The Role of Personalized Virtual Reality in Education for Patients Post Stroke-A Qualitative Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Education is essential to promote prevention of recurrent stroke and maximize rehabilitation; however, current techniques are limited and many patients remain dissatisfied. Virtual reality (VR) may provide an alternative way of conveying complex information through a more universal language. AIM: To develop and conduct preliminary assessments on the use of a guided and personalized 3D visualization education session via VR, for stroke survivors and primary caregivers. METHODS: Four poststroke patients and their 4 primary caregivers completed the 3D visualization education session as well as pre- and postintervention interviews. Each patient had a different stroke etiology (i.e., ischemic thrombotic stroke, ischemic embolic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and transient ischemic attack followed by ischemic stroke, respectively). This new approach uses preintervention interview responses, patient MRI and CT datasets, VR head mounted displays, 3D computer modeling, and game development software to develop the visualization. Pre- and postintervention interview responses were analyzed using a qualitative phenomenological methodology approach. RESULTS: All participants safely completed the study and were highly satisfied with the education session. In this subset of participants, prior formal stroke education provision was limited. All participants demonstrated varied improvements in knowledge areas including brain anatomy and physiology, brain damage and repair, and stroke-specific information such as individual stroke risk factors and acute treatment benefits. These improvements were accompanied by feelings of closure, acceptance, and a greater motivation to manage their stroke risk. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results suggest this approach provides a safe and promising educational tool to promote understanding of individualized stroke experiences.

The vestibular dysfunction and anxiety disorder interface: a descriptive study with special reference to the elderly.

Vestibular abnormalities co-existing with anxiety disorders are not uncommon and there has been a renewal of interest in recent times. Although well known over centuries, there is often a delay in the recognition of this relationship by the primary care physician and the specialist alike. Dizziness embracing vertigo, unsteadiness and imbalance are common in the elderly, so is generalized anxiety disorder, which is a common psychiatric problem in later life. This is a retrospective study of eight patients with vestibular symptoms and an anxiety disorder present over several years with lack of awareness of their relationship. The diagnoses of the anxiety disorders were based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) criteria and the effect of treatment measured on a clinician-based impression interview. There was one male and seven females and the mean age was 72 years. Apart from the vestibular symptoms present in all the patients, the anxiety disorders comprised, generalized anxiety disorder in three, panic attacks in five and with agoraphobia in three. Four patients had hyperventilation, one sleep apnea, and two somatization disorders. They had all presented to clinicians in different disciplines and had had several investigations. Five had been treated in this study with alprazolam and three with citalopram, with modest to good results. Two had rehabilitation therapy as well. The cases described mirror the well-documented co-existence of vestibular and anxiety disorders together with hyperventilation and sleep apnea. The positive findings associated with vestibular dysfunction need recognition in addition to the non-specific psychiatric and behavioral symptoms. We emphasize this relationship and review the literature to alert the clinician.

Confused and disturbed behavior in the elderly following silent frontal lobe infarction.

It is unclear whether silent frontal lobe infarction is truly asymptomatic; frontal behavioral syndromes following strokes have rarely been reported. We studied 12 elderly patients with silent frontal lobe infarction who were exhibiting confused and disturbed behavior. Ten were male and two female; their ages ranged from 68 to 79 (mean 78). Three groups of symptom clusters emerged: changes in mood and emotional behavior, cognitive deterioration with minor psychiatric symptoms, and a confusional state. When related to the CT scan location, three regions were identified: predominantly orbitofrontal, deep white matter and caudate, and border-zones, respectively. These findings were related to what is known about the neuroanatomic location of the lesions and the role of the frontal subcortical circuitry in relation to behavior. The different manifestations could be explained by damage to the frontal lobe or interruption of the complex frontal subcortical circuits.

Adhesive capsulitis: review of imaging and treatment.

Adhesive capsulitis is one of the most common conditions affecting the shoulder; however, early clinical diagnosis can be challenging. Treatment is most effective when commenced prior to the onset of capsular thickening and contracture; consequently, the role of imaging is increasing. The aim of this review is to demonstrate the typical imaging appearances of adhesive capsulitis and to examine some of the evidence regarding each of these imaging modalities. An evaluation of the various management options available to the clinician is also presented.