Background: Stroke burden characterization studies in low‐ and middle‐income countries are scarce. We estimated the burden of stroke and its risk factors in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Methods and Results: We extracted GBD (Global Burden of Disease) study 2019 data on overall stroke and 3 subtypes (ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage) for 20 LAC countries. We estimated absolute and age‐standardized rates of disability‐adjusted life years, years of life lost, years lived with disability, and deaths. The population‐attributable fractions of 17 risk factors were estimated. All analyses were performed at regional and national levels by stroke subtype, sex, and age subgroups. In 2019, the LAC region had the fourth largest stroke burden worldwide (6.8 million disability‐adjusted life years), predominantly attributable to premature deaths (89.5% of disability‐adjusted life years). Intracerebral hemorrhage was the primary cause of the overall stroke burden (42% of disability‐adjusted life years), but ischemic stroke was the leading cause of disability (69% of total years lived with disability). Haiti and Honduras had the highest age‐standardized rates. Older adults and men had the largest burdens, although women had the highest rate of disability. Socioeconomic development level did not influence the burden. The major risk factor clusters were metabolic (high systolic blood pressure [population‐attributable fraction=53%] and high body mass index [population‐attributable fraction=37%]), which were more influential in hemorrhagic events, women, and older adults. Household air pollution was an important risk factor in low‐income countries in LAC. Conclusions: The stroke burden and stroke‐related mortality in LAC are higher than the worldwide averages. However, stroke is a highly preventable disease in this region. Up to 90% of the burden could be reduced by targeting 2 modifiable factors: blood pressure and body mass index. Further research and implementation of primary and secondary prevention interventions are needed, as well as integrated national stroke care programs for acute, subacute, and rehabilitation management in LAC.

Background: The use of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) combined with exercise could produce synergistic effects on chronic pain conditions. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NIBS combined with exercise to treat chronic pain as well as to describe the parameters used to date in this combination. Methods: The search was carried out in Medline, Central, Scopus, Embase, and Pedro until November 2019. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies reporting the use of non-invasive brain stimulation and exercise on patients with chronic pain were selected and revised. Results: The authors included eight studies (RCTs), reporting eight comparisons (219 participants). Authors found a significant and homogeneous pain decrease (ES: -0.62, 95% CI:-0.89 to -0.34; I2= 0.0%) in favor of the combined intervention compared to sham NIBS + exercise, predominantly by excitatory (anodal tDCS/rTMS) motor cortex stimulation. Regarding NIBS techniques, the pooled effect sizes were significant for both tDCS (ES: -0.59, 95% CI: -0.89 to -0.29, I2= 0.0%) and rTMS (ES: -0.76, 95% CI: -1.41 to -0.11, I2=0.0%). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests a significant moderate to large effects of the NIBS and exercise combination in chronic pain. The authors discuss the potential theoretical framework for this synergistic effect.

Preventing cognitive impairment in older adults is a public health priority. Although multidomain interventions have shown promise as preventive strategies, the optimal combination of interventions remains unclear. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare and rank the relative efficacy of single-domain and multidomain lifestyle interventions for the prevention of cognitive impairment in older adults who are cognitively unimpaired. We did a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in PubMed and Embase from inception until the date of our search on May 7, 2024 following a preregistered protocol in PROSPERO (CRD42024601975). We included RCTs in older adults who are cognitively unimpaired evaluating lifestyle interventions targeting diet, physical exercise, cognitive training, social activity, and health education, either alone or in combination. The primary outcome was global cognition, analysed using random-effects network meta-analysis, reporting standardised mean differences (SMDs) and 95% CIs, and compared against health education, active control, or no intervention. Subgroup analyses explored potential age-related differences and the effect of intervention duration. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias 2, and publication bias was evaluated by assessing funnel plot asymmetry. Of the 10 200 citations identified and 1183 full texts screened for eligibility, we identified 109 eligible RCTs, including 23 010 participants (median age 70·1 years [IQR 68·7-73·8], 14 957 [65%] female and 8053 [35%] male). Compared with health education, significant improvements in global cognition were found for physical exercise and cognitive training combined (SMD 0·26 [95% CI 0·10-0·42; p=0·0011); cognitive training alone (SMD 0·21 [0·08-0·33]; p=0·00092); diet, physical exercise, cognitive training, and health education combined (SMD 0·14 [0·02-0·27]; p=0·028); and physical exercise alone (SMD 0·14 [0·05-0·22]; p=0·0014). Random-effects models using active control and no intervention as comparators yielded similarly significant effects for the aforementioned interventions, with effect sizes in the same order. Risk of bias was high in 44 (40%) studies, and publication bias was suggested in studies comparing interventions with health education. Several single-domain and multidomain lifestyle interventions are efficacious at modulating global cognition in older adults who are cognitively unimpaired, with the combination of physical exercise and cognitive training demonstrating the strongest effect. Combining lifestyle interventions might enhance efficacy, but increased number of domains does not automatically translate into greater cognitive benefits. These findings support lifestyle interventions as key components of prevention strategies; however, their optimal combination requires further investigation. None.

Clinical findings suggest that transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) can modulate ascending sensitive, descending corticospinal, and segmental pathways in the spinal cord (SC). However, several aspects of the stimulation have not been completely understood, and realistic computational models based on MRI are the gold standard to predict the interaction between tsDCS-induced electric fields and anatomy. Here, we review the electric fields distribution in the SC during tsDCS as predicted by MRI-based realistic models, compare such knowledge with clinical findings, and define the role of computational knowledge in optimizing tsDCS protocols. tsDCS-induced electric fields are predicted to be safe and induce both transient and neuroplastic changes. This could support the possibility to explore new clinical applications, such as spinal cord injury. For the most applied protocol (2–3 mA for 20–30 min, active electrode over T10–T12 and the reference on the right shoulder), similar electric field intensities are generated in both ventral and dorsal horns of the SC at the same height. This was confirmed by human studies, in which both motor and sensitive effects were found. Lastly, electric fields are strongly dependent on anatomy and electrodes’ placement. Regardless of the montage, inter-individual hotspots of higher values of electric fields were predicted, which could change when the subjects move from a position to another (e.g., from the supine to the lateral position). These characteristics underlines the need for individualized and patient-tailored MRI-based computational models to optimize the stimulation protocol. A detailed modeling approach of the electric field distribution might contribute to optimizing stimulation protocols, tailoring electrodes’ configuration, intensities, and duration to the clinical outcome.

Fibromyalgia is a complex pain condition that affects mostly women. Given the disease's lack of understanding, patients report poor adherence to medication and mistrust of medical services. This study aims to describe the recruitment characteristics and non-adherence associated factors of fibromyalgia patients to an RCT. We performed a retrospective longitudinal analysis with data from our ongoing RCT. We investigated characteristics of subjects recruited, consented, and randomized. Adherence was studied using survival analysis techniques, and its associated factors were identified using Cox proportional hazards regression model. 524 subjects were contacted, 269 were eligible, 61 consented and 40 subjects were randomized. Thirty-eight percent were non-adherent to the protocol with a median of visits of five. The recruitment survey reported that 90% would likely participate in RCTs, 52% had previous participation, and 19% were aware of RCTs by their physicians. Some barriers were investigator-related (staff's friendliness and receiving the results of their trial participation) and center-related (privacy-confidentiality issues and the institution's reputation), without difference between adherent and non-adherent participants. We report significant factors for non-adherence as VAS anxiety score of 5 or more (5.3 HR, p = 0.01), Body Mass Index (BMI) (0.91 HR, p = 0.041) and Quality of Life (QoL) – Personal development subdomain (0.89 HR, p = 0.046). Recruitment and adherence of fibromyalgia patients is a challenge; however, they seem eager to participate in RCTs. We recommend creating a comfortable, friendly and trusting environment to increase the recruitment rate. Higher anxiety, lower BMI and lower quality of life were associated with a higher attrition rate.

There is a need of well-powered randomized clinical trials in fibromyalgia. However, challenges for recruitment are presented. This study aims to describe and assess the perception of barriers and facilitators and the associated factors for the participation of underrepresented and non-underrepresented fibromyalgia patients. We performed an online survey through REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) targeting fibromyalgia patients from April 7 to July 3, 2020 during the COVID-19 stay home mandate and it was restricted to the United States of America. We described and compared the survey characteristics between underrepresented and non-underrepresented participants, and we performed logistic regression models to assess the associated factors with clinical trial participation. In total, 481 completed the survey including 168 underrepresented fibromyalgia patients. Only (1) 11.09 % reported previous participation in clinical trials and the significant perceived barriers were investigator-related (lack of friendliness of research staff and the opportunity to receive the results) and center-related (privacy and confidentiality policies, and the institution's reputation); (2) the participation rate and perceived barriers and facilitators were similar between underrepresented and non-underrepresented patients; and was positively associated with low income, higher age, and clinical trial awareness from their physician; and negatively associated with the perception of investigator-related barriers; and (4) for the underrepresented population, the presence of emotional support. Our findings suggest low rates of participation, regardless of underrepresented population status. Strategies as involving their physician as liaison to increase the awareness of clinical trials, as well as improving patient-researcher communication should be considered in this population.