Browsing by Author "Ducic, Jovan (58844569300)"

Pediatric stroke (PS) is an injury caused by the occlusion or rupture of a blood vessel in the central nervous system (CNS) of children, before or after birth. Hemiparesis is the most common motoric deficit associated with PS in children. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that PS is a significant challenge for rehabilitation, especially since the consequences may also appear during the child’s growth and development, reducing functional capacity. The plasticity of the child’s CNS is an important predecessor of recovery, but disruption of the neural network, specific to an immature brain, can have harmful and potentially devastating consequences. In this review, we summarize the complexity of the consequences associated with PS and the possibilities and role of modern rehabilitation. An analysis of the current literature reveals that Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, forced-use therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional electrical stimulation and robot-assisted therapy have demonstrated at least partial improvements in motor domains related to hemiparesis or hemiplegia caused by PS, but they are supported with different levels of evidence. Due to the lack of randomized controlled studies, the optimal rehabilitation treatment is still debatable, and therefore, most recommendations are primarily based on expert consensuses, opinions and an insufficient level of evidence. © 2024 by the authors.

Pediatric stroke (PS) is an injury caused by the occlusion or rupture of a blood vessel in the central nervous system (CNS) of children, before or after birth. Hemiparesis is the most common motoric deficit associated with PS in children. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that PS is a significant challenge for rehabilitation, especially since the consequences may also appear during the child’s growth and development, reducing functional capacity. The plasticity of the child’s CNS is an important predecessor of recovery, but disruption of the neural network, specific to an immature brain, can have harmful and potentially devastating consequences. In this review, we summarize the complexity of the consequences associated with PS and the possibilities and role of modern rehabilitation. An analysis of the current literature reveals that Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, forced-use therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional electrical stimulation and robot-assisted therapy have demonstrated at least partial improvements in motor domains related to hemiparesis or hemiplegia caused by PS, but they are supported with different levels of evidence. Due to the lack of randomized controlled studies, the optimal rehabilitation treatment is still debatable, and therefore, most recommendations are primarily based on expert consensuses, opinions and an insufficient level of evidence. © 2024 by the authors.

Background/Objectives: A properly functioning musculoskeletal system is imperative for human well-being at every stage of life, including at an older age. This study’s aim was to assess the relationship between sociodemographic and physical functioning variables and the presence of individual musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), MSD comorbidity, and multimorbidity, as well as to determine factors that are independent predictors of the presence of MSDs in people over 65 years old. Methods: This population-based study included 3701 participants aged 65 years and older. Data on individual MSDs addressed cervical and lumbosacral spine regions and degenerative joint disease (arthrosis). The subjects were categorized into four groups: those without any diseases; those with one MSD; those with two MSDs (comorbidities); and those with three MSDs (multimorbidities). The sociodemographic and physical functioning variables were analyzed. Results: Females were more likely to have MSDs (two: OR 1.95 and three: OR 2.25) than men. Elderly people aged 75 and above were 1.49 times more likely to have three MSDs. Elderly people with elementary school education were more likely to have MSDs (two: OR 1.34 and three: OR 2.06) than those with high school/university education. The low-income population was 2.47 times more likely to have three MSDs. Individuals with partial activity limitations because of health problems had greater chances of having one, two, or three MSDs (OR 1.60, 1.59, and 1.94, respectively), and elderly individuals with severe limitations had an OR of 1.43, 2.17, and 4.12, respectively. Individuals with some/many difficulties in walking up or down 12 steps were more likely to have MSDs (two: OR 2.26 and three: OR 2.28). Conclusions: The significant predictors of experiencing a single MSD, MSD comorbidity, or MSD multimorbidity include residing in the Serbian capital city and having limitations in activities due to health problems. A significant predictor of having a single MSD or MSD comorbidity is residing in the northern region of Serbia. A significant predictor of MSD comorbidity is residing in the southeastern region of Serbia. Significant predictors of MSD comorbidity or MSD multimorbidity include female gender, an elementary school educational level, and experiencing difficulty in walking up or down 12 steps. Significant predictors of MSD multimorbidity are being 75 years of age and above and having a lower income. © 2024 by the authors.