Toward Quantitative Neurology: Sensors to Assess Motor Deficits in Dementia.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder which primarily involves memory and cognitive functions. It is increasingly recognized that motor involvement is also a common and significant aspect of AD, contributing to functional decline and profoundly impacting quality of life. Motor impairment, either at early or later stages of cognitive disorders, can be considered as a proxy measure of cognitive impairment, and technological devices can provide objective measures for both diagnosis and prognosis purposes. However, compared to other neurodegenerative disorders, the use of technological tools in neurocognitive disorders, including AD, is still in its infancy. Objective: This report aims to evaluate the role of technological devices in assessing motor involvement across the AD spectrum and in other dementing conditions, providing an overview of the existing devices that show promise in this area and exploring their clinical applications. Methods: The evaluation involves a review of the existing literature in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases on the effectiveness of these technologies. 21 studies were identified and categorized as: wearable inertial sensors/IMU, console/kinect, gait analysis, tapping device, tablet/mobile, and computer. Results: We found several parameters, such as speed and stride length, that appear promising for detecting abnormal motor function in MCI or dementia. In addition, some studies have found correlations between these motor aspects and cognitive state. Conclusions: Clinical application of technological tools to assess motor function in people with cognitive impairments of a neurodegenerative nature, such as AD, may improve early detection and stratification of patients.

Recurrent motor branch neuropathy in carpal tunnel syndrome: An ultrasound study.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: The reason for the variable rate of progression of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to thenar muscles impairment is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of ultrasound signs of recurrent motor branch (RMB) neuropathy in patients with CTS and to correlate imaging findings with clinical and electrophysiological data. METHODS: Two cohorts were recruited, one consisting of CTS patients with electrodiagnostic evidence of prolonged median distal motor latency from wrist to thenar eminence and another consisting of sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Ultrasound reliability of RMB measurement was assessed by the calculation of the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Patients were evaluated with electrodiagnostic tests and asked to complete the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. The difference between the RMB diameter in patients and controls was analyzed using a t test. Correlations between RMB diameter and other parameters were assessed using linear mixed models. RESULTS: 46 hands from 32 patients with CTS and 50 hands from 50 controls were evaluated. The intra- and interobserver agreements in RMB measurement were very good (ICC = 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 0.90) and good (ICC = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.87). The RMB diameter was significantly larger in patients than in controls (P < .0001). No significant correlation was found between the RMB diameter and other variables, except for BMI and median nerve cross-sectional area. DISCUSSION: Ultrasound is reliable in identifying the RMB and characterizing its abnormalities. In this patient cohort, ultrasound allowed for detection of definite signs of RMB compression neuropathy.

The PRESTO study: awareness of stroke symptoms and time from onset to intervention.

Timely access to medical assistance is the first crucial step to improving clinical outcomes of stroke patients. Many educational campaigns have been organized with the purpose of making people aware of what a stroke is and what is necessary to do after its clinical onset. The PRESTO campaign was organized in Genoa (Italy) to spread easy messages regarding the management of the acute phase of stroke. Educational material was disseminated to educate people to call the emergency medical services as soon as symptoms appear. Data collected were analyzed in three different phases of the campaign: before the beginning, during, and after the end. We enrolled 1,132 patients with ischemic stroke admitted to hospital within 24 hours of symptoms onset. Our data showed a mild reduction in onset-to-door time (24 minutes) during the months following the end of the campaign and a slight increase in number of patients who arrived at hospitals, in particular with milder symptoms and transient ischemic attack, as opposed to the same period before the campaign. Interestingly, in the months after the end of the campaign, we observed a slight reduction of the percentage of patients who accessed hospitals after 4.5 hours from symptoms onset. In conclusion, our results may suggest that an informative campaign can be successful in making people rapidly aware of stroke onset, with the consequent rapid access to hospitals. Considering the changing of way of access to information, we think that an extensive multimedia campaign should be evaluated in the next future.

Genetic Workup for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy: A Retrospective Single-Site Experience Covering 15 Years.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is the most commonly inherited neurological disorder. This study includes patients affected by CMT during regular follow-ups at the CMT clinic in Genova, a neuromuscular university center in the northwest of Italy, with the aim of describing the genetic distribution of CMT subtypes in our cohort and reporting a peculiar phenotype. Since 2004, 585 patients (447 index cases) have been evaluated at our center, 64.9% of whom have a demyelinating neuropathy and 35.1% of whom have an axonal neuropathy. A genetic diagnosis was achieved in 66% of all patients, with the following distribution: CMT1A (48%), HNPP (14%), CMT1X (13%), CMT2A (5%), and P0-related neuropathies (7%), accounting all together for 87% of all the molecularly defined neuropathies. Interestingly, we observe a peculiar phenotype with initial exclusive lower limb involvement as well as lower limb involvement that is maintained over time, which we have defined as a "strictly length-dependent" phenotype. Most patients with this clinical presentation shared variants in either HSPB1 or MPZ genes. The identification of distinctive phenotypes such as this one may help to address genetic diagnosis. In conclusion, we describe our diagnostic experiences as a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic, combining a gene-by-gene approach or targeted gene panels based on clinical presentation.

Rehabilitation, exercise, and related non-pharmacological interventions for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity: Systematic review and evidence-based recommendations.

Pharmacological strategies for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) are very limited. We systematically reviewed data on rehabilitation, exercise, physical therapy, and other physical non-pharmacological interventions and offered evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and treatment of CIPN. A literature search using PubMed, Web of Science and CINAHL was conducted from database inception until May 31st, 2021. 2791 records were title-abstract screened, 71 papers were full-text screened, 41 studies were included, 21 on prevention and 20 on treatment of CIPN. Treatment type, cancer type, chemotherapy compounds were heterogeneous, sample size was small (median: N = 34) and intention-to-treat analysis was lacking in 26/41 reports. Because of the methodological issues of included studies, the reviewed evidence should be considered as preliminary. Exercise, endurance, strength, balance, and sensorimotor training have been studied in low-to-moderate quality studies, while the evidence for other treatments is preliminary/inconclusive. We offer recommendation for the design of future trials on CIPN.

Optimal outcome measures for assessing exercise and rehabilitation approaches in chemotherapy-induced peripheral-neurotoxicity: Systematic review and consensus expert opinion.

INTRODUCTION: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) remains a significant toxicity in cancer survivors without preventative strategies or rehabilitation. Exercise and physical activity-based interventions have demonstrated promise in reducing existing CIPN symptoms and potentially preventing toxicity, however there is a significant gap in evidence due to the lack of quality clinical trials and appropriate outcome measures. AREAS COVERED: We systematically reviewed outcome measures in CIPN exercise and physical rehabilitation studies with expert panel consensus via the Peripheral Nerve Society Toxic Neuropathy Consortium to provide recommendations for future trials. Across 26 studies, 75 outcome measures were identified and grouped into 16 domains within three core areas - measures of manifestations of CIPN (e.g. symptoms/signs), measures of the impact of CIPN and other outcome measures. EXPERT OPINION: This article provides a conceptual framework for CIPN outcome measures and highlights the need for definition of a core outcome measures set. The authors provide recommendations for CIPN exercise and physical rehabilitation trial design and outcome measure selection. The development of a core outcome measure set will be critical in the search for neuroprotective and treatment approaches to support cancer survivors and to address the gap in the identification of effective rehabilitation and treatment options for CIPN.

Hand rehabilitation with sonification techniques in the subacute stage of stroke.

After a stroke event, most survivors suffer from arm paresis, poor motor control and other disabilities that make activities of daily living difficult, severely affecting quality of life and personal independence. This randomized controlled trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a music-based sonification approach on upper limbs motor functions, quality of life and pain perceived during rehabilitation. The study involved 65 subacute stroke individuals during inpatient rehabilitation allocated into 2 groups which underwent usual care dayweek) respectively of standard upper extremity motor rehabilitation or upper extremity treatment with sonification techniques. The Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Scale, Box and Block Test and the Modified Ashworth Scale were used to perform motor assessment and the McGill Quality of Life-it and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale to assess quality of life and pain. The assessment was performed at baseline, after 2 weeks, at the end of treatment and at follow-up (1 month after the end of treatment). Total scores of the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Scale (primary outcome measure) and hand and wrist sub scores, manual dexterity scores of the affected and unaffected limb in the Box and Block Test, pain scores of the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (secondary outcomes measures) significantly improved in the sonification group compared to the standard of care group (time*group interaction < 0.05). Our findings suggest that music-based sonification sessions can be considered an effective standardized intervention for the upper limb in subacute stroke rehabilitation.

Validation of a new hand function outcome measure in individuals with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

The symptomatology of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease mainly involves the feet and the hands. To date, there is no consensus on how to evaluate hand function in CMT. The aim of this study is to correlate the data of the engineered glove Hand Test System (HTS) with specific tests and the CMT examination score (CMTES). We analyzed 45 patients with the diagnosis of CMT using HTS, which measures the hand dexterity by specific sequences performed at maximum velocity. We completed the evaluation with the CMTES, tripod pinch and hand grip strength tested by a dynamometer, thumb opposition test (TOT), and Sollerman Hand function test (SHFT), and we conducted a test-retest with 20 normal subjects. Finger tapping (FT) and index-medium-ring-little (IMRL) sequence showed a significant correlation with CMTES (FT: dominant hand (DH): P = .036; non-dominant hand (NDH): P = .033; IMRL: DH: P = .009; NDH: P = .046). TOT correlated with CMTES significantly in both hands (P < .0001). tripod pinch showed a statistically significant correlation with CMTES (DH: P = .002; NDH: P = .005). Correlation between the hand grip and CMTES was significant only in DH (DH: P = .002). SHFT had a significant correlation with the CMTES (DH: P = .002). Test-retest showed a good reliability. HTS parameters correlate with CMTES confirming that this tool is sensitive to the hand deficits. In conclusion, we can state that HTS is a good, simple to use, and objective instrument to evaluate the hand function of CMT patients, but more studies on responsiveness and sensitivity are needed.

Comparison of Strength and Dexterity in Professional and Student Violinists: Setting Foundations to Guide Rehabilitation.

AIMS: The musician's hand represents a complex system, which requires important motor skills. Although several studies have already investigated rehabilitation outcomes and techniques in musicians after hand lesions, none have been addressed specifically to objectively quantifiable functional parameters. The purpose of our study was to study hand functionality in violinists in order to provide foundations on which to establish and develop more appropriate rehabilitation protocols. STUDY DESIGN: An observational cross-sectional cohort study consisting of 34 subjects, including 23 students and 11 professional violinists who were either studying or working at a conservatory. Results were compared to a data set of a non-musician control group. METHODS: Nine-hole peg test and hand test system (HTS) were used to perform the study. A hand-held dynamometer was used to measure hand grip and tripod pinch maximal isometric voluntary contraction of both hands. RESULTS: Hand strength did not significantly differ on either side between professional and student violinists. A significant difference was seen when comparing violinists as a whole versus the non-musician control group. HTS highlighted significant differences in dexterity. CONCLUSION: Violinists develop better overall motor performances of the left hand, and their performance is better than normal "non-musician" controls. Dexterity and precision of execution positively correlate to years of practice. We conclude that rehabilitation of a violinist's hand should be aimed at enhancing motor performance of the left hand and should be focused to maximize dexterity of both hands.

Testing overwork weakness in Charcot-Marie-tooth disease: Is it true or false?

The occurrence of the overwork weakness (OW) in Charcot-Marie-tooth (CMT) disease has been debated for a long time. Especially at the hands level, it is still unclear as to whether OW occurs. Contrasting results may relate to the different muscle groups evaluated and the instruments used. We concentrated to the upper limbs (UL). We recruited 120 subjects, 60 CMT patients and 60 normal controls and evaluated the strength of the tripod pinch and of the hand-grip with a dynamometer, the opposition ability with the thumb opposition test (TOT) and applied an innovative instrumental testing of hand function using the sensor engineered glove test (SEGT), which previously demonstrated its sensitiveness to measure severity of hands dysfunction in CMT patients. In CMT patients, TOT scores were significantly higher in the non-dominant hand (NDH) compared to dominant hand (DH), strength in the NDH was slightly but not significantly better than the DH. Finally, SEGT results were similar between the NDH and DH, whereas in normal controls the DH performed better. In conclusion, this study supports the existence of the overwork weakness in CMT. We can speculate that the dexterity and overall ability of the hands appear more impaired in the DH as a result of a weakness and incapacity of opposition. Our results support the importance of avoiding supramaximal exercises and educating patients to prevent incorrect movements.