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Respir Care 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.

Background: In 2014, the Ministry of Health of Ontario, Canada, approved a program of public funding for specialist-prescribed mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) devices for home use by individuals with neuromuscular respiratory insufficiency. Since 2014, 1,926 MI-E devices have been provided, exceeding device-use projections. Few studies describe the initial and ongoing education and support needs of home MI-E users and their family caregivers. Read More

J Hand Ther 2020 Jun 19. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Roth-McFarlane Hand & Upper Limb Centre, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.

Introduction: Compressive ulnar neuropathy at the elbow is the second most common compressive neuropathy. Nerve transfers are used for severe ulnar neuropathies as a means of facilitating recovery. Hand therapy and rehabilitation after nerve transfers have not been extensively explored. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 May;99(21):e20257

Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common chronic pain condition that seriously affects the quality of patient lives. Its etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment still remain uncertain. Dietary supplements have been widely trialed for symptom relief for FM. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 May;99(21):e20233

Medical College of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation.

Background: Sepsis-induced myopathy (SIM) is a disease that causes motor dysfunction in patients with sepsis. There is currently no targeted treatment for this disease. Acupuncture has shown considerable efficacy in the treatment of sepsis and muscle weakness. Read More

Physiother Theory Pract 2020 Jun 18;36(6):663-668. Epub 2020 May 18.

Department of Physiotherapy, Bayero University , Kano, Nigeria.

This manuscript provides support for physical therapists to focus on the long-term, as well as the short-term, consequences of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with COVID-19. Since late November 2019, COVID-19 has become a global health pandemic and threat. Although most people have no or mild symptoms, COVID-19 spreads aggressively and can lead to ARDS rapidly in a proportion of individuals. Read More

BMC Neurol 2020 May 13;20(1):184. Epub 2020 May 13.

Department of Rehabilitation, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: In individuals with neuromuscular diseases (NMD), symptoms of muscle weakness, fatigue and pain may limit physical activity. Inactivity leads to reduced physical fitness, which further complicates daily life functioning. Due to inconclusive evidence regarding exercise in NMD, the optimal training approach and strategies to preserve an active lifestyle remain to be determined. Read More

Ann Rehabil Med 2020 Apr 29;44(2):165-170. Epub 2020 Apr 29.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute of Neuromuscular Disease, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Freeman-Sheldon syndrome (FSS) is a rare distal arthrogryposis syndrome. There are few reports on the respiratory insufficiency of FSS. Additionally, there is no detailed information on pulmonary functional evaluation. Read More

Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2020 07;99(7):571-572

From the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Speech and Hearing Clinic, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii (HLL); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (HLL, DXC); Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, White Plains, New York (MO-P); The Arthur S. Abramson Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System, Bronx, New York (MO-P); US Department of Veterans Affairs, Montrose, Virginia (DXC); and Long-term Impact of Military-relevant Brain Injury Consortium - Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (LIMBIC-CENC), Richmond, Virginia (DXC).

The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 has created an unprecedented challenge to the society. Currently, the United States stands as the most affected country, and the entire healthcare system is affected, from emergency department, intensive care unit, postacute care, outpatient, to home care. Considering the debility, neurological, pulmonary, neuromuscular, and cognitive complications, rehabilitation professionals can play an important role in the recovery process for individuals with coronavirus disease 2019. Read More

Pain Med 2020 05;21(5):888-890

Indiana University School of Liberal Arts, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

Rev Neurol (Paris) 2020 Jun 20;176(6):507-515. Epub 2020 Apr 20.

Reference Center of Neuromuscular disorders and ALS, Timone University Hospital, AP-HM, 13385 Marseille, France; Medical Genetics, Aix-Marseille Université, Inserm UMR_1251, 13005 Marseille, France. Electronic address:

In France, the epidemic phase of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began in February 2020 and resulted in the implementation of emergency measures and a degradation in the organization of neuromuscular reference centers. In this special context, the French Rare Health Care for Neuromuscular Diseases Network (FILNEMUS) has established guidance in an attempt to homogenize the management of neuromuscular (NM) patients within the French territory. Hospitalization should be reserved for emergencies, the conduct of treatments that cannot be postponed, check-ups for which the diagnostic delay may result in a loss of survival chance, and cardiorespiratory assessments for which the delay could be detrimental to the patient. Read More

Adv Exp Med Biol 2020 ;1228:355-368

Division of Respiratory Physiopathology and Rehabilitation, A.O.R.N. "Dei Colli" - Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy.

Systemic effects of COPD lead to cardiovascular co-morbidities, muscle wasting and osteoporosis that, in turn, lead to inactivity and physical deconditioning. This evolution has a direct influence on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients suffering from this respiratory disease. Pharmacological therapy leads to improvement in shortness of breath, but it has a limited effect on the physical deconditioning. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Apr;99(17):e19843

Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Background: The most common and bothersome lower urinary tract complication of diabetes mellitus is diabetic neurogenic bladder (DNB). Acupuncture has certain advantages in treating bladder dysfunction including urinary retention and incontinence. Therefore, we think that electroacupuncture (EA) may be beneficial to DNB patients. Read More

Muscle Nerve 2020 07 5;62(1):41-45. Epub 2020 May 5.

Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in the reorganization of health-care settings affecting clinical care delivery to patients with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DBMD) as well as other inherited muscular dystrophies. The magnitude of the impact of this public health emergency on the care of patients with DBMD is unclear as they are suspected of having an increased risk for severe manifestations of COVID-19. In this article, the authors discuss their consensus recommendations pertaining to care of these patients during the pandemic. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Apr;99(16):e19710

The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province.

Introduction: Classical trigeminal neuralgia (CTN) is a kind of trigeminal neuralgia which is due to neurovascular compression. The common neurological treatment CTN drug called carbamazepine is the main measure, although it usually has side effects and a high-rate of relapse. As a critical alternative therapy, electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to benefit for neuropathic pain. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020 04 16;4:CD012626. Epub 2020 Apr 16.

La Trobe University, Department of Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Prosthetics and Orthotics, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Background: Escalating awareness of the magnitude of the challenge posed by low levels of physical activity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) highlights the need for interventions to increase physical activity participation. The widely-accepted benefits of physical activity, coupled with the increasing availability of wearable monitoring devices to objectively measure participation, has led to a dramatic rise in the number and variety of studies that aimed to improve the physical activity of people with COPD. However, little was known about the relative efficacy of interventions tested so far. Read More

Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2020 Apr 15. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University "La Statale", Milan, Italy -

Covid-19 is a respiratory infectious disease that can cause respiratory, physical and psychological long-term dysfunctions in patients. First recommendations on respiratory management were published, but they were not based on the specific needs due to Covid-19. In this paper we share the early experiences from the clinical field in Northern Italy, where the epidemic started in February. Read More

Neurol Sci 2020 Apr 12. Epub 2020 Apr 12.

Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care and Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, edificio 17 piano terra, 80131, Naples, Italy.

Background: Botulinum toxin (BT) is an effective and safe treatment for spasticity, with limited evidence in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aim to describe the use of BT for the management of MS spasticity in the clinical practice, its combination with other anti-spastic treatments in MS and possible MS clinical correlates.

Methods: This is a multicentre cross-sectional observational study including 386 MS patients, receiving BT for spasticity in 19 Italian centres (age 53. Read More

Orphanet J Rare Dis 2020 Apr 10;15(1):90. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

Pôle Neurosciences - Service de Neurologie, Centre de Référence SLA et les maladies du neurone moteur, Hôpital Pasteur2, CHU de Nice Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.

Background: Kennedy's disease (KD), also known as spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), is a rare, adult-onset, X-linked recessive neuromuscular disease caused by CAG expansions in exon 1 of the androgen receptor gene (AR). The objective of the French national diagnostic and management protocol is to provide evidence-based best practice recommendations and outline an optimised care pathway for patients with KD, based on a systematic literature review and consensus multidisciplinary observations.

Results: The initial evaluation, confirmation of the diagnosis, and management should ideally take place in a tertiary referral centre for motor neuron diseases, and involve an experienced multidisciplinary team of neurologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists and allied healthcare professionals. Read More

PLoS One 2020 6;15(4):e0229530. Epub 2020 Apr 6.

Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Plastic and Hand Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.

Background: Peripheral nerve injury in the upper extremity is linked to high socioeconomic burden, yet cost-analyses are rare and from small cohorts. The objective of this study was to determine the costs and long-term socioeconomic effects of peripheral nerve injuries in the upper extremity in Germany.

Methods: We analyzed data of 250 patients with 268 work-related upper extremity nerve injuries from acute treatment to long-term follow-up on rehabilitation, sick-leave and disability-pension. Read More

N Engl J Med 2020 03;382(12):1093-1102

From the Department of Surgery (C.S.B., P.R., D.T., S.I.B., K.R.G., F.S., A.G., J.C.U.) and Occupational Health and Safety (R.R.), London Health Sciences Centre, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University (C.S.B., P.R., D.T., S.I.B., K.R.G., F.S., A.G.), Lawson Health Research Institute (C.S.B., P.R., J.C.U.), Regional Rehabilitation and Spinal Cord Injury Outpatients, Parkwood Institute (K.S.), and the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (T.M.) and Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine (J.W.), St. Joseph's Hospital - all in London, ON, Canada.

Background: The treatment of chronic sciatica caused by herniation of a lumbar disk has not been well studied in comparison with acute disk herniation. Data are needed on whether diskectomy or a conservative approach is better for sciatica that has persisted for several months.

Methods: In a single-center trial, we randomly assigned patients with sciatica that had lasted for 4 to 12 months and lumbar disk herniation at the L4-L5 or L5-S1 level in a 1:1 ratio to undergo microdiskectomy or to receive 6 months of standardized nonoperative care followed by surgery if needed. Read More

N Engl J Med 2020 04 18;382(15):1430-1442. Epub 2020 Mar 18.

From the Pediatric Oncology Branch (A.M.G., P.L.W., E.D., P.W., S.M., M.C.R., D.C.P., A.C., J.T., O.K., J.G., B.C.W.) and the Clinical Pharmacology Program (C.J.P., W.D.F.), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, and the Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center (S.M.P), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, the Clinical Monitoring Research Program Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick (A.B., K.H.), the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (M.S., L.A.D.) and the Biostatistics and Data Management Section, Center for Cancer Research (S.M.S., D.J.V.), National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Shady Grove, and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (J.O.B.) - all in Maryland; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia (M.J.F., A.C.S.); Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (B.W.); Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC (A.K., M.B.); and Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis (D.W.C., C.Z.).

Background: No approved therapies exist for inoperable plexiform neurofibromas in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Methods: We conducted an open-label, phase 2 trial of selumetinib to determine the objective response rate among patients with plexiform neurofibromas and to assess clinical benefit. Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and symptomatic inoperable plexiform neurofibromas received oral selumetinib twice daily at a dose of 25 mg per square meter of body-surface area on a continuous dosing schedule (28-day cycles). Read More

Clin Chim Acta 2020 Jul 14;506:50-54. Epub 2020 Mar 14.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Introduction: Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) also known as humeroperoneal muscular dystrophy, is a skeletal myopathy characterized by the clinical triad of progressive muscular weakness, joint contractures, and cardiac disease.

Methodology: Herein, we reported a family including two patients (the proband and his son) affected with progressive muscular dystrophy manifested by joint contractures without cardiac involvement ("EDMD-like" phenotype). Interestingly, electodiagnostic study results of the proband showed a neuropathic pattern different from the myopathic pattern in most muscular dystrophy patients. Read More

Am J Med Genet A 2020 05 17;182(5):1167-1176. Epub 2020 Mar 17.

Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

The majority of patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) identified to date harbor a biallelic exonic deletion of SMN1. However, there have been reports of SMA-like disorders that are independent of SMN1, including those due to pathogenic variants in the glycyl-tRNA synthetase gene (GARS1). We report three unrelated patients with de novo variants in GARS1 that are associated with infantile-onset SMA (iSMA). Read More

Front Pediatr 2020 18;8. Epub 2020 Feb 18.

Pediatric Neurology Department, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, APHP, Paris, France.

Spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA-1) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder, which in the absence of curative treatment, leads to death before 1 year of age in most cases. Caring for these short-lived and severely impaired infants requires palliative management. New drugs (nusinersen) have recently been developed that may modify SMA-1 natural history and thus raise ethical concerns about the appropriate level of care for patients. Read More

Respir Care 2020 Mar 3. Epub 2020 Mar 3.

Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Department of Medicine, Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.

Background: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) can be tolerated in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), unless bulbar impairment becomes severe. Excessive oral secretions may result in NIV intolerance and insufficient ventilation.

Objective: To assess the reliability of the Oral Secretion Scale (OSS) for predicting the tolerance of NIV, when to initiate hospice or transition to tracheostomy, and prognostic factors for survival of users of NIV. Read More

Internist (Berl) 2020 Mar;61(3):254-260

Universitätsklinik für Geriatrie der Paracelsus Medizinischen Privatuniversität Salzburg, Christian-Doppler-Klinik, Salzburg, Österreich.

The peripheral nervous system is subject to changes during the aging process, e.g., deep tendon reflexes decrease, as proprioception does. Read More

Neurol Sci 2020 Jun 27;41(6):1567-1570. Epub 2020 Jan 27.

Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.

Rare neurological diseases (RNDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders mainly affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems, representing almost 50% of all rare diseases; this explains why neurologists are very often involved in their diagnosis, treatment and research. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively describe the awareness of RNDs among the neurological community of the Italian Society of Neurology (SIN). A survey of the Italian Neurogenetics and Rare diseases group of the SIN, similar to what was submitted to the members of the EAN Task Force on Rare Neurologic Diseases and to EAN Panels Scientific Committee Management Groups, was launched in January 2019 in order to verify the specific Italian situations and possibly the regional differences. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Jan;99(4):e18833

Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Health and Social Research Center, Cuenca, Spain.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and multiple symptoms. It is a common clinical condition whose etiology is unclear. Currently, there is no gold standard treatment for FM. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 01 19;17(2). Epub 2020 Jan 19.

CESTER, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

A few decades ago, robotics started to be implemented in the medical field, especially in the rehabilitation of patients with different neurological diseases that have led to neuromuscular disorders. The main concern regarding medical robots is their safety assurance in the medical environment. The goal of this paper is to assess the risk of a medical robotic system for elbow and wrist rehabilitation in terms of robot and patient safety. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020 Mar 18;130:109818. Epub 2019 Dec 18.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the change in progressive swallowing dysfunction from birth up to 2 years of age to provide clinical insights into the management of swallowing difficulty in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I.

Methods: Data of 11 patients with SMA type I were retrospectively reviewed. The Neuromuscular Disease Swallowing Status Scale (NdSSS) scores and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were used. Read More

Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2020 Apr 14;56(2):243-251. Epub 2020 Jan 14.

Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults (Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation), Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Brindisi, Italy.

Background: Management of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has progressed enormously and reached unprecedented levels with nusinersen gene therapy. We are finally able to counter the progression of this devastating genetic disease, contributing to the definition of new trajectories in its natural history and the identification of new SMA phenotypes post-gene therapy. The aim of this paper was to use the The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Children and Youth as a framework for the management of spinal muscular atrophy in the era of gene therapy: a proof-of-concept study (ICF-CY) as a comprehensive documentation tool to better understand and improve care provided to a child with SMA and to illustrate its use in a multidisciplinary perspective with a proof-of-concept study. Read More

J Rehabil Med 2020 Mar;52(3):jrm00026

Objective: To describe the orthotic properties and evaluate the effects of ankle-foot orthoses for calf muscle weakness in persons with non-spastic neuromuscular disorders compared with shoes-only.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Subjects: Thirty-four persons who used ankle-foot orthoses for non-spastic calf muscle weakness. Read More

Expert Rev Respir Med 2020 02 14;14(2):149-161. Epub 2020 Jan 14.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center+, The Netherlands.

: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is one of the core components in the management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In order to achieve the maximal level of independence, autonomy, and functioning of the patient, targeted therapies and interventions based on the identification of physical, emotional and social traits need to be provided by a dedicated, interdisciplinary PR team.: The review discusses cardiopulmonary exercise testing in the selection of different modes of training modalities. Read More

Pediatr Neurol 2020 03 29;104:13-18. Epub 2019 Nov 29.

Department of Exercise Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Congenital myopathy is a heterogeneous group of muscle disorders characterized by muscle weakness and hypotonia. This condition is associated with a range of skeletal, respiratory, and ophthalmologic complications and requires a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach aimed at maximizing the function and independence of patients. One promising direction for therapeutic intervention is physical exercise rehabilitation, given its demonstrated ability to promote muscle and bone health of patients with a variety of neuromuscular conditions. Read More

Cureus 2019 Nov 20;11(11):e6209. Epub 2019 Nov 20.

Neurology, University of Central Florida/Osceola Regional Medical Center, Orlando, USA.

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare, autoimmune, neuromuscular disorder that manifests with axial and proximal muscle stiffness, rigidity, and painful muscle spasms, often causing progressive disability due to limited movement. First-line therapies comprise symptomatic management with γ-aminobutyric acid-modulating drugs such as benzodiazepines and baclofen. Patients resistant to these treatments are often given intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). Read More

BMC Proc 2019 16;13(Suppl 11):21. Epub 2019 Dec 16.

3Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Background: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal X-linked recessive neuromuscular disease, characterized by progressive loss of muscle strength. Respiratory failure is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in DMD patients. Respiratory devices have been reported to increase the effectiveness of cough and pulmonary function, thus prolong the survival rate. Read More

Med Sci (Paris) 2019 Nov 20;35 Hors série n° 2:29-35. Epub 2019 Dec 20.

Centre de Référence des Maladies rares neuromusculaires, AOC, Hôpital Pierre Zobda, Quitman, niveau -1, BP 632, CHU Martinique, 97200 Fort de France, France.

J Diabetes Res 2019 19;2019:9459206. Epub 2019 Nov 19.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555, USA.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to explore clinical characteristics of patients with T2DM receiving a primary knee (TKA) or hip (THA) arthroplasty to patients without T2DM receiving a TKA or THA and patients with T2DM with no history of osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: The study included a retrospective database review of 500 consecutive primary TKA or THA identified with ICD-9 codes and 100 consecutive T2DM patients. Patients who received a TKA or THA were screened for inclusion and exclusion and divided into with or without T2DM groups. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019 22;10:794. Epub 2019 Nov 22.

Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.

Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are inherited or acquired conditions affecting skeletal muscles, motor nerves, or neuromuscular junctions. Most of them are characterized by a progressive damage of muscle fibers with reduced muscle strength, disability, and poor health-related quality of life of affected patients. In this scenario, skeletal health is usually compromised as a consequence of modified bone-muscle cross-talk including biomechanical and bio-humoral issues, resulting in increased risk of bone fragility and fractures. Read More

Neurol Sci 2020 Apr 7;41(4):859-868. Epub 2019 Dec 7.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

Aerobic exercise, training to sustain motor ability, and respiratory rehabilitation may improve general functioning and quality of life (QoL) in neuromuscular disorders. Patients with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) typically show progressive muscle weakness, respiratory dysfunction and minor cardiac involvement. Characteristics and modalities of motor and respiratory rehabilitation in LOPD are not well defined and specific guidelines are lacking. Read More

Multidiscip Respir Med 2019 30;14:38. Epub 2019 Nov 30.

7Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers University New Jersey Medical School, Newark, USA.

Over the past three decades, the use of noninvasive ventilation or "NIV" to assuage symptoms of hypoventilation for patients with early onset or mild ventilatory pump failure has been extended to up to the use of continuous noninvasive ventilatory support (CNVS) at full ventilatory support settings as a definitive alternative to tracheostomy mechanical ventilation. NVS, along with mechanical insufflation-exsufflation, now provides a noninvasive option for the management of both chronic and acute respiratory failure for these patients. The most common diagnoses for which these methods are useful include chest wall deformities, neuromuscular diseases, morbid obesity, high level spinal cord injury and idiopathic, primary or secondary disorders of the ventilatory control. Read More

Acta Myol 2019 Sep 1;38(3):172-179. Epub 2019 Sep 1.

Neuromuscular Center, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy.

Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) has onset usually in childhood, frequently by 11 years. BMD can present in several ways such as waddling gait, exercise related cramps with or without myoglobinuria. Rarely cardiomyopathy might be the presenting feature. Read More

Pain Physician 2019 11;22(6):601-611

Comprehensive Pain & Rehabilitation, MS.

Background: The recent interest in targeting the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) has led to the development of new techniques of electrode placement. In this article, we describe a new "Transgrade" approach to the DRG, accessing the contralateral interlaminar space and steering the lead out the opposite foramen.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Transgrade technique to the DRG in the management of focal neuropathic pain, predominately complex regional pain syndrome in terms of efficacy and safety. Read More

Arch Argent Pediatr 2019 12;117(6):e576-e583

Programa de Rehabilitación Respiratoria Infantil, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Guillermo Grant Benavente, Concepción, Chile.

Introduction: Pediatric pulmonary rehabilitation is relevant in the management of chronic respiratory diseases. In Chile, it is provided only at certain hospitals. Objective. Read More

Rev Med Suisse 2019 Nov;15(672):2152-2157

Service de médecine interne, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne.

Peripheral neuropathies are frequent in clinical practice and portend severe functional limitations or neuropathic pain. History taking and clinical examination represent key features to trigger investigations and uncover the underlying affection. For general internal medicine practitioners, initial investigation should include search for alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus, vitamin B12 deficiency and monoclonal gammapathy. Read More

PM R 2019 12;11(12):1360-1363

Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Ann Transl Med 2019 Oct;7(Suppl 7):S246

Rubin Institute of Advanced Orthopedics, Rehabilitation Department, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic debilitating condition that is estimated to affect approximately 12% of the current adult population in the United States, and is associated with severe pain and disability. Among these patients, quadriceps muscle atrophy and concomitant weakness are frequent findings that contribute significantly to the burden of this disease. One emerging method of quadriceps muscle strengthening and rehabilitation in knee OA patients is the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy (NMES). Read More

Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2019 7;65(10):1265-1274. Epub 2019 Nov 7.

Pain Medicine Department. University of Catania. 95125 Catania, Italy.

Objective: We reported our multidisciplinary protocol for the management of fibromyalgia associated with imbalance. Our aim was to verify the effectiveness of a proprioceptive training program as a complementary therapy for a traditional protocol of education, mindfulness, and exercise training for the management of fibromyalgia associated with imbalance.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study on 84 women, with primary fibromyalgia associated to imbalance. Read More

J Immunother Cancer 2019 11 8;7(1):296. Epub 2019 Nov 8.

Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, USA.

Background: Adoptive transfer of autologous T-lymphocytes transduced with a high affinity NY-ESO-1-reactive T-cell receptor (NY-ESO-1 T-cells) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with refractory synovial sarcoma. Secondary autoimmune T-cell mediated toxicities can occur long after initial adoptive T-cell transfer. We report on the first two cases of the development and management of Guillain-Barre syndrome in synovial sarcoma patients who received NY-ESO-1 T-cells. Read More