Biofeedback as a form of neurorehabilitation in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system. An important element in the treatment of the disease is neurorehabilitation. One of the forms of neurorehabilitation may be biofeedback. The above technique uses electronic devices that allows an individual to learn how to change the body's function in order to reduce the clinical symptoms of the disease and improve health. Previous studies have confirmed that biofeedback has a beneficial effect on the health of patients with Parkinson's disease. The aim of the work was a review of the literature on biofeedback as a form of neurorehabilitation in this disease

OX40 topljiv u serumu kod bolesnika s amiotrofičnom lateralnom sklerozom

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease. Data from the literature show that systemic immune activation plays a role in ALS. OX40 (CD134) is member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family and is expressed selectively on activated T lymphocytes. The aim of the study was to measure serum soluble OX40 (sOX40) levels in patients with ALS. The study included 25 ALS patients and 15 control subjects. Serum sOX40 levels were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent method. Study showed that sOX40 levels were significantly decreased in serum of ALS patients compared with controls (p=0.05). There was no significant correlation between serum sOX40 levels and clinical parameters of ALS such as severity of the ALS patient clinical state and duration of the disease (p>0.05). In conclusion, decrease in serum sOX40 levels in patients with ALS suggests that this cytokine may be implicated in the pathomechanisms of this disease.Amiotrofična lateralna skleroza (ALS) je neurodegenerativna bolest. Literaturni podaci pokazuju da sistemsko aktiviranje imuno sustava ima ulogu kod ALS. OX40 (CD134) pripada obitelji receptora faktora tumorske nekroze (TN F), a izražen je selektivno na aktiviranim T limfocitima. Cilj studije bio je izmjeriti razine OX40 topljivog u serumu (sOX40) kod bolesnika s ALS. U studiju je bilo uključeno 25 bolesnika s ALS i 15 kontrolnih osoba. Razine sOX40 u serumu mjerene su metodom ELI SA. Rezultati su pokazali da su razine sOX40 značajno snižene u serumu bolesnika s ALS u usporedbi s kontrolnim osobama (P=0,05). Nije bilo značajne korelacije između serumskih razina sOX40 i kliničkih parametara ALS, kao što su težina kliničkog stanja bolesnika s ALS i trajanje bolesti (P>0,05). U zaključku, serumske razine sOX40 kod bolesnika s ALS ukazuju na to da bi ovaj citokin mogao biti upleten u patomehanizme ove bolesti

Hydrotherapy in nervous system diseases

SUMMARY Hydrotherapy is one method used in the rehabilitation treatment of various diseases, including diseases of the nervous system with a positive result. It is used in many exercise programs. It has been shown that hydrotherapy reduces the clinical symptoms of the nervous system diseases, reduces pain and improves quality of life. The mechanism of action of hydrotherapy is omnidirectional; among other things, it has a positive effect on segmental spinal mechanisms, induces muscle relaxation, affects the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The aim of the work was a review of the literature on hydrotherapy in nervous system diseases

Kinesitherapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Introduction and purpose of work. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of unknown etiology. As a result, damage to motor neurons in patients with clinical symptoms such as weakness and atrophy of muscles, spasticity, paresis, disorders of speech and swallowing difficulties. In view of the lack of effective treatment, it is important causal symptomatic treatment and rehabilitation, including kinesitherapy. The aim of this study was to review the literature concerning the use of kinesitherapy in the ALS.Brief description of the state of knowledge. The evidence regarding the benefits of kinesitherapy in the ALS is limited to a few experimental studies and clinical trials. Experimental studies confirm the beneficial neuroprotective effect of kinesitherapy on motoneurons. Clinical trials have shown the beneficial effect of moderate exercise on the state of ALS patients. It is recommended to exercise: stretching, aerobic, resistance, strengthening and balance, as well as special methods such as the method Vojta and PNF. Literature data show that exercise influence on the activity of motoneurons which are more resistant to apoptosis selectively.Summary. Kinesitherapy is recommended for patients already in the early stages of ALS. However, despite the presented advantages of this method are the need for a more randomized trials on a larger group of patients. 

Sport and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. Symptoms of the disease include progressive weakness and atrophy of muscles and increasing respiratory failure. The etiology of the disease is not completely unknown. Data from the literature suggest that sport can be a risk factor for ALS through vigorous physical activity, trauma or micro trauma associated with it, and the acceptance by athletes toxic substances. Research on this topic conducted in patients with ALS are not clear, but some of them point to the importance of vigorous physical activity and traumatic factors in causing disease. The above issues require further research. The aim of the work was a review of the literature concerning sports and risk of ALS

Razina angiogenina u likvoru bolesnika s amiotrofičnom lateralnom sklerozom

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease. It is suggested that angiogenin (ANG) may play a role in the pathomechanisms of this disease. The aim of the study was to measure cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ANG levels in patients with ALS. Twenty ALS patients and 15 control subjects were included in the study. CSF ANG levels were measured by ELISA. Study results showed that CSF ANG level did not differ between ALS patients and control group (p>0.05). There was no significant correlation between CSF ANG level and clinical state of ALS patients either (p>0.05). The present study conducted on CSF of patients with ALS did not confirm previous observation on the possible role of ANG in neurodegeneration in this disease.Amiotrofična lateralna skleroza (ALS) je neurodegenerativna bolest. Pretpostavlja se da bi angiogenin (ANG) mogao imati ulogu u patomehanizmu ove bolesti. Cilj ove studije bio je izmjeriti razine ANG u likvoru bolesnika s ALS. U studiju je bilo uključeno 20 bolesnika s ALS i 15 kontrolnih osoba. Razine ANG u likvoru mjerene su metodom ELISA. Ispitivanje je pokazalo kako nema razlike u likvorskoj razini ANG između bolesnika s ALS i kontrolne skupine (p>0,05). Isto tako nije bilo značajne korelacije između razine ANG u likvoru i kliničkog stanja bolesnika s ALS (p>0,05). U zaključku, ova studija provedena na likvoru bolesnika s ALS nije potvrdila prijašnja zapažanja prema kojim bi ANG mogao biti upleten u neurodegenerativne procese ove bolesti

The use of Kinesio Taping in the treatment of pain and shoulder dysfunction in patients after stroke

Introduction. Stroke is an important medical problem. One of the most common complications associated with paresis or paralysis of upper limb after stroke is pain and shoulder dysfunction. Kinesio Taping action is physiotherapy.Objective of the work. The aim of the study was to determine whether Kinesio Taping has the effect of reducing the shoulder complex pain in patients after stroke and to evaluate whether its use improves upper limb function in these patients.Material and methods. The study included 100 patients after stroke. Application techniques tapes were made according to the method used in Kinesio Taping. The total time of treatment lasted for seven days continuously. Evaluation of the degree of disability of patients was performed according to the mRankin scale. The severity of pain was assessed using a visual – analog scale VAS and modified pain questionnaire Laitinen, and upper extremity function was examined using scales  ASES and Brunnström.Results. The level of pain by visual - analog scale VAS and a pain questionnaire modified Laitinen decreased after 7 days of treatment, and after 2 weeks after treatment was increased, but to a level lower than the initial one. Evaluation of upper limb function using Brunnström scale and factor SSI (Shoulder Score Index) indicated to improve the functionality of the shoulder and upper limb as a result of the applied therapy.Conclusion. The use of Kinesio Taping may be helpful in reducing pain and improving shoulder complex upper limb function in patients after stroke.

Hydrotherapy in nervous system diseases

SUMMARY Hydrotherapy is one method used in the rehabilitation treatment of various diseases, including diseases of the nervous system with a positive result. It is used in many exercise programs. It has been shown that hydrotherapy reduces the clinical symptoms of the nervous system diseases, reduces pain and improves quality of life. The mechanism of action of hydrotherapy is omnidirectional; among other things, it has a positive effect on segmental spinal mechanisms, induces muscle relaxation, affects the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The aim of the work was a review of the literature on hydrotherapy in nervous system diseases

Neurocognitive dysfunctions and functional state of patients after internal carotid endarterectomy

Introduction. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a method of treatment of carotid stenosis, which significantlyreduces the risk of ischemic stroke. This procedure may affect the patient’s neurocognitive functioning. Theaim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of neurocognitive disorders and to determine the functionalstatus of the patients undergoing CEA. Material and methods. The study group consisted of 102 people who underwent CEA. Studies wereperformed preoperatively and repeated on the fourth postoperative day. The following scales were used: theMini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL), Instrumental Activities of DailyLiving (IADL) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Results. The average number of points obtained by patients in the MMSE, both before and after surgery is26 points to 30 that may be obtained, which shows a subtle cognitive impairment. Almost every patient showedfitness both in terms of basic (ADL), as well as complex (IADL) activities before and after surgery. Conclusions. Low or average level of cognitive performance is observed in most subjects, both before andafter CEA. There are many different factors that can affect the cognitive functions. The functional status ofpatients stood without significant changes