectiveness of VR-augmented RAGT. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: VR might be a promising approach to enrich and improve gait rehabilitation after stroke.

The Subjective Postural Vertical Determined in Patients with Pusher Behavior During Standing.

BACKGROUND: The subjective postural vertical (SPV), i.e., the perceived upright orientation of the body in relation to gravity, is disturbed in patients with pusher behavior. So far, the SPV has been measured only when these patients were sitting, and the results were contradictory as regards the side of the SPV deviation. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to investigate the SPV in patients with different degrees of severity of pusher behavior while standing. METHODS: Eight stroke patients with pusher behavior, ten age-matched stroke patients without pusher behavior, and ten age-matched healthy control subjects were included. The SPV (SPV error, SPV range) was assessed in the pitch and the roll planes. Pusher behavior was classified with the Burke Lateropulsion Scale (BLS). RESULTS: In the pitch plane, the SPV range was significantly larger in pusher patients than in patients without pusher behavior or healthy controls. The SPV error was similar for groups. In the roll plane, the SPV error and the SPV range were significantly larger and more ipsilesionally tilted in the pusher group than in the other two groups. There was a significant correlation between the SPV error in the roll plane and the BLS score. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that patients with pusher behavior had an ipsilesional SPV tilt that decreased with decreasing severity of the behavior. The large uncertainty in verticality estimation in both planes indicates that their sensitivity for the perception of verticality in space is generally disturbed. These findings emphasize the importance of specific rehabilitation approaches to recalibrate the impaired inner model of verticality.

The subjective postural vertical in standing: reliability and normative data for healthy subjects.

Impaired verticality perception can cause falls, or even the inability to stand, due to lateropulsion or retropulsion. The internal estimate of verticality can be assessed through the subjective visual, haptic, or postural vertical (SPV). The SPV reflects impaired upright body orientation, but has primarily been assessed in sitting position. The internal representations of body orientation might be different between sitting and standing, mainly because of differences in somatosensory input for the estimation of SPV. To test the SPV during standing, we set up a paradigm using a device that allows movement in three dimensions (the Spacecurl). This study focused on the test-retest and interrater reliabilities of SPV measurements (n = 25) and provides normative values for the age range 20-79 years (n = 60; 10 healthy subjects per decade). The test-retest and interrater reliabilities for SPV measurements in standing subjects were good. The normality values ranged from -1.7° to 2.3° in the sagittal plane, and from -1.6° to 1.2° in the frontal plane. Minor alterations occurred with aging: SPV shifted backward with increasing age, and the variability of verticality estimates increased. Assessment of SPV in standing can be done with reliable results. SPV should next be used to test patients with an impaired sense of verticality, to determine its diagnostic value in comparison to established tools.