A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of cardiac rehabilitation interventions on cognitive impairment following stroke.

Purpose: The cardiac rehabilitation model has potential as an approach to providing rehabilitation following stroke. This review aims to identify evidence for the participation of stroke patients in cardiac/cardiovascular rehabilitation programs internationally, whether or not such programs offer a cognitive intervention as part of treatment, and the impact of rehabilitation on post-stroke cognitive function. Method: Five electronic databases were searched from inception to 1 May 2019, namely: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Web of Science. Eligible studies included both randomized and non-randomized studies of cardiac rehabilitation-type interventions which measured cognitive function in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. Results: Of 14,153 records reviewed, nine studies which delivered cardiac rehabilitation-type interventions to stroke patients were finally included. Only three of these studies delivered cognitive rehabilitation as part of the intervention. Cardiac rehabilitation had no statistically significant effect on cognitive function in five randomized controlled trials (standardized mean difference= 0.28, 95% CI= -0.16 to 0.73) or in three one group pre-post studies (standardized mean difference= 0.15, 95% CI= -0.03 to 0.33). Conclusions: This review highlights that there are very few studies of delivery of cardiac rehabilitation to stroke patients and that the inclusion of cognitive interventions is even less common, despite the high prevalence of post-stroke cognitive impairment. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The cardiac rehabilitation model has the potential to be expanded to include patients post-stroke given the commonality of secondary prevention needs, thereby becoming a cardiovascular rehabilitation model. Up to half of patients experience cognitive impairment after stroke; suggesting that a post-stroke cardiovascular rehabilitation model should incorporate specific cognitive strategies for patients. This systematic review identified three cardiovascular rehabilitation programmes which delivered cognitive rehabilitation as part of treatment; however, evidence for efficacy is weak.</div

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) in the first year post-stroke

Introduction: Increasing attention is being paid to interventions for cognitive impairment (CI) post-stroke, including for CI that does not meet dementia criteria. The aim of this paper was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) within one year post-stroke.Patients and methods: Pubmed, EMBASE and PsychInfo were searched for papers published in English in 1995–2017. Included studies were population or hospital-based cohort studies for first-ever/recurrent stroke, assessing CIND using standardised criteria at 1–12 months post-stroke. Abstracts were screened, followed by full text review of potentially relevant articles. Data were extracted using a standard form, and study quality was appraised using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool. A pooled prevalence of CIND with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was estimated using random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was measured using the I2 statistic.Results: A total of 7000 abstracts were screened, followed by 1028 full text articles. Twenty-three articles were included in the systematic review, and 21 in the meta-analysis. The pooled CIND prevalence was 38% [95% CI = 32–43%] (I2=92.5%, p Discussion and conclusion: Meta-analysis of available studies indicates that in the first year post-stroke, 4 in 10 patients display a level of cognitive impairment that does not meet the criteria for dementia.</div

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of cognitive impairment on the risk of admission to long-term care after stroke [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

Introduction: Admission to long-term care (LTC) post-stroke can be a significant source of costs. Studies evaluating the effect of cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia on risk of LTC admission post-stroke have not been systematically reviewed. The aim of this paper was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of the association between post-stroke CI/dementia and admission to LTC.Patients and methods: PubMed, PsycInfo and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases were searched for peer-review articles in English published January 2000-June 2018. Included studies were population-based or hospital-based studies assessing the relationship between CI or dementia, and admission to LTC post-stroke. Abstracts were screened, followed by full-text review of potentially relevant articles. Relevant data was extracted using a standard form and the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool was used for quality appraisal. Results were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic.Results: 18 articles were included in the review and 12 in a meta-analysis. 14/18 studies adjusted for covariates including functional impairment. Increased odds of admission to LTC was associated with post-stroke CI [Odds Ratio (CI 95%): 2.36 (1.18, 4.71), I²=77%] and post-stroke dementia [Odds Ratio (CI 95%): 2.58 (1.38 to 4.82), I²=60%].Discussion and conclusion: Post-stroke CI and dementia increase odds of admission to LTC post-stroke, independent of functional impairment. This indicates the potential for interventions that reduce post-stroke CI and dementia to also reduce risk of admission to LTC post-stroke, and ultimately costs.</h4

SARS-CoV-2 detection, viral load and infectivity over the course of an infection.

Objectives: To summarise the evidence on the detection pattern and viral load of SARS-CoV-2 over the course of an infection (including any asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic phase), and the duration of infectivity.Methods: A systematic literature search was undertaken in PubMed, Europe PubMed Central and EMBASE from 30 December 2019 to 12 May 2020.Results: We identified 113 studies conducted in 17 countries. The evidence from upper respiratory tract samples suggests that the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 peaks around symptom onset or a few days thereafter, and becomes undetectable about two weeks after symptom onset; however, viral loads from sputum samples may be higher, peak later and persist for longer. There is evidence of prolonged virus detection in stool samples, with unclear clinical significance. No study was found that definitively measured the duration of infectivity; however, patients may not be infectious for the entire duration of virus detection, as the presence of viral ribonucleic acid may not represent transmissible live virus.Conclusion: There is a relatively consistent trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 viral load over the course of COVID-19 from respiratory tract samples, however the duration of infectivity remains uncertain.</p

Managing cognitive impairment following stroke: protocol for a systematic review of non-randomised controlled studies of psychological interventions.

Introduction Stroke is one of the primary causes of death and disability worldwide, leaving a considerable proportion of survivors with persistent cognitive and functional deficits. Despite the prevalence of poststroke cognitive impairment, there is no established treatment aimed at improving cognitive function following a stroke. Therefore, the aims of this systematic review are to identify psychological interventions intended to improve poststroke cognitive function and establish their efficacy. Methods and analysis A systematic review of non-randomised controlled studies that investigated the efficacy of psychological interventions aimed at improving cognitive function in stroke survivors will be conducted. Electronic searches will be performed in the PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO databases, the search dating from the beginning of the index to February 2017. Reference lists of all identified relevant articles will be reviewed to identify additional studies not previously identified by the electronic search. Potential grey literature will be reviewed using Google Scholar. Titles and abstracts will be assessed for eligibility by one reviewer, with a random sample of 50% independently double-screened by second reviewers. Any discrepancies will be resolved through discussion, with referral to a third reviewer where necessary. Risk of bias will be assessed with the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tool. Meta-analyses will be performed if studies are sufficiently homogeneous. This review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. The quality of the evidence regarding cognitive function will be assessed according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Ethics and dissemination This systematic review will collect secondary data only and as such ethical approval is not required. Findings will be disseminated through presentations and peer-reviewed publication. This review will provide information on the effectiveness of psychological interventions for poststroke cognitive impairment, identifying which psychological interventions are effective for improving poststroke cognitive function.</p