Endzelytė, Erika

Background and Objectives: Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is revolutionizing stroke rehabilitation by offering innovative neuroengineering solutions to address neurological deficits. By bypassing peripheral nerves and muscles, BCIs enable individuals with severe motor impairments to communicate their intentions directly through control signals derived from brain activity, opening new pathways for recovery and improving the quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore the beneficial effects of BCI system-based interventions on upper limb motor function and performance of activities of daily living (ADL) in stroke patients. We hypothesized that integrating BCI into occupational therapy would result in measurable improvements in hand strength, dexterity, independence in daily activities, and cognitive function compared to baseline. Materials and Methods: An observational study was conducted on 56 patients with subacute stroke. All patients received standard medical care and rehabilitation for 54 days, as part of the comprehensive treatment protocol. Patients underwent BCI training 2–3 times a week instead of some occupational therapy sessions, with each patient completing 15 sessions of BCI-based recoveriX treatment during rehabilitation. The occupational therapy program included bilateral exercises, grip-strengthening activities, fine motor/coordination tasks, tactile discrimination exercises, proprioceptive training, and mirror therapy to enhance motor recovery through visual feedback. Participants received ADL-related training aimed at improving their functional independence in everyday activities. Routine occupational therapy was provided five times a week for 50 min per session. Upper extremity function was evaluated using the Box and Block Test (BBT), Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), and dynamometry to assess gross manual dexterity, fine motor skills, and grip strength. Independence in daily living was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed across all the outcome measures (p < 0.001). The strength of the stroke-affected hand improved from 5.0 kg to 6.7 kg, and that of the unaffected hand improved from 29.7 kg to 40.0 kg. Functional independence increased notably, with the FIM scores rising from 43.0 to 83.5. Cognitive function also improved, with MMSE scores increasing from 22.0 to 26.0. The effect sizes ranged from moderate to large, indicating clinically meaningful benefits. Conclusions: This study suggests that BCI-based occupational therapy interventions effectively improve upper extremity motor function and daily functions and have a positive impact on the cognition of patients with subacute stroke.

Įžanga Metodinės rekomendacijos skirtos Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universiteto Medicinos akademijos Slaugos fakulteto Reabilitacijos krypties, pirmosios pakopos studijų programų studentams, rengiantiems baigiamąjį darbą. Pirmojoje šių metodinių rekomendacijų dalyje išdėstytos bendrosios nuostatos, antrojoje – pagrindinės sąvokos, studentų ir darbo vadovų funkcijos, pareigos ir atsakomybė, trečiojoje – baigiamojo darbo rengimo ir gynimo tvarka, ketvirtojoje – baigiamojo darbo reikalavimai, o penktojoje dalyje pateikiami priedai, kuriuose yra dokumentai, reikalingi rengiant baigiamąjį darbą. Tikimės, kad šios metodinės rekomendacijos atsakys į klausimus, iškylančius rengiant baigiamąjį darbą ir padės rasti tinkamus sprendimus. Dėkojame visiems kolegoms, padėjusiems parengti šias metodines rekomendacijas. Laukiame pastebėjimų ir pasiūlymų elektroniniu paštu edita.jazepcikiene@lsmuni.lt. Jūsų patarimai leis tobulinti metodines rekomendacijas ateityje.

Metodinės rekomendacijos skirtos Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universiteto Medicinos akademijos Slaugos fakulteto Reabilitacijos krypties, antrosios pakopos studijų programų studentams, rengiantiems baigiamąjį darbą. Pirmojoje šių metodinių rekomendacijų dalyje išdėstytos bendrosios nuostatos, antrojoje – pagrindinės sąvokos, studentų ir darbo vadovų funkcijos, pareigos ir atsakomybė, trečiojoje – baigiamojo darbo rengimo ir gynimo tvarka, ketvirtojoje – baigiamojo darbo reikalavimai, o penktojoje dalyje pateikiami priedai, kuriuose yra dokumentai, reikalingi rengiant baigiamąjį darbą. Tikimės, kad šios metodinės rekomendacijos atsakys į klausimus, iškylančius rengiant baigiamąjį darbą ir padės rasti tinkamus sprendimus. Dėkojame visiems kolegoms, padėjusiems parengti šias metodines rekomendacijas. Laukiame pastebėjimų ir pasiūlymų elektroniniu paštu edita.jazepcikiene@lsmuni.lt. Jūsų patarimai leis tobulinti metodines rekomendacijas ateityje.

Introduction. Methodical recommendations are intended for students of the first-cycle Rehabilitation study programmes of the Faculty of Nursing, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, who are preparing their final thesis. The first part of these methodological recommendations sets out the general provisions, the second part - basic concepts, functions, duties and responsibilities of students and work supervisors, the third part - the procedure for preparation and defence of the final thesis, the fourth part - requirements for the final thesis, and the fifth part contains appendices containing the necessary documents in the preparation of the thesis. We hope that these methodological recommendations will answer the questions that arise during the preparation of the thesis and will help you find appropriate solutions. We are grateful to all colleagues and experts who helped to prepare these methodological recommendations

The methodical recommendations are addressed to the students of post-graduate level study programmes in English of the Faculty of Nursing of the Medical Academy under Lithuanian University of Health Sciences who prepare the graduate thesis. The students shall write the graduate thesis self-sufficiently under supervision of a tutor of the graduate thesis appointed as per the requirements referred to in these methodical recommendations. The general provisions are set out in the first part of these methodical recommendations; the basic terms, the functions and responsibility of the students and the supervisor are set out in the second part; the procedure for preparation and defence of the graduate thesis are set out in the third part; the requirements of the graduate thesis are set out in the fourth part; the annexes containing the examples of a cover page, a table of content, a list of literature sources, and other documents necessary to ensure a quality of preparation of a graduate thesis and preparation thereof are presented in the fifth part. We hope that this methodological tool will be useful and will be read often, will provide students with answers to many questions and will help find proper solutions in preparation of the graduate thesis. Our sincere thanks to all colleagues and experts who helped us prepare these methodological recommendations.

The methodical recommendations are addressed to the students of Bachelor degree (first cycle) study programmes in English of the Faculty of Nursing of the Medical Academy under Lithuanian University of Health Sciences who prepare the Bachelor's thesis. The students shall write the Bachelor's thesis self-sufficiently under supervision of a scientific supervisor of the Bachelor's thesis appointed as per the requirements referred to in these methodical recommendations. The general provisions are set out in the first part of these methodical recommendations; the basic terms, the functions and responsibility of the students and the Scientific supervisors are set out in the second part of the Bachelor's thesis; the procedure for preparation and defence of the Bachelor's thesis are set out in the third part; the requirements of the Bachelor's thesis are set out in the fourth part; the annexes containing the examples of a cover page, a table of content, a list of literature sources, and other documents necessary to ensure a quality of preparation of a Bachelor's thesis and preparation thereof are presented in the fifth part. We hope that these methodological recommendations will provide students with answers to many questions and will help find proper solutions in preparation of the Bachelor's thesis. Our sincere thanks to all colleagues and experts who helped us prepare these methodical recommendations.

Introduction. Individuals who have experienced stroke are often described as apathetic, having lost of interest, and unmotivated. This might be a problem in achieving treatment results. It is still unclear what impact age and gender have on the motivation. The Aim of Research. To evaluate motivation influence on the effectiveness of occupational therapy in patients with stroke. Methods. Study included 30 patients who experienced acute stroke. Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale has been used for motivation assessment. Internal persons’ motivation was evaluated to determine how much a person believes that his recovery depends on his own behaviour and external persons’ motivation—how a person relates his state of health to the impact of the surrounding people. Performance of daily activities was assessed using Functional Independency Measure (FIM). Results. At the beginning of rehabilitation of the patients with stroke, external motivation was greater than the internal one. At the end of rehabilitation internal motivation has increased by 1.8±0.4 points, while the external motivation decreased by 2.4±0.6 points (p<0.05). At the beginning of rehabilitation patients independence in activities of daily living assessed with FIM was 70.0±2.9 points. At the end of rehabilitation their ability to perform daily activities improved by 26.9±1.9 points and reached 96.9±2.7 points (p<0.05). We found statistically significant (p<0.05) moderate correlation (r=0.72) between patients internal motivation at the beginning of the rehabilitation and increase of independence after rehabilitation. Conclusion. Older patients had lower internal motivation than younger ones, and independence in daily activities improvement was influenced by younger age and by brain damage depth.

The incidence of cerebrovascular disorders is growing constantly. Individuals who have experienced stroke, are often described as apathetic, having lost of interest, unmotivated. This might be a problem in achieving treatment results. It is still unclear what impact on the motivation has age and gender. The aim of research: To evaluate motivation influence on the effectiveness of occupational therapy in patients with stroke. Tasks of research: 1) To evaluate motivation of individuals, who have suffered stroke, at the beginning and at the end of rehabilitation; 2) To evaluate daily activities of individuals, who have suffered stroke, at the beginning and at the end of rehabilitation; 3) to establish correlation among individuals who have suffered stroke, their motivation and daily activities. 4) to identify the factors that affect individuals who have suffered stroke, their motivation for activities. Methods of research: Study included patients who carried out Mini-Mental State Examination at the beginning of the rehabilitation and scored 21 points or more. Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale has been used for motivation assessment. Internal persons’ motivation was evaluated to determine how much a person believes that his recovery depends on his own behavior and external persons’ motivation – how person relates his state of health to the impact of the surrounding him people. Performance of daily activities was assessed using Functional Independency Measure (FIM). Research participants were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of rehabilitation. The study involved 30 people who have suffered stroke.

The aim of the study was to evaluate psychomotor disorders in occupational therapy of patients with stroke in the early stage of rehabilitation. Patients and methods The contingent of the study were 30 hemorhagic stroke and brain infarction patients who underwent treatment at the Department of Neurorehabilitation, Kaunas University Hospital. The average age of patients was 65.3 ±13.2 years. The patients were selected in accordance with the patients’ cognitive function assessment using a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test. Patients with minor and moderate cognitive dysfunctions were tested. To further assess cognitive function in patients, a Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (Cognistat) was also used. The speed of patients’ psychomotor reactions was measured using a reactiometer and the strength of hand grip was assessed using a dynamometer. Results In early stage of rehabilitation, mostly affected cognitive functions were memory (in 83% of patients), constructional capabilities (in 70% of patients), and orientation (in 57% of patients). After the applied course of individualized occupational therapy, cognitive functions of the patients significantly improved in all areas of cognitive functioning; the increased cognitive functions estimated with MMSE was 6.4 (±2.3) scores, and 13.3 (±10) assessed by Cognistat (p