This week's Neurology digest · 2026-W18
This Week in Neurology: Stroke Recovery and Treatment Strategies
Systematic review shows high prevalence of covert cerebrovascular changes in schizophrenia patients compared to controls
Brain scans show hidden vessel changes in many people with schizophrenia
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated 11,611 patients with schizophrenia and controls from international and Chinese databases.…
A large review found hidden signs of blood vessel issues in many people with schizophrenia, though experts urge caution before drawing firm …
Systematic review and meta-analysis shows rTMS reduces post-stroke shoulder pain in stroke survivors.
Magnetic pulses ease shoulder pain for stroke survivors
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for post-stroke shoulder pain in over…
A new analysis of over 500 stroke survivors found magnetic pulses significantly reduced shoulder pain and improved movement compared to stan…
Meta-analysis shows semi-immersive VR improves hand function in post-stroke patients with over 12 hours of therapy
Virtual Reality Therapy Improves Hand Function After Stroke
This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluated virtual reality therapy for patients with hemiplegia after stroke. The pooled a…
A meta-analysis of trials shows virtual reality therapy significantly improves hand function in stroke patients, especially with longer trea…
Laughter yoga reduced fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis in a randomized controlled trial
Laughter Yoga Cuts Fatigue And Improves Sleep For Multiple Sclerosis Patients
This randomized controlled trial enrolled 42 people with multiple sclerosis. Participants in the intervention group received 12 sessions of …
People with multiple sclerosis who practiced laughter yoga reported less tiredness and better sleep after just twelve sessions.
Glenzocimab fails to improve outcomes in acute ischemic stroke thrombolysis
New stroke drug shows no benefit for patients treated with clot-busting therapy
This phase 2/3 randomized trial tested glenzocimab versus placebo in 421 patients with acute ischemic stroke treated by thrombolysis. The pr…
A major trial found that glenzocimab did not improve long-term disability scores for stroke patients who received standard clot-busting trea…
Meta-analysis finds PLISSIT counseling improves sexual life in women with MS
Counseling helps sexual life for women with Multiple Sclerosis
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 232 women with multiple sclerosis found that counseling interventions based on the PLISSIT model…
A new review found counseling based on the PLISSIT model had a high and positive effect on the sexual lives of women with Multiple Sclerosis…
Exercise training improves cognition and fatigue in older adults with multiple sclerosis
Exercise boosts brain and cuts fatigue in older adults with MS
This Phase-Ib randomized controlled trial in 51 older adults with multiple sclerosis found that 16 weeks of home-based aerobic and resistanc…
A 16-week home exercise program improved thinking speed, executive function, fatigue, and quality of life in older adults with multiple scle…
Action observation combined with virtual reality improves paretic hand function in poststroke adults with hemiplegia
Action observation plus virtual reality boosts hand recovery after stroke
This randomized controlled trial evaluated poststroke adults with hemiplegia in inpatient rehabilitation centers in Italy. The experimental …
Adding action observation to virtual reality training helped poststroke adults regain better hand function than virtual reality alone in thi…
Systematic review and meta-analysis of NMES for post-stroke dysphagia outcomes
NMES alone does not beat standard therapy for post-stroke swallowing problems
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) alone versus NMES combined with or compared t…
A review of sixteen studies found that adding neuromuscular electrical stimulation to standard care helps, but using it alone does not impro…
Aerobic and strength training reduce fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients
Aerobic or strength training eases MS fatigue, trial finds
This randomized effectiveness trial in 62 persons with multiple sclerosis and fatigue found that 8 weeks of aerobic training, strength train…
A small trial finds that aerobic and strength training each reduce fatigue in MS, with no clear winner among exercise types.
Modified CIMT with trunk restraint improves function in chronic stroke patients
Six weeks of tailored therapy improved function and quality of life for chronic stroke patients.
A single-blinded RCT in 34 chronic stroke patients found that adding patient-tailored modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) w…
Thirty-four people with long-term stroke saw better movement and balance after six weeks of a specific therapy mix compared to standard care…
Exoskeleton-assisted robotic therapy improves upper limb motor scores versus conventional rehabilitation in poststroke inpatients
Robotic Therapy Helps Stroke Patients Regain Arm Function Faster
This multicenter, single-blind randomized controlled trial enrolled 94 inpatients with moderate-to-severe upper limb impairment within three…
A trial of 94 stroke patients found robotic arm therapy led to significantly better motor recovery than standard rehabilitation within five …