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Visual function in children with hemiplegia in the first years of life.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of visual function abnormalities in children with infantile hemiplegia, and the relation between visual abnormalities and type of lesion, as shown by brain MRI. Visual function was tested (grating acuity, visual field size, binocular optokinetic nystagmus [OKN], and ocular movements) in a group of 47 children with congenital or early acquired hemiplegic cerebral palsy (mean age 25 months, range 8 to 52 months). The cohort was subdivided into four groups according to MRI findings: brain malformations (n=5), abnormalities of the periventricular white matter (n=20), cortical-subcortical lesions (n=16), and non-progressive postnatal brain injuries (n=6). More than 80% of the children showed abnormal results in at least one visual test: acuity was the least impaired function, while visual field and OKN were abnormal in more than 50% of the cohort. No specific correlation could be identified between the type and timing of the lesions and visual function. Unlike adults with stroke, visual field defects were not always related to contralateral damage in the optic radiations or in the visual cortex. These results indicate that visual abnormalities are common in children with hemiplegia, and that they cannot always be predicted by MRI. All children with hemiplegia need a detailed assessment of visual function.

Age Factors↗

Magnetic resonance imaging confirms periventricular venous infarction in a term-born child with congenital hemiplegia.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a 5-day-old female born at term with congenital leftsided hemiplegia revealed T2 shortening and T2* signal dropout lining the lateral wall of a focally enlarged right lateral ventricle, reflecting the deposition of haemosiderin or ferritin derived from periventricular venous infarction in utero. This observation strengthens the hypothesis that congenital hemiplegia in children born at term can result from a clinically silent periventricular venous infarction in utero. The loss of shortening of T2 in the right posterior limb of the internal capsule at birth was followed by prolongation of T2 at 1 year. It is important to evaluate the asymmetry of the posterior limb shown by MRI to predict future hemiplegia and enable early therapy.

Cerebral Infarction↗

Peer problems of 9- to 11-year-old children with hemiplegia in mainstream schools. Can these be predicted?

Is it possible to predict relatively early in the life of children with disabilities those who are likely to develop peer problems if they get no extra help? This question is examined in our prospective study of a representative sample of children with hemiplegia attending mainstream schools. Hemiplegia is a particularly suitable model for studying integration as it is a relatively homogeneous condition that does not usually preclude mainstream placement. Our aim was to investigate whether the excess of peer problems could be predicted from information obtained some 4 years earlier. A representative sample of 55 children with hemiplegia in mainstream education was followed prospectively from a mean age of 7.1 years (Time 1) to a mean age of 10.7 years (Time 2). Using standardized measures of peer rejection, lack of friends, and victimization, two-thirds of the sample had at least one of these problems at Time 2. A greater number of peer problems was primarily predicted by two Time-1 variables: lower IQ and more teacher-reported externalizing problems (disruptiveness and hyperactivity). A risk index based on these two variables identified a high-risk subgroup that might particularly have benefited from early intervention to reduce behavioural problems, and nurture social skills. As more children with special needs are integrated into mainstream schools, it is increasingly important to remember that supporting these children requires appropriate provision to foster their social as well as their academic and physical development.

Child↗

Cruciate paralysis and hemiplegia cruciata: report of three cases.

STUDY DESIGN: Report of three cases of cruciate paralysis and hemiplegia cruciata. OBJECTIVE: To stress the importance of upper cervical spine lesions causing neurological symptoms and signs. SETTING: Neuro-orthopedic service, Fukui University Hospital, Japan. RESULTS: Three patients (all females; one with congenital anomaly at the occiput-atlas level, one with assimilation of the atlas, and one with rheumatoid arthritis-related proliferative synovium) had clinical features of cruciate paralysis and hemiplegia cruciata. All three cases underwent decompressive surgeries. CONCLUSION: Neurological symptoms and signs of cruciate paralysis and hemiplegia cruciata should be carefully assessed, and surgical therapy should be based on the pathological condition.

Aged↗

Comparing stepping-in-place and gait ability in adults with and without hemiplegia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare select temporal-distance measures of stepping-in-place with gait ability in 2 age-matched groups. DESIGN: Repeated measures, matched research design. SETTING: Gait laboratory and hospital outpatient unit. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample recruited from within the community and the outpatient unit of a local rehabilitation hospital included 30 healthy adults (age range, 58.1 +/- 10.8yr) and 30 age-matched adults with hemiplegia (age range, 58.6 +/- 10.3yr), secondary to a cerebrovascular accident. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were videotaped in the sagittal plane performing stepping-in-place and while walking. Select temporal-distance measures obtained by manual calculations from the video recordings were determined for 3 20-second trials of each activity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Single limb support duration (SLSD) of the lower extremities (LEs) and step frequency during stepping-in-place and during gait. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the step frequency of each activity for the adults with hemiplegia (p <.05), but not for the healthy adults. A significant difference was also found between SLSD of the same LE across activities for each group (p <.05). SLSD of each LE during each individual activity, stepping-in-place, or gait, was not significantly different for the healthy adults, indicating LE symmetry; but it was significantly different for the adults with hemiplegia (p <.05), indicating LE asymmetry. CONCLUSIONS: Stepping-in-place incorporates reciprocal, rhythmic LE movement patterns similar to gait. And, although SLSD of the LEs was different between the activities in both groups, each group showed similar LE movement patterns during each individual activity. In addition, step frequency was consistent between the activities for the healthy adults. These results seem to indicate that the reciprocal, rhythmic LE movement patterns, which are invoked during gait, may also be invoked during stepping-in-place. However, further research is needed to enhance the data related to stepping-in-place and gait ability in clinical populations.

Case-Control Studies↗

Visual outcome in children with congenital hemiplegia: correlation with MRI findings.

Fourteen children with congenital hemiplegia were studied with a detailed assessment of various aspects of vision (linear acuity, stereopsis, visual fields) and MRI. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a congenital lesion on visual function. The results showed a very high incidence (78%) of children who had abnormal results on at least one of the visual tests. Visual abnormalities were not correlated with the clinical severity of hemiplegia or with a specific pattern of lesion on MRI. Similarly no constant association could be found between visual structures (optic radiations and primary visual cortex) and visual function. Finally, our results would suggest that all the children with congenital hemiplegia need to be investigated irrespective of the clinical severity or of the type or the extent of the lesion. This would help to identify children with minor visual abnormalities which can affect everyday life performance.

Adolescent↗

A critical review of neuromuscular electrical stimulation for treatment of motor dysfunction in hemiplegia.

The purpose of this review is to critically assess the clinical efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in treating motor dysfunction in hemiplegia. Three distinct applications are reviewed in the areas of motor relearning, shoulder dysfunction, and neuroprostheses. Assessment of clinical efficacy and recommendations on clinical implementation are based on the weight of published scientific evidence. With respect to motor relearning, evidence supports the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation to facilitate recovery of muscle strength and coordination in hemiplegia. However, effects on physical disability are uncertain. With respect to shoulder dysfunction, neuromuscular electrical stimulation decreases shoulder subluxation, at least in the short term. However, effects on shoulder pain and disability are also uncertain. With respect to neuroprosthesis systems, clinically deployable upper extremity systems must await the development of more sophisticated control methods and greater fundamental understanding of motor dysfunction in hemiplegia. The evidence for clinical feasibility of lower extremity neuroprostheses is stronger, and investigations on clinical efficacy should be pursued. In summary, the application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation for motor relearning and shoulder dysfunction are ready for more rigorous scientific and clinical assessment via large, multicenter, randomized clinical trials. However, additional investigations are needed to demonstrate the clinical feasibility of neuroprostheses applications.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗

Muscle activity adapts to anti-gravity posture during pedalling in persons with post-stroke hemiplegia.

With hemiplegia following stroke, a person's movement response to anti-gravity posture often appears rigid and inflexible, exacerbating the motor dysfunction. A major determinant of pathological movement in anti-gravity postures is the failure to adapt muscle-activity patterns automatically to changes in posture. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the impaired motor performance observed when persons with hemiplegia pedal in a horizontal position is exacerbated at more vertical anti-gravity body orientations. Twelve healthy elderly subjects and 17 subjects with chronic (> 6 months) post-stroke hemiplegia participated in the study. Subjects pedalled a modified ergometer at different body orientations (from horizontal to vertical), maintaining the same workload, cadence, and hip and knee kinematics. Pedal reaction forces, and crank and pedal kinematics, were measured and then used to calculate the work done by each leg and their net positive and negative components. The EMG was recorded from four leg muscles (tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris and biceps femoris). The main result from this study was that impaired plegic leg performance, as measured by net negative work done by the plegic leg and abnormal early rectus femoris activity, was exacerbated at the most vertical body orientations. However, contrary to the belief that muscle activity cannot adapt to anti-gravity postures, net positive work increased appropriately and EMG activity in all muscles showed modulated levels of activity similar to those in elderly control subjects. These results support the hypothesis that increased verticality exacerbates the already impaired movement performance. Yet, much of the motor response to verticality was flexible and appropriate, given the mechanics of the task.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

The rehabilitation of gait in patients with hemiplegia: a comparison between conventional therapy and multichannel functional electrical stimulation therapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Gait rehabilitation in patients with severe hemiplegia requires substantial effort. Preliminary studies indicate potential beneficial effects of using multichannel functional electrical stimulation (MFES) for gait rehabilitation in these patients. In this study, a new method of gait rehabilitation for nonambulatory patients with hemiplegia by means of MFES added to conventional therapy was introduced. The results of the method's application were evaluated by comparing it with conventional therapeutic methods. SUBJECTS: The proposed rehabilitation method was tested on a group of 20 patients with severe hemiplegia secondary to cerebrovascular accident. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received 3 weeks of MFES followed by 3 weeks of conventional therapy. The other group received 3 weeks of conventional therapy followed by 3 weeks of MFES. METHODS: The effects of each therapeutic method were evaluated by measurements of temporal-distance variables and ground reaction forces and by assessment of each subject's physical status according to the Fugl-Meyer evaluation scale. RESULTS: There was improved performance of the subjects during MFES combined with conventional therapy as compared with conventional therapy alone. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The superiority of the MFES method as compared with conventional therapy was mainly attributed to the enhanced motor learning accomplished by application of MFES. These results, however, are preliminary, and further research is needed.

Adult↗

Shoulder pain in hemiplegia. The role of exercise.

One of the causes for shoulder pain associated with hemiplegia is thought to be vigorous range of motion to the involved upper extremity. The objective of this study was to analyze the occurrence of pain in patients treated with one of the three exercise programs commonly used in the rehabilitation of hemiplegia: 1) range of motion by the therapist, 2) skate board and 3) overhead pulley. Of the 48 hemiplegic patients evaluated, 28 were assigned to one of the three exercise groups. Comparing the number of patients who developed pain in each group, there was a significant difference, with 8% of the patients in the range of motion by the therapist group, 12% of the patients in the skate board group and 62% of the patients in the overhead pulley group developing pain (chi 2 = 8.44) (P = 0.014). The three groups did not differ in the side of involvement (P = 0.57), extent of hemiplegia (P = 0.25) or presence of subluxation (P = 0.84). Use of overhead pulley has the highest risk of developing shoulder pain and should be avoided during rehabilitation of stroke patients.

Adult↗

Comparison of discomfort associated with surface and percutaneous intramuscular electrical stimulation for persons with chronic hemiplegia.

Neuromuscular stimulation may facilitate motor recovery after stroke or brain injury, reduce shoulder pain associated with hemiplegia, and reduce cerebral spasticity. However, the discomfort of surface neuromuscular stimulation significantly limits the clinical implementation of this modality for persons with hemiplegia. The study contained herein tests the hypothesis that stroke and brain injury survivors with chronic hemiplegia (>6 mo) and intact sensation tolerate percutaneous intramuscular stimulation better than surface stimulation. Four stroke and two traumatic brain injury survivors participated in the study contained within this article. Each subject received three pairs of percutaneous and surface stimulations of the paretic finger extensors. The order of the type of stimulation within each pair was randomly assigned. The stimulation parameters for each type of stimulation were normalized to produce the same torque at the metacarpophalangeal joint. Subjects rated their perceived level of discomfort using a 10-cm visual analog scale and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. A blinded evaluator administered the pain measures. Percutaneous stimulation was associated with significantly lower discomfort as reflected by the visual analog scale (0.74 v 3.3; 95% confidence interval of difference, -3.84, -1.28). The McGill Pain Questionnaire produced similar results with percutaneous stimulation associated with a significantly fewer number of words chosen to describe the discomfort (0.87 v 3.30; 95% confidence interval of difference, -3.50, -1.30) and significantly lower Pain Rating Index (1.47 v 6.27; 95% confidence interval of difference, -7.77, -1.83). Data suggest that percutaneous intramuscular stimulation is significantly better tolerated than surface stimulation and that percutaneous stimulation may enhance patient compliance with neuromuscular stimulation treatments.

Adolescent↗

Influence of daily activity on changes in physical fitness for people with post-stroke hemiplegia.

To investigate the influence of daily activity on changes in the physical fitness of people with post-stroke (cerebrovascular disorders) hemiplegia, we evaluated the follow-up exercise load test of 30 ambulatory male patients with post-stroke hemiplegia. Between the times of the two tests, patients had no special supervised training. They were advised by their physicians to exercise according to the result of an exercise-loading test. We determined peak oxygen uptake and O2 consumption at the ventilatory threshold point. After 9.4 months, the mean peak oxygen uptake improved significantly from 17.7 to 21.1 ml/min/kg, and ventilatory threshold point also improved significantly from 11.4 to 13.6 ml/min/kg. Among the nine subjects who returned to their jobs, subjects who previously went to their offices by public transportation showed more improvement in ventilatory threshold point level than did subjects who previously walked to their offices. Among the 21 subjects who did not return to work, those who exercised regularly (primarily by walking) showed more improvement of peak oxygen uptake level than did subjects who did not exercise regularly. In conclusion, people with hemiplegia who are living in the community can improve their physical fitness without formal supervised training by simply increasing their daily activities.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Prevention of secondary osteoporosis postmenopause in hemiplegia.

OBJECTIVES: To study secondary osteoporosis postmenopause in women with hemiplegia and to show the therapeutic effects of etidronate and how osteoporotic conditions relate to the activities of daily living (ADL). DESIGN: Eighty-one postmenopausal women with hemiplegia were admitted within 6 mo of their first cerebrovascular accident. The bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured at the time of admission. Forty women (treatment group) received a 2-wk administration of etidronate. Forty-one women (control group) were not administered etidronate. RESULTS: After completing a 3-mo rehabilitation program, BMD levels were remeasured. ADL was evaluated by FIM. The low ADL group had a larger decrease in BMD than the high ADL group. For the control group, the BMD rate of change on the paretic side of the femoral neck was -9.6%/3 mo for the low ADL group. BMD loss was reduced significantly by the administration of etidronate for the low ADL group. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that ADL corresponds to the progression of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with hemiplegia and that increasing the level of ADL will reduce the progression of osteoporosis. Use of etidronate has also been proven to have a suppressive effect on the BMD decrease in women.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

MRI in acute hemiplegia of childhood.

OBJECTIVE: Acute hemiplegia in childhood is rare, the underlying etiology frequently obscured and the pathological site unidentified. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging (1.5 T Magnetom) was performed in two cases with hemiplegia followed by repeated studies at 3 and 16 months, respectively, after the initial examinations, including CT and angiography, were negative. RESULTS: MRI demonstrated otherwise occult lesions in the brain stem and showed the subsequent partial resolution consistent with infarction. CONCLUSION: MRI should be employed in those children with acute hemiplegia in whom no underlying cause is elicited.

Acute Disease↗

The triad of left hemiplegia, hemihypesthesia, and homonymous hemianopsia: implications for rehabilitation.

Patients with carotid cerebrovascular disorder can be categorized as having either right hemiplegia with various degrees of aphasia, left hemiplegia with hemihypesthesia, or homonymous hemianopsia, or the triad of left hemiplegia, hemihypesthesia and homonymous hemianopsia. The purpose of this study was to compare the functional performance of patients with each type of carotid cerebrovascular disorder before and 1 year after comprehensive rehabilitation aimed at improving communication and/or functional skills. Performance was measured using both the Barthel Index and Williams Drawing Test. On average, patients with the triad of neurologic deficits started and finished with poorer functional performance than the other patients. However, the average gain in functional scores over time was similar for all groups.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Kinematic alterations in the ipsilateral shoulder of patients with hemiplegia due to stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the assumption that shoulder kinematic patterns of the ipsilateral, nonparetic shoulder in hemiplegia are similar to kinematics recorded in a healthy population. DESIGN: Case control study of a convenience sample of ten patients with hemiplegia due to stroke in the subacute phase compared with a control group of similar age. Three-dimensional positions of the scapula and humerus were measured and expressed in Euler angles as a function of active arm elevation in the frontal and sagittal plane and during passive humeral internal/external rotation at an elevation angle of 90 degrees in the frontal and sagittal plane. RESULTS: Compared with controls, in the ipsilateral shoulder of patients, we found both a statistically significant diminished scapular protraction during elevation in the sagittal plane (35 +/- 5 vs. 51 +/- 8 degrees at 110 degrees of humeral elevation) and humeral external rotation during arm elevation in the frontal plane (51 +/- 7 vs. 69 +/- 14 degrees at 110 degrees of humeral elevation). Maximal passive humeral external rotation was found to be impaired in the frontal (64 +/- 13 vs. 98 +/- 14 degrees) and sagittal planes (65 +/- 11 vs. 94 +/- 12 degrees). In addition, there was significantly diminished anterior spinal tilt during humeral internal rotation (-5 +/- 10 vs. -20 +/- 9 degrees) and diminished posterior spinal tilt during external rotation in the frontal plane (-14 +/- 8 vs. -3 +/- 6 degrees). Maximal thoracohumeral elevation in patients was significantly impaired (126 +/- 12 vs. 138 +/- 8 degrees). CONCLUSION: Clear kinematic changes in the ipsilateral shoulder in patients with hemiplegia were found, indicating underlying alterations in muscle contraction patterns. The cause remains speculative. These results suggest that the ipsilateral shoulder should not be considered to function normally beforehand.

Adult↗

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy in hemiplegia.

There is a high incidence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the upper limbs in patients with hemiplegia, and its painful and functional consequences present a problem to specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This study was designed to assess the role of several factors in the occurrence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in patients with hemiplegia. Ninety-five consecutive stroke patients (63 male and 32 female, mean age 59+/-12 years) admitted to our hospital were evaluated. Of the study group, 29 patients (30.5%) were found to develop reflex sympathetic dystrophy. There were no significant differences between the hemiplegic patient groups with or without reflex sympathetic dystrophy regarding age, gender, etiology, side of involvement, disease duration and the presence of comorbidities. The recovery stages of hemiplegia, as shown by Brunnstrom functional classification, were significantly different between the two groups; patients in lower recovery stages tended to develop reflex sympathetic dystrophy more frequently (P<0.01). Additionally, the presence of flaccidity was also a significant factor in the development of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Glenohumeral subluxation was present in 37 patients (38.9%) in our study group and the presence of this complication was related to the occurrence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The presence of glenohumeral subluxation was significantly higher in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (21/29, 72.4%) when compared to the patients without reflex sympathetic dystrophy (16/66, 24.2%) (P<0.001). Also, hemiplegic patients with more severe shoulder subluxation were significantly more likely to develop reflex sympathetic dystrophy. These results suggest that lower recovery stages, reduced tonus and glenohumeral subluxation significantly contribute to the occurrence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in the hemiplegic patient. We believe that preventive and treatment measures should consider these factors as they seem to have in common a higher risk of traumatizing the paralyzed upper limb and causing reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

Aged↗

Acute brain injury in hypoglycaemia-induced hemiplegia.

BACKGROUND: The development of hemiplegia as a result of hypoglycaemia was first described in 1928. However, the mechanism remains unclear. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 58-year-old male with diabetes, who developed left hemiplegia during a severe hypoglycaemic event. Results Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging detected an increased signal intensity in the pons, indicating that the patient's hemiplegia resulted from acute brain injury. CONCLUSIONS: This report provides evidence that acute brain injury may be a cause of the neurological deficit.

Acute Disease↗