Neurobehavioral Progress and Signs of Transition in Children With Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study With the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised.

BACKGROUND: Research on disorders of consciousness in children is scarce and includes disparate and barely comparable participants and assessment instruments and therefore provides inconclusive information on the clinical progress and recovery in this population. This study retrospectively investigated the neurobehavioral progress and the signs of transition between states of consciousness in a group of children admitted to a rehabilitation program either with an unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) or in a minimally conscious state (MCS). METHODS: Systematic weekly assessments were conducted with the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) until emergence from MCS, discharge, or death. RESULTS: Twenty-one children, nine admitted with a UWS and 12 admitted in an MCS, were included in the study. Four children with a UWS transitioned to an MCS with a CRS-R of 10 (9.2 to 12.2) by showing visual pursuit, visual fixation, or localization to noxious stimulation. Twelve children emerged from the MCS with a CRS-R of 20.5 (19 to 21.7). Children who emerged from the MCS had had a shorter time postinjury and higher CRS-R at admission, compared with those who did not emerge. CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the children who were admitted with a UWS transitioned to an MCS, and almost all who were admitted in an MCS emerged from this state. Children who emerged had shorter times since injury and higher scores on the CRS-R at admission, compared with those who did not emerge.

Minimally conscious state plus versus minus: Likelihood of emergence and long-term functional independence.

OBJECTIVE: Severe brain injuries can result in disorders of consciousness, such as the Minimally Conscious State (MCS), where individuals display intermittent yet discernible signs of conscious awareness. The varied levels of responsiveness and awareness observed in this state have spurred the progressive delineation of two subgroups within MCS, termed "plus" (MCS+) and "minus" (MCS-). However, the clinical validity of these classifications remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate and compare the likelihood of emergence from MCS, as well as the functional independence after emergence, in individuals categorized as in MCS+ and MCS-. METHODS: Demographic and behavioral data of 80 participants, admitted as either in MCS+ (n = 30) or MCS- (n = 50) to a long-term neurorehabilitation unit, were retrospectively analyzed. The neurobehavioral condition of each participant was evaluated weekly until discharge, demise, or emergence from MCS. The functional independence of those participants who emerged from MCS was assessed 6 months after emergence. RESULTS: While only about half of the individuals classified as in MCS- (n = 24) emerged from the MCS, all those admitted as in MCS+ did, and in a shorter postinjury period. Despite these differences, all individuals who emerged from the MCS demonstrated similar high disability and low functional independence 6 months after emergence, regardless of their state at admission. INTERPRETATION: Individuals classified as MCS+ exhibited a higher likelihood of emergence and a shorter time to emergence compared to those in MCS-. However, the level of functional independence 6 months after emergence was found to be unrelated to the initial state at admission.

Which information derived from the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised provides the most reliable prediction of clinical diagnosis and recovery of consciousness? A comparative study using machine learning techniques.

BACKGROUND: The Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) is the most recommended clinical tool to examine the neurobehavioral condition of individuals with disorders of consciousness (DOCs). Different studies have investigated the prognostic value of the information provided by the conventional administration of the scale, while other measures derived from the scale have been proposed to improve the prognosis of DOCs. However, the heterogeneity of the data used in the different studies prevents a reliable comparison of the identified predictors and measures. AIM: This study investigates which information derived from the CRS-R provides the most reliable prediction of both the clinical diagnosis and recovery of consciousness at the discharge of a long-term neurorehabilitation program. DESIGN: Retrospective observational multisite study. SETTING: The enrollment was performed in three neurorehabilitation facilities of the same hospital network. POPULATION: A total of 171 individuals with DOCs admitted to an inpatient neurorehabilitation program for a minimum of 3 months were enrolled. METHODS: Machine learning classifiers were trained to predict the clinical diagnosis and recovery of consciousness at discharge using clinical confounders and different metrics extracted from the CRS-R scale. RESULTS: Results showed that the neurobehavioral state at discharge was predicted with acceptable and comparable predictive value with all the indices and measures derived from the CRS-R, but for the clinical diagnosis and the Consciousness Domain Index, and the recovery of consciousness was predicted with higher accuracy and similarly by all the investigated measures, with the exception of initial clinical diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Interestingly, the total score in the CRS-R and, especially, the total score in its subscales provided the best overall results, in contrast to the clinical diagnosis, which could indicate that a comprehensive measure of the clinical diagnosis rather than the condition of the individuals could provide a more reliable prediction of the neurobehavioral progress of individuals with prolonged DOC. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The results of this work have important implications in clinical practice, offering a more accurate prognosis of patients and thus giving the possibility to personalize and optimize the rehabilitation plan of patients with DoC using low-cost and easily collectable information.

Medical comorbidities in patients with prolonged disorder of consciousness: A narrative review.

BACKGROUND: A few studies specifically addressed medical comorbidities (MCs) in patients with severe acquired traumatic or non-traumatic brain injury and prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDoC; i.e., patients in vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, VS/UWS, or in minimally conscious state, MCS). OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview on incidence of MCs in patients with pDoC. METHODS: Narrative review on most impacting MCs in patients with pDoC, both those directly related to brain damage (epilepsy, neurosurgical complications, spasticity, paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, PSH), and those related to severe disability and prolonged immobility (respiratory comorbidities, endocrine disorders, metabolic abnormalities, heterotopic ossifications). RESULTS: Patients with pDoC are at high risk to develop at least one MC. Moderate or severe respiratory and musculoskeletal comorbidities are the most common MCs. Epilepsy and PSH seem to be more frequent in patients in VS/UWS compared to patients in MCS, likely because of higher severity in the brain damage in VS. Endocrine metabolic, PSH and respiratory complications are less frequent in traumatic etiology, whereas neurogenic heterotopic ossifications are more frequent in traumatic etiology. Spasticity did not significantly differ between VS/UWS and MCS and in the three etiologies. MCs are associated with higher mortality rates, worse clinical improvement and can impact accuracy in the clinical diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The frequent occurrence of several MCs requires a specialized rehabilitative setting with high level of multidisciplinary medical expertise to prevent, appropriately recognize and treat them. Comprehensive rehabilitation could avoid possible progression to more serious complications that can negatively impact clinical outcomes.

Sham-controlled randomized multicentre trial of transcranial direct current stimulation for prolonged disorders of consciousness.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to improve signs of consciousness in a subset of patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC). However, no multicentre study confirmed its efficacy when applied during rehabilitation. In this randomized controlled double-blind study, the effects of tDCS whilst patients were in rehabilitation were tested at the group level and according to their diagnosis and aetiology to better target DoC patients who might repond to tDCS. METHODS: Patients received 2 mA tDCS or sham applied over the left prefrontal cortex for 4 weeks. Behavioural assessments were performed weekly and up to 3 months' follow-up. Analyses were conducted at the group and subgroup levels based on the diagnosis (minimally conscious state [MCS] and unresponsive wakefulness syndrome) and the aetiology (traumatic or non-traumatic). Interim analyses were planned to continue or stop the trial. RESULTS: The trial was stopped for futility when 62 patients from 10 centres were enrolled (44 ± 14 years, 37 ± 24.5 weeks post-injury, 18 women, 32 MCS, 39 non-traumatic). Whilst, at the group level, no treatment effect was found, the subgroup analyses at 3 months' follow-up revealed a significant improvement for patients in MCS and with traumatic aetiology. CONCLUSIONS: Transcranial direct current stimulation during rehabilitation does not seem to enhance patients' recovery. However, diagnosis and aetiology appear to be important factors leading to a response to the treatment. These findings bring novel insights into possible cortical plasticity changes in DoC patients given these differential results according to the subgroups of patients.

Reliability and validity of the Spanish adaptation of the Functional Independence Measure + Functional Assessment Measure.

BACKGROUND: The Functional Independence Measure + Functional Assessment Measure (FIM+FAM) Scale is one of the most widely used instruments to measure functional independence post-stroke, and features many cultural adaptations to various languages. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of a Spanish cross-cultural adaptation of the FIM+FAM for use in the stroke population. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Outpatient long-term service of a neurorehabilitation unit. POPULATION: One hundred and twenty-two individuals with stroke. METHODS: The functional independence of the participants was assessed with the adapted version of the FIM+FAM. Additionally, the functional, motor and cognitive condition of the participants was assessed with a battery of standardized clinical instruments. Finally, a group of 31 participants out of the total were evaluated a second time with the FIM+FAM by a different evaluator than the one who performed the first evaluation. Internal consistency, inter-rater reliability and convergent validity with other clinical instruments of the adapted version of the FIM+FAM were determined. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the adapted version of the FIM+FAM was excellent, as evidenced by Cronbach's α values that exceeded 0.973. The inter-rater reliability was likewise excellent, with correlations above 0.990 in all domains and subscales. Additionally, the convergent validity of the scale adaptation with clinical instruments was variable, with values ranging from 0.264 to 0.983, but consistent with the construct assessed in the different instruments examined. CONCLUSIONS: The internal consistency, inter-rater reliability and convergent validity of the Spanish-adapted version of the FIM+FAM Scale showed excellent reliability and validity of the adaptation, which supports its use to assess functional independence after stroke. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Availability of a valid adaptation for the evaluation of functional independence after stroke in Spanish population.

What names for covert awareness? A systematic review.

Background: With the emergence of Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI), clinicians have been facing a new group of patients with severe acquired brain injury who are unable to show any behavioral sign of consciousness but respond to active neuroimaging or electrophysiological paradigms. However, even though well documented, there is still no consensus regarding the nomenclature for this clinical entity. Objectives: This systematic review aims to 1) identify the terms used to indicate the presence of this entity through the years, and 2) promote an informed discussion regarding the rationale for these names and the best candidates to name this fascinating disorder. Methods: The Disorders of Consciousness Special Interest Group (DoC SIG) of the International Brain Injury Association (IBIA) launched a search on Pubmed and Google scholar following PRISMA guidelines to collect peer-reviewed articles and reviews on human adults (>18 years) published in English between 2006 and 2021. Results: The search launched in January 2021 identified 4,089 potentially relevant titles. After screening, 1,126 abstracts were found relevant. Finally, 161 manuscripts were included in our analyses. Only 58% of the manuscripts used a specific name to discuss this clinical entity, among which 32% used several names interchangeably throughout the text. We found 25 different names given to this entity. The five following names were the ones the most frequently used: covert awareness, cognitive motor dissociation, functional locked-in, non-behavioral MCS (MCS*) and higher-order cortex motor dissociation. Conclusion: Since 2006, there has been no agreement regarding the taxonomy to use for unresponsive patients who are able to respond to active neuroimaging or electrophysiological paradigms. Developing a standard taxonomy is an important goal for future research studies and clinical translation. We recommend a Delphi study in order to build such a consensus.

Precision rehabilitation for aphasia by patient age, sex, aphasia severity, and time since stroke? A prespecified, systematic review-based, individual participant data, network, subgroup meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Stroke rehabilitation interventions are routinely personalized to address individuals' needs, goals, and challenges based on evidence from aggregated randomized controlled trials (RCT) data and meta-syntheses. Individual participant data (IPD) meta-analyses may better inform the development of precision rehabilitation approaches, quantifying treatment responses while adjusting for confounders and reducing ecological bias. AIM: We explored associations between speech and language therapy (SLT) interventions frequency (days/week), intensity (h/week), and dosage (total SLT-hours) and language outcomes for different age, sex, aphasia severity, and chronicity subgroups by undertaking prespecified subgroup network meta-analyses of the RELEASE database. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and trial registrations were systematically searched (inception-Sept2015) for RCTs, including ⩾ 10 IPD on stroke-related aphasia. We extracted demographic, stroke, aphasia, SLT, and risk of bias data. Overall-language ability, auditory comprehension, and functional communication outcomes were standardized. A one-stage, random effects, network meta-analysis approach filtered IPD into a single optimal model, examining SLT regimen and language recovery from baseline to first post-intervention follow-up, adjusting for covariates identified a-priori. Data were dichotomized by age (⩽/> 65 years), aphasia severity (mild-moderate/ moderate-severe based on language outcomes' median value), chronicity (⩽/> 3 months), and sex subgroups. We reported estimates of means and 95% confidence intervals. Where relative variance was high (> 50%), results were reported for completeness. RESULTS: 959 IPD (25 RCTs) were analyzed. For working-age participants, greatest language gains from baseline occurred alongside moderate to high-intensity SLT (functional communication 3-to-4 h/week; overall-language and comprehension > 9 h/week); older participants' greatest gains occurred alongside low-intensity SLT (⩽ 2 h/week) except for auditory comprehension (> 9 h/week). For both age-groups, SLT-frequency and dosage associated with best language gains were similar. Participants ⩽ 3 months post-onset demonstrated greatest overall-language gains for SLT at low intensity/moderate dosage (⩽ 2 SLT-h/week; 20-to-50 h); for those > 3 months, post-stroke greatest gains were associated with moderate-intensity/high-dosage SLT (3-4 SLT-h/week; ⩾ 50 hours). For moderate-severe participants, 4 SLT-days/week conferred the greatest language gains across outcomes, with auditory comprehension gains only observed for ⩾ 4 SLT-days/week; mild-moderate participants' greatest functional communication gains were associated with similar frequency (⩾ 4 SLT-days/week) and greatest overall-language gains with higher frequency SLT (⩾ 6 days/weekly). Males' greatest gains were associated with SLT of moderate (functional communication; 3-to-4 h/weekly) or high intensity (overall-language and auditory comprehension; (> 9 h/weekly) compared to females for whom the greatest gains were associated with lower-intensity SLT (< 2 SLT-h/weekly). Consistencies across subgroups were also evident; greatest overall-language gains were associated with 20-to-50 SLT-h in total; auditory comprehension gains were generally observed when SLT > 9 h over ⩾ 4 days/week. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a treatment response in most subgroups' overall-language, auditory comprehension, and functional communication language gains. For some, the maximum treatment response varied in association with different SLT-frequency, intensity, and dosage. Where differences were observed, working-aged, chronic, mild-moderate, and male subgroups experienced their greatest language gains alongside high-frequency/intensity SLT. In contrast, older, moderate-severely impaired, and female subgroups within 3 months of aphasia onset made their greatest gains for lower-intensity SLT. The acceptability, clinical, and cost effectiveness of precision aphasia rehabilitation approaches based on age, sex, aphasia severity, and chronicity should be evaluated in future clinical RCTs.

Risk factors for 2-year mortality in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness: An international multicentre study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDoC) have a high mortality rate due to medical complications. Because an accurate prognosis is essential for decision-making on patients' management, we analysed data from an international multicentre prospective cohort study to evaluate 2-year mortality rate and bedside predictors of mortality. METHODS: We enrolled adult patients in prolonged vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS) or minimally conscious state (MCS) after traumatic and nontraumatic brain injury within 3 months postinjury. At enrolment, we collected demographic (age, sex), anamnestic (aetiology, time postinjury), clinical (Coma Recovery Scale-Revised [CRS-R], Disability Rating Scale, Nociception Coma Scale-Revised), and neurophysiologic (electroencephalogram [EEG], somatosensory evoked and event-related potentials) data. Patients were followed up to gather data on mortality up to 24 months postinjury. RESULTS: Among 143 traumatic (n = 55) and nontraumatic (n = 88) patients (VS/UWS, n = 68, 19 females; MCS, n = 75, 22 females), 41 (28.7%) died within 24 months postinjury. Mortality rate was higher in VS/UWS (42.6%) than in MCS (16%; p < 0.001). Multivariate regression in VS/UWS showed that significant predictors of mortality were older age and lower CRS-R total score, whereas in MCS female sex and absence of alpha rhythm on EEG at study entry were significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that a feasible multimodal assessment in the postacute phase can help clinicians to identify patients with pDoC at higher risk of mortality within 24 months after brain injury. This evidence can help clinicians and patients' families to navigate the complex clinical decision-making process and promote an international standardization of prognostic procedures for patients with pDoC.

Behavioral signs of recovery from unresponsive wakefulness syndrome to emergence of minimally conscious state after severe brain injury.

Precise description of behavioral signs denoting transition from unresponsive wakefulness syndrome/vegetative state (UWS/VS) to minimally conscious state (MCS) or emergence from MCS after severe brain injury is crucial for prognostic purposes. A few studies have attempted this goal but involved either non-standardized instruments, limited temporal accuracy or samples, or focused on (sub)acute patients. The objective of this study was to describe the behavioral signs that led to a change of diagnosis, as well as the factors influencing this transition, in a large sample of patients with chronic disorders of consciousness after severe brain injury. In this retrospective cohort study, 185 patients in UWS/VS or MCS were assessed with the Coma Recovery Scale Revised (CRS-R) five times within the two weeks following their admission to a neurorehabilitation center and then weekly until emergence from MCS, discharge or death. Of these 185 patients, 33 patients in UWS/VS and 45 patients in MCS transitioned to another state. Transition to MCS was mostly denoted by one behavioral sign (72%), predominantly visual fixation (57%), followed by localization to noxious stimulation (27%), visual pursuit (21%) and object manipulation (12%), and could be predicted by etiology, time post-injury and age. Emergence from MCS was characterized by one sign in 64% of patients and by two signs (functional communication and objects use) in the remaining cases, and could be predicted by time post-injury and number of behavioral signs at admission. Clinicians should be therefore advised to pay particular attention to visual and motor subscales of the CRS-R to detect behavioral recovery.

Predicting Long-Term Recovery of Consciousness in Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness Based on Coma Recovery Scale-Revised Subscores: Validation of a Machine Learning-Based Prognostic Index.

Prognosis of prolonged Disorders of Consciousness (pDoC) is influenced by patients' clinical diagnosis and Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) total score. We compared the prognostic accuracy of a novel Consciousness Domain Index (CDI) with that of clinical diagnosis and CRS-R total score, for recovery of full consciousness at 6-, 12-, and 24-months post-injury. The CDI was obtained by a combination of the six CRS-R subscales via an unsupervised machine learning technique. We retrospectively analyzed data on 143 patients with pDoC (75 in Minimally Conscious State; 102 males; median age = 53 years; IQR = 35; time post-injury = 1-3 months) due to different etiologies enrolled in an International Brain Injury Association Disorders of Consciousness Special Interest Group (IBIA DoC-SIG) multicenter longitudinal study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were utilized to assess the association between outcomes and the CDI, compared to clinical diagnosis and CRS-R. The CDI, the clinical diagnosis, and the CRS-R total score were significantly associated with a good outcome at 6, 12 and 24 months. The CDI showed the highest univariate prediction accuracy and sensitivity, and regression models including the CDI provided the highest values of explained variance. A combined scoring system of the CRS-R subscales by unsupervised machine learning may improve clinical ability to predict recovery of consciousness in patients with pDoC.

Effectiveness of a combined transcranial direct current stimulation and virtual reality-based intervention on upper limb function in chronic individuals post-stroke with persistent severe hemiparesis: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Functional impairments derived from the non-use of severely affected upper limb after stroke have been proposed to be mitigated by action observation and imagination-based techniques, whose effectiveness is enhanced when combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Preliminary studies in mildly impaired individuals in the acute phase post-stroke show intensified effects when action is facilitated by tDCS and mediated by virtual reality (VR) but the effectiveness in cases of severe impairment and chronic stroke is unknown. This study investigated the effectiveness of a combined tDCS and VR-based intervention in the sensorimotor function of chronic individuals post-stroke with persistent severe hemiparesis compared to conventional physical therapy. METHODS: Twenty-nine participants were randomized into an experimental group, who received 30 minutes of the combined tDCS and VR-based therapy and 30 minutes of conventional physical therapy, or a control group, who exclusively received conventional physical therapy focusing on passive and active assistive range of motion exercises. The sensorimotor function of all participants was assessed before and after 25 one-hour sessions, administered three to five times a week, using the upper extremity subscale of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, the time and ability subscales of the Wolf Motor Function Test, and the Nottingham Sensory Assessment. RESULTS: A clinically meaningful improvement of the upper limb motor function was consistently revealed in all motor measures after the experimental intervention, but not after conventional physical therapy. Similar limited effects were detected in the sensory function in both groups. CONCLUSION: The combined tDCS and VR-based paradigm provided not only greater but also clinically meaningful improvement in the motor function (and similar sensory effects) in comparison to conventional physical therapy.

When, How, and to What Extent Are Individuals with Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome Able to Progress? Neurobehavioral Progress.

Accurate estimation of the neurobehavioral progress of patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) is essential to anticipate their most likely clinical course and guide clinical decision making. Although different studies have described this progress and possible predictors of neurobehavioral improvement in these patients, they have methodological limitations that could restrict the validity and generalization of the results. This study investigates the neurobehavioral progress of 100 patients with UWS consecutively admitted to a neurorehabilitation center using systematic weekly assessments based on standardized measures, and the prognostic factors of changes in their neurobehavioral condition. Our results showed that, during the analyzed period, 34% of the patients were able to progress from UWS to minimally conscious state (MCS), 12% of the total sample (near one third from those who progressed to MCS) were able to emerge from MCS, and 10% of the patients died. Transition to MCS was mostly denoted by visual signs, which appeared either alone or in combination with motor signs, and was predicted by etiology and the score on the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised at admission with an accuracy of 75%. Emergence from MCS was denoted in the same proportion by functional communication and object use. Predictive models of emergence from MCS and mortality were not valid and the identified predictors could not be accounted for.

When, How, and to What Extent Are Individuals with Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome Able to Progress? Functional Independence.

Accurate estimation of the functional independence of patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) is essential to adjust family and clinical expectations and plan long-term necessary resources. Although different studies have described the clinical course of these patients, they have methodological limitations that could restrict generalization of the results. This study investigates the neurobehavioral progress of 100 patients with UWS consecutively admitted to a neurorehabilitation center using systematic weekly assessments based on standardized measures, and the functional independence staging of those patients who emerged from a minimally conscious state (MCS) during the first year post-emergence. Our results showed that one year after emergence, most patients were severely dependent, although some of them showed extreme or moderate severity. Clinically meaningful functional improvement was less likely to occur in cognitively-demanding activities, such as activities of daily living and executive function. Consequently, the use of specific and staging functional independence measures, with domain-specific evaluations, are recommended to detect the functional changes that might be expected in these patients. The information provided by these instruments, together with that obtained from repeated assessments of the preserved consciousness with standardized instruments, could help clinicians to adjust expectations and plan necessary resources for this population.

Covert Cognition in Disorders of Consciousness: A Meta-Analysis.

Covert cognition in patients with disorders of consciousness represents a real diagnostic conundrum for clinicians. In this meta-analysis, our main objective was to identify clinical and demographic variables that are more likely to be associated with responding to an active paradigm. Among 2018 citations found on PubMed, 60 observational studies were found relevant. Based on the QUADAS-2, 49 studies were considered. Data from 25 publications were extracted and included in the meta-analysis. Most of these studies used electrophysiology as well as counting tasks or mental imagery. According to our statistical analysis, patients clinically diagnosed as being in a vegetative state and in a minimally conscious state minus (MCS-) show similar likelihood in responding to active paradigm and responders are most likely suffering from a traumatic brain injury. In the future, multi-centric studies should be performed in order to increase sample size, with similar methodologies and include structural and functional neuroimaging in order to identify cerebral markers related to such a challenging diagnosis.

Competition Enhances the Effectiveness and Motivation of Attention Rehabilitation After Stroke. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Attention deficits are among the most common cognitive impairments observed after experiencing stroke. However, a very limited number of studies have investigated the effectiveness of interventions that specifically focus on the rehabilitation of attention deficits among subjects with impaired attention. Although several interventions have included the use of computerized programs to provide dynamic stimuli, real-time performance feedback, and motivating tasks, existing studies have not exploited the potential benefits of multi-user interactions. Group-based and competitive interventions have been reported to be more enjoyable and motivating, depending on individual traits, and may potentially be more demanding, which may increase their effectiveness. This study investigated the effectiveness and motivating abilities of an intervention specifically designed to address attention deficits. This intervention combined paper-and-pencil tasks and interactive, computerized, multi-touch exercises, which were administered, either non-competitively or competitively, to a group of 43 individuals with chronic stroke. The mediating effects of competitiveness were evaluated for both intervention effectiveness and motivation. Participants were randomly sorted into two groups and underwent 20 one-hour group-based sessions, during which they either worked individually or competed with peers, according to their group allocation. Participants were assessed before and after the intervention, using the Conners' Continuous Performance Test, the d2 Test of Attention, the Color Trail Test, the Digit Span Test, and the Spatial Span Test. The competitiveness and subjective experiences of the participants after the intervention were investigated with the Revised Competitiveness Index and the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, respectively. The results showed that participants who competed demonstrated significantly greater improvements in all cognitive abilities, except for divided attention, and reported greater enjoyment than their non-competitive peers. Both groups reported comparable levels of perceived competence, pressure, and usefulness. Interestingly, the competitiveness of the participants did not alter either the effectiveness or the subjective experience of the intervention. These findings suggest that competition might enhance the effectiveness and enjoyment of rehabilitation interventions designed to address attention deficits in individuals post-stroke, regardless of their level of competitiveness and without having a negative effect on their perceived pressure and competence.

Multicenter prospective study on predictors of short-term outcome in disorders of consciousness.

OBJECTIVE: This international multicenter, prospective, observational study aimed at identifying predictors of short-term clinical outcome in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (DoC) due to acquired severe brain injury. METHODS: Patients in vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS) or in minimally conscious state (MCS) were enrolled within 3 months from their brain injury in 12 specialized medical institutions. Demographic, anamnestic, clinical, and neurophysiologic data were collected at study entry. Patients were then followed up for assessing the primary outcome, that is, clinical diagnosis according to standardized criteria at 6 months postinjury. RESULTS: We enrolled 147 patients (44 women; mean age 49.4 [95% confidence interval 46.1-52.6] years; VS/UWS 71, MCS 76; traumatic 55, vascular 56, anoxic 36; mean time postinjury 59.6 [55.4-63.6] days). The 6-month follow-up was complete for 143 patients (VS/UWS 70; MCS 73). With respect to study entry, the clinical diagnosis improved in 72 patients (VS/UWS 27; MCS 45). Younger age, shorter time postinjury, higher Coma Recovery Scale-Revised total score, and presence of EEG reactivity to eye opening at study entry predicted better outcome, whereas etiology, clinical diagnosis, Disability Rating Scale score, EEG background activity, acoustic reactivity, and P300 on event-related potentials were not associated with outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Multimodal assessment could identify patients with higher likelihood of clinical improvement in order to help clinicians, families, and funding sources with various aspects of decision-making. This multicenter, international study aims to stimulate further research that drives international consensus regarding standardization of prognostic procedures for patients with DoC.

RELEASE: a protocol for a systematic review based, individual participant data, meta- and network meta-analysis, of complex speech-language therapy interventions for stroke-related aphasia.

Background: Speech and language therapy (SLT) benefits people with aphasia following stroke. Group level summary statistics from randomised controlled trials hinder exploration of highly complex SLT interventions and a clinically relevant heterogeneous population. Creating a database of individual participant data (IPD) for people with aphasia aims to allow exploration of individual and therapy-related predictors of recovery and prognosis. Aim: To explore the contribution that individual participant characteristics (including stroke and aphasia profiles) and SLT intervention components make to language recovery following stroke. Methods and procedures: We will identify eligible IPD datasets (including randomised controlled trials, non-randomised comparison studies, observational studies and registries) and invite their contribution to the database. Where possible, we will use meta- and network meta-analysis to explore language performance after stroke and predictors of recovery as it relates to participants who had no SLT, historical SLT or SLT in the primary research study. We will also examine the components of effective SLT interventions. Outcomes and results: Outcomes include changes in measures of functional communication, overall severity of language impairment, auditory comprehension, spoken language (including naming), reading and writing from baseline. Data captured on assessment tools will be collated and transformed to a standardised measure for each of the outcome domains. Conclusion: Our planned systematic-review-based IPD meta- and network meta-analysis is a large scale, international, multidisciplinary and methodologically complex endeavour. It will enable hypotheses to be generated and tested to optimise and inform development of interventions for people with aphasia after stroke. Systematic review registration: The protocol has been registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; registration number: CRD42018110947).

Gradientes de idoneidad para impulsar la mejora continua de campos clínicos utilizados en programas de Especialidades Médicas en México / Suitability of a gradient scale to promote for continuous improvement in clinical sites used in Mexican Medical Specialties

OBJETIVO: Desarrollar una metodología de evaluación de campos clínicos mediante la percepción de los médicos residentes. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se identificaron 20 variables, que se agruparon en cuatro categorías: 1) profesor tutor; 2) organización hospitalaria; 3) complementos educativos, y 4) opinión global. RESULTADOS: Se diseñó y validó una herramienta y escala de gradientes de idoneidad, encontrando el nivel de idoneidad aceptable en el 55% de los campos clínicos, en contraste con un 45% ubicado en el nivel no aceptable. CONCLUSIÓN: Esta herramienta permitió medir y comparar por gradientes la calidad de los campos clínicos para entrenamiento de los médicos residentes

OBJECTIVE: To develop a method for the evaluation of clinical sites through the perspective of medical residents. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A set of 20 variables were selected and grouped into the following categories: (I) teaching staff; (II) hospital organisation; (III) educational program, and (IV)overall opinion. RESULTS: A gradient scale of the suitability of the clinical site was designed, and validated, with 55% of the clinical sites being at an acceptable level and 45% being unacceptable below. CONCLUSION: This tool permitted the quality of the clinical sites used by the medical residents to be measured using a gradient scale