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The "learned non-use phenomenon" described by Taub, one of the most original recent contributions to rehabilitation medicine probably corresponds to what Henry Meige (1866-1940), who studied under J.-M. Charcot, described in hemiplegics in 1904 using the expression "functional motor amnesia". He specified in 1914 at the time of the Babinski description of anosognosia, that: "Even with educated subjects who are still relatively young we are sometimes confronted with strange incapacities that are not due to impotence, negligence, or lack of confidence in the results. [...] With the transitory halting of the motility all memory of the function appears to have disappeared". Meige describes motor disorders that are: (i) distinct from lesional paralyses; (ii) secondary to the absence of activity; (iii) linked to a learning process; (iv) linked to a phenomenon of functional memory loss; (v) reversible; and (vi) motor re-education focusing on extended and repeated practice of the lost function: the same characteristics as the "phenomenon of learned non-use" described by Taub in monkeys then in man.

Abstract: Aims: To develop clinical practice guidelines for early mobilisation after total knee replacement (TKR). Method: We used the French Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (SOFMER) methodology, which associates a systematic review of the literature, collection of information regarding current clinical practice and external review by a multidisciplinary expert panel. Results: A review of the literature and French clinical practice allow for recommending early mobilisation, at day 0, after TKR. This practice, with continuous passive motion, does not seem to increase the frequency of complications and seems to help with rapid recovery of the joint range of motion. Trials with good methodology must be developed to define the criteria for prescribing early mobilisation after TKR. These trials should focus mainly on joint range of motion but also on economical criteria (duration of hospitalisation, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, use of painkillers) and the satisfaction of the patient. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This prospective study examined the effects of prismatic adaptation on visual exploration strategies in patients with left unilateral spatial neglect (USN). Photo-oculographic gaze recordings were obtained, as the subjects (28 brain-damaged; 15 control) performed a free visual exploration task before and after a session of prismatic adaptation. (i) Before prismatic adaptation, the pattern of visual exploration described two subgroups of patients (symmetrical exploration of hemispaces – similar to the control subjects, deficient exploration of left hemispace). Twelve of 20 patients failed to describe significant elements in the left part of the displayed image. Several visuoverbal patterns were observed, some dissociating visual exploration and verbal description. (ii) Immediately after prismatic adaptation, patients with asymmetrical visual exploration presented a significant increase in the number of point fixations and saccades in the left hemispace. Patients with symmetrical exploration presented the opposite pattern. Improved pattern of visual exploration contrasted with an absence of improved verbal description. Eye movements and visuoverbal descriptions exhibit heterogeneous and dissociated patterns before and after prismatic adaptation. This results demonstrate that prismatic adaptation has no effect in certain patients, suggesting that therapeutic indications and evaluation of prismatic test results should take into consideration the heterogeneous nature of USN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé La réparation des tendons fléchisseurs des doigts peut être compliquée par la survenue de ruptures et d’adhérences péritendineuses. Le traitement des ruptures repose souvent sur des greffes et les adhérences péritendineuses peuvent nécessiter de recourir à des ténolyses. Dans les suites de ces deux gestes chirurgicaux, il existe un risque de nouvelles adhérences et de rupture. La rééducation après cette chirurgie secondaire est basée sur un protocole adapté et une surveillance attentive. Les protocoles utilisés par l’équipe de médecine physique et réadaptation de l’Institut régional de réadaptation de Nancy, en collaboration avec l’équipe de chirurgie plastique et reconstructrice, SOS main du Centre chirurgical Emile-Gallé de Nancy, sont décrits. Cette collaboration étroite entre les chirurgiens et l’équipe de rééducation est primordiale. Après greffe, la prise en charge repose sur des mobilisations précoces protégées permettant de mobiliser d’emblée la greffe tout en la protégeant. Après ténolyse, la rééducation immédiate pluriquotidienne et prolongée est le garant du maintien des mobilités obtenues en cours d’intervention. Elle est réalisée en structure de rééducation spécialisée pendant les trois premières semaines postopératoires. L’objectif est d’éviter la formation de nouvelles adhérences tout en tenant compte de la fragilité tendineuse. The repair of the finger flexor tendons can be complicated by the appearance of ruptures and peritendinous adhesions. Ruptures are often treated with tendon grafts. Peritendinous adhesions can require tenolysis. Following these two surgical procedures, there is a risk of new adhesions and rupture. Rehabilitation after this secondary surgery consists of a tailored, closely supervised protocol. Protocols used by the team at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of the Regional Rehabilitation Institute and the team at the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department of the Emile-Gallé Surgical Center of Nancy (France) are described. A close collaboration between these teams of surgeons and physical therapists is essential. After tendon grafting, protected early motion helps to move the transplant immediately while still protecting it. After tenolysis, immediate (several times a day) and extended rehabilitation ensures that the mobility obtained intraoperatively is maintained. It is performed in a specialized rehabilitation center during the first three postoperative weeks. The goal is to prevent new adhesions from forming while taking into account tendon's fragility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé La rééducation après réparation primaire des tendons fléchisseurs des doigts a évolué depuis l’utilisation de sutures plus solides, essentiellement à la phase précoce. L’objectif de cet article est d’énoncer les principes généraux de cette rééducation, de donner les indications des différentes techniques de mobilisation précoce et de décrire de façon précise le protocole de rééducation utilisé par l’équipe de médecine physique et réadaptation de l’Institut régional de réadaptation en collaboration avec l’équipe de chirurgie plastique et reconstructrice, SOS main du Centre chirurgical Émile-Gallé de Nancy. Ce protocole est utilisé principalement pour une population adulte. Il se déroule sur douze semaines en quatre étapes. Il s’appuie sur l’apprentissage d’une autorééducation active précoce protégée réalisée durant les quatre premières semaines postopératoires en l’absence de contre-indications. Il comprend un suivi multidisciplinaire codifié jusqu’à la phase de réadaptation socioprofessionnelle pour garantir au mieux la récupération fonctionnelle. Rehabilitation after primary repair of flexor tendons, particularly in the early phase, has changed due to more solid suture repairs. The objectives of this article are to outline the general principles surrounding this rehabilitation, set out the indications for various early mobilization techniques and describe in detail the physiotherapy protocol used by the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of the Regional Institute of Rehabilitation in collaboration with the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department of the Émile-Gallé Surgical Center in Nancy, France. This protocol is mainly used for adult patients and carried out in four stages over a 12-week period. If there are no contraindications, the patient learns protected early active self-rehabilitation during the first four postoperative weeks. The protocol includes standardized multidisciplinary follow-up until the social and occupational rehabilitation phase to ensure the best chance of functional recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Numerous studies have recently been published on improving upper-limb motor function after stroke. There has been a particular interest in brain stimulation techniques, which could promote brain plasticity. In this review, transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) are presented as techniques that could be relevant in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) centers in the future. We are presenting a comprehensive literature review on the studies using tDCS or rTMS for upper-limb rehabilitation after a stroke. Both techniques have shown their ability to modify cortical excitability and to transitorily improve upper-limb function after one single stimulation session. The first placebo-controlled, blinded therapeutic trials, which included repeated daily sessions, seem quite promising, and deserve to be validated by further trials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]