Treatment and Rehabilitation of a Patient with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder-Induced Complete Spinal Cord Injury Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD) is a rare autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system characterized by optic neuritis, myelitis, or brain lesions. Its symptoms overlap with those of multiple sclerosis (MS), making a diagnosis of NMOSD challenging. Here, we report a rare case of NMOSD-induced complete spinal cord injury following COVID-19 vaccination. A 52-year-old female patient developed NMOSD-induced complete spinal cord injury after receiving their third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2). Despite the initial diagnosis of complete spinal cord injury, the patient underwent intensive treatment, including rituximab therapy and rehabilitation. As a result, she made a full recovery and transitioned from the ASIA Impairment Scale(AIS)-A to AIS-E. The remarkable neurological recovery from complete spinal cord injury to functional independence highlights the efficacy of a comprehensive treatment approach. In addition, this case emphasizes the need to recognize NMOSD as a potential adverse outcome of COVID-19 vaccination and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, timely intervention, and thorough rehabilitation for optimizing patient results. Further case reports and studies are needed to investigate the association between COVID-19 vaccination and the occurrence of NMOSD.

Biomechanical Effects of Different Sitting Postures and Physiologic Movements on the Lumbar Spine: A Finite Element Study.

This study used the finite element method(FEM) to investigate how pressure on the lumbar spine changes during dynamic movements in different postures: standing, erect sitting on a chair, slumped sitting on a chair, and sitting on the floor. Three load modes (flexion, lateral bending, and axial rotation) were applied to the FEM, simulating movements of the lumbar spine. Results showed no significant difference in pressure distribution on the annulus fiber and nucleus pulposus, representing intradiscal pressure, as well as on the cortical bone during movements between standing and erect sitting postures. However, both slumped sitting on a chair and sitting on the floor postures significantly increased pressure on the nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and cortical bone in all three movements when compared to standing or erect sitting on a chair. Notably, sitting on the floor resulted in even higher pressure on the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibers compared to slumped sitting on a chair. The decreased lumbar lordosis while sitting on the floor led to the highest increase in pressure on the annulus fiber and nucleus pulposus in the lumbar spine. In conclusion, maintaining an erect sitting position with increased lumbar lordosis during seated activities can effectively reduce intradiscal pressure and cortical bone stress associated with degenerative disc diseases and spinal deformities.

Impact of nusinersen on the health-related quality of life and caregiver burden of patients with spinal muscular atrophy with symptom onset after age 6 months.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Novel disease-modifying approaches for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) have highlighted the patient's perspective on functional changes over time. In this study, we evaluated the impact of nusinersen on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with later-onset SMA and the caregiver burden. METHODS: We assessed the changes in HRQoL using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scale (PedsQL GCS) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0 Neuromuscular Module (PedsQL NMM) during 26 months of treatment. Caregiver burden was assessed using the Assessment of Caregiver Experience with Neuromuscular Disease. We also assessed motor function using the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale-Expanded (HFMSE) and the Revised Upper Limb Module score. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients and their caregivers were included. The median age of patients at treatment onset was 148.8 (6.8 to 269.4) months. A significant improvement was observed in psychosocial health in proxy-reported PedsQL (P = .023). However, the physical health scores of the PedsQL GCS and About my neuromuscular disorder subscores of the PedsQL NMM did not change, although there was a significant increase in HFMSE scores. Regarding the caregiver burden, the financial burden was reduced, whereas time burden increased. A higher HFMSE score was associated with better self-reported PedsQL GCS total scores (P < .001). DISCUSSION: Our results provide insights into the multifaceted implications of disease-modifying therapies for SMA through patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). PROMs should be taken into consideration to assess the clinical significance of the functional changes identified by clinician-reported scales.

Comprehensiveness of cardiac rehabilitation program in Korea: a nation-wide survey result.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an essential component in secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Current guidelines recommend that the program should be comprehensive including multidisciplinary behavioral intervention, not only exercise training. While the utilization of CR is gradually increasing, the comprehensiveness of the program has not been systemically evaluated in Korea. METHODS: During the year 2020, nation-wide survey was done to evaluate the current status of CR in Korea. Survey was done by web-based structured questionnaire. Survey was requested to 164 hospitals performing percutaneous coronary intervention. RESULTS: Among 164 hospitals, 47 (28.7%) hospitals had CR programs. In hospitals with CR, multidisciplinary intervention other than exercise-based program was provided only partially: nutritional counseling (63%), vocational counseling for return to work (39%), stress management (31%), psychological evaluation (18%). Personnel for CR was commonly not dedicated to the program or even absent: (percentage of dedicated, concurrent with other work, absent) physical therapist (59, 41, 0%), nurse (31, 69, 0%), dietician (6, 65, 29%), clinical psychologist (0, 37, 63%). CONCLUSION: Comprehensiveness of CR in Korea is suboptimal and human resource for it is poorly disposed. More awareness of current status by both clinicians and health policy makers is needed and insurance reimbursement for educational program should be improved.

A survey of the perceptions of barriers to and facilitators of cardiac rehabilitation in healthcare providers and policy stakeholders.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a prognostic management strategy to help patients with CVD achieve a good quality of life and lower the rates of recurrence, readmission, and premature death from disease. Globally, cardiac rehabilitation is poorly established in hospitals and communities. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the discrepancies in the perceptions of the need for CR programs and relevant health policies between directors of hospitals and health policy personnel in South Korea to shed light on the status and to establish practically superior and effective strategies to promote CR in South Korea. METHODS: We sent a questionnaire to 592 public health policy managers and directors of selected hospitals, 132 of whom returned a completed questionnaire (response rate: 22.3%). The participants were categorized into five types of organizations depending on their practice of PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention), establishment of cardiac rehabilitation, director of hospital, and government's policy makers. Differences in the opinions between directors of hospitals that perform/do not perform PCI, directors of hospitals with/without cardiac rehabilitation, and between hospital directors and health policy makers were analyzed. RESULTS: Responses about targeting diseases for cardiac rehabilitation, patients' roles in cardiac rehabilitation, hospitals' roles in cardiac rehabilitation, and governmental health policies' roles in cardiac rehabilitation were more positive among hospitals that perform PCI than those that do not. Responses to questions about the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation and hospitals' roles in cardiac rehabilitation tended to be more positive in hospitals with cardiac rehabilitation than in those without. Hospital directors responded more positively to questions about targeting diseases for cardiac rehabilitation and governmental health policies' roles in cardiac rehabilitation than policy makers, and both hospitals and public organizations provided negative responses to the question about patients' roles in cardiac rehabilitation. Responses to questions about targeting diseases for cardiac rehabilitation, patients' roles in cardiac rehabilitation, and governmental health policies' roles in cardiac rehabilitation were more positive in hospitals that perform PCI than those that do not and public organizations. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals must ensure timely referral, provide education, and promote the need for cardiac rehabilitation. In addition, governmental socioeconomic support is needed in a varity of aspects.

Effect of computerized cognitive rehabilitation in comparison between young and old age after traumatic brain injury.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive dysfunction reduces patients' quality of life and social participation with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Computerized cognitive rehabilitation is increasingly being used for cognitive therapy in TBI patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of age on the effect of computerized cognitive rehabilitation in cognitive dysfunction after TBI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 34 patients with cognitive dysfunction after TBI were enrolled. Participants performed 30 sessions of computerized cognitive rehabilitation (Comcog) for 6 weeks. A cognitive evaluation was performed before and after treatment with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Computerized Neurophyschologic Test (CNT). RESULTS: There were no cognitive tests that differed between the young group and the old group at baseline. However, after computerized cognitive rehabilitation, the young group showed significant improvement compared to the old group in verbal memory, visual memory, attention, and visuo-motor coordination tests. The young group showed improvement in MMSE, verbal and visual memory, and visuo-motor coordination tests after computerized cognitive rehabilitation. In contrast, the old group showed significant improvement only in MMSE and visual learning test, one of the visual memory tests. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that age may be an important factor related to the effect of computer cognitive rehabilitation on cognitive dysfunction after TBI. Methodologically more ordered studies with larger sample sizes are needed in the future.

Psoas weakness following oblique lateral interbody fusion surgery: a prospective observational study with an isokinetic dynamometer.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Although the surgical corridor used for oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) protects the intrapsoas nerves by causing minimal compression, transient weakness remains the most commonly reported postoperative complication. PURPOSE: Using a dynamometer to evaluate how the hip flexor strength changes following OLIF. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A prospective observational study. PATIENT SAMPLE: Forty-six patients who underwent single or multi-level OLIF for lumbar spondylolisthesis. OUTCOME MEASURES: Isokinetic dynamometer values (peak torque, total work, average power), visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for leg pain, hypoesthesia, subjective weakness of the left hip flexor muscle, Oswestry disability index, body mass index, bone mineral density, radiologic findings of the psoas muscle (cross-sectional area, Hounsfield unit (HU), fat portion grade), and psoas retraction time. METHODS: The isokinetic muscle strength of the hip flexor was measured five times (preoperatively and postoperatively at 2 days, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months) for both legs. The peak torque was defined as the postoperative strength of the left hip flexor muscles, and was compared to the preoperative baseline value. The strength of the left and right hip flexor muscles were also compared at each time point. For logistic regression analysis, when the peak torque was below the median value, it was defined as lower peak torque. RESULTS: Up to 1 week after surgery, the strength of the left hip flexor muscle decreased significantly (paired difference in peak torque was 22.6%, p<.001). In the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, diabetes (odds ratio [OR]=8.43, p=.020) and the HU of the psoas muscle (OR=0.916, p=.034) were associated with lower peak torque 1 week after surgery. From 1 month after surgery, postoperative weakness of the psoas muscle was not significant. In the questionnaire survey, subjective left hip flexion weakness was reported in 8.5% (4/47) of patients 1 week after surgery, and it remained in only 2.1% (1/47) of patients after 3 months of operation. The frequency of left anterior thigh pain and hypoesthesia decreased from 85.1% (40/47) at 1 week to 2.1% (1/47) at 3 months after surgery. The mean VAS score for left anterior thigh or groin pain decreased significantly at 1 month after surgery (PO2D: 4.04±1.84, PO1M: 1.67±1.10, p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Dynamometer measurement showed that psoas strength declined significantly up to 1 week after OLIF surgery. Patients with diabetes or lower HU of the psoas muscle showed delayed recovery from postoperative weakness of the psoas muscle. However, the weakness was insignificant from 1 month after surgery. At 3 months after surgery, the other psoas-related problems (left anterior thigh pain and hypoesthesia) also disappeared.

A Comparison of Barrier Factors between Hospitals with and without Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs in Korea: A Nation-Wide Survey Research.

The percentage of patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) is very low (30-40%), and hospitals providing CRP are either insufficient or lacking, even in countries with advanced medical care; therefore, this study aims to investigate the barriers, as well as compare the differences between hospitals, with or without CRP. We conducted a survey, in which the questionnaire was distributed through post or email to 607 specialists who work at 164 hospitals performing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The results were as follows: (1) of the 164 hospitals, 132 responded (response rate: 80.5%). While all 47 hospitals with CRP responded (100%), from among the 117 hospitals without CRP, 85 responded (72.7%). (2) Of the 607 specialists, 227 responded (response rate: 36.9%). The response rates according to specialties were as follows: cardiologists (28.9%), cardiac surgeons (24.5%), and physiatrists (64.1%). (3) While the specialists at hospitals with CRP identified patient referral, transportation, and cost as the major barriers, for those at hospitals without CRP, all items were considered barriers, especially the items related to equipment, space, workforce, and budget as being more serious barriers. Therefore, in order to actively promote CRP, it is suggested that governments consider the customized support system according to the performance of CRPs.

Is Conservative Treatment Better than Surgical Treatment for Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage in a Conventionally Non-Surgical Indication Group with Poor Motor Function?

Background: The treatment options for basal ganglia intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), either surgical or conservative, remain controversial. A previous study developed "A new modified ICH (MICH) score" that suggests which treatment option will be better for basal ganglia ICH. According to this scoring system, a MICH score of 0 or 1 indicates that conservative treatment is better than surgical treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether conservative treatment is still a better option for a basal ganglia hemorrhage in patients with MICH scores of 0 and 1, with initial poor motor grades. Methods: This retrospective study was comprised of 41 patients with a spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage. These patient groups had no previous brain lesions, their initial MICH score was 0 or 1, and the manual muscle test (MMT) of their hand was grade 2+ or lower in the initial evaluation. All patients were transferred to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and received rehabilitation treatment. Ten patients had an operative intervention, which was burr-hole aspiration or craniotomy with hematoma removal. The control group included 31 patients who underwent conservative treatment. Outcome evaluations used the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Brunnstrom recovery stage (BRS) which were evaluated at initial and regular follow-ups after 1, 3, and 6 months. We defined an improvement state if the BRS of their hand became 4 or more in 6 months, which means an escape from the synergic pattern. Results: Demographic characteristics showed no significant differences in age, sex, hemiplegic side, initial GCS score, presence of IVH and hydrocephalus, or distribution of MICH scores 0 and 1. There was only a significant difference in the distribution of hematoma volume between groups of less than 20 mL and groups from 21 to 50 mL (p = 0.049). There were no significant differences in MBI values in 1 month or improvement of BRS of their hand in 6 months between the two groups. Conclusions: Even in the group classified as predominantly conservative in basal ganglia hemorrhage patients, if the initial muscle strength is low, it is necessary to reconsider whether conservative treatment is superior to surgical treatment in terms of functional improvement.

Evaluation of Current Resources Available for Community-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation in Korea: A Nationwide Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: In Korea, the actual distribution of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) to the clinical field is insufficient due to the many barriers for cardiovascular patients to participate in CR. Community-based CR is a useful alternative to overcome these obstacles. Through a nationwide survey, we investigated the possibility of regional medical and public health management institutes which can be in charge of community-based CR in Korea. METHODS: The questionnaires on recognition of CR and current available resources in health-related institutions were developed with reference to the CR evaluation tools of York University and the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation. The questionnaires were sent to regional public and private medical institutions and public health management institutions. RESULTS: In total, 2,267 questionnaires were sent to 1,186 institutions. There were 241 and 242 responses from 173 and 179 regional private and public medical institutions, respectively. And a total of 244 responses were gathered from 180 public health management institutions. Although many institutions were equipped with the necessary facilities for exercise training, there were few patient-monitoring systems during exercise. Most institutions were aware of the need for CR, but were burdened with the cost of establishing personnel and facilities to operate CR. CONCLUSION: Most regional medical, and public health management institutions in Korea are unprepared for the implementation of community-based CR programs. To encourage the utilization of such, there should be efforts to establish a national consensus.

Impact of fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in motor- and sensory-related brain networks on spinal cord injury severity.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunctions and may affect the cerebral functions. However, the mechanisms of plastic changes in the brain according to SCI severity remain poorly understood. Therefore, in the current study, we compared the brain activity of the entire neural network according to severity of SCI using fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) analysis in resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). A total of 59 participants were included, consisting of 19 patients with complete SCI, 20 patients with incomplete SCI, and 20 healthy individuals. Their motor and sensory functions were evaluated. The rs-fMRI data of low-frequency fluctuations were analyzed based on fALFF. Differences in fALFF values among complete-SCI patients, incomplete-SCI patients, and healthy controls were assessed using ANOVA. Then post hoc analysis and two-sample t-tests were conducted to assess the differences between the three groups. Pearson correlation analyses were used to determine correlations between clinical measures and the z-score of the fALFF in the SCI groups. Patients with SCI (complete and incomplete) showed lower fALFF values in the superior medial frontal gyrus than the healthy controls, and were associated with poor motor and sensory function (p < .05). Higher fALFF values were observed in the putamen and thalamus, and were negatively associated with motor and sensory function (p < .05). In conclusion, alterations in the neural activity of the motor- and sensory-related networks of the brain were observed in complete-SCI and incomplete-SCI patients. Moreover, plastic changes in these brain regions were associated with motor and sensory function.

Current Status of Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Centers in Korea.

Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Centers (RCCs)-a Korean government initiative-seek to reduce medical gaps across regions, and their cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are expected to model post-acute care for the Korean CR program. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the current status of CR programs in the RCCs. We distributed surveys on the CR condition, activity, and barriers to 12 RCCs in different provinces. The results revealed significant gaps in the annual number of acute myocardial infarction admissions, and CR candidates, capacity, and density across the 12 RCCs. The CR capacity (50-500) and density (0.42-7.36) indicated particularly large gaps. Twelve RCCs had the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel for CR assessments and management, with high CR referral (97%) and patient education (78%) rates. However, the inpatient CR exercise training (56%) participation rate was inadequate, with much lower enrollment (47%) and adherence (17%) rates to the outpatient CR program and large differences across centers. Therefore, this study's results will provide the evidence required to establish special national health strategies to overcome the CR barriers of patient, doctor/hospital, and policy factors for activating Korean CR programs.

Machine learning-based approach for disease severity classification of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Identifying the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is essential to providing appropriate therapeutic interventions. We developed and validated machine-learning (ML) models for classifying CTS severity. Here, 1037 CTS hands with 11 variables each were retrospectively analyzed. CTS was confirmed using electrodiagnosis, and its severity was classified into three grades: mild, moderate, and severe. The dataset was randomly split into a training (70%) and test (30%) set. A total of 507 mild, 276 moderate, and 254 severe CTS hands were included. Extreme gradient boosting (XGB) showed the highest external validation accuracy in the multi-class classification at 76.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 71.2-81.5). XGB also had an optimal model training accuracy of 76.1%. Random forest (RF) and k-nearest neighbors had the second-highest external validation accuracy of 75.6% (95% CI 70.0-80.5). For the RF and XGB models, the numeric rating scale of pain was the most important variable, and body mass index was the second most important. The one-versus-rest classification yielded improved external validation accuracies for each severity grade compared with the multi-class classification (mild, 83.6%; moderate, 78.8%; severe, 90.9%). The CTS severity classification based on the ML model was validated and is readily applicable to aiding clinical evaluations.

Infant with early onset bilateral facial and bulbar weakness: Successful treatment of riboflavin in multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency caused by biallelic nonsense FLAD1 variants.

Multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) is a heterogeneous group of inborn error of metabolic disease affecting the oxidation of fatty acids and amino acids, and choline metabolism. Genes involved in electrons transfer to the mitochondrial respiratory chain typically induce MADD. Recently, FLAD1, which encodes flavin adenine dinucleotide synthase, has also been reported as a cause of MADD. Here, we present a case of a 28-month girl with progressive weakness in facial and bulbar muscle. She has been suffering from feeding difficulty and recurrent respiratory distress. Lipid storage myopathy was evident from muscle biopsy. Furthermore, whole exome sequencing identified homozygous variant of c.745C > T (p.Arg249*) in FLAD1, confirming the diagnosis of FLAD1-related MADD. The patient showed improvements in her symptoms and exhibited catch-up growth following the supplementation of riboflavin. Lipid storage myopathy with FLAD1-related MADD is potentially treatable. Therefore, we should have high clinical suspicion, even though the diagnosis is challenging.

Effects of Self RehAbilitation Video Exercises (SAVE) on Functional Restorations in Patients with Subacute Stroke.

Background: Additional exercise therapy has been shown to positively affect acute stroke rehabilitation, which requires an effective method to deliver increased exercise. In this study, we designed a 4-week caregiver-supervised self-exercise program with videos, named "Self rehAbilitation Video Exercises (SAVE)", to improve the functional outcomes and facilitate early recovery by increasing the continuity of rehabilitation therapy after acute stroke. Methods: This study is a non-randomized trial. Eighty-eight patients were included in an intervention group (SAVE group), who received conventional rehabilitation therapies and an additional self-rehabilitation session by watching bedside exercise videos and continued their own exercises in their rooms for 60 min every day for 4 weeks. Ninety-six patients were included in a control group, who received only conventional rehabilitation therapies. After 4 weeks of hospitalization, both groups assessed several outcome measurements, including the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), physical component summary (PCS) and the mental component summary of the Short-Form Survey 36 (SF-36), Mini-Mental State Examination, and Beck Depression Inventory. Results: Differences in BBS, MBI, and PCS components in SF-36 were more statistically significant in the SAVE group than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Patients in the SAVE group showed more significant improvement in BBS, MBI, and PCS components in SF-36 as compared to that in the control group. Conclusions: This evidence-based SAVE intervention can optimize patient recovery after a subacute stroke while keeping the available resources in mind.

Does polydeoxyribonucleotide has an effect on patients with tendon or ligament pain?: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pain in the tendons or ligaments is extremely common, accounting for 30% of the causes of visiting general practitioners. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is emerging as a new treatment for musculoskeletal pain. However, the effects of PDRN in patients with tendon or ligament pain are unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the impact of PDRN in patients with tendon or ligament pain through a meta-analysis. METHODS: Electronic literature search of PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library databases of all articles on PDRN treatment for patients with tendon or ligament pain published in the English language from inception until January 31, 2020. The search identified 262 citations. RESULTS: One randomized controlled trial and 3 retrospective observational studies were included. Pain due to tendon or ligament disorders showed significant improvement after PDRN injection (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.80 to -1.06, P < .00001). In the subanalysis of patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy, rotator cuff tendinopathy-induced pain significantly improved (SMD = -2.34, 95% CI = -3.61 to -1.07, P = .0003) after PDRN injection. However, there was no difference in shoulder pain and disability index score and strength of shoulder abduction in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy (shoulder pain and disability index score, SMD = 1.16, 95% CI = -1.20 to 3.52, P = .34; strength of shoulder abduction, SMD = 0.42, 95% CI = -0.03 to 0.88, P = .07). CONCLUSION: Effective pain relief was achieved in patients with tendon or ligament disorders after PDRN injection. To more precisely determine this effect, a meta-analysis with a larger number of clinical trials is warranted.

The Influencing Factors of Gender Differences on Mental Burdens in Young Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapist.

BACKGROUND: Gender differences in personal discrimination experience, burnout, and job stress among physiotherapists and occupational therapists are considered as associated factors of job loss, poor job quality, high turnover, and economic losses due to the outflow of medical personnel. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyze the level of burnout, personal discrimination experience, and job stress according to gender differences for young physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Furthermore, we used regression analyses to determine the contribution of gender differences in personal discrimination experience and job stress to self-reported burnout, considering gender and two age groups (younger than 30 years old vs. 30 years old and over). METHODS: A total of 325 professional physiotherapists and occupational therapists were part of this study (n = 325; male n = 131; female n = 194. Age: 20-29 years old, n = 178; ≥30 years old, n = 147). Data were collected using a questionnaire including our three study variables (scales: the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), a modified version of the gender section of the Medical School Graduation Questionnaire from the Association of American Medical Colleges; and the Korean version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ)). Further, data on socio-demographic factors, job-related factors, health-related factors, and subjective job satisfaction were also collected. RESULTS: There were significant positive correlations between job stress and gender differences in personal discrimination experience and job stress and burnout in women 30 years old and over. Personal experience of gender discrimination (ß = 0.179, p = 0.015) and job stress (ß = 0.162, p = 0.028) explained a significant 42.4% of the variance in burnout in the case of younger female participants (20-29 years old). However, this model did not explain a significant amount of the variance in burnout in the case of younger male participants (R2 = 0.156, p = 0.072). Regarding participants aged 30 years and over, our results showed that only job stress (but no personal experience of gender discrimination) was a relevant predictor for both males (ß = 0.471, p < 0.001) and females (ß = 0.373, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, female therapists showed higher levels of burnout than male therapists. In particular, personal discrimination experience and job stress significantly contributed to burnout in younger female therapists while job stress was the most relevant predictor variable of burnout for both males (under 30 years old and 30 years old and over) and females in their thirties and beyond. For young female physiotherapists and occupational therapists, safe working environments should be created to reduce work-related mental burdens. It is also necessary to consider policies and regulations that can prevent job stress for therapists and measures that can positively resolve the unavoidable job stress.

Submandibular Push Exercise Using Visual Feedback from a Pressure Sensor in Patients with Swallowing Difficulties: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the usefulness and effectiveness of a submandibular push exercise with visual feedback from a pressure sensor in patients with dysphagia through continuous exercise sessions. Methods: Twelve patients with dysphagia of various etiologies were included. A total of five exercise sessions (every 3 or 4 days) over three weeks were conducted. During the submandibular push exercise, patients were instructed to maintain a maximum force for 3 s, repeated for 1 min to measure the number of exercises, the maximum pressure, and the area of the pressure-time graph. We statistically compared the values of each exercise trial. Results: Among the 12 patients, eight completed the exercise sessions. As the number of exercise trials increased, the maximum pressure and the area in the pressure-time graph showed a significant increase compared to the previous attempt (p < 0.05). The maximum pressure and the area of the pressure-time graph improved from the first to the fourth session (p < 0.05). The values were maintained after the fourth session, and there was no significant difference between the fourth and the fifth exercise (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between successful and non-successful groups, except for the Modified Barthel Index (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Through repetitive exercise training, the submandibular push exercise using visual feedback from a pressure sensor can be applied as an exercise method to strengthen swallowing related muscles, such as the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles. However, additional studies including more patients and a long-term study period are warranted to evaluate the effects of the exercise for improvement of dysphagia.

Alterations of functional connectivity in auditory and sensorimotor neural networks: A case report in a patient with cortical deafness after bilateral putaminal hemorrhagic stroke.

RATIONALE: Cortical deafness is a rare auditory dysfunction caused by damage to brain auditory networks. The aim was to report alterations of functional connectivity in intrinsic auditory, motor, and sensory networks in a cortical deafness patient. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 41-year-old woman suffered a right putaminal hemorrhage. Eight years earlier, she had suffered a left putaminal hemorrhage and had minimal sequelae. She had quadriparesis, imbalance, hypoesthesia, and complete hearing loss. DIAGNOSES: She was diagnosed with cortical deafness. After 6 months, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and diffuse tensor imaging (DTI) were performed. DTI revealed that the acoustic radiation was disrupted while the corticospinal tract and somatosensory track were intact using deterministic tracking methods. Furthermore, the patient showed decreased functional connectivity between auditory and sensorimotor networks. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent in-patient stroke rehabilitation therapy for 2 months. OUTCOMES: Gait function and ability for activities of daily living were improved. However, complete hearing impairment persisted in 6 months after bilateral putaminal hemorrhagic stroke. LESSONS: Our case report seems to suggest that functional alterations of spontaneous neuronal activity in auditory and sensorimotor networks are related to motor and sensory impairments in a patient with cortical deafness.