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BACKGROUND: Predicting the ability to walk after traumatic spinal cord injury is of utmost importance in the clinical setting. Nevertheless, only a small fraction of predictive models are evaluated on their performance by other authors using external data. The Dutch Clinical Prediction Rule for long-term walking ability was developed and validated using neurological assessments performed within 15 days postinjury. However, in reality, this assessment is most often performed between 11 and 55 days. When considering a longer time from injury to neurological assessments, the Dutch Clinical Prediction Rule has only been externally validated for patients after non-traumatic spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to validate the Dutch Clinical Prediction Rule with neurological assessment performed within 3-90 days after traumatic spinal cord injury, using (a) the Dutch Clinical Prediction Rule logistic regression coefficients (Equation 1); (b) the Dutch Clinical Prediction Rule weighted coefficients (Equation 2); and (c) the reestimated (using a Spanish population) weighted coefficients (Equation 3). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective (STROBE-compliant) study involving 298 adults with traumatic spinal cord injury admitted to a hospital between 2010 and 2019 in Spain. The Spinal Cord Independence Measure item-12 was used for walking assessment. RESULTS: Using Equation 1, the model yielded 86.2% overall classification accuracy, 94.5% sensitivity, and 83.4% specificity (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.939, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.915-0.965; p < .001). Using Equation 2 yielded 86.2% overall classification accuracy, 93.2% sensitivity, and 83.9% specificity (AUC = 0.9392, 95% CI: 0.914-0.964; p < .001). Using Equation 3 yielded 86.9% overall classification accuracy, 68.9% sensitivity, and 92.8% specificity (AUC = 0.939, 95% CI: 0.914-0.964; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study validates the Dutch Clinical Prediction Rule in a Spanish traumatic spinal cord injury population with assessments performed up to 90 days postinjury with similar performance, using the original coefficients and including a reestimation of the coefficients.

Purpose This prospective, observational cohort study investigated the effects of multidisciplinary rehabilitation of post Covid-19 sequelae and persistent symptoms and their impact on patients' functioning and quality of life. Methods From 58 patients referred for neurorehabilitation, 43 were eligible for and participated in the present study. Before and after 8 weeks of rehabilitation, patients underwent physical, neuropsychological and respiratory evaluations and assessment of functional independence, impact of fatigue and quality of life. Results Forty of 43 individuals (52 ± 11.4 years, 24 male) completed the rehabilitation program. Fatigue (87.5%), dyspnea and/or shortness of breath (62.5%), and cognitive impairment (37.5%) were reported by both previously hospitalized and home-confined patients. Neurological sequelae (35.5%) were present only in hospitalized patients. After 8 weeks of rehabilitation, patients reported significant improvements in motor functional independence, upper and lower limb functionality, impact of fatigue on daily activities, respiratory muscle strength, cognitive performance, and quality of life. Conclusions Post Covid-19 patients present with heterogeneous neurological, physical, and respiratory impairments requiring a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach to reduce disability and improve functionality and quality of life. A comprehensive assessment of clinical profiles and responses to rehabilitation may facilitate the identification of rehabilitation candidates and help to design effective rehabilitation interventions.Implication for rehabilitationPost Covid-19 patients present multiple, heterogeneous neurological, physical and respiratory impairments that are observed in both previously hospitalized and home-confined patients.Eight weeks of multidisciplinary rehabilitation may significantly reduce disability and improve functionality and quality of life.A comprehensive assessment of their clinical profile and response to rehabilitation may facilitate the identification of rehabilitation candidates and help to design more effective rehabilitation interventions.

Health professionals need linguistically and culturally correct tools with proven validity to effectively assess people in their native language. This study aimed to translate and validate the Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale (WPTAS) into a Spanish version to measure the progression and duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) in Spanish-speaking populations. Seven native Spanish and English translators, 11 therapists and 15 people with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and nine people with non-traumatic acquired brain injury participated in the forward-backward translation method to adapt the WPTAS. Participants with a TBI in PTA (

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients present long-lasting physical and neuropsychological impairment, which may require rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES: The current cross-sectional study characterizes postCOVID-19 sequelae and persistent symptoms in patients in an outpatient rehabilitation program. METHODS: Thirty patients [16 post-ICU and 14 non-ICU; median age = 54(43.8-62) years; 19 men] presenting sequelae and/or persistent symptoms (>3 months after acute COVID-19) were selected of 41 patients referred for neurorehabilitation. Patients underwent physical, neuropsychological and respiratory evaluation and assessment of impact of fatigue and quality of life. RESULTS: The main reasons for referral to rehabilitation were: fatigue (86.6%), dyspnea (66.7%), subjective cognitive impairment (46.7%) and neurological sequelae (33.3%). Post-ICU patient presented sequelae of critical illness myopathy and polyneuropathy, stroke and encephalopathy and lower forced vital capacity compared to non-ICU patients. Cognitive impairment was found in 63.3% of patients, with a similar profile in both sub-groups. Increased physical fatigue, anxiety and depression and low quality of life were prevalent irrespective of acute COVID-19 severity. CONCLUSIONS: The variability of post COVID-19 physical and neuropsychological impairment requires a complex screening process both in ICU and non-ICU patients. The high impact of persistent symptoms on daily life activities and quality of life, regardless of acute infection severity, indicate need for rehabilitation.

Research Objectives Health professionals need linguistically and culturally correct tools with proven validity to effectively assess people in their native language and make accurate prognoses and guide rehabilitation. This study aimed to translate and validate the Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale (WPTAS) into a culturally and linguistically appropriate Spanish version to measure the progression and duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Spanish speaking populations. Design A forward-backward translation method followed by a cohort study of three different groups assessed using the WPTAS, cognitive, and behavioural tests over a two-day period. Setting One neurorehabilitation hospital in Spain. Participants To complete the translation phase, we recruited seven native Spanish and English translators, 11 health professionals, 15 people with TBI, and 9 people with acquired brain injury. For the validation phase, a convenience sample of Spanish-speaking participants was recruited from inpatients and outpatients. The sample consisted of three groups; participants with TBI in PTA (n = 20), participants with TBI out of PTA (n = 21), and control participants with general trauma without cognitive impairment (n = 21). PTA status was determined using the Spanish version of the WPTAS. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures WPTAS, Selective Reminding Test, Agitated Behavior Scale, Short Portable Metal Status Questionnaire, and Digit Span. Results Pre-testing using the Spanish WPTAS found that responses were appropriate and consistent. Group comparisons found significant differences between participants in PTA and the two other groups on all tests of cognition and behaviour (p Conclusions A Spanish version of the WPTAS was successfully developed and demonstrated to provide a valid means of determining PTA status in patients with TBI. Testing with a broader range of Spanish speakers from different countries, both from dominant and minority groups, is recommended prior to its application outside of Spain. Author(s) Disclosures The Authors declare no conflicts of interests.

Study design Prospective quasi-experimental study, pre-and post-design. Objectives Assess safety, feasibility, training characteristics and changes in gait function for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) using the robotic exoskeletons from Ekso Bionics. Setting Nine European rehabilitation centres. Methods Robotic exoskeleton gait training, three times weekly over 8 weeks. Time upright, time walking and steps in the device (training characteristics) were recorded longitudinally. Gait and neurological function were measured by 10 Metre Walk Test (10 MWT), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI) II and Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS). Results Fifty-two participants completed the training protocol. Median age: 35.8 years (IQR 27.5-52.5), men/women: N = 36/16, neurological level of injury: C1-L2 and severity: AIS A-D (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale). Time since injury (TSI) < 1 year, N = 25; > 1 year, N = 27. No serious adverse events occurred. Three participants dropped out following ankle swelling (overuse injury). Four participants sustained a Category II pressure ulcer at contact points with the device but completed the study and skin normalized. Training characteristics increased significantly for all subgroups. The number of participants with TSI < 1 year and gait function increased from 20 to 56% (P=0.004) and 10MWT, TUG, BBS and LEMS results improved (P < 0.05). The number of participants with TSI > 1 year and gait function, increased from 41 to 44% and TUG and BBS results improved (P < 0.05). Conclusions Exoskeleton training was generally safe and feasible in a heterogeneous sample of persons with SCI. Results indicate potential benefits on gait function and balance.

Objective Hemispatial neglect is a frequent condition usually following nondominant hemispheric brain injury. It strongly affects rehabilitation strategies and everyday life activities. It is associated with behavioral and cognitive disability with a strong impact on patient's life. Methods We reviewed the published literature on the use of noninvasive brain stimulation, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and of noninvasive peripheral muscle stimulation, as therapeutic strategies for rehabilitation of neglect after acquired brain injury, such as in stroke or in traumatic injuries. The studies were grouped as controlled or uncontrolled studies in each stimulation techniques. Results Thirty-four studies were identified and 16 on rTMS, 10 on tDCS, and 8 on vibration. All studies were conducted in adult patients who suffered a stroke, except for one that was conducted in a patient suffering traumatic acquired brain injury and another that was conducted in a patient with brain tumor. In spite of significant variability in treatment protocols, patients' features and assessment of neglect, improvement was reported in almost all studies with no side-effects. Conclusions Noninvasive brain stimulation and neuromuscular vibration are promising therapeutic neuromodulatory approaches for neglect. Further randomized-controlled studies are needed to corroborate their effectiveness as separate and combined techniques.

Background.Occupational performance (OP) and interventions during post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) following traumatic brain injury are poorly understood.Purpose.This study aims to describe a study protocol to (a) track person factors of OP throughout PTA and (b) assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) protocol comparing an occupation-based multisensory stimulation and environmental enrichment intervention with usual care during PTA.Method.A prospective observational study will be conducted with an embedded Phase II RCT with 30 participants in PTA. Participants will be randomly assigned to group and regularly assessed on PTA and OP measures. Feasibility aspects will be recorded in a logbook. All measures will be repeated at PTA resolution and 1 month later, with a follow-up questionnaire completed at 6 months postinjury.Findings.Observational data will be analyzed using correlations. Feasibility will be examined descriptively, and group comparisons will be conducted to determine effect size.Implications.Results will provide a broader understanding of OP during PTA and inform future trials.

High-frequency rTMS combined with gait training improves lower extremity motor score (LEMS) and gait velocity in SCI subjects who are able to walk over ground. The aim of this study was to optimize the functional outcome in early phases of gait rehabilitation in SCI using rTMS as an additional treatment to physical therapy. The present study included 31 motor incomplete SCI subjects randomized to receive real or sham rTMS, just before Lokomat gait training (15 subjects for real, 16 for sham rTMS). rTMS consisted of one daily session for 20 days over vertex (at 20 Hz). The subjects were evaluated using modified Ashworth scale (MAS) for spasticity, upper and lower extremity motor score (UEMS and LEMS, respectively), ten meters walking test (10MWT) and Walking Index for SCI (WISCI-II) for gait at baseline, after last rTMS session, and during follow-up. UEMS and LEMS improved significantly after last session in both groups and during follow-up period. The improvement was greater in real than in sham rTMS group. At follow-up, 71.4 % of the subjects after real rTMS and 40 % of the subjects after sham rTMS could perform 10MWT without significant differences in gait velocity, cadence, step length and WISCI-II between both groups. We conclude that 20 sessions of daily high-frequency rTMS combined with Lokomat gait training can lead to clinical improvement of gait in motor incomplete SCI. Such combined treatment improved motor strength in lower extremity in incomplete SCI subjects and in upper extremity in those with cervical SCI.

Introduction Changes in spinal reflexes can result from alterations in the spinal cord and descending pathways. We studied whether H-reflex excitability and its recovery depend on the level and/or severity of spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods The soleus Hmax and Mmax responses and the H-reflex recovery curve (HRC) at interstimulus intervals (ISIs) ranging from 50 to 1,000 ms were recorded in 38 SCI individuals and 18 healthy subjects. Results Amplitude of Mmax correlated with level and severity of lesion (smaller amplitude correlated with more severe SCI or with more caudal lesion). Hmax/Mmax correlated only with age in the SCI group. HRC was increased significantly in complete SCI at ISIs 200 ms with respect to healthy subjects. Conclusions The changes in spinal reflexes as measured by the H-reflex and its recovery curve after SCI depend on the severity, but not on the level of the lesion. Muscle Nerve 52: 616–622, 2015

Introduccion. La espasticidad es un signo clinico frecuente en personas con enfermedades neurologicas que afecta a la movilidad y causa graves complicaciones: dolor, limitacion articular, contracturas y ulceras por presion, que conllevan una afectacion significativa de la funcionalidad del individuo y de su calidad de vida. Objetivo. Revisar la integracion, la descripcion y la interpretacion critica de la evidencia cientifica mas reciente sobre la variabilidad clinica de la espasticidad y los sintomas asociados, los distintos mecanismos fisiopatologicos y su relevancia en el abordaje diagnostico y terapeutico. Desarrollo. Se realizo una busqueda de las publicaciones cientificas sobre los distintos aspectos de la espasticidad agrupados en dos categorias magistrales: patologias cerebral y medular; y se revisaron aspectos epidemiologicos, clinicos y fisiopatologicos, el diagnostico clinico e instrumental, y el abordaje fisioterapeutico, farmacologico y quirurgico de la espasticidad en cada grupo de patologias. Conclusion. La espasticidad se relaciona con lesiones estructurales y cambios neuroplasticos maladaptativos que determinan una importante variabilidad en su expresion clinica. Aunque su diagnostico presenta importantes limitaciones, el uso de herramientas de diagnostico clinico y neurofisiologico encaminadas al abordaje diferencial en las patologias neurologicas de origen cerebral y medular podria optimizar la eficacia de las terapias de la espasticidad.

Incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) patients have the potential to regain some ambulatory function, and optimal reorganization of remaining circuits can contribute to this recovery. We hypothesized that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may promote active recovery of motor function during gait rehabilitation.A total of 17 incomplete SCI patients were randomized to receive active rTMS or sham stimulation coupled with rehabilitation therapy; 3 patients who began in the sham group crossed over to the active rTMS group after a washout period of more than 3 weeks. Active rTMS consisted of 15 daily sessions over the leg motor area (at 20 Hz). We compared lower-extremity motor score (LEMS), 10-m walking test for walking speed, timed up and go, Walking Index for SCI Scale, Modified Ashworth Scale, and Spinal Cord Injury Spasticity Evaluation Tool at baseline, after the last session, and 2 weeks later in the active rTMS and sham stimulation groups.A significant improvement was observed after the last rTMS session in the active group for LEMS, walking speed, and spasticity. Improvement in walking speed was maintained during the follow-up period. Sham stimulation did not induce any improvement in LEMS, gait assessment, and spasticity after the last session and neither during follow-up.In incomplete SCI, 15 daily sessions of high-frequency rTMS can improve motor score, walking speed, and spasticity in the lower limbs. The study provides evidence for the therapeutic potential of rTMS in the lower extremities in SCI rehabilitation.

High-frequency rTMS combined with gait training improves lower extremity motor score (LEMS) and gait velocity in SCI subjects who are able to walk over ground. The aim of this study was to optimize the functional outcome in early phases of gait rehabilitation in SCI using rTMS as an additional treatment to physical therapy. The present study included 31 motor incomplete SCI subjects randomized to receive real or sham rTMS, just before Lokomat gait training (15 subjects for real, 16 for sham rTMS). rTMS consisted of one daily session for 20 days over vertex (at 20 Hz). The subjects were evaluated using modified Ashworth scale (MAS) for spasticity, upper and lower extremity motor score (UEMS and LEMS, respectively), ten meters walking test (10MWT) and Walking Index for SCI (WISCI-II) for gait at baseline, after last rTMS session, and during follow-up. UEMS and LEMS improved significantly after last session in both groups and during follow-up period. The improvement was greater in real than in sham rTMS group. At follow-up, 71.4 % of the subjects after real rTMS and 40 % of the subjects after sham rTMS could perform 10MWT without significant differences in gait velocity, cadence, step length and WISCI-II between both groups. We conclude that 20 sessions of daily high-frequency rTMS combined with Lokomat gait training can lead to clinical improvement of gait in motor incomplete SCI. Such combined treatment improved motor strength in lower extremity in incomplete SCI subjects and in upper extremity in those with cervical SCI.

Background Clinical studies have shown that after incomplete spinal cord lesions at the thoracic level, patients can develop functional gait patterns through gait training. To date, however, training has been ineffective in producing gait in patients with clinically motor complete spinal cord lesions. Objective Here we report a patient with chronic motor complete spinal cord injury who regained locomotor function with assistance after intensive gait rehabilitation treatment. Methods A fifteen year old female patient had sustained motor complete spinal cord injury (T6, AIS B) 2 years earlier, with severe bilateral extensor spasticity, and ineffective previous gait training with robotic systems. The therapy consisted of two months of gait training with a robotic system combined with bilateral functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the peroneal nerve, and one month of gait training with a special walker and FES of the left leg and occasionally on the right leg, due to flexor reflex could sometimes be initiated by the patient in the right leg without electrical stimulation. Neurophysiological studies and ten metres test were done. Results At the end of training, the patient was able to cover a distance of 200 metres without FES with a walker and assistance from a physiotherapist, who pulled the walker with each step to help her to accomplish effective overground stepping. Motor and somatosensory evoked potentials were absent in the lower limbs. Conclusion Even after a motor complete lesion with some preservation of sensory pathways, the spinal cord may be able to retain some of its locomotor function through intensive gait rehabilitation.

Objective: To assess the effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on lower extremities motor score (LEMS) and gait in patients with motor incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Method: The prospective longitudinal randomized, double-blind study assessed 17 SCI patients ASIA D. We assessed LEMS, modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), 10-m walking test (10MWT), Walking Index for SCI (WISCI II) scale, step length, cadence, and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test at baseline, after the last of 15 daily sessions of rTMS and 2 weeks later. Patients were randomized to active rTMS or sham stimulation. Three patients from the initial group of 10 randomized to sham stimulation entered the active rTMS group after a 3-week washout period. Therefore a total of 10 patients completed each study condition. Both groups were homogeneous for age, gender, time since injury, etiology, and ASIA scale. Active rTMS consisted of 15 days of daily sessions of 20 trains of 40 pulses at 20 Hz and an intensity of 90% of resting motor threshold. rTMS was applied with a double cone coil to the leg motor area. Results: There was a significant improvement in LEMS in the active group (28.4 at baseline and 33.2 after stimulation; P = .004) but not in the sham group (29.6 at baseline, and 30.9 after stimulation; P = .6). The active group also showed significant improvements in the MAS, 10MWT, cadence, step length, and TUG, and these improvements were maintained 2 weeks later. Following sham stimulation, significant improvement was found only for step length and TUG. No significant changes were observed in the WISCI II scale in either group. Conclusion: High-frequency rTMS over the leg motor area can improve LEMS, spasticity, and gait in patients with

Benito-Penalva J, Edwards DJ, Opisso E, Cortes M, Lopez-Blazquez R, Murillo N, Costa U, Tormos JM, Vidal-Samso J, Valls-Sole J, European Multicenter Study about Human Spinal Cord Injury Study Group, Medina J. Gait training in human spinal cord injury using electromechanical systems: effect of device type and patient characteristics. Objective To report the clinical improvements in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients associated with intensive gait training using electromechanical systems according to patient characteristics. Design Prospective longitudinal study. Setting Inpatient SCI rehabilitation center. Participants Adults with SCI (n=130). Intervention Patients received locomotor training with 2 different electromechanical devices, 5 days per week for 8 weeks. Main Outcome Measures Lower-extremity motor score, Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury, and 10-meter walking test data were collected at the baseline, midpoint, and end of the program. Patients were stratified according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) category, time since injury, and injury etiology. A subgroup of traumatic ASIA grade C and D patients were compared with data obtained from the European Multicenter Study about Human Spinal Cord Injury (EM-SCI). Results One hundred and five patients completed the program. Significant gains in lower-limb motor function and gait were observed for both types of electromechanical device systems, to a similar degree. The greatest rate of improvement was shown in the motor incomplete SCI patients, and for patients Conclusions The use of electromechanical systems for intensive gait training in SCI is associated with a marked improvement in lower-limb motor function and gait across a diverse range of patients and is most evident in motor incomplete patients, and for patients who begin the regimen early in the recovery process.

Objective. Spasticity with increased tone and spasms is frequent in patients after spinal cord injury (SCI). Damage to descending corticospinal pathways that normally exert spinal segmental control is thought to play an important causal role in spasticity. The authors examined whether the modulation of excitability of the primary motor cortex with high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could modify lower limb spasticity in patients with incomplete SCI. Methods. Patients were assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale, Visual Analogue Scale, and the Spinal Cord Injury Spasticity Evaluation Tool (SCI-SET) and neurophysiologically with measures of corticospinal and segmental excitability by the Hmax/Mmax, T reflex, and withdrawal reflex. Fifteen patients received 5 days of daily sessions of active (n = 14) or sham (n = 7) rTMS to the leg motor area (20 trains of 40 pulses at 20 Hz and an intensity of 90% of resting motor threshold for the biceps brachii muscle). Result. A significant clinical improvement in lower limb spasticity was observed in patients following active rTMS but not after sham stimulation.This improvement lasted for at least 1 week following the intervention. Neurophysiological studies did not change. Conclusions. High-frequency rTMS over the leg motor area can improve aspects of spasticity in patients with incomplete SCI.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a potential tool to improve motor recovery in patients with neurological disorders. Safety and efficacy of this procedure for lower extremity motor strengthe and gait function in motor incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) have not yet been addressed. The aim of this study is to optimize the functional outcome in early phases of gait rehabilitation assisted by Lokomat(®) in motor incomplete SCI patients using tDCS as an additional treatment to physical therapy.We performed in a SCI unit a single-centre randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study to investigate safety and efficacy of anodal tDCS of over leg motor cortex in motor incomplete SCI patients. Twenty-four SCI patients received either daily sessions of anodal tDCS (n=12) at 2mA for 20min to the vertex (leg motor cortex) during twenty days or sham tDCS (n=12). Motor deficit was assessed by the lower extremity motor score (LEMS) and for gait function: ten meter walking test (10MWT) and Walking Index for SCI (WISCI II) at baseline, after last tDCS session (after 4 weeks of stimulation), and after 8 weeks (from baseline) for follow-up.No side effects were detected during either tDCS or sham. In both groups, there was a significant improvement in LEMS (p0.03), which did not significantly differ when comparing anodal and sham tDCS groups. During follow-up, in both group 5 of 12 patients could perform gait, without significant differences in gait velocity, cadence, step length and WISCI-II between both groups.Combination twenty sessions of daily tDCS to the leg motor cortex and Lokomat(®) gait training appear to be safe in motor incomplete SCI patients. There was an expected improvement in both LEMS and gait scales however, did not differ between patients treated with anodal or sham tDCS.

Changes in spinal reflexes can result from alterations in the spinal cord and descending pathways. We studied whether H-reflex excitability and its recovery depend on the level and/or severity of spinal cord injury (SCI).The soleus Hmax and Mmax responses and the H-reflex recovery curve (HRC) at interstimulus intervals (ISIs) ranging from 50 to 1,000 ms were recorded in 38 SCI individuals and 18 healthy subjects.Amplitude of Mmax correlated with level and severity of lesion (smaller amplitude correlated with more severe SCI or with more caudal lesion). Hmax/Mmax correlated only with age in the SCI group. HRC was increased significantly in complete SCI at ISIs500 ms and in incomplete SCI at ISIs200 ms with respect to healthy subjects.The changes in spinal reflexes as measured by the H-reflex and its recovery curve after SCI depend on the severity, but not on the level of the lesion.

Background We studied the effect of one session of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on brainstem stem excitability in patients with incomplete SCI. Methods The study was a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. We recruited 27 patients with SCI to be randomly distributed in two study groups: active or sham rTMS. We recorded the blink reflex (BR) induced with electrical stimulation at 15 times sensory threshold (ST) to the supraorbital nerve (SON). A prepulse electrical stimulus on BR (PP-BR), was delivered with ring electrodes to the right index finger at 2 times ST and applied 100 ms before the SON stimulus. We also examined the excitability recovery curve of the blink reflex (RC-BR), with pairs of stimuli at interstimuli intervals (ISI) of 160, 300, 500, and 1000 ms. Patients were examined at baseline, and after high-frequency vertex rTMS (20 Hz; 40 pulses/burst, 1800 pulses total over 20 min). Results Fifteen patients received active rTMS and 12 sham rTMS. The age between groups was not significant. At baseline, R2 area of BR and percentage changes (%) in RC-BR at all intervals were similar in both groups. Active but not sham rTMS significantly reduced the area of R2 in BR and decreased the % inhibition with respect to baseline (p ⩽ 0.05), RC-BR did not change with any rTMS stimulation at any time. Conclusions High frequency-rTMS over motor cortex induces a decrease in brainstem reflex excitability and reduces inhibitory brainstem activity in patients with SCI.

Stroke-induced hemiparesis is a debilitating impairment that compromises ability to perform many activities of daily living (ADLs). Many new therapies for hemiparesis, although intriguing, require exceptional patient motivation and/or may be difficult to implement in some clinical situations. This brief report revisits a motivating, game-based rehabilitation modality reported nearly three decades ago that has heretofore been ignored. Pilot data, examining the feasibility and efficacy of the device, are presented.

Objective Incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) patients have the potential to regain some ambulatory function and optimal reorganization of remaining circuits can contribute to this recovery. We hypothesized that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may promote more active recovery of motor function at the beginning of gait training using electromechanical system. Methods Seventeen incomplete SCI patients were randomized to receive active rTMS or sham stimulation coupled with rehabilitation therapy, when patients began gait training using electromechanical system. Active rTMS consisted of 20 daily sessions over the leg motor area (at 20 Hz). We compared lower extremity motor score (LEMS), ten meter walking test (10MWT) for walking speed, timed up and go (TUG), Walking Index for SCI (WISCI II) scale, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Spinal Cord Injury Spasticity Evaluation Tool (SCI-SET) at baseline, after the last session and 4 weeks later, in the active rTMS and sham stimulation groups. Results A significant improvement was observed after last rTMS session in the active group for LEMS and spasticity, but not for gait scales. Sham stimulation, did not induce any improvement in LEMS, gait assessment, neither in spasticity after last session. Conclusion Twenty daily sessions of high-frequency rTMS can improve motor score and spasticity, but not walking speed in the lower limbs in incomplete SCI. The study provides evidence for the therapeutic potential of rTMS in the lower extremities in the early phase SCI rehabilitation.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and reactions of stroke patient to a game-based rehabilitation modality for more affected upper limbs. Design: Case series. Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation clinic. Participants: 4 persons with stroke (3 men; mean age, 60.0±4.9y; age range, 56–66y; mean time since stroke, 84.3mo; range, 10–264mo). Interventions: Each patient received thirteen 30-minute training sessions using the gaming device. Each session required participation in electronic table tennis using the more affected hand as the joystick, thus forcing use of the more affected limb. Instantaneous kinesthetic and force feedback was available via participation. Main Outcome Measures: Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and patient interviews before and after intervention. Results: After the intervention, patients exhibited decreased median time to complete WMFT tasks (−5.3s), decreased mean time to perform WMFT tasks (−19.7s), and improved performance ratings as assessed by an objective rater. Interviews revealed high satisfaction and motivation; they also revealed that motor improvement had a high carryover to valued activities. Conclusions: This approach appears to be an efficacious, motivating, and enjoyable modality deserving of additional research. A larger, multicenter trial is planned.