Search

Background/Objectives: Cranioplasty (CP) is the main surgical procedure aiming to repair a morphological defect in the skull. It has been shown that early CP is useful for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to achieve functional recovery, whereas few studies have investigated the clinical effects of ultra-late CP on TBI outcomes. Methods: Here, we describe the clinical course over 2 years of a TBI patient who underwent CP 19 months after fronto-parietal decompressive craniectomy (DC) of a limited size. Results: We found that after ultra-late CP, a meaningful functional recovery (cognitive and motor), with emergence from a minimally conscious state and recovery of functional communication, was revealed. Conclusions: Our preliminary findings contribute to the actual debate on the timing of CP for this neurosurgical procedure's therapeutic success, as early CP has already been shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: We present a case of a single left hemisphere temporal–parietal stroke with subacute global aphasia and severe verbal apraxia and moderate dysphagia. The patient underwent a combined transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and language stimulation with Virtual Reality Rehabilitation System (VRRS). Patient was treated in a 1‐h session, for 5 days a week, for 4 consecutive weeks. After treatment, evident improvements in the comprehension of oral and written language, swallowing abilities, and caregiver burden were detected. Power spectrum analysis of EEG data revealed significant enhancements of θ, α, and β waves from baseline to follow‐up. These preliminary results seem to confirm the reliability of the tDCS translational application in conjunction with computer‐based cognitive treatment for language disorders in a patient with stroke‐induced aphasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the largest causes of mortality and disability worldwide is stroke. In the last twenty years significant objectives have been achieved in the early and chronic treatment of motor and cognitive dysfunctions, increasing the quality of life in patients and their caregivers. However, there is an unresolved clinical issue that remains: sexual dysfunctions. Multiple etiologies, including organic (such as lesion localization, premorbid medical problems, and drugs) and psychosocial (such as fear of recurrences, loss of self-esteem, role shifts, anxiety, and depression), are associated with sexual deficits. In this perspective review, we reported the last piece of evidence about this crucial topic which drastically affects the quality of life of these patients. Indeed, although patients may often not disclose their sexual concerns, literature demonstrates that they seek help concerning this issue. On the other side, clinicians working in the rehabilitation field are not always comfortable or prepared to deal with sexuality and sexual function in neurological patients. A new phase of the training course should be launched including different physicians, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, and social workers, to learn how to deal with topics related to sexuality. As a result, professional sexual counselors should now become a structured part of stroke settings and rehabilitation with new effective tools (i.e., PLISSIT model; TDF program) for improving quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up to 80% of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients in nursing homes experiences chronic pain and 97% develops fluctuant neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS). Agitation, associated with unrelieved pain, is managed through antipsychotics and may increase the risk of death. Evidence is accumulating in favor of analgesia for a safer, effective therapy of agitation. The Italian version of Mobilization–Observation–Behavior–Intensity–Dementia, I-MOBID2, recently validated in the Italian setting, shows: good scale content validity index (0.89), high construct validity (Spearman rank-order correlation Rho = 0.748), reliable internal consistency (Cronbach's α coefficient = 0.751), good-excellent inter-rater (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.778) and test-retest (ICC = 0.902) reliability, and good inter-rater and test-retest agreement (Cohen's K = 0.744) with 5.8 min completion time. This study intends to identify the responsiveness of the I-MOBID2 based on COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) recommendations, assessing the a priori hypotheses of (1) the efficacy of painkillers administered to severe AD patients after proper pain assessment and (2) the effect of reduction of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) score and of agitation rescue medications. This protocol is approved by Calabria Region Ethics Committee protocol No. 31/2017 and follows the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with severe acquired brain injury (SABI) may evolve towards different outcomes. The primary aim was to evaluate the clinical evolution of a large population of patients with SABI admitted to post-acute rehabilitation from 2001 to 2016, diagnosed with severe brain injury (GCS ≤ 8) in the acute phase and a coma duration of at least 24 h. The possible changes between the admission time to a post-acute rehabilitation hospital and the discharge time were measured by means of Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), Level of Cognitive Functioning (LCF), and Disability Rating Scale (DRS). We also correlated the improvement rate with some sociodemographic and clinical features of the individuals with SABI enrolled. Data of 890 patients were analyzed (54% TBI, length of stay = 162 ± 186 days, GCS = 7.46 ± 1.28); time interval from the SABI (OR = 0.246, CI 95% = 0.181 - 0.333), scores at admission of LCF (OR = 2.243, CI 95% = 1.492 - 3.73), GOS (OR = 0.138, CI 95% = 0.071 - 0.266), DRS (OR = 0.457, CI 95% = 0.330 - 0.632), and etiology (OR = 2.273, CI 95% = 1.676 - 3.084) played a significant role (p < 0.001, explained variance 69.9%) for improving GOS score. Time interval from the SABI to admission in our post-acute rehabilitation ward (OR = 0.300, CI 95% = 0.179 - 0.501, p < 0.001), length of rehabilitation stay (OR = 2.808, CI 95% = 1.694 - 4.653, p < 0.001), and etiology (OR = 1.769, CI 95% = 1.095 - 2.857, p = 0.020) led to a statistically significant improvement in DRS (explained variance 91%). The most significant predictive factors for the outcome of patients with SABI were etiology, time interval from SABI to admission in rehabilitation, and length of rehabilitation stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic imposes an unprecedented lifestyle, dominated by social isolation. In this frame, the population to pay the highest price is represented by demented patients. This group faces the highest risk of mortality, in case of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and they experience rapid cognitive deterioration, due to lockdown measures that prevent their disease monitoring. This complex landscape mirrors an enhancement of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs), with agitation, delirium and reduced motor performances, particularly in non-communicative patients. Due to the consistent link between agitation and pain in these patients, the use of antipsychotics, increasing the risk of death during COVID-19, can be avoided or reduced through an adequate pain treatment. The most suitable pain assessment scale, also feasible for e-health implementation, is the Mobilization-Observation-Behaviour-Intensity-Dementia (MOBID-2) pain scale, currently under validation in the Italian real-world context. Here, we report the case of an 85-year-old woman suffering from mild cognitive impairment, subjected to off-label treatment with atypical antipsychotics, in the context of undertreated pain, who died during the pandemic from an extensive brain hemorrhage. This underscores the need for appropriate assessment and treatment of pain in demented patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female patients with ASD indeed showed no differences in the frequency of paraphilic fantasies or behaviors compared with healthy subjects (healthy control, HC), except in the frequency of masochistic behaviors [[6]]. When individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) reach adulthood, they may experience a set of challenges related to sexual health, dating and romantic relationships. To properly deal with this important topic and to better support these adolescents, all healthcare professionals and persons involved in ASD care should be trained in human sexuality [[7]], and sexual education should be provided to all individuals with high-functioning ASD. Moreover, the same authors showed that paraphilias were more frequent in ASD males with cognitive impairment and included excessive masturbation, exhibitionist behaviors, pedophilic fantasies, fetishistic fantasies, sadomasochistic behaviors or other forms. [Extracted from the article]

There has been a significant evolution of nomenclature with regards to classification of persons with disorders of consciousness (DoC) over the last 100 years. This paper provides a review of the evolution of this terminology with discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of historical and current terms. Recommendations for how this evolution should continue moving forward in the best interest of patients, their families, society, clinical care, and research will also be addressed. The taxonomy we choose, hopefully by international consensus, has multifaceted implications that go well beyond just a debate on nomenclature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with a prolonged disorder of consciousness (DoC) may present with severe spasticity and diffuse pain, which might impair motor output, thus preventing any possible behavioral responsiveness. A 26-year-old man affected by frontoparietal hemorrhage was operated by hematoma evacuation and decompressive craniectomy; coma persisted for 1 month; cranioplasty and ventriculo-peritoneal shunting was performed after 4 months. At admission in rehabilitation, he was diagnosed as vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS). The implantation of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pump (Medtronic SynchroMed™ II), 14 months after, (60 μg/daily), dramatically improved behavioral responsiveness according to Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) from 6 to 12 (1 month after ITB). Nociception Coma Scale-Revised (NCS-R) also changed from 4 to 8 at the same time points. This case report may be an example of covert cognition that should have been diagnosed as a functional locked-in syndrome or motor-cognitive dissociation, rather than as VS/UWS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical distancing due to the COVID-19 Pandemic has limited the opportunities for family members, friends, and significant others to show physical affection (i.e., hugs, kisses, caresses, holding hands) during social interactions. The present study investigated the effects of positive touch and psychological distress in 991 Italian participants (Mage = 34.43, SD = 14.27). Results showed the frequency of hugs with the cohabiting partner significantly decreased the symptoms of depression (β = −1.187, p = 0.018, eβ = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.11–0.82), whereas the frequency of caresses with cohabiting relatives predicted the symptoms of anxiety (β = 0.575, p = 0.034, eβ = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.04–3.03). The frequency of hugs (β = −0.609, p = 0.049, eβ = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.30–1.00), and kisses (β = 0.663, p = 0.045, eβ = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.01–3.71) with non-cohabiting relatives predicted the symptoms of anxiety (χ2 = 1.35, df = 5, p = 0.93). These results suggest the importance of positive touch on psychological well-being in the social context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to investigate changes in sexual function in males and their partners following severe TBI. Secondary aims of the study were to explore the relationship between selected sociodemographic, emotional/behavioural and sexual function variables. Methods: Twenty males with a history of severe TBI and 20 healthy controls (HC) and their respective partners were recruited. Sexual life was assessed with the Sexuality Evaluation Schedule Assessment Monitoring (SESAMO). Study participant level of self-awareness was evaluated by the Awareness Questionnaire, whereas their neuropsychiatric and psychopathological statuses were assessed by the NPI, the HAM-D and STAI. Results: A reduction in desire and frequency of sexual intercourse was found in all survivors and their partners. Moreover, higher levels of survivor depression correlated with lower partner harmony. Survivor feelings toward their partners gradually decreased over time, as did the ability to make decisions as a couple. The comparison with HC couples revealed that both survivors’ and their partners’ exaggerated the extent of disease. Conclusions: After male severe TBI, men appear to have a reduced quality of their sexual life, which may be more a result of relationship dysfunction than a sexual performance deficit related to their brain injury history. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To evaluate the effects of visual feedback training on motor recovery in postoperative patients with a total knee replacement (TKR). The performance of 40 first-ever TKR patients (27 females; mean age: 70.5 (67.2–74.0) years) was evaluated in a single center, single-blind, randomized controlled study. The patients were randomly and equally distributed into two demographically/clinically matched groups undergoing experimental or traditional treatments. All patients have been treated in a 1 h session, 2/day for 5 days a week, for six consecutive weeks. The first group ("control") underwent conventional physical therapy, whereas the experimental group received advanced knee training with visual feedback using the TecnoBody® device (Walker View 3.0 SCX, Dalmine (BG), Italy). The clinical scales and kinematic parameters coming from the gait analysis were evaluated to demonstrate the dynamic balance function in a standing position before and after each treatment. After the treatment, both experimental and control groups improved significantly and similarly, as measured by the clinical scales (Numeric Rating Scale for Pain and Barthel index). A significant boosting of the motor performance was detected in the experimental group with respect to the control group in the terms of symmetry index 84 (80.8–85.4) vs. 87.15 (84–92.8) p = 0.001 *; single stance support 34.9 (34.1–36.5) vs. 37.8 (36.6–38.9); p < 0.001; and obliquity parameters 58.65 (51.3–70.3) vs. 73 (62.3–82.1); p < 0.001. Applying visual feedback training in addition to traditional rehabilitation strategies improves the knee function and motor control in postoperative TKR patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Social cognition can be impaired after a severe acquired brain injury (sABI), but mechanisms potentially underlying these difficulties remain to be clarified. This study aimed at investigating perspective taking ability in individuals with sABI. Method Twenty individuals with sABI and 20 healthy controls (HCs) have been enrolled in this case–control study. All participants were submitted to an experimental visual–spatial priming memory procedure and a self-report assessment of perspective taking (i.e. the Interpersonal Reactivity Index [IRI]). Individuals with sABI were submitted to neuropsychological tests to assess executive subcomponents, working memory, and visual attention. Results The analysis on self-report scales data documents a significant between groups difference in the IRI- Fantasy subscale, with HCs showing a higher tendency to imaginatively transpose oneself into fictional situations than individuals with sABI. Analysis of performance on the experimental procedure revealed the priming effect in HCs but not in sABI individuals. Moreover, individuals with sABI performed significantly poorer than HCs on the indices of the experimental procedure. Conclusions Our data preliminarily demonstrated that visual–spatial perspective taking is reduced after sABI. Findings above could give some clues for the rehabilitative intervention in sABI and suggest the possible application of the procedure here used in assessing perspective taking after sABI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, no international guidelines or recommendations for diagnosis or prognosis of patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) have been established. The International Brain Injury Association's (IBIA) Special Interest Group on Disorders of Consciousness (DoC-SIG) launched an international multicenter survey to compare diagnostic and prognostic procedures across countries and clinical settings. Objectives: To explore which specific diagnostic protocols and prognostic indices were utilized in the care for persons with DoC in different countries and to determine the usage, if any, of national guidelines in the care of such patients. Methods: The questionnaire included 17 questions in two distinct sections (I – clinical and instrumental tools and involvement of caregivers and II – clinical, anamnestic and instrumental markers). Results: Physicians composed 50% of the survey respondents (120) and were all involved in post-acute rehabilitation care. In the majority of countries, respondents reported that there were no national guidelines or recommendations for DoC care. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) were the most frequently used clinical scales for diagnostic purposes. The majority of respondents reported the involvement of caregivers in the evaluation of behavioral responsiveness of patient with DoC. The survey indicated that only a few centers performed neurophysiological investigations routinely as diagnostic instrumental procedures. Our results suggest that international guidelines and recommendations for the care of persons with DoC still need to be formulated and ideally agreed to by consensus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Brief Post-Coma Scale (BPCS) is an easy diagnostic tool for individuals with disorders of consciousness (DoC), in a reduced version from a previously Post-Coma Scale, that could distinguish patients in the minimally conscious state (MCS) from those in unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS), formerly defined as vegetative state (VS).Objective: Aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic validity of the BPCS in comparison with the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), in its Italian validated version, the Disability Rating Scale (DRS), the Level of Cognitive Functioning (LCF), and the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS).Methods: In an Italian multicenter study on 545 patients with DoC, 36 post-acute rehabilitation wards, 32 long-term care centers, and 2 family associations participated to data collection.Results: Statistically significant correlations were found between the BPCS and the other clinical scales: R = 0.586 (p < 0.001) with LCF, R = - 0.566 (p < 0.001) with DRS, R = 0.622 (p < 0.001) with CRS-R. The BPCS scores resulted significantly correlated with the time from acute event (R = 0.117, p = 0.006). Patients with GOS score 2 had mean BPCS of 1.84 ± 1.19, whereas those with GOS 3 had significantly higher scores 3.88 ± 1.71 (p < 0.001). Similarly, in patients with vegetative state/UWS (VS/UWS), the mean BPSC score was 1.71 ± 1.09, significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that of patients with minimally conscious state (BPCS = 3.83 ± 1.29). Finally, the agreement of the BPCS and clinical diagnosis was of 84.4%, with an odds ratio OR = 3.781 (95% CI = 3.026-4.725, p < 0.001).Conclusions: The BPCS has demonstrated statistically significant correlations with the most commonly used scales in persons with DoC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]