The manifold parameters which characterize motor impairment in hemiplegic patients are analyzed and a review is outlined of the most suitable methods for a quantitative evaluation of changes in muscular stiffness (due to interstitial abnormality or to increase in reflex activity), diminution in voluntary motor recruitment and disequilibrium between agonist and antagonist activity. The problems concerning the hemiplegic hand have been the subject of follow-up studies with the aim of evaluating the different rehabilitation techniques. Significant improvements can be achieved by means of positional feedback and electrical stimulation of hand extensors according to Bowman; the indications, time and way of use are defined in relation to the degree and type of functional impairment.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Recurrent paraplegia with complete recovery from spontaneous epidural spinal hematoma].

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Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Intrathecal methylprednisolone acetate in multiple sclerosis treatment. Clinical evaluation.

Twenty-eight patients with clinically definite Multiple Sclerosis were treated with intrathecal injections of Methylprednisolone acetate, 40 mg at four days intervals. Kurtzke's Disability Status Scale was evaluated in all the patients together with sum of scores for the neurological functions and the subjective assessment, before and after the treatment. Ten Multiple Sclerosis patients, treated with prednisone (100 mg at alternate days) were taken as a control group. No real advantages were found with the intrathecal treatment as compared to the orally administered steroids.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: cerebrospinal fluid, neuropathologic and thymic findings in one case.

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Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Multiparametric quantitative evaluation of the speech production system: a study in normal subjects.

This paper describes a systems architecture developed for the study of the speech production system. The architecture utilizes two personal computers: the "Word-Image Presenter" (WIP) that presents a sequence of words to the subject under examination as visual stimulation, and the "Signal Acquisition System" that controls the WIP, acquires the acoustic signal, the oromandibular electromyographic signals, the kinematic lip and jaw signals and measures reaction times and durations. Thirty normal subjects divided into three age groups (18-44, 45-59, 60-80) underwent examination by means of the described system. During the test a random sequence of two words was presented to the subjects; the protocol consisted of an immediate reading task and two delayed reading tasks with variable foreperiods of 0.1 and 1.5 s for one task and 0.5 and 4 s for the other. The analysis of the resultant acoustic and electromyographic signals indicated that reaction times increased with age in both the immediate and delayed tasks. The analysis of variance showed that the difference between the young and elderly groups was statistically significant. The sample size of the groups, however, is too small to consider these results normative data.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Processes of speech production: Analysis of the methods and applications in a group of normal subjects (I)].

The measurement of reaction times in response to suitable stimuli may provide insight into the separate functional blocks corresponding to diverse speech production mechanisms. The quantitative evaluation of speech motor performance provides useful information for the early detection and long-term monitoring of many neurological diseases. The vocal reaction times (VRTs) technique and its application in the assessment of a group of normal subjects is presented. Speech motor performance and the effect of age were investigated by measuring VRTs and speech duration, in a group of thirty normal subjects divided into three age groups (18-44, 45-59, 60-80). VRTs were measured by using an immediate and delayed reaction stimulation paradigm. Analysis of the acoustic and electromyographic signals indicated that reaction times increased with age in both the immediate and delayed tasks; also the acoustic signal durations increased with age. The analysis of variance showed that the difference between the young and elderly groups was statistically significant. This technique may be considered a useful tool to provide qualitative and quantitative measures of the processes involved in speech production.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Processes of speech production: Application in a group of subjects chronically exposed to organic solvents (II)].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic exposition to neurotoxic solvents in a group of laundry operators by means of Vocal Reaction Times (VRTs) measurements. A group of normal subjects, matched for age and educational level, constituted the controls. Vocal Reaction Times were measured by a device that presented to each subject a sequence of words on a computer screen, acquired the acoustic signal and measured VRTs and durations. During the test a random sequence of words was presented to the subjects; the protocol consisted of two immediate reading task and two delayed reading tasks. The test was performed using concrete and meaningless words. Statistical analysis showed that reaction times measured on the acoustic signals were longer for the exposed group than for the controls. The differences between durations were significant for the delayed reading tasks using concrete words and for all tasks using meaningless words. These findings suggest that this technique may be considered a useful tool for the assessment of the preclinical alterations of CNS in the monitoring of individuals chronically exposed to neurotoxic solvents.

Adult↗