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Background Information on the long‐term prognosis in patients with isolated thalamic stroke is sparse. We report the functional outcomes of patients with thalamic stroke up to 24 months from the KOSCO (Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation) study. Methods and Results Isolated thalamic stroke was defined as the presence of lesions solely in the thalamus, excluding cases with lesions in other brain parenchyma areas apart from the thalamus, as identified by brain magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scans. The Fugl‐Meyer Assessment, the Functional Ambulatory Category, the Korean Mini‐Mental State Examination, the American Speech‐Language‐Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System Swallowing Scale, and the short version of the Korean Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test were used to assess physical impairment. The Functional Independence Measure and modified Rankin Scale were used to assess functional outcomes. All measurements were conducted up to 24 months poststroke. A total of 297 patients were included, consisting of 235 with ischemic and 62 with hemorrhagic stroke. Except for the Functional Ambulatory Category and Functional Independence Measure, all physical impairments showed significant improvement up to 3 months poststroke (P

Many physical factors influence post-stroke functional outcomes. However, few studies have examined the influence of height on these outcomes. Here, data from the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation were used and patients’ height was categorized into three groups: short (lower 25%), middle (middle 50%), and tall (upper 25%). Differences in the modified Rankin scale (mRS), functional ambulatory category (FAC), and Korean-translated version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) scores were analyzed for each group at 6 months post-stroke. A subgroup analysis was conducted based on the initial Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) score. We analyzed functional outcomes in 5296 patients at 6 months post-stroke, adjusting for age and body mass index. The short-height group exhibited higher mRS scores (1.88 ± 0.043), lower FAC scores (3.74 ± 0.045), and lower K-MBI scores (82.83 ± 0.748) than the other height groups (p < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, except for the very severe FMA group, the short-height group also exhibited worse outcomes in terms of mRS, FAC, and K-MBI scores (p < 0.05). Taken together, the short-height group exhibited worse outcomes related to disability, gait function, and ADLs at 6 months post-stroke.

Long-term changes in caregiver burden should be clarified considering that extended post-stroke disability can increase caregiver stress. We assessed long-term changes in caregiver burden severity and its predictors. This study was a retrospective analysis of the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation. Patients with an acute first-ever stroke were enrolled from August 2012 to May 2015. Data were collected at 6 months and 6 years after stroke onset. The caregiver burden was measured with a subjective caregiver burden questionnaire based on the Korean version of the Caregiver Burden Inventory. The caregivers’ characteristics and patients’ clinical and functional status were also examined at each follow-up. A high caregiver burden, which suggests a risk of burnout, was reported by 37.9% and 51.7% of caregivers at 6 months and 6 years post-stroke, respectively. Both the caregiver burden total score and proportion of caregivers at risk of burnout did not decrease between 6 months and 6 years. The patients’ disability (OR = 11.60; 95% CI 1.58–85.08; p = 0.016), caregivers’ self-rated stress (OR = 0.03; 95% CI 0.00–0.47; p = 0.013), and caregivers’ quality of life (OR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.59–0.99; p = 0.042) were burden predictors at 6 months. At 6 years, only the patients’ disability (OR = 5.88; 95% CI 2.19–15.82; p < 0.001) and caregivers’ psychosocial stress (OR = 1.26; 95% CI 1.10–1.44; p = 0.001) showed significance. Nearly half of the caregivers were at risk of burnout, which lasted for 6 years after stroke onset. The patients’ disability and caregivers’ stress were burden predictors in both subacute and chronic phases of stroke. The findings suggest that consistent interventions, such as emotional support or counseling on stress relief strategies for caregivers of stroke survivors, may reduce caregiver burden. Further research is needed to establish specific strategies appropriate for Korean caregivers to alleviate their burden in caring for stroke patients.

IntroductionThe incidence of stroke is increasing steadily due to factors such as population aging. Approximately 80% of stroke survivors have motor disorders affecting their daily lives. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been reported to maximize functional recovery after stroke along with exercise intervention in upper limb rehabilitation treatment. However, whether rTMS affects the recovery of upper limb function in patients with stroke remains unclear. Therefore, in this trial, we will investigate the efficacy of low-frequency rTMS in patients with subcortical and brainstem ischemic stroke.MethodsThis study has been designed as a multi-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of low-frequency rTMS over the contralesional M1 with sham stimulation. Overall, 88 participants will be allocated to the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio, with stratification according to their initial upper extremity Fugl-Meyer assessment (UE-FMA) score. The participants will receive either 30 min of real rTMS (intervention group) or sham rTMS (control group), followed by 30 min of occupational therapy for 10 consecutive workdays. All the participants will receive the same amount of rehabilitation therapy throughout the intervention period. Evaluations will be performed at baseline (T0), at the end of treatment (T1), and 4 weeks after the end of treatment (T2), including the box and block test (BBT), UE-FMA, Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index, and NIH Stroke Scale scores, Finger tapping test, Brunnstrom stage, modified Ashworth scale, and grip strength. The primary outcome will be the change in the BBT score between T0 and T2.ConclusionThis study will provide evidence on the efficacy of low-frequency rTMS in motor function recovery of the upper limb in patients with subacute, subcortical, and brainstem ischemic stroke.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier [NCT05535504].

Abstract 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.

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to cluster long-term multifaceted functional recovery patterns and to establish prediction models for functional outcome in first-time stroke patients using unsupervised machine learning.MethodsThis study is an interim analysis of the dataset from the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation (KOSCO), a long-term, prospective, multicenter cohort study of first-time stroke patients. The KOSCO screened 10,636 first-time stroke patients admitted to nine representative hospitals in Korea during a three-year recruitment period, and 7,858 patients agreed to enroll. Early clinical and demographic features of stroke patients and six multifaceted functional assessment scores measured from 7 days to 24 months after stroke onset were used as input variables. K-means clustering analysis was performed, and prediction models were generated and validated using machine learning.ResultsA total of 5,534 stroke patients (4,388 ischemic and 1,146 hemorrhagic; mean age 63·31 ± 12·86; 3,253 [58.78%] male) completed functional assessments 24 months after stroke onset. Through K-means clustering, ischemic stroke (IS) patients were clustered into five groups and hemorrhagic stroke (HS) patients into four groups. Each cluster had distinct clinical characteristics and functional recovery patterns. The final prediction models for IS and HS patients achieved relatively high prediction accuracies of 0.926 and 0.887, respectively.ConclusionsThe longitudinal, multi-dimensional, functional assessment data of first-time stroke patients were successfully clustered, and the prediction models showed relatively good accuracies. Early identification and prediction of long-term functional outcomes will help clinicians develop customized treatment strategies.

BackgroundWe previously observed that patients with stroke complained of rhinitis symptoms that developed following the occurrence of stroke.ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between chronic rhinitis (CR) and stroke.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed the medical records and questionnaires of patients with stroke who visited our outpatient clinic from June to December 2020. Stroke lesions were mainly classified as supratentorial, infratentorial, and supra/infratentorial lesions. Supratentorial lesions were further divided into cortex, subcortex, and mixed. Participants were screened for CR and were subsequently divided into the CR and non-CR groups. The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test questionnaire and a questionnaire on autonomic nervous system symptoms were administered to all patients.ResultsClinically evaluated indicators were not significantly different between the two groups. The number of patients with lesions in both the cortex and subcortex was significantly higher in the CR group than in the non-CR group. The risk of CR was higher in male patients with stroke than their female counterparts; additionally, the risk of CR was higher in patients with stroke who had both cortical and subcortical lesions, as well as autonomic dysfunction.ConclusionsIndividuals with subcortical stroke damage had a greater probability of developing CR. The risk was increased in men, as compared with that in women, when autonomic symptoms were present.

Objective To investigate long-term and serial functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients without diabetes with post-stroke hyperglycemia. Methods The Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation (KOSCO) is a large, multi-center, prospective cohort study of stroke patients admitted to participating hospitals in nine areas of Korea. From KOSCO, ischemic stroke patients without diabetes were recruited and divided into two groups: patients without diabetes without (n=779) and with post-stroke hyperglycemia (n=223). Post-stroke hyperglycemia was defined as a glucose level >8 mmol/L. Functional assessments were performed 7 days and 3, 6, and 12 months after stroke onset. Results There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups, except in the age of onset and smoking. Analysis of the linear correlation between the initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and glucose level showed no significant difference. Among our functional assessments, NIHSS, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (affected side), Functional Ambulatory Category, modified Rankin Scale, and Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) showed statistically significant improvements in each group. All functional improvements except K-MMSE were significantly higher in patients without post-stroke hyperglycemia at 7 days and 3, 6, and 12 months. Conclusion The glucose level of ischemic stroke patients without diabetes had no significant correlation with the initial NIHSS score. The long-term effects of stress hyperglycemia showed worse functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients without diabetes with post-stroke hyperglycemia.

Background Prehospital delay is an important contributor to poor outcomes in both acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We aimed to compare the prehospital delay and related factors between AIS and AMI. Methods and Results We identified patients with AIS and AMI who were admitted to the 11 Korean Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Centers via the emergency room between July 2016 and December 2018. Delayed arrival was defined as a prehospital delay of >3 hours, and the generalized linear mixed‐effects model was applied to explore the effects of potential predictors on delayed arrival. This study included 17 895 and 8322 patients with AIS and AMI, respectively. The median value of prehospital delay was 6.05 hours in AIS and 3.00 hours in AMI. The use of emergency medical services was the key determinant of delayed arrival in both groups. Previous history, 1‐person household, weekday presentation, and interhospital transfer had higher odds of delayed arrival in both groups. Age and sex had no or minimal effects on delayed arrival in AIS; however, age and female sex were associated with higher odds of delayed arrival in AMI. More severe symptoms had lower odds of delayed arrival in AIS, whereas no significant effect was observed in AMI. Off‐hour presentation had higher and prehospital awareness had lower odds of delayed arrival; however, the magnitude of their effects differed quantitatively between AIS and AMI. Conclusions The effects of some nonmodifiable and modifiable factors on prehospital delay differed between AIS and AMI. A differentiated strategy might be required to reduce prehospital delay.

ObjectiveTo investigate the available evidence on early supported discharge (ESD) and transitional care (TC) delivery service in patients with cerebrovascular disease.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted to collect all available evidence on the use of ESD and TC services. We included cluster-randomized pragmatic trials or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that recruited patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack to receive either conventional care or any care service intervention that included rehabilitation or support provided by professional medical personnel with the aim of accelerating and supporting home discharge. Relevant data were electronically searched through international databases (Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PubMed) and incorporated into a summary grid to investigate research outcomes and provide a narrative synthesis. Furthermore, we compared the outcomes in terms of length of hospital stay, patient and caregiver outcomes, and mortality through meta-analysis.ResultsWe identified and included a total of 20 publications of various original randomized studies. There were 18 studies conducted in western countries and 2 in eastern countries. The meta-analysis revealed a tendency that ESD or TC could decrease the length of hospital stay more than the usual care [standardized mean difference (SMD) −0.13; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.31 to 0.04 days; P = 0.14]. Moreover, there was a tendency that ESD resulted in better activities of daily living (ADL) than usual care (SMD 0.29; 95% CI −0.04 to 0.61; P = 0.08). Patient outcome based on modified Rankin scale (mRS) score (SMD −0.11; 95% CI −0.38 to 0.17; P = 0.45] and mortality (odds ratio 0.80; 95% CI 0.56–1.17; P = 0.25) did not reveal any significant difference. The Caregiver Strain Index revealed no difference.ConclusionWe did not find a large effect size for the use of TC and ESD. When implementing the TC and ESD model from western to Asian countries, services should be prepared and implemented in accordance with national medical rehabilitation pathways for cerebrovascular disease.

Purpose: Community-dwelling stroke survivors have various unmet needs for rehabilitative management, but there is a lack of in-depth investigations on common health problems after stroke. Moreover, the association between unmet needs and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to investigate the unmet needs for rehabilitative management in common problems after stroke and their associations with HRQoL among community-dwelling stroke survivors.Methods: A face-to-face cross-sectional survey was conducted among community-dwelling stroke survivors visiting outpatient clinics of rehabilitation departments between June and October 2020 in three university-affiliated hospitals. Unmet needs for common problems after stroke were assessed across eight domains based on the post-stroke checklist: spasticity, dysphagia, communication, cognition, ambulation, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression, and self-care. HRQoL was measured using the EuroQoL-5D three level (EQ-5D). The prevalence of unmet needs for rehabilitative management and their associations with the EQ-5D index were analyzed.Results: Among the 239 participants who responded to the survey, 63% (n = 150) were men. The mean age was 63 ± 13 years, and the mean duration of stroke onset was 55.6 months. Overall, 49% reported at least one unmet need, and the most frequently reported unmet needs were anxiety/depression (20.9%), self-care (20.9%), and pain/discomfort (18.0%). The highest proportion of unmet needs was in the anxiety/depression, communication, and cognition domains. Patients with unmet needs for cognition and pain/discomfort showed a significantly lower EQ-5D index, even after adjusting for age, sex, and modified Rankin scale scores. The total number of unmet needs was significantly correlated with a lower EQ-5D index (Pearson's r = −0.329, p < 0.001) in the multivariate linear regression model.Conclusions: Unmet rehabilitative needs are prevalent among community-dwelling stroke survivors, and the proportion of unmet needs was high among non-physical domains such as anxiety/depression. The number of unmet needs is an independent negative predictor of HRQoL. Systematic approaches to identify unmet needs and provide appropriate rehabilitative management are required in long-term stroke survivors.

Objective To characterize the patients in the inpatient rehabilitation facility who were transferred to acute care facilities and identify the frequency of and reasons for the unplanned transfer. Methods Medical records of patients admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation facility from October 2017 to December 2018 were reviewed. Patients were categorized according to their diagnoses. The included patients were divided into the unplanned transfer and control groups based on whether they required to transfer to another department for acute care before completing an uninterrupted rehabilitation course. The groups were compared in terms of sex, age, length of stay, admission sources, and disease groups. The reasons for unplanned transfers were classified based on medical or surgical conditions. Results Of the 1,378 patients were admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation facility, 1,301 satisfied inclusion criteria. Among them, 121 (9.3%) were unexpectedly transferred to the medical or surgical department. The unplanned transfer group had a higher age (69.54±12.53 vs. 64.39±15.32 years; p=0.001) and longer length of stay (85.69±66.08 vs. 37.81±31.13 days; p

Objective To demonstrate the effect of daily treatment time on recovery of functional outcomes and how each type of rehabilitation treatment influences the improvement of subgroups of functional outcomes in stroke patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective study in 168 patients who were admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine between 2015 and 2016. Patients who experienced their first-ever stroke and unilateral lesions were included. All patients underwent conventional rehabilitation treatment, and each treatment was administered one to two times a day depending on individual and treatment room schedules. Based on the mean daily treatment time, patients were divided into two groups: a high-amount group (n=54) and low-amount group (n=114). Outcomes were measured through the Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (MBI), FuglMeyer Assessment of the upper extremity, Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores on admission and at discharge. Results The functional change and scores at discharge of MBI, TIS, and BBS were greater in the high-amount group than in the low-amount group. Among various types of rehabilitation treatments, occupational therapy training showed significant correlation with MBI, TIS, and BBS gain from admission to discharge. Conclusion The amount of daily mean treatment in post-stroke patients plays an important role in recovery. Mean daily rehabilitation treatment time seems to correlate with improved balance and basic activities of daily living after stroke.

Introduction: Early supported discharge (ESD) is a transitional care model aimed at facilitating post-acute stroke patients' discharge to home. Previous studies have demonstrated that ESD provides equivalent patient and caregiver outcomes with superior cost-effectiveness compared to conventional rehabilitation (CR). This study intends to examine the feasibility of ESD in Korea.Methods and Analysis: This study is designed as a multicenter assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Ninety post-acute stroke patients with mild to moderate disability (modified Rankin Scale 1–3) will be recruited from three university hospitals (30 patients per hospital) in Korea and allocated to either the ESD group or the CR group in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the ESD group will receive individualized discharge planning and goal setting, a 4-week home-based rehabilitation program, and liaison service to community-based resources by a multidisciplinary team. Patients in the CR group will receive rehabilitation practices according to their current hospital policy.Outcomes: The primary outcome is the Korean version of the modified Barthel Index, and the primary endpoint was post-onset 3 months. Clinical outcomes, patient/caregiver reported outcomes, and socioeconomic outcomes will be measured at baseline, 1 month after discharge, 2 months after discharge, and 3 months after onset.Discussion: The efficacy and cost-effectiveness of ESD can vary according to the healthcare system and sociocultural aspects. To establish ESD as an alternative transitional care model for post-acute stroke patients in Korea, its feasibility needs to be examined in prior. This study will add evidence on the applicability of ESD in Korea.Ethical Considerations: The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (IRB number B-2012/654-308). The study protocol was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT04720820). Disseminations will include submission to peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.

Stroke in young adults has catastrophic consequences and has increased in prevalence, contrary to the trends of most other diseases. This study aimed to determine the major characteristics and risk factors for stroke in younger adults compared with older adults. From the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation, 10,584 patients with first-ever stroke between August 2012 and March 2015 were enrolled retrospectively and divided into younger (age ≤ 45) and older groups (age > 45). The clinical characteristics and risk factors of stroke were compared between the younger and older groups. The younger group comprised 915 patients (8.6%). The proportion of hemorrhage strokes in the younger group (42.3%) was significantly higher than in the older group (20.0%) (p < 0.001). Obesity, current smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption were significantly more common risk factors in the younger group than in the older group for all stroke types, whereas hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation, and coronary heart disease were significantly more frequent in the older group (both p < 0.001). The major risk factors in the younger group may be lifestyle-related. Therefore, increasing awareness of lifestyle-related risk factors may be necessary to prevent stroke in young adults.

ObjectivesThis study proposes a method for classifying three types of resting membrane potential signals obtained as images through diagnostic needle electromyography (EMG) using TensorFlow-Slim and Python to implement an artificial-intelligence-based image recognition scheme.MethodsWaveform images of an abnormal resting membrane potential generated by diagnostic needle EMG were classified into three types—positive sharp waves (PSW), fibrillations (Fibs), and Others—using the TensorFlow-Slim image classification model library. A total of 4,015 raw waveform data instances were reviewed, with 8,576 waveform images subsequently collected for training. Images were learned repeatedly through a convolutional neural network. Each selected waveform image was classified into one of the aforementioned categories according to the learned results.ResultsThe classification model, Inception v4, was used to divide waveform images into three categories (accuracy = 93.8%, precision = 99.5%, recall = 90.8%). This was done by applying the pretrained Inception v4 model to a fine-tuning method. The image recognition model was created for training using various types of image-based medical data.ConclusionsThe TensorFlow-Slim library can be used to train and recognize image data, such as EMG waveforms, through simple coding rather than by applying TensorFlow. It is expected that a convolutional neural network can be applied to image data such as the waveforms of electrophysiological signals in a body based on this study.

Background: This study investigated the impact of post-stroke depression (PSD) on cognitive aging in elderly stroke patients. Methods: This study was an interim analysis of the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation. Among 10,636 patients with first-ever stroke, a total of 3215 patients with normal cognitive function three months post-stroke were included in the analysis. PSD was defined using the Korean Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (K-GDS-SF) at three months. Cognitive aging was defined as a decline in the Korean version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE) score to less than the second percentile. Results: The hazard ratio (HR) of PSD for cognitive decline was 2.16 (95% CI, 1.34–3.50, p < 0.01) in the older group (age ≥65 years), and 1.02 (95% CI, 0.50–2.07, n.s.) in the younger group (age p < 0.01) in male patients and 1.80 (95% CI, 0.93–3.51, n.s.) in female patients. However, women showed a higher incidence of cognitive decline in both the PSD and no PSD groups. Among K-GDS-SF factors, “Negative judgment about the past, present, and future” increased the HR of PSD in older male patients. Conclusions: Early PSD increased the HR for cognitive decline in older stroke patients, mainly in males. Specifically, older male patients with negative thinking were at increased risk of cognitive decline. The findings also suggest that older women may be at risk for cognitive decline. Therefore, preventive interventions for cognitive decline should be tailored differently for men and women.

Assessment of functional independence and residual disability is very important for measuring treatment outcome after stroke. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and the modified Barthel Index (MBI) are commonly used scales to measure disability or dependence in activities of daily living (ADL) of stroke survivors. Lack of consensus regarding MBI score categories has caused confusion in interpreting stroke outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify the optimal corresponding MBI and modified Rankin scale (mRS) grades for categorization of MBI. The Korean versions of the MBI (K-MBI) and mRS were collected from 5,759 stroke patients at 3 months after onset of stroke. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated at K-MBI score cutoffs for each mRS grade to obtain optimally corresponding K-MBI scores and mRS grades. We also plotted receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of sensitivity and specificity and determined the area under the curve (AUC). The K-MBI cutoff points with the highest sum of sensitivity and specificity were 100 (sensitivity 0.940; specificity 0.612), 98 (sensitivity 0.904; specificity 0.838), 94 (sensitivity 0.885; specificity 0.937), 78 (sensitivity 0.946; specificity, 0.973), and 55 (sensitivity 937; specificity 0.986) for mRS grades 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. From this result, the K-MBI cutoff score range for each mRS grade can be obtained. For mRS grade 0, the K-MBI cutoff score is 100, indicating no associated score range. For mRS grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the K-MBI score ranges is from 99 to 98, 97 to 94, 93 to 78, 77 to 55, and under 54, respectively.The AUC for the ROC curve was 0.791 for mRS grade 0, 0.919 for mRS grade 1, 0.970 for mRS grade 2, 0.0 for mRS grade 3, and 0.991 for mRS grade 4. The K-MBI cutoff score ranges for representing mRS grades were variable; mRS grades 0, 1, and 2 had narrow K-MBI score ranges, while mRS grades 3, 4, and 5 exhibited broad K-MBI score ranges. mRS grade seemed to sensitively differentiate mild residual disability of stroke survivors, whereas K-MBI provided more specific information of the functional status of stroke survivors with moderate to severe residual impairment.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether Cerebrolysin combined with rehabilitation therapy supports additional motor recovery in stroke patients with severe motor impairment. This study analyzed the combined data from the two phase IV prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Stroke patients were included within seven days after stroke onset and were randomized to receive a 21-day treatment course of either Cerebrolysin or placebo with standardized rehabilitation therapy. Assessments were performed at baseline, immediately after the treatment course, and 90 days after stroke onset. The plasticity of the motor system was assessed by diffusion tensor imaging and resting state fMRI. In total, 110 stroke patients were included for the full analysis set (Cerebrolysin n = 59, placebo n = 51). Both groups showed significant motor recovery over time. Repeated-measures analysis of varianceshowed a significant interaction between time and type of intervention as measured by the Fugl–Meyer Assessment (p < 0.05). The Cerebrolysin group demonstrated less degenerative changes in the major motor-related white matter tracts over time than the placebo group. In conclusion, Cerebrolysin treatment as an add-on to a rehabilitation program is a promising pharmacologic approach that is worth considering in order to enhance motor recovery in ischemic stroke patients with severe motor impairment.

Purpose: The effectiveness of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in children with cerebral palsy (CP), especially in terms of improving the performance of daily activities, remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of RAGT in children with CP. Methods: In this single-center, single-blinded, randomized cross-over trial, we enrolled 20 children with CP with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels II–IV (13 males; age range, 6.75 ± 2.15 years). The participants were randomized into the RAGT/standard care (SC) (n = 10) and SC/RAGT/SC sequence groups (n = 10). Using a Walkbot-K system, the RAGT program comprised 3 × 30-min sessions/week for 6 weeks with a continued SC program. The SC program comprised 2–4 conventional physiotherapy sessions/week for 6 weeks. The Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88), the pediatric functional independence measure (WeeFIM), and the Canadian occupational performance measure (COPM) scores were assessed pre- and post-RAGT or SC periods and treatment, period, follow-up, and carry-over effects were analyzed. Energy expenditure and body composition were measured pre- and post-RAGT. Results: Significant treatment effects were observed in dimensions D and E of the GMFM (D: p = 0.018; E: p = 0.021) scores, WeeFIM mobility subtotal (p = 0.007), and COPM performance (p < 0.001) and satisfaction (p = 0.001) measure scores. The period, follow-up, and carry-over effects were not statistically significant. The gross energy cost significantly decreased (p = 0.041) and the skeletal muscle mass increased (p = 0.014) at post-RAGT assessment. The factors associated with functional outcomes showed significant improvements in the GMFM D scores and were mainly observed in children with GMFCS levels II–III compared to those classified at level IV (p = 0.038). Conclusion: RAGT had training benefits for children with CP. Specifically, it improved locomotor function and functional capability for daily activities. These effects were better in ambulatory children with CP. However, as SC interventions continued during the RAGT period, these improvements may be also related to multiple treatment effects.

The therapeutic benefits of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with rehabilitation therapy on recovery after stroke have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of rTMS followed by aerobic exercise on neuroplasticity and recovery of motor function in a rat model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Rats were randomized into sham operation (N = 10, sham op), MCAO (N = 10, control group), rTMS (N = 10, MCAO and rTMS therapy), and combination groups (N = 10, MCAO and combination therapy). High-frequency rTMS (10 Hz) was applied on the ipsilesional forepaw motor cortex, and aerobic exercise training on the rotarod was performed for two weeks. The rotarod and Garcia tests were conducted to evaluate changes in behavioral function. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were used to evaluate electrophysiological changes. Stroke severity was assessed using infarction volume measurement. Neuronal recovery was explored with western blot for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway proteins. Compared with control therapy, combination therapy was significantly more effective than rTMS therapy for improving function on the rotarod test (p = 0.08), Garcia test (p = 0.001), and MEP amplitude (p = 0.001) In conclusion, combination therapy may be a potential treatment to promote recovery of motor function and neuroplasticity in stroke patients.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common after stroke. Various studies on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for OSA after stroke have been published. However, there have been no studies from Korea and Asia. The present Korean study aimed to determine whether CPAP treatment during inpatient rehabilitation of stroke patients with sleep disorders, especially OSA, improves function, cognition, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness. Methods: This single-blind randomized controlled study included 40 stroke patients with OSA between November 2017 and November 2018. The patients were divided into the CPAP treatment group (CPAP and rehabilitation; n = 20) and control group (only rehabilitation; n = 20). The intervention period was 3 weeks. The primary outcomes were function and cognition improvements, and the secondary outcomes were sleep-related improvements. Results: CPAP treatment started at an average of 4.6 ± 2.8 days after admission. Both groups showed improvements in stroke severity, function, and cognition after the 3-week intervention. However, after the intervention, the degree of change in attention and calculation was significantly higher in the CPAP treatment group than in the control group. Additionally, the improvements in sleep quality and daytime sleepiness were greater in the CPAP treatment group than in the control group. Conclusion: CPAP treatment can improve cognitive function, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness, and it should be considered as part of the rehabilitation program for patients with stroke. Our findings might help in the treatment of stroke patients with OSA in Korea.

Dysphagia is considered to be a significant barrier for recovery after lateral medullary infarction (LMI). However, there is still no gold standard treatment for dysphagia. The aim of this study was to explore an effect of an early treatment options for swallowing dysfunction after acute LMI. Medical records of acute LMI patients who had been admitted to the department of rehabilitation medicine from January 2014 to December 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. We compared the clinical efficacy of conventional dysphagia rehabilitation to early endoscopic intervention using either botulinum toxin injection into cricopharyngeal muscle or endoscopic balloon dilatation of the muscle. Outcomes, such as duration of parental feeding, albumin level at diet transition to enteral feeding, and complications, were analyzed. A total of 18 patients with LMI were included. While eight patients (8/9, 88.89%) in the endoscopic group were capable of orally ingesting their diet after intervention, the conversion from tube feeding to an oral diet was possible in only five patients (5/9, 55.56%) of the conventional group during hospitalization. However, the difference between the two groups was not significant (p-value ≤ 0.147, chi-square test). Only the final dietary level at the time of discharge was higher level in endoscopic group. The conversion interval from tube feeding to oral diet was also comparable between groups. There was no re-conversion from the oral diet to tube feeding in patients of either group during the median follow-up period of 20 months. Early endoscopic intervention may be a better option for dysphagia with LMI, compared to conventional dysphagia rehabilitation. However, a larger and prospective trial may be needed to confirm our observations.