Stroke occurrence is not randomly distributed over time but has circadian rhythmicity with the highest frequency of onset in the morning hours. This specific temporal pattern is valid for all subtypes of cerebral infarction and intracerebral hemorrhage. It also correlates with the circadian variation of some exogenous factors such as orthostatic changes, physical activity, sleep-awake cycle, as well as with endogenous factors including dipping patterns of blood pressure, or morning prothrombotic and hypofibrinolytic states with underlying cyclic changes in the autonomous system and humoral activity. Since the internal clock is responsible for these circadian biological changes, its disruption may increase the risk of stroke occurrence and influence neuronal susceptibility to injury and neurorehabilitation. This review aims to summarize the literature data on the circadian variation of cerebrovascular events according to physiological, cellular, and molecular circadian changes, to survey the available information on the chronotherapy and chronoprophylaxis of stroke and its risk factors, as well as to discuss the less reviewed impact of the circadian rhythm in stroke onset on patient outcome and functional status after stroke.

Music has been proven to have therapeutic potential in neurological disorders, especially Parkinson’s disease (PD), since rhythmic auditory cueing can partially replace the progressive loss of rhythmicity and automaticity. Several reports have highlighted improvements in motor outcomes in PD patients undergoing music therapy, but only a few studies have evaluated non-motor outcomes, such as quality of life (QoL), which deteriorates with disease progression. The current pilot study aims to examine the effects of a multimodal rehabilitation program centered on physical therapy combined with listening to music on self-reported QoL in people with PD, compared to the same rehabilitation program alone. The study was conducted on patients with idiopathic PD who attended a specific rehabilitation program with a duration of 2.5 h daily for 14 days. The patients were divided into the study group (16 patients), who listened to background music during the rehabilitation program sessions, and the control group who did not listen to music during sessions. The patients were assessed using the self-report Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) at the beginning of the program and 1 month after its initiation. The patients in the study group registered greater improvements in five of the eight areas of life assessed by PDQ-39 compared to the control group. In conclusion, listening to music combined with a multimodal rehabilitation program centered on physical therapy may be beneficial for the patients’ quality of life.

Aims and BackgroundThe circadian pattern of stroke occurrence variation has been recognized with certain differences between authors and stroke types. The underlying reason may be related to exogenous factors (cyclic physical activity, including sleep–awake cycles and assuming the up-right posture) and endogenous factors, with their diurnal variation (blood pressure, hemostatic balance, autonomic system activity). The aims of the present study are to investigate the existence of a circadian variation of stroke and the possible differences between stroke subtypes in the Cluj Napoca area.Materials and MethodThe stroke event data were acquired from the Patient Records of a consecutive series of 1083 patients admitted through the Emergency Room at Neurology Departments I and II of the District Hospital of Cluj Napoca, between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2012. The classifiable onset time was assigned to one of four six-hour intervals: 00.01-06.00 (night), 06.01-12.00 (morning), 12.01-18.00 (afternoon) and 18.01-24.00 (evening). Demographic data and vascular risk factors were recorded.ResultsAll three stroke types (ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage) have shown a circadian variation regarding their occurrence, with the peak of incidence in the morning and the nadir during nighttime. This circadian pattern is independent by demographic factors and vascular risk factors.ConclusionOur study confirmed the circadian variation of onset occurrence for all stroke subtypes. Some triggering factors promote ischemic stroke and prevent hemorrhagic stroke. The diurnal pattern of variation with the higher incidence in the morning and the lower in the night may lead to chrono-therapeutic and preventive approach (chrono-therapy of the risk factors), which targets the period of the highest vulnerability after awaking.

Introduction & objectives: Although controversial, the Mozart effect, consisting of an improvement in cognitive abilities in healthy persons, has started to be studied in the case of patients with various neurological, even neurodegenerative diseases (dementia, treatment-refractory epilepsy). There are few data on the Mozart effect in Parkinson’s disease, but the positive results reported for other neurological pathologies have led us to study this subject. The aim of this study is to compare the results of the Mozart effect associated with specific kinetic treatment in the rehabilitation of Parkinson’s disease and the effect of standard kinesiotherapy, results reflected in the impact on the degree of disability, emotional state and quality of life. Material and method: This was a prospective case-control study, comprising patients with Parkinson’s disease, Hoehn & Yahr stages I-III, included in a motor neurorehabilitation program through the project “The power of hope for patients with Parkinson’s disease” Cluj-Napoca. The patients were assigned to two groups, a control group with specific physiotherapy and the other group receiving the same specific kinetic treatment associated with the Mozart effect, for 2 hours daily, over 14 consecutive days. The patients were assessed using the Schwab & England scale (for the degree of dependence) and the PHQ-9 scale (for depression) before and after therapy. Results: After 2 weeks of therapy, the patients in the study group had much more obvious, statistically significant improvements in both scores. Conclusions: Mozart’s music, as an adjuvant intervention to specific kinetic treatment in patients with Parkinson’s disease, had a beneficial effect, ameliorating the degree of disability and emotional status.