Cognitive rehabilitation program in patients with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study / Programa de rehabilitación cognitiva para pacientes con esclerosis múltiple: estudio piloto

Introduction In recent years, there has been an increase of studies dedicated to cognitive rehabilitation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); however, few of these analyze the impact on such variables as cognitive reserve. The study aims to explore the effects of a cognitive rehabilitation program comprising a combination of cognitive and physical exercises, as well as group sessions to improve cognitive performance, emotional state, and cognitive reserve index. Method Fifty patients with MS were subdivided into 2 groups: the control group, which performed aerobic exercise (n = 25), and the experimental group (n = 25), which participated in the integrated cognitive rehabilitation program (ICRP). All participants were evaluated 3 times (baseline, post-treatment, and long-term) with the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests, Cognitive Reserve Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and a scale evaluating trait and state anxiety. Results Compared with the control group, patients in the experimental group showed improvements in cognitive function, with significant changes in measures of information processing speed, attention, memory, cognitive reserve index, and long-term mood. Conclusions The ICRP was effective in improving cognitive and emotional function in MS, and increased the cognitive reserve index. (AU)

Introducción En los últimos años se ha observado un interés creciente por la rehabilitación cognitiva en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple. Sin embargo, pocos estudios han analizado su impacto en variables como la reserva cognitiva. Analizamos el efecto de un programa de rehabilitación cognitiva que incluye ejercicios físicos y cognitivos, así como sesiones en grupo enfocadas a mejorar el rendimiento cognitivo, el estado emocional y el índice de reserva cognitiva. Métodos Nuestro estudio incluyó a 50 pacientes con esclerosis múltiple, divididos en 2 grupos: un grupo control (n = 25), en el que los pacientes realizaban ejercicio aeróbico, y un grupo experimental (n = 25), al que se administró un programa integral de rehabilitación cognitiva. Evaluamos a todos los pacientes en 3 momentos diferentes (al inicio, tras el tratamiento, y a largo plazo) con la Batería Neuropsicológica Breve, la Escala de Reserva Cognitiva, el Inventario de Depresión de Beck y una escala para medir la ansiedad rasgo y la ansiedad estado. Resultados Los pacientes del grupo experimental mostraron un mejor rendimiento cognitivo que los controles, con cambios significativos en medidas de velocidad de procesamiento de la información, atención, memoria, índice de reserva cognitiva y estado de ánimo a largo plazo. Conclusión Nuestros resultados demuestran la eficacia del programa de rehabilitación cognitiva para mejorar las funciones cognitiva y emocional de los pacientes con esclerosis múltiple y aumentar el índice de reserva cognitiva. (AU)

[Sudden hearing loss. Treatment with piracetam]. / Sordera súbita. Tratamiento con piracetam.

From January 1993 to December 1994, 9 patients (median age 40 years, range 29-71) were evaluated for sudden hearing loss at the Valme de Sevilla University Hospital, Spain. All had severe or profound initial hearing loss, which was bilateral in 3 (33%) cases. Total deafness affected 5 (41%) ears. All subjects were treated with a 3-day course of intravenous piracetam, 10 g/day diluted in 250 ml of saline solution and administered in a 15-minute intravenous infusion. No side effects occurred. The parameters examined were age, sex, side of lesion, contralateral hearing status, time from onset of symptoms to admission, vestibular symptoms, tinnitus, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, initial hearing loss, and audiogram configuration. After treatment, 6 (50%) ears showed improved hearing. Eight (89%) patients had vestibular symptoms, and 5 (55%) reported tinnitus.

[Unusual congenital laryngeal anomalies: a review of 13 cases]. / Anomalías congénitas laríngeas raras: una revisión de 13 casos.

In this study we presents: 6 subglottic stenosis, 2 subglottic hemangiomas, 2 laryngeal webs, 2 laryngeal cysts and 1 laryngoesophageal cleft. Were diagnosed during laryngotracheobronchoscopies performed to 220 newborns and small children that showed as main finding: stridor, voice change or aspiration syndrome. The stenosis, hemangiomas and cleft were resolved spontaneously. In the webs and cysts surgical correction was required. Here we will expound upon clinical, diagnostical and therapeutic aspects of these rare congenital laryngeal anomalies.