Objective: There is a growing importance for the home-based (HB) support services, and computerized cognitive training (CCT) has been reported as an effective intervention for cognitive impairment. However, there is still a need for further verification of the effect of HB-CCT. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of HB-CCT on the cognitive function of community-dwelling adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as well as safety in its use. Methods: Fifty community-dwelling adults with MCI were included, of which 25 each were randomized to either HB-CCT or control groups. Evaluations of comprehensive cognition, memory, attention, language, executive function, and depression were performed before and after the intervention, including three times a week for eight weeks in the intervention group and eight weeks apart with no intervention in the control group. Results: In baseline and post-evaluation comparisons, the HB-CCT group showed significant improvements, while the control group did not show significant changes. Statistically significant variations were noted between the HB-CCT and control groups in all post-intervention evaluations relative to baseline. Additionally, no side effects were observed. Conclusion: Beneficial effects on cognition and depression were noted in the intervention group compared with the control group, suggesting that HB-CCT may be a positive tool for cognitive improvement in adults with MCI.

Background: This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of dance therapy using telerehabilitation on trunk control and balance training in patients with stroke and compare them with the effects of conventional treatment. Methods: We enrolled 17 patients with subacute or chronic stroke who were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. In addition to conventional physical therapy, the experimental group (n = 9) participated in 40-minute, non-face-to-face, dance-therapy sessions and the control group (n = 8) received conventional physical therapy. The primary outcome measures were the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) scores to assess trunk control and balance function between the 2 groups as a measure of change from baseline to after the intervention. Results: We found that the TIS scores of the patients in the experimental group significantly improved (P = .017). The TIS results indicated non-inferiority within a predefined margin for dance therapy using telerehabilitation (difference = -0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -2.21 to 0.50). Conclusion: Dance therapy using telerehabilitation significantly improved the TIS scores in the experimental group and was not inferior to conventional rehabilitation treatment when compared in a non-inferiority test. The remote dance program may therefore have similar effects to those of conventional treatment regarding trunk-control improvement in patients with stroke.

One of the pathophysiologies of post-stroke spasticity (PSS) is the imbalance of the reticulospinal tract (RST) caused by injury to the corticoreticular pathway (CRP) after stroke. We investigated the relationship between injuries of the CRP and PSS using MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The subjects were divided into spasticity and control groups. We measured the ipsilesional fractional anisotropy (iFA) and contralesional fractional anisotropy (cFA) values on the reticular formation (RF) of the CRP were on the DTI images. We carried out a retrospective analysis of 70 patients with ischemic stroke. The cFA values of CRP in the spasticity group were lower than those in the control group (p = 0.04). In the sub-ROI analysis of CRP, the iFA values of pontine RF were lower than the cFA values in both groups (p < 0.05). The cFA values of medullary RF in the spasticity group were lower than the iFA values within groups, and also lower than the cFA values in the control group (p < 0.05). This results showed the CRP injury and that imbalance of RST caused by CRP injury was associated with PSS. DTI analysis of CRP could provide imaging evidence for the pathophysiology of PSS.

Aged or fermented garlic extract (FGE) is a natural remedy that improves vascular function through increasing vascular nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. This is because nitrite (NO₂⁻), a NO metabolite, can be produced through bioconversion with macrobacteria during the fermentation of foods like garlic. We aimed to evaluate the effects of NO₂⁻ in FGE on blood flow (BF), blood pressure (BP), velocity of the common carotid artery (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA), regional cerebral BF (rCBF), and peripheral BF (PBF). The study was divided into two parts: (1) Thirty healthy adults were divided into FGE and placebo groups to compare BP and velocity of the CCA and ICA; and (2) Twenty-eight healthy adults were divided into FGE and placebo groups to compare rCBF and PBF and determine changes before/after ingestion. Significant changes were noted in BP and the velocity of both CCA 30–60 min after FGE ingestion. FGE ingestion resulted in significant increases in rCBF and increases in body surface temperature through alterations in PBF. No detectable clinical side effects were noted. Overall, oral administration of NO₂⁻ containing FGE demonstrated acute positive effects in upregulating BF, including the CCA, BP, rCBF, and PBF. Follow-up studies with larger sample sizes and long-term ingestion may be needed.

Objective To utilize pulmonary function parameters as predictive factors for dysphagia in individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries (CSCIs).Methods Medical records of 78 individuals with CSCIs were retrospectively reviewed. The pulmonary function was evaluated using spirometry and peak flow meter, whereas the swallowing function was assessed using a videofluoroscopic swallowing study. Participants were divided into the non-penetration-aspiration group (score 1 on the Penetration-Aspiration Scale [PAS]) and penetration-aspiration group (scores 2–8 on the PAS). Individuals with pharyngeal residue grade scores >1 were included in the pharyngeal residue group.Results The mean age was significantly higher in the penetration-aspiration and pharyngeal residue groups. In this study, individuals with clinical features, such as advanced age, history of tracheostomy, anterior surgical approach, and higher neurological level of injury, had significantly more penetration-aspiration or pharyngeal residue. Individuals in the penetration-aspiration group had significantly lower peak cough flow (PCF) levels. Individuals in the pharyngeal residue group had a significantly lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of PCF and FEV1 on the PAS, the cutoff value was 140 L/min and 37.5% of the predicted value, respectively.Conclusion Low PCF and FEV1 values may predict the risk of dysphagia in individuals with CSCIs. In these individuals, active evaluation of swallowing is recommended to confirm dysphagia.

Autonomic dysfunction is a common complication of acute stroke, which impairs functional outcomes and increases mortality. There is a lack of well-established knowledge regarding the influence of autonomic dysfunction in patients with acute stroke. This study aims to investigate the impact of the severity of autonomic dysfunction on functional outcomes in patients with acute stroke. A retrospective analysis was conducted at a single center, involving 22 patients diagnosed with acute stroke. The severity of autonomic dysfunction was evaluated based on the Composite Autonomic Scoring Scale (CASS). The modified Barthel Index, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Ambulatory Category, and modified Rankin Scale were designated as functional outcome measures. The impact of the severity of autonomic dysfunction on functional outcomes was analyzed using one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). A statistically significant difference was observed between the initial and follow-up functional outcomes based on the severity of autonomic dysfunction. This study presents evidence that the severity of autonomic dysfunction influences functional prognosis in patients with acute stroke. The findings will serve as additional considerations for the rehabilitation of patients with acute stroke.