ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the effect of task-specific lower extremity training (TSLET) on cognitive and gait function in stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients were assigned to either the TSLET group or the control group. The individuals of TSLET group went through a TSLET plus conventional physical therapy. The control group received two sessions of conventional physical therapy. The primary outcome involved the assessment with visual and auditory digit span test. The secondary outcome was evaluated by the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) for cognitive function, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Time Up and Go Test (TUG), 10 meters Walking Test (10mWT), 6 minutes Walking Test (6MWT), and Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) for gait, balance, and functional ability. RESULTS: After intervention (3 weeks) and 2 weeks of follow-up, the TSLET group showed statistically significant improvement in the visual digit span test backwards compared with the control group. In secondary outcome, a significant improvement was observed in GDS, BBS, TUG, and 10mWT in the TSLET group. There was no significant difference between the two groups concerning visual digit span test forward, auditory forward and backward digit span tests, K-MMSE, 6MWT, and K-MBI. CONCLUSION: TSLET could be a useful alternative strategy for improving cognitive and gait function in stroke patients.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of the quantitative assessment of pain perception (QAPP) in diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) patients. METHODS: Thirty-two subjects with DPN were enrolled in this study. The subjects' pain perception was assessed quantitatively. Current perception threshold (CPT) and pain equivalent current (PEC) were recorded. All patients were tested with a nerve conduction study (NCS) for evaluation of DPN and pain-related evoked potential (PREP) for evaluation of small fiber neuropathy (SFN) on bilateral upper and lower limbs. All patients were asked to participate in tests such as visual analogue scale (VAS) and SF-36 Health Survey Version 2 to evaluate their subjective pain and quality of life, respectively. RESULTS: The PEC of QAPP showed significant correlations with VAS (p=0.002) and physical function surveyed with SF-36 Health Survey Version 2 (p=0.035). The results of QAPP had no correlation with NCS, but there was a significant relationship between the CPT of QAPP and PREP (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The QAPP may be useful not only in providing objective evaluations of subjective pain in patients with DPN but also in the assessment of diabetic SFN.
ABSTRACT
Bilateral anterior opercular syndrome and partial Kluver-Bucy syndrome are associated with bilateral middle cerebral artery lesions. The combination of these two syndromes has only been reported in a child with limbic encephalitis. In this case, a 44-year-old woman with bilateral middle cerebral artery infarction, which occurred 2 years prior, could walk independently. However, she showed automatic-voluntary dissociation and anarthria with preserved writing skills. She also presented hypersexuality, hypermetamorphosis, and memory disturbances. Here, we report a case of an adult stroke patient who suffered from bilateral anterior opercular syndrome accompanied by partial Kluver-Bucy syndrome.