Virtual Reality Training for Upper Extremity in Subacute Stroke (VIRTUES)

Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (24) ◽  
pp. 2413-2421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Brunner ◽  
Jan Sture Skouen ◽  
Håkon Hofstad ◽  
Jörg Aßmus ◽  
Frank Becker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Motor Impairment ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Subacute Phase ◽  
Vr Training ◽  
Upper Extremity Motor Impairment

Objective:To compare the effectiveness of upper extremity virtual reality rehabilitation training (VR) to time-matched conventional training (CT) in the subacute phase after stroke.Methods:In this randomized, controlled, single-blind phase III multicenter trial, 120 participants with upper extremity motor impairment within 12 weeks after stroke were consecutively included at 5 rehabilitation institutions. Participants were randomized to either VR or CT as an adjunct to standard rehabilitation and stratified according to mild to moderate or severe hand paresis, defined as ≥20 degrees wrist and 10 degrees finger extension or less, respectively. The training comprised a minimum of sixteen 60-minute sessions over 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT); secondary outcome measures were the Box and Blocks Test and Functional Independence Measure. Patients were assessed at baseline, after intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up.Results:Mean time from stroke onset for the VR group was 35 (SD 21) days and for the CT group was 34 (SD 19) days. There were no between-group differences for any of the outcome measures. Improvement of upper extremity motor function assessed with ARAT was similar at the postintervention (p = 0.714) and follow-up (p = 0.777) assessments. Patients in VR improved 12 (SD 11) points from baseline to the postintervention assessment and 17 (SD 13) points from baseline to follow-up, while patients in CT improved 13 (SD 10) and 17 (SD 13) points, respectively. Improvement was also similar for our subgroup analysis with mild to moderate and severe upper extremity paresis.Conclusions:Additional upper extremity VR training was not superior but equally as effective as additional CT in the subacute phase after stroke. VR may constitute a motivating training alternative as a supplement to standard rehabilitation.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT02079103.Classification of evidence:This study provides Class I evidence that for patients with upper extremity motor impairment after stroke, compared to conventional training, VR training did not lead to significant differences in upper extremity function improvement.

scholarly journals Treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures: extended follow-up of a randomized clinical trial comparing orthosis versus no orthosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer C. Urquhart ◽  
Osama A. Alrehaili ◽  
Charles G. Fisher ◽  
Alyssa Fleming ◽  
Parham Rasoulinejad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Average Treatment Effect ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures ◽  
Treatment Comparison ◽  
Average Treatment ◽  
Burst Fractures ◽  
Time Weighted Average

OBJECTIVEA multicenter, prospective, randomized equivalence trial comparing a thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) to no orthosis (NO) in the treatment of acute AO Type A3 thoracolumbar burst fractures was recently conducted and demonstrated that the two treatments following an otherwise similar management protocol are equivalent at 3 months postinjury. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether there was a difference in long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes between the patients treated with and those treated without a TLSO. Here, the authors present the 5- to 10-year outcomes (mean follow-up 7.9 ± 1.1 years) of the patients at a single site from the original multicenter trial.METHODSBetween July 2002 and January 2009, a total of 96 subjects were enrolled in the primary trial and randomized to two groups: TLSO or NO. Subjects were enrolled if they had an AO Type A3 burst fracture between T-10 and L-3 within the previous 72 hours, kyphotic deformity < 35°, no neurological deficit, and an age of 16–60 years old. The present study represents a subset of those patients: 16 in the TLSO group and 20 in the NO group. The primary outcome measure was the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) score at the last 5- to 10-year follow-up. Secondary outcome measures included kyphosis, satisfaction, the Numeric Rating Scale for back pain, and the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) Mental and Physical Component Summary (MCS and PCS) scores. In the original study, outcome measures were administered at admission and 2 and 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and 1 and 2 years after injury; in the present extended follow-up study, the outcome measures were administered 5–10 years postinjury. Treatment comparison between patients in the TLSO group and those in the NO group was performed at the latest available follow-up, and the time-weighted average treatment effect was determined using a mixed-effects model of longitudinal regression for repeated measures averaged over all time periods. Missing data were assumed to be missing at random and were replaced with a set of plausible values derived using a multiple imputation procedure.RESULTSThe RMDQ score at 5–10 years postinjury was 3.6 ± 0.9 (mean ± SE) for the TLSO group and 4.8 ± 1.5 for the NO group (p = 0.486, 95% CI −2.3 to 4.8). Average kyphosis was 18.3° ± 2.2° for the TLSO group and 18.6° ± 3.8° for the NO group (p = 0.934, 95% CI −7.8 to 8.5). No differences were found between the NO and TLSO groups with time-weighted average treatment effects for RMDQ 1.9 (95% CI −1.5 to 5.2), for PCS −2.5 (95% CI −7.9 to 3.0), for MCS −1.2 (95% CI −6.7 to 4.2) and for average pain 0.9 (95% CI −0.5 to 2.2).CONCLUSIONSCompared with patients treated with a TLSO, patients treated using early mobilization without orthosis maintain similar pain relief and improvement in function for 5–10 years.

scholarly journals A Virtual Reality-Based Self-Help Intervention for Dealing with the Psychological Distress Associated with the COVID-19 Lockdown: An Effectiveness Study with a Two-Week Follow-Up

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8188
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Riva ◽  
Luca Bernardelli ◽  
Gianluca Castelnuovo ◽  
Daniele Di Lernia ◽  
Cosimo Tuena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a novel self-administered at-home daily virtual reality (VR)-based intervention (COVID Feel Good) for reducing the psychological burden experienced during the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy. A total of 40 individuals who had experienced at least two months of strict social distancing measures followed COVID Feel Good between June and July 2020 for one week. Primary outcome measures were depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, perceived stress levels, and hopelessness. Secondary outcomes were the experienced social connectedness and the level of fear experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Linear mixed-effects models were fitted to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Additionally, we also performed a clinical change analysis on primary outcome measures. As concerning primary outcome measures, participants exhibited improvements from baseline to post-intervention for depression levels, stress levels, general distress, and perceived stress (all p < 0.05) but not for the perceived hopelessness (p = 0.110). Results for the secondary outcomes indicated an increase in social connectedness from T0 to T1 (p = 0.033) but not a significant reduction in the perceived fear of coronavirus (p = 0.412). Among these study variables, these significant improvements were maintained from post-intervention to the 2-week follow-up (p > 0.05). Results indicated that the intervention was associated with good clinical outcomes, low-to-no risks for the treatment, and no adverse effects or risks. Globally, evidence suggests a beneficial effect of the proposed protocol and its current availability in 12 different languages makes COVID Feel Good a free choice for helping individuals worldwide to cope with the psychological distress associated with the COVID-19 crisis, although large scale trials are needed to evaluate its efficacy.

scholarly journals The effect of patient, fracture and surgery on outcomes of high energy neck of femur fractures in patients aged 15–50

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne Hoskins ◽  
Johnny Rayner ◽  
Rohan Sheehy ◽  
Harry Claireaux ◽  
Roger Bingham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Femoral Neck ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Femoral Neck Fractures ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Femur Fractures

Introduction: High-energy femoral neck fractures in young patients can be devastating, with the risk of osteonecrosis, nonunion, malunion and lifelong morbidity. The aim of this study is to define the effects of patient, fracture and surgical factors on the outcome of high-energy femoral neck fractures in patients aged from 15 to 50 years. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of high-energy femoral neck fractures in patients aged 15–50 managed surgically at a Level 1 Trauma Centre, using a prospectively recorded trauma database. Low energy trauma (including falls from <1 m), medical conditions adversely affecting bone density, and pathological fractures were excluded. A clinical and radiological review was performed. The primary outcome measures were the development of osteonecrosis or nonunion leading to total hip arthroplasty (THA). Secondary outcome measures included osteotomy or other surgical procedures, quality of reduction and malunion. Results: 32 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were identified between January 2008 and July 2015. The mean follow-up was 58.5 months (range 980–3,048 days). 3 patients (9.4%) required THA. No other surgical procedures were performed. None of the 29 other patients developed radiologically apparent osteonecrosis. Fracture type, displacement, anatomical reduction and fixation type were not statistically significant risk factors affecting these outcomes. For all patients, an average of 8% loss of femoral neck height and 10% femoral neck offset were seen. Conclusions: At a mean 4.9-year follow-up, the incidence of high-energy femoral neck fractures leading to THA was 9.4%, as a consequence of osteonecrosis or nonunion. Malunion was common.

scholarly journals Adiposity change and mortality in middle-aged to older Chinese: an 8-year follow-up of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e039239
Author(s):  
Ying Yue Huang ◽  
Chao Qiang Jiang ◽  
Lin Xu ◽  
Wei Sen Zhang ◽  
Feng Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Cancer Mortality ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
Cvd Mortality

ObjectiveTo examine the associations of change in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) over an average of 4 years with subsequent mortality risk in middle-aged to older Chinese.DesignProspective cohort study based on the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.SettingCommunity-based sample.Participants17 773 participants (12 956 women and 4817 men) aged 50+ years.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome measure was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcome measures were cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer mortality. Causes of death were obtained via record linkage, and coded according to the International Classification of Diseases (tenth revision).Results1424 deaths (53.4% women) occurred in the 17 773 participants (mean age 61.2, SD 6.8 years) during an average follow-up of 7.8 (SD=1.5) years, and 97.7% of participants did not have an intention of weight loss . Compared with participants with stable BMI, participants with BMI loss (>5%), but not gain, had a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR=1.49, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.71), which was greatest in those who were underweight (HR=2.45, 95% CI 1.31 to 4.59). Similar patterns were found for WC. In contrast, for participants with a BMI of ≥27.5 kg/m2, BMI gain, versus stable BMI, was associated with 89% higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR=1.89, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.88), 72% higher risk of CVD mortality (HR=1.72, 95% CI 0.80 to 3.72) and 2.27-fold risk of cancer mortality (HR=2.27, 95% CI 1.26 to 4.10).ConclusionIn older people, unintentional BMI/WC loss, especially in those who were underweight was associated with higher mortality risk. However, BMI gain in those with obesity showed excess risks of all-cause and cancer mortality, but not CVD mortality. Frequent monitoring of changes in body size can be used as an early warning for timely clinical investigations and interventions and is important to inform appropriate health management in older Chinese.

scholarly journals The Impact of Rehabilitation-oriented Virtual Reality Device in Patients With Ischemic Stroke in the Early Subacute Recovery Phase: Study Protocol for a Phase III, Single-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 117957351989947
Author(s):  
Nima Ahmed ◽  
Vitor A Queiroz Mauad ◽  
Olga Gomez-Rojas ◽  
Ammu Sushea ◽  
Gelanys Castro-Tejada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
The United States ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Be The Change

Background and rationale: Stroke is considered the most common cause of adult disability. Intensive rehabilitation protocols outperform nonintensive counterparts. The subacute stroke phase represents a potential window to recovery. Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to provide a more stimulating environment, allowing for increased patient compliance. However, the quality of current literature comparing VR with standard therapies is limited. Our aim is to measure the impact of VR versus standard therapy on the recovery of the upper limb motor function in patients with stroke in the early subacute recovery phase. Method: This is a randomized, controlled trial that will assign 262 patients to tailor-made standard rehabilitation (TMSR) or TMSR plus immersive VR device. The trial will be conducted in an urban rehabilitation clinic in the United States with expertise in the management of poststroke patients. Patients will be 18 to 70 years of age and in the early subacute period (30-90 days post ischemic stroke). The primary outcome will be the change of Fugl-Meyer Assessment—Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) score, measured at baseline and 13 weeks after randomization. The secondary outcome will be the change in the UK Functional Independence Measure and Functional Assessment Measure (UK FIM-FAM) score at the same time points. Discussion: If the use of VR in the rehabilitation of patients with stroke proves to have a significant impact on their motor recovery, it will constitute an extremely important step into decreasing the functional impairment associated with stroke and the related health care expense burden.

Anterior Interosseous–to–Ulnar Motor Nerve Transfers: A Single Center’s Experience in Restoring Intrinsic Hand Function

Hand ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 155894472092848
Author(s):  
Graham J. McLeod ◽  
Blair R. Peters ◽  
Tanis Quaife ◽  
Tod A. Clark ◽  
Jennifer L. Giuffre
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Motor Nerve ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Donor Site ◽  
Nerve Transfer ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
No Donor ◽  
Motor Branch ◽  
Nerve Transfers

Background: Transfer of the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) into the ulnar motor branch improves intrinsic hand function in patients with high ulnar nerve injuries. We report our outcomes of this nerve transfer and hypothesize that any improvement in intrinsic hand function is beneficial to patients. Methods: A retrospective review of all AIN-to-ulnar motor nerve transfers, including both supercharged end-to-side (SETS) and end-to-end (ETE) transfers, from 2011 to 2018 performed by 2 surgeons was conducted. All adult patients who underwent this nerve transfer for any reason with greater than 6 months’ follow-up and completed charts were included. Primary outcome measures were motor function using the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) grading system and subjective satisfaction with surgery using a visual analog scale. Secondary outcome measures included complications and donor site deficits. Results: Of the 57 patients who underwent nerve transfer, 32 patients met the inclusion criteria. The average follow-up and average time to surgery were 12 and 15.6 months, respectively. The overall average BMRC score was 2.9/5, with a trend toward better recovery in patients who received earlier surgery (<12 months = BMRC 3.7, ≥12 months = BMRC 2.2; P < .01). Patients with an SETS transfer had better results that those with an ETE transfer (SETS = 3.2, ETE = 2.6). There were no donor deficits after operation. One patient developed complex regional pain syndrome. Conclusions: Patients with earlier surgery and an in-continuity nerve (receiving an SETS transfer) showed improved recovery with a higher BMRC grade compared with those who underwent later surgery. Any improvements in intrinsic hand function would be beneficial to patients.

scholarly journals Evaluation of glycerol-preserved bone allografts in cervical spine fusion: a prospective, randomized controlled trial

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Scott Graham ◽  
Brian J. Samsell ◽  
Allison Proffer ◽  
Mark A. Moore ◽  
Rafael A. Vega ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Biomechanical Properties ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Radiographic Evaluation ◽  
Bone Allografts ◽  
Physical Measurements ◽  
Treatment Type ◽  
Freeze Dried

OBJECT Bone allografts used for interbody spinal fusion are often preserved through either freeze drying or lowtemperature freezing, each having disadvantages related to graft preparation time and material properties. In response, a glycerol preservation treatment has been developed to maintain the biomechanical properties of allografts at ambient temperatures, requiring no thawing or rehydration and minimal rinsing prior to implantation. The authors conducted a prospective randomized study to compare the clinical results of glycerol-preserved Cloward dowels and those of freezedried Cloward dowels in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. The primary outcome measures were evidence of fusion and graft subsidence, and the secondary outcome measures included adverse events, pain, and neck disability scores. METHODS Of 106 patients, 53 (113 levels of surgery) were randomly assigned to the glycerol-preserved graft group and 53 (114 levels of surgery) to the freeze-dried graft group. Subsidence was assessed at 3 and 6 months after implantation. Evidence of fusion was evaluated radiographically at 6 months postimplantation. Subsidence was quantitatively assessed based on physical measurements obtained from radiographs by using calibrated comparators, whereas fusion was also evaluated visually. Surgeons were blinded to treatment type during visual and physical assessments of the patients and the radiographs. RESULTS No one in either group had evidence of complete nonunion according to radiographic evaluation at the 6-month follow-up. Average subsidence for all graft-treated levels was 2.11 mm for the glycerol-preserved group and 2.73 mm for the freeze-dried group at the 3-month follow-up and 2.13 and 2.83 mm at the 6-month follow-up, respectively. The 2 treatment groups were statistically equivalent (p = 0.2127 and 0.1705 for the 3- and 6-month follow-up, respectively). No differences were noted between the graft types in terms of adverse event incidence or severity. CONCLUSIONS Glycerol-preserved bone allografts exhibit fusion results and subsidence values similar to those of their freeze-dried counterparts, potentially more favorable biomechanical properties, and significantly shorter preparation times.

scholarly journals A Conscious Sedation Protocol for Videolaryngostroboscopy in Pediatric Patients

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Anne ◽  
Lawrence M. Borland ◽  
Laura Haibeck ◽  
Joseph E. Dohar
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Conscious Sedation ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Diagnostic Information ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Sedation Protocol

Objective. To determine best sedation protocol for videolaryngostroboscopy in children unable to tolerate non-sedated evaluation.Materials and Methods.Consecutive case series of 10 children with voice disturbances, unable to tolerate nonsedated videolaryngostroboscopy at an academic tertiary care children’s hospital. Flexible fiberoptic videolaryngostroboscopy was performed and interpreted by pediatric otolaryngologist and speech and language pathologist. Sedation was administered with newly described protocol that allowed functional portion of evaluation.Main Outcome Measures: ability to follow commands and tolerate flexible fiberoptic videolaryngostroboscopy.Secondary Outcome Measures: total phonation time, complications, need for subsequent videolaryngostroboscopic attempts, clinical outcomes, and follow-up.Results. 10 children underwent procedure under conscious sedation. 9/10 children were able to perform simple tasks and maintain adequate phonation time to complete stroboscopic exam. 1/10 patients failed to complete exam because of crying during entire exam. Mean exam time was 2 minutes 52 seconds (SD 86 seconds), phonation time is 1 minute 44 seconds (SD 60 seconds), and number of tasks completed was 10.5 (SD 8.6).Conclusions. Conscious sedation for videolaryngostroboscopy can be safely and effectively performed in children unable to comply with nonsedated examination. Such studies provide valuable diagnostic information to make a diagnosis and to devise a treatment plan.

scholarly journals Effects of virtual reality training on occupational performance and self-efficacy of patients with stroke: a randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Long ◽  
Rangge Ouyang ◽  
Jiaqi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Performance Measure ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Occupational Performance ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure ◽  
Vr Training

Abstract Background—Virtual reality (VR) has been broadly applied in post-stroke rehabilitation. However, studies on occupational performance and self-efficacy as primary outcomes of stroke rehabilitation using VR are lacking. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effects of VR training on occupational performance and self-efficacy in patients with stroke.Methods—This was an assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Sixty participants with first-ever stroke (< 1-year onset) underwent rehabilitation in a single acute hospital. Participants were randomly assigned to either the VR group (n = 30) or control group (n = 30). Both groups received dose-matched conventional rehabilitation (i.e., 45 min, five times per week over 3 weeks). The VR group received additional 45-min VR training for five weekdays over 3 weeks. The primary outcome measures were the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Secondary outcome measures included Modified Barthel Index, Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity, and Functional Test for the Hemiplegic Upper Extremity. The assessment was conducted at baseline and after the 3-week intervention.Results—A total of 52 participants (86.7%) completed the trial. Significant between-group differences in Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (Median Difference = 8, P = 0.043) and Modified Barthel Index (Median Difference = 10, P = 0.030) were found; however, no significant between-group differences in Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity, and Functional Test for the Hemiplegic Upper Extremity were noted. No serious adverse reactions related to the program were reported.Conclusions—Additional VR training could help improve the self-efficacy and activities of daily living of patients with stroke; however, it was not superior to conventional training in the improvement of upper limb functions, occupational performance, and satisfaction. Nevertheless, VR could be integrated into conventional rehabilitation programs to enhance self-efficacy of patients after stroke.Trial Registration—This study was successfully registered under the title “Effects of virtual reality training on occupational performance and self-efficacy of patients with stroke” on October 13 2019 and could be located in http://www.chictr.org with the study identifier ChiCTR1900026550.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document