Background: Research over the last two decades has highlighted the critical role of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain neuroplasticity. Studies suggest that physical exercise may have a positive impact on the release of BDNF and therefore, brain plasticity. These results in animal and human studies have potential implications for the recovery from damage to the brain and for interventions that aim to facilitate neuroplasticity and, therefore, the rehabilitation process. Purpose: The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic review of the literature investigating how aerobic exercises and functional task training influence BDNF concentrations post-stroke in humans and animal models. Data Sources: Searches were conducted in PubMed (via National Library of Medicine), SCOPUS (Elsevier), CINAHL with Full Text (EBSCO), MEDLINE 1946—present with daily updates (Ovid) and Cochrane. Study Selection: All of the database searches were limited to the period from January, 2004 to May, 2017. Data Extraction: Two reviewers extracted study details and data. The methodological quality of the studies that used animal models was assessed using the ARRIVE Guidelines, and the study that evaluated human BDNF was assessed using the PEDro Scale. Data Synthesis: Twenty-one articles were included in this review. BDNF measurements were performed systemically (serum/plasma) or locally (central nervous system). Only one study evaluated human BDNF concentrations following physical exercise, while 20 studies were experimental studies using a stroke model in animals. A wide variation was observed in the training protocol between studies, although treadmill walking was the most common type of intervention among the studies. Studies were of variable quality: the studies that used animal models scored from 8/20 to 15/20 according to the ARRIVE Guidelines. The only study that evaluated human subjects scored 5/10 according to the PEDro scale and, which indicates a quality classified as “fair”. Conclusions: The results of the current systematic review suggest that aerobic exercise promotes changes in central BDNF concentrations post-stroke. On the other hand, BDNF responses following functional exercises, such as reaching training and Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), seem to be still controversial. Given the lack of studies evaluating post-stroke BDNF concentration following physical exercise in humans, these conclusions are based on animal work.

This article aimed to review the literature to verify the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) on the intrinsic properties of spastic muscles and functionality in children with cerebral palsy (CP). A literature search was conducted in the following databases: CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science and PubMed. Database searches were limited to the period from January 1993 to March 2014. A total of 2182 papers were identified, and 17 met the inclusion criteria. Only one study analyzed the effect of the toxin on muscle intrinsic properties and others analyzed the effect on functionality. BTX-A application demonstrated no changes in the passive stiffness of spastic muscle. In relation to functional level, the evidence of BTX-A effect was controversial. These studies showed methodological quality limitations that restrict the interpretation of the results for the entire CP population, which justifies the need for further randomized controlled trials.

The stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the world. One of the main complaints of individuals post-stroke refers to the loss of function of the upper limb, as evidenced during the performance of activities of daily living. This difficulty may be related to an important component of sensorimotor control, joint position sense, a submodality of proprioception. To investigate whether the proprioception of both shoulders of chronic hemiparetic patients is altered during abduction and flexion. Thirteen subjects with chronic hemiparesis due to ischemic stroke and 13 healthy subjects matched for gender and age was included. The joint sense position was assessed using a dynamometer. Absolute error for shoulder abduction and flexion at the 30 and 60° was calculated. No difference was found between the paretic and non-paretic limbs in movements at both 30 and 60°. Higher values of absolute error for both paretic and non-paretic limbs compared to the control were observed during abduction at 30 and at 60°. Chronic ischemic post-stroke patients have bilateral proprioceptive deficits in the shoulder during abduction and flexion. But these deficits are dependent on the movement performed and the angle tested. The results demonstrate the need to include bilateral exercises and/or visual feedback in the rehabilitation program.

This study aimed to assess the effect of the Lower Extremity Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (LE-CIMT) intervention on the intra-limb hip-knee coordination and its variability in walking in chronic post-stroke individuals considering the lenses of the dynamic systems approach to motor behavior. Twelve chronic post-stroke individuals received the LE-CIMT intervention for 10 days following all protocol’s recommendations and designed according to individuals’ needs. Before, three days, and 30 days after the intervention, angular kinematics in the sagittal plane of the trunk, hip and knee of both extremities were analyzed. We analyzed joint angles for swing and stance phases of walking, and the intra-limb coordination of hip-knee joints through the vector coding technique. For separate joint angular kinematics, we found differences between affected extremities but no effects of the intervention. However, we observed changes in intra-limb coordination pattern as a function of increased variability after intervention and increased stability at follow-up. These changes follow the predicted pattern from the dynamic systems approach to motor behavior. The immediate decreased stability of the initial pattern could be due to the active exploration of space solution offered by the LE-CIMT and, posteriorly, the stability increased after finding new movement solutions in the real-life environment.