[Interindividual variability in patients with visuospatial neglect: a retrospective study]. / Variabilidad interindividual en pacientes con heminegligencia visuoespacial: estudio retrospectivo.

INTRODUCTION: Patients who have suffered a stroke may present with visuospatial neglect (VSN). In clinical practice, different degrees of impairment can be observed among patients with VSN; however, there is no consensus regarding the criteria and tests used to determine them. AIM: This study aims to classify patients with VSH based on their level of impairment and to study their response to computerized cognitive training. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 34 patients (19 men and 15 women) with a mean age of 47.59 ± 8.39 years. All patients underwent a neuropsychological exploration protocol composed of specific tests that assess visuospatial attention and others to evaluate multiple cognitive domains. All participants underwent computerized cognitive training consisting of 15 one-hour sessions. RESULTS: A cluster analysis was performed that divided the sample into three groups: group 1: mildly affected VSN (n = 17), group 2: moderately affected VSN (n = 11), and group 3: severely affected VSN (n = 6). Statistically significant differences were found in all tests of the visuospatial attention protocol, both in the pre-treatment and post-treatment evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: There are different levels of impairment among patients with VSN, differences that persist after applying computerized cognitive training. These results suggest that the evolution of VSN follows a homogeneous pattern linked to the initial level of impairment. These findings, although preliminary, may be relevant to neurorehabilitation professionals.

TITLE: Variabilidad interindividual en pacientes con heminegligencia visuoespacial: estudio retrospectivo.Introducción. Los pacientes que han sufrido un ictus pueden presentar heminegligencia visuoespacial (HVE). En la práctica clínica es posible observar diferentes grados de afectación entre los pacientes con HVE; sin embargo, no existe consenso respecto a los criterios y pruebas utilizadas para determinarlos. Objetivo. Este estudio tiene como objetivo clasificar a los pacientes que presentan HVE en función de su nivel de afectación y estudiar su respuesta a un entrenamiento cognitivo computarizado. Pacientes y métodos. La muestra estaba formada por 34 pacientes (19 hombres y 15 mujeres) con una edad media de 47,59 ± 8,39 años. A todos los pacientes se les administró un protocolo de exploración neuropsicológico compuesto por pruebas específicas que evalúan la atención visuoespacial y otro para evaluar múltiples dominios cognitivos. Todos los participantes realizaron un entrenamiento cognitivo computarizado consistente en 15 sesiones de una hora de duración. Resultados. Se realizó un análisis de conglomerados que dividió la muestra en tres grupos: grupo 1, HVE con afectación leve (n = 17); grupo 2, HVE con afectación moderada (n = 11); y grupo 3, HVE con afectación grave (n = 6). Se obtuvieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en todas las pruebas del protocolo de atención visuoespacial, tanto en la evaluación pretratamiento como en la postratamiento. Conclusiones. Existen diferentes niveles de afectación entre los pacientes con HVE, diferencias que se mantienen después de aplicar un entrenamiento cognitivo computarizado. Estos resultados sugieren que la evolución de la HVE sigue un patrón homogéneo vinculado al nivel de afectación inicial. Estos hallazgos, aunque preliminares, pueden ser relevantes para los profesionales de la neurorrehabilitación.

El impacto del nivel educativo en las valoraciones cognitivas de los pacientes jóvenes ingresados en rehabilitación tras un ictus isquémico / The impact of educational level on cognitive assessments in young patients admitted to rehabilitation after ischaemic stroke

Introducción y objetivo: Proponemos valorar el impacto del nivel educativo en las pruebas cognitivas al ingreso y al alta tras un periodo de rehabilitación cognitiva en los pacientes jóvenes tras un ictus isquémico. Materiales y métodos: Consideramos educación secundaria y superior (grupo A) y menos de 6 años de educación reglada (grupo B). Comparamos A y B mediante χ2 y Kruskal-Wallis. Estudiamos A y B como predictores de memoria verbal y de trabajo al alta. La memoria verbal y la memoria de trabajo las valoramos al ingreso y al alta mediante Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) y DIGITS del test Barcelona, espectivamente. Resultados: Analizamos n=277 pacientes (55% pertenecientes al grupo A, 51 años de edad media) ingresados a un centro especializado en España entre 2009 y 2019.Encontramos diferencias significativas (p<0,05) al ingreso, todas en favor del grupo A en las valoraciones de la atención, la inhibición, la visuopercepción, la visuoconstruccion, la fluencia verbal y la comprensión.En DIGITS y RAVLT-aprendizaje encontramos diferencias al ingreso. En DIGITS y RAVLT-reconocimiento encontramos diferencias al alta, todas en favor del grupo A. No encontramos diferencias en la edad, en la severidad, en el tiempo hasta el ingreso, ni en el tiempo de estadía ingresados.Tampoco encontramos diferencias en las ganancias cognitivas ni en la eficiencia del tratamiento en las pruebas de memoria.Los grupos A y B no predicen RAVLT (R2=0,53) ni DIGITS (R2=0,48). Conclusiones: El grupo A puntúa mejor en el 63% de las pruebas al ingreso y en el 75% de las pruebas al alta, los grupos A y B son similares en ganancias y eficiencia en las pruebas de memoria.(AU)

Introduction and objective: We propose to assess the impact of educational level on cognitive tests at admission and discharge after a period of cognitive rehabilitation in young patients after ischaemic stroke. Materials and methods: We considered secondary and higher education (group A) and less than 6 years of formal education (group B). We compared A and B using χ2 and Kruskal–Wallis. We studied A and B as predictors of verbal and working memory at discharge. Verbal and working memories were assessed at admission and discharge using Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and DIGITS of the Barcelona Test respectively. Results: We analysed n=277 patients (55% belonging to A, mean age of 51 years) admitted to a specialised centre in Spain between 2009 and 2019.We found significant differences (P<.05) at admission, all in favour of A in the assessments of attention, inhibition, visuoperception, visuoconstruction, verbal fluency and comprehension.In DIGITS and RAVLT-learning we found differences at admission. In Digits and RAVLT-recognition we found differences at discharge, all in favour of A. We found no differences in age, severity, time at admission, or length of stay in hospital.Nor did we find differences in cognitive gains or treatment efficiency in memory tests.The groups A and B did not predict RAVLT (R2=.53) or DIGITS (R2=.48). Conclusions: A scores better in 63% of tests at admission and in 75% of tests at discharge, A and B are similar in gains and efficiency on memory tests.(AU)

Computerized social cognitive training in the subacute phase after traumatic brain injury: A quasi-randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the usefulness of a computerized tasks module designed for the rehabilitation of social cognition (SC) in acquired brain injury. METHODS: Quasi-randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT03479970) involving 45 patients with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a subacute inpatient rehabilitation hospital. The experimental group (n = 28) received treatment with a computerized SC module in combination with a non-SC module. The control group (n = 26) only received a treatment with non-SC module. RESULTS: Intragroup comparisons showed that the experimental group had better results for all SC measures, except for International Affective Picture System (IAPS). The control group improved for Facial Expressions of cEmotion-Stimuli and Tests (FEEST) and Moving Shapes Paradigm (MSP), showing no changes with respect to pretreatment in IAPS, MSP and Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). Intergroup comparisons did not present differences between the two groups for pretreatment measures. Post-treatment comparison showed that the experimental group obtained better results for RMET than the control group. CONCLUSION: The computerized SC module was useful for the rehabilitation of SC in patients with moderate-severe TBI in the subacute phase. The group that received combined rehabilitative treatment (SC + non-SC) obtained better results for SC than the group that received treatment intended only for non-SC.

Rehabilitación en régimen de ingreso en adultos en edad laboral tras un ictus isquémico: análisis clinicofuncional desde una perspectiva de género / Inpatient rehabilitation of working-age adults with ischemic stroke: comparing men and women clinical and functional characteristics at admission and predicting functionality

Introducción: El papel del género en la independencia funcional en las actividades de la vida diaria tras un ictus isquémico es aún controvertido. Proponemos: a) comparar características clínicas de hombres y mujeres en el momento del ingreso a rehabilitación hospitalaria; b) comparar su independencia funcional en el ingreso y en el alta, y c) identificar predictores de independencia funcional. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo observacional. Se incluyeron variables descritas en estudios previos en comparaciones ingreso-alta y en regresión lineal multivariante de la Functional Independence Measure (FIM) en el momento del alta, la ganancia, la eficiencia y la efectividad. Resultados: Se estudió a 144 pacientes (33%, mujeres) admitidos a rehabilitación en un centro español (= 3 semanas tras un ictus isquémico). Los hombres eran mayores (p = 0,003), un 19,6% diabéticos (un 6,4% de las mujeres; p = 0,03) y un 52,6% fumadores (un 72,3% de las mujeres; p = 0,02). No observamos diferencias significativas en la FIM en el momento del ingreso, del alta, la ganancia, la eficiencia ni la efectividad (FIM total, motora ni cognitiva). El análisis de regresión identificó el sexo (beta = –0,13), la gravedad (beta = –0,25) y la FIM total en el momento el ingreso (beta = –0,69) como predictores de la ganancia de la FIM total (R2 = 0,42). Las mismas variables predicen la FIM total en el alta: género (beta = –0,12), gravedad (beta = –0,23) y FIM total en el ingreso (beta = 0,59) (R2 = 0,51). La FIM en el ingreso (beta = –0,64), la gravedad (beta = –0,24), la edad (beta = –0,17) y el tiempo de estancia hospitalaria (beta = –0,45) predicen la eficiencia de la FIM total (R2 = 39,9). El modelo de efectividad de la FIM explica únicamente el 13,5% de la varianza. Conclusiones: No encontramos diferencias funcionales entre hombres y mujeres. El sexo es un predictor significativo, pero no explica la mitad de la varianza.(AU)

Introduction: The role of gender in functional independence for activities of daily living after ischemic stroke is still controversial. We aim to a) compare clinical characteristics of men and women at inpatient rehabilitation admission b) compare their functional independence at admission and discharge c) identify predictors of functional independence. Materials and methods: Retrospective observational cohort study. State-of-the-art variables were used for admission and discharge comparisons and to predict total FIM (Functional Independence Measure) at discharge, FIM gain, FIM efficiency and FIM effectiveness using multivariate linear regressions. Results: 144 patients (33% women) admitted to inpatient rehabilitation in a Spanish specialized center, with less than 3 weeks since ischemic stroke onset were included. Men were older (p = 0.039), 19.6% of men had diabetes mellitus (6.4% of women) (p = 0.038), with 52.6% of men being non-smokers (72.3% of women) (p = 0.022). No significant differences were observed in FIM at admission, discharge, FIM gain, efficiency or effectiveness (total, motor either cognitive FIM). Regression analysis identified sex (b = –0.13), stroke severity (b = –0.25) and admission total FIM (b = –0.69) as significant predictors of total FIM gain (R2 = 0.42). The same variables predicted discharge total FIM: sex (b = –0.12), severity (b = –0.23) and admission total FIM (b = 0.59) (R2 = 0.51). FIM efficiency was predicted by admission total FIM (b = –0.64), severity (b = –0.24), age (b = –0.17) and length of stay (b = –0.45) (R2 = 39.9%). FIM effectiveness model explained only 13.5% of the variance. Conclusions: No functional differences between men and women in any independence measure were found. Sex was a significant predictor but leaving half of the variance unexplained.(AU)

Inpatient rehabilitation of working-age adults with ischemic stroke: comparing men and women clinical and functional characteristics at admission and predicting functionality. / Rehabilitación en régimen de ingreso en adultos en edad laboral tras un ictus isquémico: análisis clinicofuncional desde una perspectiva de género.

INTRODUCTION: The role of gender in functional independence for activities of daily living after ischemic stroke is still controversial. We aim to a) compare clinical characteristics of men and women at inpatient rehabilitation admission b) compare their functional independence at admission and discharge c) identify predictors of functional independence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort study. State-of-the-art variables were used for admission and discharge comparisons and to predict total FIM (Functional Independence Measure) at discharge, FIM gain, FIM efficiency and FIM effectiveness using multivariate linear regressions. RESULTS: 144 patients (33% women) admitted to inpatient rehabilitation in a Spanish specialized center, with less than 3 weeks since ischemic stroke onset were included. Men were older (p = 0.039), 19.6% of men had diabetes mellitus (6.4% of women) (p = 0.038), with 52.6% of men being non-smokers (72.3% of women) (p = 0.022). No significant differences were observed in FIM at admission, discharge, FIM gain, efficiency or effectiveness (total, motor either cognitive FIM). Regression analysis identified sex (ß = -0.13), stroke severity (ß = -0.25) and admission total FIM (ß = -0.69) as significant predictors of total FIM gain (R2 = 0.42). The same variables predicted discharge total FIM: sex (ß = -0.12), severity (ß = -0.23) and admission total FIM (ß = 0.59) (R2 = 0.51). FIM efficiency was predicted by admission total FIM (ß = -0.64), severity (ß = -0.24), age (ß = -0.17) and length of stay (ß = -0.45) (R2 = 39.9%). FIM effectiveness model explained only 13.5% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: No functional differences between men and women in any independence measure were found. Sex was a significant predictor but leaving half of the variance unexplained.

TITLE: Rehabilitación en régimen de ingreso en adultos en edad laboral tras un ictus isquémico: análisis clinicofuncional desde una perspectiva de género.Introducción. El papel del género en la independencia funcional en las actividades de la vida diaria tras un ictus isquémico es aún controvertido. Proponemos: a) comparar características clínicas de hombres y mujeres en el momento del ingreso a rehabilitación hospitalaria; b) comparar su independencia funcional en el ingreso y en el alta, y c) identificar predictores de independencia funcional. Materiales y métodos. Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo observacional. Se incluyeron variables descritas en estudios previos en comparaciones ingreso-alta y en regresión lineal multivariante de la Functional Independence Measure (FIM) en el momento del alta, la ganancia, la eficiencia y la efectividad. Resultados. Se estudió a 144 pacientes (33%, mujeres) admitidos a rehabilitación en un centro español (= 3 semanas tras un ictus isquémico). Los hombres eran mayores (p = 0,003), un 19,6% diabéticos (un 6,4% de las mujeres; p = 0,03) y un 52,6% fumadores (un 72,3% de las mujeres; p = 0,02). No observamos diferencias significativas en la FIM en el momento del ingreso, del alta, la ganancia, la eficiencia ni la efectividad (FIM total, motora ni cognitiva). El análisis de regresión identificó el sexo (beta = ­0,13), la gravedad (beta = ­0,25) y la FIM total en el momento el ingreso (beta = ­0,69) como predictores de la ganancia de la FIM total (R2 = 0,42). Las mismas variables predicen la FIM total en el alta: género (beta = ­0,12), gravedad (beta = ­0,23) y FIM total en el ingreso (beta = 0,59) (R2 = 0,51). La FIM en el ingreso (beta = ­0,64), la gravedad (beta = ­0,24), la edad (beta = ­0,17) y el tiempo de estancia hospitalaria (beta = ­0,45) predicen la eficiencia de la FIM total (R2 = 39,9). El modelo de efectividad de la FIM explica únicamente el 13,5% de la varianza. Conclusiones. No encontramos diferencias funcionales entre hombres y mujeres. El sexo es un predictor significativo, pero no explica la mitad de la varianza.

Social and nonsocial cognition: Are they linked? A study on patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVES: The first aim was to study the relationship between Social Cognition (SC) and nonsocial Cognition (n-SC) measures in a group of patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) to assess the dependence or independence of both types of cognition. The second aim was to explore the relationships between SC measures and generate a model based on the results of these relationships. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Forty-three subacute patients with TBI were included in the study. They were administered a SC battery and n-SC battery. SC battery included the following measures: International Affective Picture System (IAPS); Facial Expressions of Emotion-Stimuli Test (FEEST); Moving Shapes Paradigm (MSP); Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test- Revised Version (RMET); Social Decision Making Task (SDMT). n-SC battery included Digit Span Forwards and Backwards; Trail Making Test (Part A); Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test; Letter-Number Sequencing; and verbal fluency test (PMR). RESULTS: FEEST, MSP and RMET were related to n-SC measures. The exploratory factor analysis shows a two-factor SC structure: Factor 1: Emotional recognition and mentalization (FEEST, MSP and RMET) and Factor 2: Acquisition and contextualization (IAPS and SDMT). CONCLUSION: The performance of subjects with moderate-to-severe TBI in the SC measures is related, at least partially, by the performance in the n-SC measures. Our SC model shows a two-factor structure characterized by a first factor that brings together SC measures that are highly related to n-SC domains and a second factor that brings together measures whose performance is not influenced by n-SC domains.

[The impact of educational level on cognitive assessments in young patients admitted to rehabilitation after ischaemic stroke]. / El impacto del nivel educativo en las valoraciones cognitivas de los pacientes jóvenes ingresados en rehabilitación tras un ictus isquémico.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: We propose to assess the impact of educational level on cognitive tests at admission and discharge after a period of cognitive rehabilitation in young patients after ischaemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We considered secondary and higher education (group A) and less than 6 years of formal education (group B). We compared A and B using χ2 and Kruskal-Wallis. We studied A and B as predictors of verbal and working memory at discharge. Verbal and working memories were assessed at admission and discharge using Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and DIGITS of the Barcelona Test respectively. RESULTS: We analysed n=277 patients (55% belonging to A, mean age of 51 years) admitted to a specialised centre in Spain between 2009 and 2019. We found significant differences (P<.05) at admission, all in favour of A in the assessments of attention, inhibition, visuoperception, visuoconstruction, verbal fluency and comprehension. In DIGITS and RAVLT-learning we found differences at admission. In Digits and RAVLT-recognition we found differences at discharge, all in favour of A. We found no differences in age, severity, time at admission, or length of stay in hospital. Nor did we find differences in cognitive gains or treatment efficiency in memory tests. The groups A and B did not predict RAVLT (R2=.53) or DIGITS (R2=.48). CONCLUSIONS: A scores better in 63% of tests at admission and in 75% of tests at discharge, A and B are similar in gains and efficiency on memory tests.

[Intensities in the application of robotic technologies in upper extremity rehabilitation after a stroke: a systematic review of randomised controlled clinical trials]. / Intensidades en la aplicación de tecnologías robóticas en la rehabilitación de las extremidades superiores tras un ictus: revisión sistemática de ensayos clínicos controlados aleatorizados.

INTRODUCTION: In the vast majority of cases stroke entails long-term limitations in the use of the upper extremities that are affected. Robotic technologies provide beneficial results in motor rehabilitation, but the optimal levels of intensity are not known. AIMS: To review the scientific literature (over the last 10 years) on robotic therapies (intervention group) compared to conventional therapies (control group) in the chronic phase of stroke, and to study correlations between variables that characterise the interventions and intensity variables. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of randomised controlled clinical trials in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar, with results assessed by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity Motor Score (mFMA-UE). The methodological quality was analysed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale (PEDro). RESULTS: Thirteen studies from evidence level I (92%, excellent) were selected. Positive correlations between minutes per week and improvements in mFMA-UE are observed in the control group and in the intervention group, with a higher level of significance for the latter. Negative correlations are observed between the number of months since the lesion and improvements in the control and intervention groups. An exponential regression is included, which illustrates differences between the control group and the intervention group in favour of the latter. A negative correlation is observed between the total duration and the number of minutes per week. CONCLUSION: Significant correlations are observed between intensity (minutes per week) and mFMA-UE, with a higher level of significance in the intervention group.

TITLE: Intensidades en la aplicación de tecnologías robóticas en la rehabilitación de las extremidades superiores tras un ictus: revisión sistemática de ensayos clínicos controlados aleatorizados.Introducción. El ictus conlleva limitaciones a largo plazo en el uso de las extremidades superiores afectadas en la gran mayoría de los casos. Las tecnologías robóticas aportan resultados beneficiosos en rehabilitación motora, pero se desconocen los niveles óptimos de intensidad. Objetivos. Revisar la literatura científica (últimos diez años) sobre terapias robóticas (grupo de intervención) en comparación con las terapias convencionales (grupo control) en la fase crónica del ictus y estudiar correlaciones entre las variables que caracterizan a las intervenciones y las variables de intensidad. Sujetos y métodos. Se realizó una revisión sistemática de ensayos clínicos controlados aleatorizados en PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library y Google Scholar, con resultados valorados mediante la Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity Motor Score (mFMA-UE). La calidad metodológica se analizó mediante la escala Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). Resultados. Se seleccionaron 13 estudios, de nivel de evidencia I (92% excelente). Se observan correlaciones positivas entre los minutos semanales y las mejoras en la mFMA-UE en el grupo control y el grupo de intervención, con mayor nivel de significación para este último. Se observan correlaciones negativas entre el número de meses desde la lesión y las mejoras en el grupo control y en el grupo de intervención. Se incluye una regresión exponencial, que ilustra diferencias entre el grupo control y el grupo de intervención en favor de éste. Se observa una correlación negativa entre la duración total y la cantidad de minutos semanales. Conclusión. Se observan correlaciones significativas entre la intensidad (minutos semanales) y la mFMA-UE, con un mayor nivel de significación en el grupo de intervención.

Rehabilitación cognitiva en daño cerebral adquirido: variables que median en la respuesta al tratamiento / Cognitive rehabilitation in acquired brain injury: variables mediating treatment response

Objetivo. Identificar qué variables se relacionaban con la respuesta a un programa de rehabilitación cognitiva en una población de pacientes con daño cerebral adquirido. Material y métodos. En este estudio retrospectivo participaron 528 pacientes con daño cerebral adquirido que recibieron rehabilitación cognitiva en nuestro centro entre febrero de 2008 y enero de 2013. Mediante análisis de regresión logística se analizó la respuesta al tratamiento (variable dependiente). La respuesta al tratamiento se calculó a partir de las diferencias entre las exploraciones neuropsicológicas pre- y post-tratamiento para las variables atención, memoria y funciones ejecutivas. Resultados. La edad en el momento de la lesión (OR = 0,97; 95% CI: 0,96-0,98) y el lugar donde se realizó el tratamiento (OR = 0,45; 95% CI: 0,27-0,73) se asociaron positivamente con una mejor respuesta al tratamiento para el índice atencional. En el caso del índice mnésico fueron la edad (OR = 0,98; 95% CI: 0,96-0,99), etiología (OR = 0,63; 95% CI: 0,39-1) y lugar de realización del tratamiento (OR = 0,48; 95% CI: 0,29-0,79); tales variables también resultaron significativas para el índice ejecutivo. Conclusiones. Los resultados sugieren que parte de las diferencias interindividuales observadas en la respuesta al tratamiento cognitivo en pacientes con daño cerebral adquirido podrían ser explicadas por las variables edad, etiología y lugar de realización del tratamiento (AU)

Objective. To identify the variables related to response to a cognitive rehabilitation program in a population of patients with acquired brain injury. Material and methods. This retrospective study included 528 patients with acquired brain injury who received cognitive rehabilitation at our center between February 2008 and January 2013. We used logistic regression analysis to examine the impact of predictive variables on treatment response (dependent variable). Differences between pre- and post-treatment neuropsychological assessment were used to calculate treatment response in the domains of attention, memory, and executive function. Results. For the attention index, the variables positively associated with better treatment response were age at the time of injury (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.98) and place of treatment (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.27-0.73). For the memory index, the variables positively associated with better treatment response were age (OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96 to 0.99), etiology (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.39 to 1) and place of treatment (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.79); these variables were also significant for the executive index. Conclusions. These findings suggest that part of the inter-individual differences in response to cognitive rehabilitation in patients with acquired brain injury could be explained by age, etiology and place of treatment (AU)