TY - JOUR A1 - Ulm, Lena A1 - Wohlrapp, Dorota A1 - Meinzer, Marcus A1 - Steinicke, Robert A1 - Schatz, Alexej A1 - Denzler, Petra A1 - Klehmet, Juliane A1 - Dohle, Christian A1 - Niedeggen, Michael A1 - Meisel, Andreas A1 - Winter, York T1 - A circle-monitor for computerised assessment of visual neglect in peripersonal space JF - PLoS one N2 - Current assessment of visual neglect involves paper-and-pencil tests or computer-based tasks. Both have been criticised because of their lack of ecological validity as target stimuli can only be presented in a restricted visual range. This study examined the user-friendliness and diagnostic strength of a new "Circle-Monitor" (CM), which enlarges the range of the peripersonal space, in comparison to a standard paper-and-pencil test (Neglect-Test, NET). Methods: Ten stroke patients with neglect and ten age-matched healthy controls were examined by the NET and the CM test comprising of four subtests (Star Cancellation, Line Bisection, Dice Task, and Puzzle Test). Results: The acceptance of the CM in elderly controls and neglect patients was high. Participants rated the examination by CM as clear, safe and more enjoyable than NET. Healthy controls performed at ceiling on all subtests, without any systematic differences between the visual fields. Both NET and CM revealed significant differences between controls and patients in Line Bisection, Star Cancellation and visuo-constructive tasks (NET: Figure Copying, CM: Puzzle Test). Discriminant analyses revealed cross-validated assignment of patients and controls to groups was more precise when based on the CM (hit rate 90%) as compared to the NET (hit rate 70%). Conclusion: The CM proved to be a sensitive novel tool to diagnose visual neglect symptoms quickly and accurately with superior diagnostic validity compared to a standard neglect test while being well accepted by patients. Due to its upgradable functions the system may also be a valuable tool not only to test for non-visual neglect symptoms, but also to provide treatment and assess its outcome. Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0082892 SN - 1932-6203 VL - 8 IS - 12 PB - PLoS CY - San Fransisco ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Flöel, Agnes A1 - Werner, Cordula A1 - Grittner, Ulrike A1 - Hesse, Stefan A1 - Jöbges, Michael A1 - Knauss, Janet A1 - Seifert, Michael A1 - Steinhagen-Thiessen, Elisabeth A1 - Goevercin, Mehmet A1 - Dohle, Christian A1 - Fischer, Wolfgang A1 - Schlieder, Regina A1 - Nave, Alexander Heinrich A1 - Meisel, Andreas A1 - Ebinger, Martin A1 - Wellwood, Ian T1 - Physical fitness training in Subacute Stroke (PHYS-STROKE) - study protocol for a randomised controlled trial JF - Trials N2 - Background: Given the rising number of strokes worldwide, and the large number of individuals left with disabilities after stroke, novel strategies to reduce disability, increase functions in the motor and the cognitive domains, and improve quality of life are of major importance. Physical activity is a promising intervention to address these challenges but, as yet, there is no study demonstrating definite outcomes. Our objective is to assess whether additional treatment in the form of physical fitness-based training for patients early after stroke will provide benefits in terms of functional outcomes, in particular gait speed and the Barthel Index (co-primary outcome measures) reflecting activities of daily living (ADL). We will gather secondary functional outcomes as well as mechanistic parameters in an exploratory approach. Methods/Design: Our phase III randomised controlled trial will recruit 215 adults with moderate to severe limitations of walking and ADL 5 to 45 days after stroke onset. Participants will be stratified for the prognostic variables of "centre", "age", and "stroke severity", and randomly assigned to one of two groups. The interventional group receives physical fitness training delivered as supported or unsupported treadmill training (cardiovascular active aerobic training; five times per week, over 4 weeks; each session 50 minutes; total of 20 additional physical fitness training sessions) in addition to standard rehabilitation treatment. The control intervention consists of relaxation sessions (non-cardiovascular active; five times per week week, over 4 weeks; each session 50 minutes) in addition to standard rehabilitation treatment. Co-primary efficacy endpoints will be gait speed (in m/s, 10 m walk) and the Barthel Index (100 points total) at 3 months post-stroke, compared to baseline measurements. Secondary outcomes include standard measures of quality of life, sleep and mood, cognition, arm function, maximal oxygen uptake, and cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure, pulse, waist-to-hip ratio, markers of inflammation, immunity and the insulin-glucose pathway, lipid profile, and others. Discussion: The goal of this endpoint-blinded, phase III randomised controlled trial is to provide evidence to guide post-stroke physical fitness-based rehabilitation programmes, and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this intervention. Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-15-45 SN - 1745-6215 VL - 15 PB - BioMed Central CY - London ER -