Morena De Francesco

Dr. Morena De Francesco


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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3 July 2024 in Neurological Sciences
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Journal Article
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Maria Grazia MaggioMaria Grazia Maggio
Maria Grazia Maggio
FCFrancesco Corallo
Francesco Corallo
MFMorena De Francesco
Morena De Francesco
Maria Cristina De ColaMaria Cristina De Cola
Maria Cristina De Cola
RLRosaria De Luca
Rosaria De Luca
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore CalabròRocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
: Introduction: Stroke negatively impacts both patients and their families, who must face multiple changes after the onset of the disease. Family caregivers must face new problems with a possible sense of inadequacy, stress and burden. Our retrospective study aimed to assess the burden of caregivers during the rehabilitation process of patients with Stroke. Material and method: This study included patients with a diagnosis of stroke and their caregiver, who attended the Day Hospital of the IRCCS Neurolesi Center "Bonino-Pulejo", Messina, Italy, between January 2018 and October 2019, using electronic recovery system data. The final sample consisted of 30 patients and their caregivers. Results: Significant improvements were observed in patients' cognitive and mood scores, reflecting the efficacy of rehabilitation therapies. Additionally, a correlation emerged between patients' reported anxiety levels and caregivers' reported depression levels, highlighting a dynamic interaction between the emotional states of the two groups. Conclusion: The study highlights the intricate interplay between caregiver characteristics, patient outcomes, and family dynamics in the context of caregiving. Targeted interventions aimed at improving family resilience and coping mechanisms are crucial to optimizing the well-being of both caregivers and patients.

12 May 2024 in Brain Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Maria Grazia MaggioMaria Grazia Maggio
Maria Grazia Maggio
MVMaria Chiara Valeri
Maria Chiara Valeri
RLRosaria De Luca
Rosaria De Luca
FIFulvia Di Iulio
Fulvia Di Iulio
ICIrene Ciancarelli
Irene Ciancarelli
Giovanni MoroneGiovanni Morone
Giovanni Morone
Background: In recent years, new technologies have been applied in cerebral palsy. Among these, immersive virtual reality is one with promising motor and cognitive effects along with the reduced costs of its application. The level of immersion of the subject in the illusional world gives the feeling of being a real part of the virtual environment. This study aims to investigate the safety and the efficacy of immersive virtual reality in children affected by cerebral palsy. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, RehabData, and Web of Science were screened up to February 2023 to identify eligible clinical studies. Results: Out of 788, we included 15 studies involving CP patients. There was high heterogeneity in the outcomes considered, and the results showed non-inferiority to conventional therapy and initial additional benefits in comparison with conventional rehabilitation. Conclusions: Immersive virtual reality emerges as a pivotal technological tool in rehabilitation, seamlessly integrating with conventional therapy within CP rehabilitation programs. Indeed, it not only enhances motivation but significantly increases children’s functional capacity and abilities.

23 May 2025 in Medical Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MBMirjam Bonanno
Mirjam Bonanno
Maria Grazia MaggioMaria Grazia Maggio
Maria Grazia Maggio
PPPaolo De Pasquale
Paolo De Pasquale
LCLaura Ciatto
Laura Ciatto
AFAntonino Lombardo Facciale
Antonino Lombardo Facciale
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore CalabròRocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
Background/Objectives: Individuals with chronic stroke often experience various impairments, including poor balance, reduced mobility, limited physical activity, and difficulty performing daily tasks. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, telerehabilitation (TR) can overcome the barriers of geographical and physical distancing, time, costs, and travel, as well as the anxiety about contracting COVID-19. In this retrospective case-control study, we aim to evaluate the motor and cognitive effects of balance TR training carried out with a sensor-based non-immersive virtual reality system compared to conventional rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twenty chronic post-stroke patients underwent evaluation for inclusion in the analysis through an electronic recovery data system. The patients included in the study were divided into two groups with similar medical characteristics and duration of rehabilitation training. However, the groups differed in the type of rehabilitation approach used. The experimental group (EG) received TR with a sensor-based VR device, called VRRS—HomeKit (n. 10). In contrast, the control group (CG) underwent conventional home-based rehabilitation (n. 10). Results: At the end of the training, we observed significant improvements in the EG in the 10-m walking test (10MWT) (p = 0.01), Timed-Up-Go Left (TUG L) (p = 0.01), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (p = 0.005). Conclusions: In our study, we highlighted the potential role of sensor-based virtual reality TR in chronic stroke patients for improving lower limb function, suggesting that this approach is feasible and not inferior to conventional home-based rehabilitation.