Animal-assisted therapy for dementia
Abstract Background Dementia is a chronic condition which progressively affects memory and other cognitive functions, social behaviour, and ability to carry out daily activities. To date, no treatment is clearly effective in preventing progression of the disease, and most treatments are symptomatic, often aiming to improve people’s psychological symptoms or behaviours which are challenging for […]
Cognitive rehabilitation for attention deficits following stroke
Abstract Background Many survivors of stroke report attentional impairments, such as diminished concentration and distractibility. However, the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation for improving these impairments is uncertain.This is an update of the Cochrane Review first published in 2000 and previously updated in 2013. Objectives To determine whether people receiving cognitive rehabilitation for attention problems 1. […]
Assisted standing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Abstract Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common X‐linked neuromuscular disorder. When boys with DMD reach the second decade of life, they lose their ability to walk and become wheelchair dependent. Standing devices and orthoses are considered to be an essential component in the therapy management of DMD. Clinical opinion and research from […]
Botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of lower limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy
Abstract Background Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of physical disabilities in children in high‐income countries. Spasticity is the most common motor disturbance in CP. Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT‐A) is considered the first‐line treatment for focal spasticity in people with CP. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of BoNT‐A compared to […]
Respiratory muscle training in children and adults with neuromuscular disease
Abstract Background Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases affecting the anterior horn cell of spinal cord, neuromuscular junction, peripheral nerves and muscles. NMDs cause physical disability usually due to progressive loss of strength in limb muscles, and some NMDs also cause respiratory muscle weakness. Respiratory muscle training (RMT) might be expected to […]
Interventions for visual field defects in patients with stroke
Abstract Background Visual field defects are estimated to affect 20% to 57% of people who have had a stroke. Visual field defects can affect functional ability in activities of daily living (commonly affecting mobility, reading and driving), quality of life, ability to participate in rehabilitation, and depression and anxiety following stroke. There are many interventions […]
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for improving aphasia in patients after stroke
Abstract Background Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and aphasia among survivors is common. Current speech and language therapy (SLT) strategies have only limited effectiveness in improving aphasia. A possible adjunct to SLT for improving SLT outcomes might be non‐invasive brain stimulation by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to modulate cortical […]
Stem cell transplantation for ischemic stroke
Abstract Background Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with very large healthcare and social costs, and a strong demand for alternative therapeutic approaches. Preclinical studies have shown that stem cells transplanted into the brain can lead to functional improvement. However, to date, evidence for the benefits of stem cell transplantation in […]
Pharmaceutical interventions for emotionalism after stroke
Abstract Background Antidepressants may be useful in the treatment of abnormal crying associated with stroke. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2004 and last updated in 2010. Objectives To determine whether pharmaceutical treatment reduces the frequency of emotional displays in people with emotionalism after stroke. Search methods We searched the […]
Physical exercise training for type 3 spinal muscular atrophy
Abstract Background Physical exercise training might improve muscle and cardiorespiratory function in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Optimization of aerobic capacity or other resources in residual muscle tissue through exercise may counteract the muscle deterioration that occurs secondary to motor neuron loss and inactivity in SMA. There is currently no evidence synthesis available on physical exercise […]