A systematic review of problematic video-game use in people with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Background: In recent years, an increasing number of studies documented potential links between gaming disorders (GD; including “digital-gaming” or “video-gaming”) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to summarize current research about problematic video game (PVG) use in people with ASD and identify specific factors associated with problematic video gaming behavior. Method: We searched for articles indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost electronic databases; using a combination of expressions including “autism spectrum disorder” OR “autism” OR “ASD” AND “video games” OR “gaming disorder” OR “Internet Gaming Disorder” OR “game addiction”. Results: Twelve articles were included in this systematic review. The majority of them indicate that children, adolescents and adults with ASD may be at greater risk of PVG use than youths without ASD. Findings also suggested that several internal (sex, attention and oppositional behavior problems) and external factors (social aspects, access and time spent playing video, parental rules, and game genre) were significant predictors of problematic video game use in people with ASD. In addition, this review highlights the paucity of the literature on the consequences and individual effects of excessive video gaming in people with ASD. Conclusions: We discuss unanswered questions and future directions and provide recommendations for improving clinicians and parents’ engagement in the prevention and management of problematic video game use in people with ASD

Children in Vegetative State and Minimally Conscious State: Patients' Condition and Caregivers' Burden

Caring for children in vegetative state (VS) or minimally conscious state (MCS) challenges parents and impacts on their well-being. This study aims to evaluate caregivers' health condition, coping, anxiety and depression levels, and how these issues relate to children's disability. 35 children with VS and MCS were administered the disability rating scale (DRS) and 35 caregivers completed the Coping Orientations to Problem Experiences, Short Form-12, Beck Depression Inventory, and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Y. Children were mainly males (68.6%), hosted at domicile (77.1%), and diagnosed with VS (60%), with anoxic aetiology (45.7%). Caregivers were mainly mothers (85.7%), married (82.9%), and housewives (51.4%); 60% declared financial difficulties, and 82.9% provided full-time assistance. 57.2% reported depressive symptoms, poor mental health, and high level of state and trait anxiety. “Problem-oriented” (P < 0.001) and “emotional-oriented” (P < 0.001), were more adopted than “potentially dysfunctional” ones. DRS scores (mean = 22.0; SD = 1.9) did not significantly correlate to any psychological measure. Rehabilitative programs for children with SV and SMC should also provide interventions on surrounding systems: improving the network of psychological support and social assistance may decrease the burden of caregivers and, in turn, improve caring abilities and children quality of life

Living with One Hemisphere — A Large Porencephalic Cyst

A 2-year-old girl presented with gait disturbance and difficulty using her right hand. She had been born by normal spontaneous delivery at 38 weeks of gestation after an uncomplicated pregnancy. On admission, she was found to have a normal head circumference and mild spastic right hemiparesis. Neuropsychological testing showed normal comprehension and social skills. She had mild bimanual dyspraxia and mild dysarthria. An electroencephalogram revealed reduced background activity in the left hemisphere. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a large, left hemispheric, porencephalic cyst, with extension into the frontal, temporal, and occipital lobes (Panel A). Only residual rims of tissue were present in the frontal and temporal cortexes, the left thalamus, and the basal ganglia. The cerebellum was spared (Panel B). Magnetic resonance angiography (Panel C) revealed occlusive disease involving the left middle cerebral artery (arrowhead) and the posterior cerebral artery (asterisk), as well as hypoplasia of the A1 segment of the right anterior cerebral artery (arrow). There was no evidence of in utero infection; no other affected family members were identified. Despite severe hypoplasia and hypoperfusion of the left side of the brain, neurodevelopment was relatively preserved — the patient had only mild spasticity and a mild disorder of the fine motor sequences that govern speech, and her speech comprehension was affected very little

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for patients with cerebral palsy: improving long-term care

Antonio Trabacca,&nbsp;Teresa Vespino,&nbsp;Antonella Di Liddo,&nbsp;Luigi Russo Scientific Institute I.R.C.C.S. &ldquo;Eugenio Medea&rdquo; &ndash; &ldquo;La Nostra Famiglia&rdquo;&nbsp;&ndash; Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults (Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation), Brindisi Research Centre, Brindisi, Italy Abstract: Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most frequent causes of child disability in developed countries. Children with CP need lifelong assistance and care. The current prevalence of CP in industrialized countries ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 per 1,000 live births, with one new case every 500 live births. Children with CP have an almost normal life expectancy and mortality is very low. Despite the low mortality rate, 5%&ndash;10% of them die during childhood, especially when the severe motor disability is comorbid with epilepsy and severe intellectual disability. Given this life expectancy, children with CP present with a lifelong disability of varying severity and complexity, which requires individualized pathways of care. There are no specific treatments that can remediate the brain damage responsible for the complex clinical&ndash;functional dysfunctions typical of CP. There are, however, a number of interventions (eg, neurorehabilitation, functional orthopedic surgery, medication, etc) aimed at limiting the damage secondary to the brain insult and improving these patients&rsquo; activity level and participation and, therefore, their quality of life. The extreme variability of clinical aspects and the complexity of affected functions determine a multifaceted skill development in children with CP. There is a need to provide them with long-term care, taking into account medical and social aspects as well as rehabilitation, education, and assistance. This long-term care must be suited according to children&rsquo;s developmental stage and their physical, psychological, and social development within their life contexts. This impacts heavily on the national health systems which must set up a network of services for children with CP, and it also impacts heavily on the family as a whole, due to the resulting distress, adjustment efforts, and changes in quality of life. This contribution is a narrative review of the current literature on long-term care for children with CP, aiming at suggesting reflections to improve these children&rsquo;s care. Keywords: cerebral palsy, rehabilitation, long-term care, disability&nbsp

Multispectrum Approach in Quantitative EEG: Accuracy and Physical Effort

The detection of neurophysiological features by means of electroencephalogram (EEG) is one of the most recurrent medical exams to be performed on human beings. As it stands, EEG trials are not always sufficient to deliver a clear and precise diagnosis for much pathology. Hence, it must be integrated with other exams. However, we can use all additional instrumental exams to improve the quality of the diagnosis because there are other constraints, namely, financial, medical, and individual. This paper presents an original implementation of EEG signal processing using filter diagonalization method to build a bispectrum and contour representation to discover possible abnormalities hidden in the signal for aided-diagnosis. Two different EEG signals are used for this scope. EEG signals are acquired simultaneously with electrocardiograms (ECG) and ergospirometric ones. ECG signals are also processed along with EEGs. A comparison is made with high order spectra approach. All experimental data regarding EEG, ECG, and ergospirometry are acquired during suspected-patient walking along a path of ∼32 m for verifying the impact of fatigue on neurophysiological processes and vice versa