Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Andrea Demeco, Laura Zola, Antonio Frizziero, Chiara Martini, Arrigo Palumbo, Ruben Foresti, Giovanni Buccino, Cosimo Costantino
Summary: In recent years, new technologies, such as fully immersive virtual reality (FIVR), have been applied in stroke rehabilitation alongside conventional techniques. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of FIVR in stroke rehabilitation. A total of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 350 post-acute and chronic stroke survivors were included, and the results showed that FIVR provides additional benefits compared to standard rehabilitation, improving upper limb dexterity, gait performance, and dynamic balance, and influencing patient independence. Therefore, FIVR represents a versatile rehabilitation tool that can improve treatment compliance and the functioning and quality of life of stroke survivors.
Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Ghazala T. Saleem
Summary: Motor imagery (MI) is the ability to mentally engage in a task without voluntary movement. MI is important for motor development and skill acquisition in children. However, there is a lack of measures to assess MI responsiveness in children, creating a research gap.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erika Melendez-Oliva, Oliver Martinez-Pozas, Juan Nicolas Cuenca-Zaldivar, Jorge Hugo Villafane, Laura Jimenez-Ortega, Eleuterio A. Sanchez-Romero
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the impact of pulmonary rehabilitation on subacute and long COVID-19 patients, evaluating improvements in dyspnea, physical function, quality of life, psychological state, and fatigue. The study included 34 studies involving 1970 patients and found moderate to large effects on dyspnea, physical function, quality of life, and depressive symptoms. However, caution should be taken due to the high risk of bias in the included studies.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Guillermo Palacios-Navarro, Neville Hogan
Summary: Immersion virtual reality techniques show some effectiveness in the rehabilitation of stroke patients, serving as a non-pharmacological therapeutic pathway when used in conjunction with traditional rehabilitation therapies, although evidence is limited.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Matthew Wingfield, Natalie A. Fini, Amy Brodtmann, Gavin Williams, Leonid Churilov, Kathryn S. Hayward
Summary: The study aimed to examine the effect of upper limb motor intervention elements on biomarkers and clinical measures after stroke using a systems paradigm. The findings showed that interventions with graded difficulty were more frequently used in restitution scenarios, but no difference was identified in quality or amount of therapy between scenarios.
NEUROREHABILITATION AND NEURAL REPAIR
(2022)
Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Paloma E. Fava-Felix, Silvia R. C. Bonome-Vanzelli, Fabiana S. Ribeiro, Flavia H. Santos
Summary: This review investigates the cognitive, functional, and behavioral effects of computerized rehabilitation in stroke patients and considers cognitive reserve proxies. The findings suggest that combining computerized cognitive training with education as a cognitive reserve proxy can improve cognitive abilities in patients.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fangzhou Xu, Yunjing Miao, Yanan Sun, Dongju Guo, Jiali Xu, Yuandong Wang, Jincheng Li, Han Li, Gege Dong, Fenqi Rong, Jiancai Leng, Yang Zhang
Summary: This study used multiple convolutional neural networks to decode EEG of stroke patients for designing an effective BCI system, introduced 'fine-tune' to transfer model parameters, and evaluated the performance for MI recognition. The results showed that the combination of EEGNet and 'fine-tune' transferred model had the best performance with average classification accuracy of 66.36% for 11 subjects, indicating great potential for stroke rehabilitation based on BCI system.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Ji-Hun Yoo, Benjamin Chong, Peter Alan Barber, Cathy Stinear, Alan Wang
Summary: This review examines the methodologies currently used in motor outcome prediction studies using atlas-based voxel neuroimaging features. The study found that there are various limitations in the current methods, such as a lack of detailed reporting on image acquisition and a lack of consensus on the use of a single sensorimotor atlas for prediction. Therefore, there is a need for further validation and improvement in neuroimaging feature development for motor outcome prediction.
NEUROREHABILITATION AND NEURAL REPAIR
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jorge Motta Anjos, Mansueto Gomes Neto, Yuri de Araujo Tapparelli, Gayr Tse, Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai, Yasmin de Souza Lima Bitar, Leonardo Roever, Andre Rodrigues Duraes
Summary: This study assessed the efficacy and safety of early mobilization after thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The results showed that early mobilization did not significantly reduce the risk of functional independence and other secondary outcomes within the study period.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Alessandra Parisi, Francesca Bellinzona, Daniele Di Lernia, Claudia Repetto, Stefano De Gaspari, Giulia Brizzi, Giuseppe Riva, Cosimo Tuena
Summary: This systematic review examines whether "multisensory technologies" can serve as a viable alternative for cognitive rehabilitation compared to usual care treatment. The review analyzes 10 studies that meet the required criteria and finds that multisensory technologies are at least comparable to standard treatment and particularly effective for attention, spatial cognition, global cognition, and memory. However, the included studies have limitations in terms of the studied population, assessment methods, and methodology.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Jose Manuel Pastora-Bernal, Maria Jose Estebanez-Perez, David Lucena-Anton, Francisco Jose Garcia-Lopez, Antonio Bort-Carballo, Rocio Martin-Valero
Summary: The effectiveness of motor imagery (MI) interventions after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains inconclusive, with inconsistent results regarding pain, anxiety, fear of re-injury, function, and activities of daily living. There is no clear evidence on the impact on range of motion, anthropometric measurements, and quality of life. Further research with adequately-powered long-term randomized controlled trials is necessary.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Silke Wolf, Christian Gerloff, Winifried Backhaus
Summary: This study highlights the challenges in assessing upper limb motor recovery after stroke and the importance of mechanism evaluation and data collection to facilitate standardization and comparison of assessment methods in the future.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Denise M. Peters, Emma S. O'Brien, Kira E. Kamrud, Shawn M. Roberts, Talia A. Rooney, Kristen P. Thibodeau, Swapna Balakrishnan, Nancy Gell, Sambit Mohapatra
Summary: This systematic review examines the use of wearable technologies in assessing gait and mobility in persons with stroke over the past decade. Most studies were conducted in hospital-based or inpatient settings, with accelerometers, activity monitors, and pressure sensors being the most commonly used wearable technologies. The results indicate that wearable technologies enable researchers and clinicians to monitor patients' activity and gain insights into their experiences, but more studies are needed to improve the accuracy of these devices for gait and mobility assessments post-stroke.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Qi Zhang, Shuqi Zheng, Shuiyan Li, Yuting Zeng, Ling Chen, Gege Li, Shilin Li, Longlong He, Shuping Chen, Xiaoyan Zheng, Jihua Zou, Qing Zeng
Summary: This study analyzed data from 11 randomized controlled trials and found that whole-body vibration (WBV) combined with conventional rehabilitation at a vibration frequency lower than 20 Hz was effective and safe in relieving upper and lower limb spasticity in patients with acute and subacute stroke under the age of 60 years.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Chi Sang Choy, Shaun L. Cloherty, Elena Pirogova, Qiang Fang
Summary: Stroke is a serious neurological disease that can lead to long-term disabilities and even death. The current standard clinical practice for stroke patients with severe motor impairment may be ineffective. Motor imagery (MI) has been found to activate motor areas of the brain without physical movement and offers an opportunity for early rehabilitation. However, the lack of evidence-based research has limited the widespread use of MI in clinical practice. In this review, we explore MI-based approaches and immersive virtual reality (VR) technologies to potentially enhance recovery of motor function in stroke patients.
IEEE REVIEWS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Felix Schmidt, Dario Kohlbrenner, Stefan Malesevic, Alice Huang, Sabine D. Klein, Milo A. Puhan, Malcolm Kohler
Summary: Lung cancer is the leading cause of global cancer death, mainly due to late-stage detection. Low-dose CT screening provides an initial clinical solution, but further innovations are needed to overcome limitations. Breath analysis (BA) has great potential as a non-invasive and fast technology to supplement low-dose CT, but its adoption in clinical practice is limited. This scoping review provides a comprehensive summary of BA methods and biomarkers in lung cancer, and offers a framework for future research and translation into clinical workflows.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tala Ballouz, Dominik Menges, Marco Kaufmann, Rebecca Amati, Anja S. Frei, Viktor von Wyl, Jan A. Fehr, Emiliano Albanese, Milo Puhan, Dong Keon Yon
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and severity of post COVID-19 condition (PCC) with novel SARS-CoV-2 variants and after prior vaccination. The findings revealed that vaccinated individuals infected with the Omicron variant had lower odds of developing PCC compared to non-vaccinated individuals. Furthermore, the severity of PCC-related symptoms was lower among vaccinated individuals infected with Omicron.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tala Ballouz, Dominik Menges, Alexia Anagnostopoulos, Anja Domenghino, Helene E. Aschmann, Anja Frei, Jan S. Fehr, Milo A. Puhan
Summary: This study evaluated longer term symptoms and health outcomes associated with a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results showed that 22.9% of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 did not fully recover by six months, but the proportion decreased to 17.2% at 24 months. Most participants had continued recovery or overall improvement over time, while a small percentage had worsening or alternating periods. The prevalence and severity of COVID-19 related symptoms also decreased over time, with 18.1% reporting symptoms at 24 months. Infected individuals had higher symptom risk compared with controls at six months.
BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Mina Stanikic, Eric Twomey, Milo A. Puhan, Christian P. Kamm, Anke Salmen, Vladeta Ajdacic-Gross, Chiara Zecca, Claudio Gobbi, Viktor von Wyl
Summary: The Swiss MS Registry conducted a survey on Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy, self-reported side effects, and changes in MS symptoms among people with MS. The results showed that vaccine hesitancy was low, and younger individuals, those with a history of Covid-19 infection, and those without regular contact with healthcare professionals were more likely to be hesitant.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Sabatini Serena, Pacifico Deborah, Frei Anja, Graf Gwendolyn, Milo A. Puhan, Emiliano Albanese
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on cognitive functioning. It found that serologically confirmed COVID-19 infection was associated with cognitive decline. Participants who received COVID-19 vaccination had better cognitive functioning, while those with a history of infection had poorer cognitive functioning. This study strengthens the evidence of COVID-19-related cognitive decline and highlights the importance of addressing it in clinical and public health areas.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Deborah Pacifico, Serena Sabatini, Maddalena Fiordelli, Anna Maria Annoni, Anja Frei, Milo Puhan, Gwendolyn Graf, Emiliano Albanese
Summary: The study found that speaking multiple languages and having higher language proficiency were positively associated with better cognitive functioning in community-dwelling older adults, but not in institutionalized older adults. Multilingualism may contribute to cognitive reserve and delay cognitive decline in late life.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Nikolaos Perakakis, Hani Harb, Benjamin G. Hale, Zsuzsanna Varga, Charlotte Steenblock, Waldemar Kanczkowski, Vasileia Ismini Alexaki, Barbara Ludwig, Peter Mirtschink, Michele Solimena, Nicole Toepfner, Sebastian Zeissig, Manuel Gado, Irene Alma Abela, Felix Beuschlein, Giatgen A. Spinas, Claudia Cavelti-Weder, Philipp A. Gerber, Michael Huber, Alexandra Trkola, Milo A. Puhan, Wendy Wei-Lynn Wong, Andreas Linkermann, Viswanathan Mohan, Hendrik Lehnert, Peter Nawroth, Triantafyllos Chavakis, Geltrude Mingrone, Christian Wolfrum, Annelies S. Zinkernagel, Stefan Bornstein
Summary: This review explores the strong bidirectional feedback loop between viral infections and metabolic diseases, discussing the impact on human health and the challenges faced by the scientific and health communities.
LANCET DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Dominik Menges, Michela C. Piatti, Aurelius Omlin, Richard Cathomas, Daniel Benamran, Stefanie Fischer, Christophe Iselin, Marc Kung, Anja Lorch, Lukas Prause, Christian Rothermundt, Alix O'Meara Stern, Deborah Zihler, Max Lippuner, Julia Braun, Thomas Cerny, Milo A. Puhan
Summary: This study evaluated patient preferences for systemic treatments in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and identified preference heterogeneity between individuals and subgroups. The results showed that patients with prostate cancer had a stronger preference for survival benefits compared to the general population, and there was significant variation in preferences among individuals.
EUROPEAN UROLOGY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Javier Munoz Laguna, Milo A. Puhan, Fernando Rodriguez Artalejo, Robby De Pauw, Grant M. A. Wyper, Brecht Devleesschauwer, Joao V. Santos, Cesar A. Hincapie
Summary: This study describes and assesses the risk of bias of the primary input studies for low back pain, neck pain, and knee osteoarthritis in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. It also evaluates the certainty of the modelled prevalence evidence in the GBD study.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Claudia Steurer-Stey, Kaba Dalla Lana, Alexandra Strassmann, Stefanie Gonin-Spahni, Michelle Borgmann, Ursina Brun del Re, Sebastian Haas, Eliane Sarasin, Andrea Burri, Anja Frei, Milo A. Puhan
Summary: This study aims to develop a tool that facilitates communication and counseling on sexuality in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The survey showed that both patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) wanted to talk about sexuality, but there were communication barriers in doing so. The developed instrument, COmmunication about SexualitY in COPD (COSY), consists of four tools to help address these barriers and promote a more holistic consideration of quality of life.
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASES-JOURNAL OF THE COPD FOUNDATION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anja Domenghino, Roxane Diane Staiger, Fariba Abbassi, Miquel Serra-Burriel, Kim Leutwyler, Guillaume Aeby, Matthias Turina, Christian Alexander Gutschow, Pierre-Alain Clavien, Milo Alan Puhan
Summary: This study compared patient selection and postoperative outcomes for gastrointestinal surgeries before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The results showed a reduction in caseload during certain periods, but no significant decrease in overall procedures. The population characteristics differed, with lower Body Mass Indices and more patients smoking and having diabetes in 2020. Delivering surgical care to COVID-19 patients in the same hospital was found to be safe, and healthcare officials should consider continuing surgical care during future health crises.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Frances M. Wang, Henock G. Yebyo, Shoshana H. Ballew, Miguel Cainzos-Achirica, Cynthia Boyd, Milo A. Puhan, Kunihiro Matsushita, Michael J. Blaha, Nancy L. Schoenborn
Summary: Personalizing preventive therapies for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is crucial for older adults who have multiple chronic conditions and may have different preferences when considering health outcomes. However, little is known about outcome preferences related to ASCVD preventive therapies in older adults.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marta Fadda, Matilde Melotto, Maria Caiata-Zufferey, Milo Alan Puhan, Anja Frei, Emiliano Albanese, Anne-Linda Camerini
Summary: This scoping review maps the evidence of COVID-19 lockdown impact on parents of children and adolescents, identifying affected parenting domains, describing challenges and opportunities, and defining factors modulating the effect of lockdown measures.
PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Guillaume Giudicelli, Daniel Gero, Lind Romulo, Vasu Chirumamilla, Pouya Iranmanesh, Christopher K. Owen, Wayne Bauerle, Amador Garcia, Lisa Lucas, Anne-Sophie Mehdorn, Dhananjay Pandey, Abdullah Almuttawa, Francisco Cabral, Abhishek Tiwari, Virginia Lambert, Beniamino Pascotto, Celine De Meyere, Marouan Yahyaoui, Thomas Haist, Oliver Scheffel, Maud Robert, Frederiek Nuytens, Santiago Azagra, Lilian Kow, Arun Prasad, Carlos Vaz, Michel Vix, Vivek Bindal, Jan H. Beckmann, David Soussi, Ramon Vilallonga, Maher El Chaar, Erik B. Wilson, Arif Ahmad, Andre Teixeira, Monika E. Hagen, Christian Toso, Pierre-Alain Clavien, Milo Puhan, Marco Bueter, Minoa K. Jung
Summary: This retrospective study aimed to establish the "best possible" outcomes for robotic bariatric surgery and compare them with laparoscopic benchmarks. The results suggest that robotic bariatric surgery may enhance surgical safety, although the duration of the operation is longer.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Manuel Weber, Kai-Uwe Schmitt, Anja Frei, Milo A. Puhan, Anja M. Raab
Summary: This study investigated the needs and preferences of community-dwelling older adults regarding digital interventions to promote physical activity. The results showed specific requirements in terms of design, technological realization, delivery mode, support, and individualization/personalization among the sample. These findings can inform the development of future digital interventions specifically tailored to older adults for promoting physical activity.
