Objective: This randomized controlled feasibility study investigates the ability for clinical application of the Brain-Computer Interface-based Soft Robotic Glove (BCI-SRG) incorporating activities of daily living (ADL)-oriented tasks for stroke rehabilitation. Methods: Eleven recruited chronic stroke patients were randomized into BCI-SRG or Soft Robotic Glove (SRG) group. Each group underwent 120-minute intervention per session comprising 30-minute standard arm therapy and 90-minute experimental therapy (BCI-SRG or SRG). To perform ADL tasks, BCI-SRG group used motor imagery-BCI and SRG, while SRG group used SRG without motor imagery-BCI. Both groups received 18 sessions of intervention over 6 weeks. Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) scores were measured at baseline (week 0), post- intervention (week 6), and follow-ups (week 12 and 24). In total, 10/11 patients completed the study with 5 in each group and 1 dropped out. Results: Though there were no significant intergroup differences for FMA and ARAT during 6-week intervention, the improvement of FMA and ARAT seemed to sustain beyond 6-week intervention for BCI-SRG group, as compared with SRG control. Incidentally, all BCI-SRG subjects reported a sense of vivid movement of the stroke-impaired upper limb and 3/5 had this phenomenon persisting beyond intervention while none of SRG did. Conclusion: BCI-SRG suggested probable trends of sustained functional improvements with peculiar kinesthetic experience outlasting active intervention in chronic stroke despite the dire need for large-scale investigations to verify statistical significance. Significance: Addition of BCI to soft robotic training for ADL-oriented stroke rehabilitation holds promise for sustained improvements as well as elicited perception of motor movements.

We report a case of Achilles tendinitis after intake of ciprofloxacin for treatment of respiratory tract infection. Fluoroquinolone-induced tendinopathy is an uncommon but increasingly recognised adverse effect of this antibiotic class. Most of the cases occur in the Achilles tendon and may lead to tendon rupture. Possible predisposing risk factors include use of steroid, patients with renal impairment or renal transplant, old age, and being an athlete. The drug should be stopped once this condition is suspected. Symptomatic treatment should be given and orthopaedic referral is desirable if tendon rupture occurs.

Upper limb weakness following stroke poses a significant global psychosocial and economic burden. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is a potential adjunctive treatment in rehabilitation. However, traditional approaches to rebalance interhemispheric inhibition may not be effective for all patients. The supportive role of the contralesional hemisphere in recovery of upper limb motor function has been supported by animal and clinical studies, particularly for those with severe strokes. This review aims to provide an overview of the facilitation role of the contralesional hemisphere for post-stroke motor recovery. While more studies are required to predict responses and inform the choice of NIBS approach, contralesional facilitation may offer new hope for patients in whom traditional rehabilitation and NIBS approaches have failed.

Background/Objectives: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is highly prevalent in hospitalized patients and can lead to major consequences. The prevalence of OH among patients with stroke has also been reported to be high in in-patient cohorts. However, no previous analysis has focused exclusively on patients with hemorrhagic stroke, a group that may have a different disease profile, including a greater need for blood pressure control and surgical intervention. This study aims to examine the prevalence of OH, its risk factors, and potential impact in patients who were hospitalized due to hemorrhagic stroke. Methods: A retrospective analysis of in-patient records between 1 January 2021 and 30 April 2023 was conducted for patients with stroke due to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) who were referred to rehabilitation at a tertiary hospital in Singapore. OH was defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure of ≥20 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of ≥10 mmHg during the sit-up test as part of the rehabilitation assessment. Additional data collected included demographic information, length of stay, antihypertensive medications used at the time of assessment, comorbidities, and discharge functional outcomes as measured by a modified Rankin Scale. Results: A total of 77 patients (65 [84.4%] with ICH and 12 [15.6%] with SAH) were included in the analysis. The prevalence of OH was 37.7%. A history of surgical intervention was identified as the major risk factor for the development of OH (odds ratio 4.28, 95% confidence interval 1.37 to 13.35, p = 0.009). There was no difference in hospital length of stay or discharge modified Rankin Scale scores between the two groups. Conclusions: OH was frequently observed among patients with hemorrhagic stroke during the acute/subacute stage and should be monitored, especially in patients who require surgical intervention.

Soft robotic devices may be a useful adjunct for stroke rehabilitation by providing higher intensity training, while allowing comfort and portability compa