OBJECTIVE To determine if assistive ergometer training can improve the functional ability and aerobic capacity of subacute stroke patients and if functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the paretic leg during ergometer cycling has additional effects. METHODS Sixteen subacute stroke patents were randomly assigned to the FES group (n=8) or the control group (n=8). All patients underwent assi...

OBJECTIVE To confirm functional improvement in brain tumor patients after 4-week conventional rehabilitation therapy, to compare the cognitive impairment of brain tumor patients with subacute stroke patients using computerized neuropsychological testing, and to determine the effects on functional outcomes of daily activity. METHODS From April 2008 to December 2012, 55 patients (29 brain tumor...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The relationship between blood pressure (BP) variability and functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate whether in-hospital day-by-day BP variability is associated with functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke. METHODS Using the Fukuoka Stroke Registry, we included 2566 patients with a first-ever ischem...

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Bone marrow mononuclear cell therapy has emerged as one of the option for the treatment of Stroke. Several preclinical studies have shown that the treatment with mononuclear cell (MNCs) can reduce the infarct size and improve the functional outcome. We evaluated the feasibility, safety and clinical outcome of administering bone marrow mononuclear cell (MNCs) intravenousl...

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of 12 weeks of twice-weekly intensive aerobic exercise on physical function and quality of life after subacute stroke. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING Ambulatory care. PARTICIPANTS Patients (N=56; 28 women) aged ≥50 years who had a mild stroke (98% ischemic) and were discharged to independent living and enrolled 20 days (median) after stroke on...

The mobility of the shoulder girdle is a complex interaction of arthrology and neuromotor control[1]. Over 780,000 persons in the United States have a new or recurrent stroke each year. Residual, motor impairments such as weakness and incoordination can lead to changes in shoulder function and mobility. Alterations in shoulder elevation and scapular upward rotation are related to shoulder pain ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Hyperglycemia at the time of ischemic stroke is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Animal studies suggest that infarct expansion may be responsible. The influence of persisting hyperglycemia after stroke has not previously been examined. We measured the blood glucose profile after acute ischemic stroke and correlated it with infarct volume changes using T2...

BACKGROUND Brain imaging has shown that not only the cortico-spinal tract (CST), but also alternate corticofugal motor fibers (aMF), such as the cortico-rubro-spinal and cortico-reticulo-spinal tract, influence residual motor output after stroke. So far, studies mainly have investigated each tract separately. A combined analysis of CST and aMF with assessment of their interactive role, i.e., th...

Astrocytes limit inflammation after CNS injury, at least partially by physically containing it within an astrocytic scar at the injury border. We report here that astrocytic transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) signaling is a second, distinct mechanism that astrocytes utilize to limit neuroinflammation. TGFβs are anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective cytokines that are upregulated subacutely ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pilot studies have suggested benefit from intravenous administration of bone marrow mononuclear stem cells (BMSCs) in stroke. We explored the efficacy and safety of autologous BMSCs in subacute ischemic stroke. METHODS This was a phase II, multicenter, parallel group, randomized trial with blinded outcome assessment that included 120 patients. Patients with subacute isc...