Aims: To describe the relationship between perceived swallowing difficulties in people with Parkinson's disease with disease-specific measures, carers' perceptions of swallowing problems and control participant responses. Method: In total, 119 people with Parkinson's disease, their carers and matched controls answered a specifically prepared functional swallowing changes questionnaire. People with Parkinson's completed a water-swallowing test. Motor status, cognition and mood were also assessed. Results: People with Parkinson's disease scored poorer than controls (p < 0.001) on the questionnaire. Those reporting swallowing problems scored poorer than those who did not (p < 0.01). However, of 74 people with Parkinson's who perceived no swallowing problem, 32 fell below the 50th percentile on the water-swallowing test, while 41 fell below cut-off scores on the questionnaire. There was a weak correlation between drinking speeds and questionnaire totals. Carers' evaluations correlated with their partners' (r = 0.796) but they perceived changes as less severe (p < 0.03). Conclusions: Despite reduced swallowing efficiency, some people with Parkinson's can successfully compensate. A sizeable proportion, however, remain unaware of swallowing problems when asked simply 'Do you have a problem?', but indicate difficulties with more specific questions. The present questionnaire provides a guide for gaining such insights for diagnosis, education and outcomes. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
Objective: To enhance participation post stroke through a structured, community-based program. Conclusions: Community-based programs targeting participation are feasible and effective, but stroke survivors require time to achieve meaningful gains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
First-time stroke survivors and family caregivers are more likely to engage with rehabilitation programmes if they are led by nurses, a new study suggests. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
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Objectives: To systematically review the evidence investigating the effectiveness of resistance training on strength and physical function in people with Parkinson’s disease. Conclusion: This review demonstrates that moderate intensity progressive resistance training, 2-3 times per week over 8-10 weeks can result in significant strength, balance and motor symptoms gains in people with early to moderate Parkinson’s disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
We investigated long-term (to 25 years) seizure prognosis and survival in people with newly diagnosed epilepsy in the community. We explored whether prognosis is different in those with epilepsy (>2 unprovoked seizures) and those with a single seizure at presentation. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Conclusions The findings indicate how maximising quality in social care delivery for people with Parkinson's disease can impact on health and well-being. Long-term or short-term benefits may result in prevented events and reductions in health and social care resource. Health professionals can be instrumental in early detection of and signposting to social care.
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are involuntary paroxysmal events that are unaccompanied by epileptiform EEG discharges. We hypothesised that PNES are a disorder of distributed brain networks resulting from their functional disconnection.The disconnection may underlie a dissociation mechanism that weakens the influence of unconsciously presented traumatising information but exerts maladaptive effects leading to episodic failures of behavioural control manifested by psychogenic ‘seizures’. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Objectives The study sought to describe whether psychotropic medication may have long-term side effects in patients with stroke compared with controls. Open Access Article
Environmental factors may play a far greater role in the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) than previously thought, shows a study that compared rates of the condition in immigrants to east London with those of their ancestral groups. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Mindfulness-based therapy can benefit people with drug-resistant epilepsy. This article concerns 60 people, each receiving either four bi-weekly sessions of therapy or social support. They were included in randomised controlled trials to assess their quality of life in epilepsy inventory (QOLEI) score level, seizure patterns, mood levels and neurocognitive functions. Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - request a copy of the article from the library - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
Physical speech problems are often less of a problem for people with Parkinson’s disease than the cognitive ability to keep up with conversations. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE-HS) is one of the major causes of intractable epilepsy. It may require a multidisciplinary treatment approach. Many causative factors, including perinatal hypoxia, trauma and genetic influences, have been suggested. Although autoimmunity against neuronal cells has recently been recognised to play a supportive role in its development, very few researchers or clinicians believe that immunological insults are a major cause of MTLE-HS. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Parkinson's disease (PD) presents as a progressive neurological disorder characterised by a number of motor and non-motor features.1 Muscle strength and power are reduced in people with PD compared with age-matched individuals.2 Resistance training is beneficial in the general older population3 but has not been rigorously investigated in people with PD. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Patients who have rosacea are at increased risk of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Migraine is a highly prevalent and disabling neurological disorder associated with a wide range of psychiatric comorbidities. In this manuscript, we provide an overview of the link between migraine and several comorbid psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. We present data on psychiatric risk factors for migraine chronification. We discuss the evidence, theories and methods, such as brain functional imaging, to explain the pathophysiological links between migraine and psychiatric disorders. Finally, we provide an overview of the treatment considerations for treating migraine with psychiatric comorbidities. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
To estimate symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in children with epilepsy (CWE) compared with those in a typically developing comparison group. CWE are known to have poor sleep, with increased rates of OSA suggested. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
Essential facts: There are two types of stroke – around 85% are ischaemic and 15% are haemorrhagic. According to the Stroke Association’s State of the Nation report, published in January 2016, stroke occurs around 152,000 times a year in the UK. It is the fourth largest cause of death in the UK and one of the largest causes of disability. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
We investigated long-term (to 25 years) seizure prognosis and survival in people with newly diagnosed epilepsy in the community. We explored whether prognosis is different in those with epilepsy (>2 unprovoked seizures) and those with a single seizure at presentation. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details