Brain Sciences

Background: Attractiveness plays an important role in social interactions. However, it remains unclear whether presenting attractiveness information across multiple sensory modalities facilitates attractiveness evaluation, and how cross-modal congruency modulates this process. Methods: The present study used event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate these questions. Participants judged the attractiveness of voices presented alone or paired with faces that were congruent or incongruent in attractiveness. Results: Significant differences were found between unimodal and audiovisual conditions, as well as between congruent and incongruent pairs, during both early perceptual (N1) and later evaluative (P3) stages. Both audiovisual conditions elicited larger N1 amplitudes than the auditory-only condition, and congruent pairs produced larger N1 amplitudes than incongruent pairs. At a later stage, the auditory-only condition produced larger P3 amplitudes than the audiovisual conditions. Furthermore, the interaction between voice attractiveness and visual context on P3 amplitudes was significant. Audiovisual incongruent pairs elicited larger P3 amplitudes than congruent pairs, but only when the voice was unattractive. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that redundant visual cues of attractiveness both accelerate and alter the perception of auditory attractiveness. These audiovisual integration effects occur across different processing stages and may reflect enhanced processing efficiency in multisensory social perception. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to examine how interpupillary distance (IPD) influences motor and sensory binocular vision functions at distance and near, and to examine associations between different motor and sensory binocular vision functions. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed involving 100 random participants of both genders, aged 20 to 38 years. Optically corrected and non-strabismic participants were selected from King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between June 2024 and June 2025. Distance and near IPD were assessed with a pupillometer. Motor binocular functions included horizontal phoria using the von Graefe technique and near point of convergence (NPC). Sensory binocular vision was assessed using crossed and uncrossed TNO and Random-dot E stereopsis tests at near and distance respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26 (p ≤ 0.05). Results: IPD and phoria were not significantly associated at distance or near. However, moderate and significant correlations were found between IPD (distance and near) and NPC. Significant correlations were also found between IPD and both crossed and uncrossed stereopsis at distance, but correlations were weak or non-significant at near. A strong correlation was observed between NPC and stereopsis at distance. Conclusions: As interpupillary distance (IPD)increases, near point of convergence (NPC) receded, and stereopsis at distance declined, suggesting that anatomical variation influences binocular vision primarily at distance. Full article

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common entrapment neuropathies. While surgical decompression is widely considered the definitive treatment, conservative options remain clinically relevant, particularly for symptom relief and functional recovery in the short term. Objectives: To update the evidence comparing surgical versus non-surgical interventions for CTS, assessing pain, function, and clinical recovery. Design: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Data Sources and Methods: Six databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Neuromuscular Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP) were searched for RCTs published between November 2022 and January 2025. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2.0 and certainty of evidence with GRADE. Due to clinical heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was performed. Results: Four RCTs (n = 1158) were included. Corticosteroid injection and percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) appeared to provide faster symptom relief than surgery at short-term follow-up. However, surgery was associated with a higher probability of sustained recovery at 12–18 months (RR 1.36; 95% CI 1.19–1.56). Evidence for PENS was limited to one female-only trial, which restricts generalisability. Certainty of evidence was moderate for long-term outcomes and low for short-term results and safety. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that surgery may offer more durable long-term recovery, whereas corticosteroids and PENS may be useful for short-term symptom relief. These findings should be interpreted with caution given the limited number of trials and the risk of bias in most included studies. Treatment choice should align with patient goals and recovery timelines. Registration: PROSPERO (CRD420250650789). Full article

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive medical concern affecting millions of people worldwide, with the majority being women. IPV is linked to a number of long-term physical and mental health consequences, including brain injuries and associated persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite the high prevalence of these conditions, there is sparse literature assessing accessible and effective therapeutic avenues specific to IPV victim-survivors. Methods: This narrative review had two aims: to identify therapeutic studies addressing PTSD and PPCS in women IPV survivors, and to provide a narrative overview of potential therapeutic categories, including psychotherapy, mindfulness and meditation, exercise, and pharmacotherapy. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria required full-text, peer-reviewed articles published in English, conducted in women with a history of IPV, reporting treatment outcomes related to PTSD or PPCS. Where no IPV-specific evidence was identified, findings from closely related populations including military veterans, athletes, and general TBI samples were narratively reviewed to inform potential therapeutic implications. Results: Nineteen studies addressing PTSD in women IPV survivors were identified, predominantly utilizing psychotherapeutic or mindfulness and meditation-based interventions. No intervention studies targeting PPCS specifically in IPV survivors were identified. Consequently, results for PPCS are largely extrapolated from adjacent populations. Although potential therapeutic avenues were narratively identified across psychotherapy, mindfulness and meditation, exercise, and pharmacotherapy, IPV-specific evidence remains limited, and validation for PTSD and PPCS in this population is needed before clinical recommendations can be made. Conclusions: While 19 studies identified promising therapeutic options for IPV-related PTSD, no IPV-specific PPCS interventions were identified, and implications for PPCS management remain largely inferential. Validation and integrated trauma-informed approaches addressing the intersection of PTSD and PPCS are needed for this understudied population. Full article

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic neuropsychiatric condition characterized by persistent drug seeking and impaired behavioral control. Dopaminergic signaling has long been recognized as a central regulator of reinforcement learning, motivation, and habit formation. Addictive substances profoundly alter dopamine transmission through multiple mechanisms. These drug-induced changes contribute to the initiation, escalation, and persistence of addictive behaviors. In addition to dopamine, the cholinergic system has emerged as an important modulator of striatal circuit function. Acetylcholine and its receptors interact extensively with dopaminergic pathways, shaping striatal signaling dynamics and influencing learning and action selection, with particularly strong relevance for nicotine dependence. In this review, we discuss how striatal dopamine and acetylcholine contribute to learning, habit formation, and addiction-related behaviors, as well as how these systems interact at the circuit level. By integrating these findings, we propose a framework for understanding how dopamine–acetylcholine interactions may influence behavioral regulation relevant to substance use disorders. Full article

This study investigated neural oscillatory dynamics underlying visual word recognition in university students with dyslexia using a portable brain–computer interface (BCI) EEG system. The sample included university students with dyslexia (N = 12) and matched controls (N = 14) who completed auditory discrimination and visual word recognition tasks, with and without musical accompaniment. Through these experimental conditions, the researchers assessed (a) the cortical activation across frequency bands, (b) the modulatory effect of background music, and (c) the relationship between emotional states and brain activity. Results revealed significant group differences in oscillatory patterns, with reduced β- and γ-band activity in the left occipito-temporal cortex among participants with dyslexia, confirming disrupted temporal coordination in posterior reading networks. Compensatory right-hemisphere activation was observed, particularly under musical conditions, accompanied by increased α-band power and reduced δ activity, indicating enhanced attentional engagement and reduced cognitive fatigue. Emotional assessment using the DASS-21 revealed higher stress and anxiety scores in the dyslexic group, suggesting that affective factors may modulate oscillatory dynamics. The presence of background music appeared to attenuate these effects, supporting improved emotional regulation and cognitive focus. These findings demonstrate that dyslexia reflects a distributed disruption in neural synchrony and cross-frequency coupling, influenced by both cognitive and affective mechanisms. The integration of portable EEG technology with rhythmic auditory stimulation offers new insights into the neurophysiological and emotional aspects of dyslexia, highlighting the potential of rhythm- and music-based approaches for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tinnitus and hyperacusis can occur together or in isolation, with hyperacusis being associated with tinnitus much more frequently than vice versa. This striking correlation between tinnitus and hyperacusis prevalence implies that there might be a common origin, such as (hidden) hearing loss, and possibly interrelated neural mechanisms in the pathological development of those two conditions. Here, we propose such interrelated pathological mechanisms. Methods: This is a theoretical work based solely on considerations and published data. Results: We propose a model localized in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) of the brainstem, based on classical mechanisms of Hebbian and associative plasticity known from classical conditioning. Specifically, our model proposes that hyperacusis results from the synaptic enhancement of cochlear input to the DCN, whereas chronic tinnitus results from the synaptic enhancement of somatosensory input to the DCN. Specific conditions leading to one or the other condition are discussed. Conclusions: Our model predicts that hearing loss leads to chronic tinnitus, while noise exposure (which may also cause hearing loss) leads to hyperacusis. We would like to emphasize that our aim with the proposed model is not to provide a self-contained theoretical construct, but to stimulate thought regarding possible pathological causes of tinnitus and hyperacusis that have not yet been investigated. Individual assumptions that cannot yet be substantiated by the existing literature are intended to provide impetus for future experimental studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Finasteride and dutasteride are 5α-reductase inhibitors that block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, reducing androgenic stimulation of tissues such as the prostate and hair follicles. Used mainly for benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia, finasteride selectively inhibits type-2 5α-reductase isoenzyme, while dutasteride inhibits both type-1 and type-2. Although sexual adverse effects like erectile dysfunction are well-documented, emerging evidence suggests possible neuropsychiatric reactions—including depression, suicidal ideation, and cognitive decline—potentially linked to reduced neurosteroid synthesis, such as that of allopregnanolone. Causality cannot be inferred from spontaneous reporting data. This study aimed to assess pharmacovigilance signals for psychopathological disorders associated with finasteride and dutasteride in the FAERS database. Methods: Cleaned FAERS data referring to years up to 2025 after deduplication were analyzed, excluding non-serious cases and those without the drug as the sole suspect (MedDra 29.0). Reporting Odds Ratios (RORs) with 95% CIs were calculated to compare psychiatric reactions between finasteride and dutasteride. Python 3.11 was used to screen and summarize relevant cases, accounting for differences in total case numbers. Results: This pharmacovigilance study analyzed FAERS data to assess the neuropsychiatric and sexual adverse reactions associated with finasteride and dutasteride. Depression, anxiety, suicidality, and libido-related issues were reported more frequently for finasteride, especially in younger men using low-dose therapy for alopecia. Potential mechanisms include reduced neurosteroid synthesis, androgen/sex-hormone axis disruption, altered hippocampal neurogenesis, and dopaminergic changes. Conclusions: A baseline psychiatric assessment and the regular monitoring of mood, sexual function, and suicidal ideation are recommended. Limitations include under-reporting, reporting bias, and a lack of incidence data. The findings underscore the need for ongoing surveillance and controlled studies to clarify the clinical significance of these signals. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide and is linked to major health and economic burden. Many smokers attempt to quit, yet long-term success rates with current medicines and counseling are still modest. Long-term nicotine exposure distorts brain systems involved in reward, craving, and self-control. These changes weaken inhibitory control and strengthen responses to smoking cues, which increases the risk of relapse. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that delivers magnetic pulses to specific cortical regions, most commonly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, to influence neural activity. This narrative review explored how transcranial magnetic stimulation may aid smoking cessation by acting on neural circuits linked to nicotine dependence. Methods: Five major databases were searched for studies published between 2015 and 2026. After removal of duplicates and screening, a total of 34 studies were included in this narrative synthesis. Randomized controlled trials, clinical studies, and neuroimaging investigations involving adults with nicotine dependence were included. A thematic narrative method was employed to synthesize findings due to the differences in study designs, protocols, and outcome measures. Results: TMS has been shown to attenuate cravings, decrease daily cigarette consumption, and decrease nicotine dependence in various studies. Several trials reported higher abstinence rates with active stimulation compared with sham treatment. Meta-analytic findings indicate stronger effects with 10 Hz stimulation and treatment courses of 20 sessions or more. Neuroimaging studies report changes in functional connectivity within reward, executive control, and salience networks, suggesting partial restoration of disrupted circuits. Treatment response varies according to age, educational level, baseline dependence, and stimulation parameters. Conclusions: These findings support transcranial magnetic stimulation as a promising brain-based approach for smoking cessation, while further well-designed trials with longer follow-up are still needed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alterations in excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance, involving both inhibitory and excitatory signaling, have been implicated in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Volatile anesthetics, including sevoflurane, act on multiple molecular and network targets, and anesthetic sensitivity may therefore differ in ASD. This study investigated whether sevoflurane sensitivity is altered in BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice, a widely used mouse model of ASD. Methods: Sevoflurane sensitivity was compared between BTBR mice and C57BL/6J (B6) control mice using behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) analyses. The minimum alveolar concentration required to abolish nociceptive responses (MACsevo) and the sevoflurane concentration associated with recovery of the righting reflex (RRsevo) were measured. Dose-dependent EEG changes, including burst suppression and theta power distribution, were also evaluated. Results: MACsevo did not differ significantly between BTBR and B6 mice. However, RRsevo was significantly lower in BTBR mice (1.10 ± 0.10%) compared with B6 mice (1.65 ± 0.13%; p < 0.001). EEG analyses demonstrated that burst suppression occurred at lower sevoflurane concentrations in BTBR mice (2.0%) than in B6 mice (2.4%). In addition, topographical mapping revealed distinct theta power dynamics between the two strains during anesthesia. Conclusions: BTBR mice exhibit increased sensitivity to sevoflurane during emergence from anesthesia and show distinct EEG patterns compared with control mice. These findings suggest altered anesthetic responsiveness in a mouse model of ASD and support the possibility that network-level neurophysiological differences may influence anesthetic responses. Further studies are needed to clarify whether similar alterations are present across other ASD models and human ASD populations. Full article

Background: Diabetic neuropathy manifests as symmetric distal and autonomic neuropathy, including cardiovagal dysfunction. Small-fiber involvement can occur, leading to neuropathic pain and dysautonomia. The diagnostic gold standard of these two conditions comprehends skin biopsy and cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CARTs), respectively. Non-invasive diagnostic tools, such as laser-evoked potentials (LEPs), show promise in detecting small-fiber damage, though correlations between LEP abnormalities and cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction remain poorly investigated. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated LEPs (from hands and feet stimulation) in 33 diabetic patients, comparing them to a cohort of 33 age-matched healthy subjects, to highlight any significant abnormalities in the diabetic cohort. We further analyzed the LEP results in T2DM cohort with clinical, laboratory variables and CARTs to explore potential correlations and to assess whether any association between LEPs and CARTs could be identified. Results: N2/P2 complex amplitude was significantly reduced in diabetic patients compared to healthy subjects, with greater involvement in the lower limbs. While no association between LEP abnormalities and abnormal CARTs was observed, LEP amplitude reductions were notably associated with elevated glycated hemoglobin levels and longer disease duration, which appeared to be the strongest predictor of LEP reduction. Conclusions: Our findings corroborated literature data regarding length-dependent LEP alterations detectable even in initial diabetic stages. The lack of correlation between LEP abnormalities and autonomic dysfunction may stem from the predominant involvement of C fibers in autonomic neuropathy, which are not adequately assessed by currently used LEPs. Full article

Background: The global burden of mental disorders continues to escalate, necessitating scalable, evidence-based interventions. Artificial intelligence (AI)-delivered health promotion programs represent a promising approach to addressing treatment gaps by targeting the neuropsychological mechanisms that underlie mental health outcomes. This meta-analysis synthesizes evidence on the effectiveness of AI-delivered interventions in improving executive function, emotion regulation, and clinical outcomes across diverse populations. Methods: A systematic search identified 186 studies (n = 22,755 participants) published between 2020 and 2025. Random-effects meta-analyses estimated pooled effect sizes (Hedges’ g, calculated as between-group standardized mean differences with small-sample correction [J = 1 − 3/(4df − 1)]) for primary outcomes. Between-study heterogeneity was quantified using I² and τ² statistics. To address dependency among effect sizes from studies reporting multiple outcomes, robust variance estimation (RVE) was employed. Subgroup analyses examined intervention modalities, delivery formats, and clinical populations. Moderator analyses explored sources of heterogeneity, including publication year, sample size, intervention duration, control condition type, risk-of-bias rating, geographic region, and AI sophistication tier, and mediational models tested putative therapeutic mechanisms. Results: AI-delivered interventions demonstrated a significant overall effect on health outcomes (g = 0.68, 95% CI [0.58, 0.78]; τ² = 0.12; I² = 73.4%). Executive function outcomes showed moderate effects (g = 0.61, τ² = 0.08), with working memory improvements being strongest (g = 0.72). Emotion regulation outcomes demonstrated moderate-to-large effects (g = 0.61, 95% CI [0.51, 0.70], τ² = 0.006); formal subgroup pooled estimates by emotion regulation strategy were not calculated due to insufficient studies per strategy (k < 3 per category); individual study effect sizes ranged from g = 0.27 to g = 1.11. Among 41 studies examining neuropsychological mechanisms, convergent patterns suggested involvement of prefrontal neural circuits (DLPFC), enhanced alpha-band activity, and improved heart rate variability; however, formal mediation was tested in only 18 studies (9.7%). Among clinical populations, interventions for cognitive impairment yielded the largest effects (g = 1.02; this finding should be interpreted cautiously given modest cumulative sample size [n = 482], potential small-study effects [Egger’s p = 0.08], and trim-and-fill adjusted estimate of g = 0.85), followed by mental health conditions (g = 0.72), while other clinical populations showed smaller but significant improvements (g = 0.19). Mobile applications (g = 0.78) and chatbot-based interventions (g = 0.74) demonstrated the strongest effects among delivery formats. Among studies testing formal mediation, analyses suggested mindfulness (β = 0.42), decentering (β = 0.38), and cognitive reappraisal (β = 0.45) as processes associated with therapeutic outcomes. Conclusions: AI-delivered health promotion programs demonstrate significant effectiveness across executive function, emotion regulation, and clinical outcomes, though substantial heterogeneity (I² = 45–82%) indicates meaningful variability warranting attention to subgroup-specific effects. Given the diversity of intervention types included (chatbots, mobile apps, VR systems, neuromodulation), pooled estimates should be interpreted as characterizing the average effect across this heterogeneous landscape; subgroup-specific estimates provide more precise guidance for clinical decision-making regarding specific modalities. Effects are associated with convergent patterns of neuropsychological mechanisms, though mechanistic conclusions remain preliminary given that only 22% of studies (41/186) examined neuropsychological mechanisms, and formal mediation analyses were conducted in only 18 studies (9.7%); most of the mechanistic evidence is correlational rather than causal. Future research should establish standardized AI taxonomies, optimize adaptive algorithms, conduct adequately powered replication studies in populations with cognitive impairment, prioritize experimental mediation designs to establish causal pathways, and evaluate long-term maintenance effects with a minimum of 6–12-month follow-up periods. Full article

Background/Objectives: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) frequently results in permanent motor and sensory deficits. Tumor necrosis factor-α is rapidly upregulated after SCI and contributes to secondary injury cascades, including microglial activation, cytokine amplification, and blood–spinal cord barrier disruption. Etanercept, a TNF-α inhibitor, has been investigated in modulating post-SCI neuroinflammation. This systematic review synthesizes preclinical evidence evaluating the therapeutic role of etanercept in SCI. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The review was not prospectively registered. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched through 9 December 2025. Eligible studies included original investigations of etanercept administered for in vivo mammalian models of SCI. Non-English articles, preprints, conference abstracts, case reports, and reviews were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed independently by at least two reviewers using the SYRCLE tool. Due to heterogeneity in models and dosing strategies, meta-analysis was not performed. Results: Of 119 records identified, 36 duplicates were removed. After screening 83 titles and abstracts, 67 were excluded. One additional study was excluded after full-text retrieval. Thus, 15 articles were included. Primary outcomes varied between studies, including inflammation, histopathology, and functional recovery. Conclusions: Preclinical evidence suggests that etanercept may attenuate early neuroinflammation after SCI; however, methodological heterogeneity and limited data warrant further investigation. This work was supported by the College of Medicine at Central Michigan University, the John G. Kulhavi Professorship in Neuroscience, and the E. Malcolm Field and Gary Leo Dunbar Endowed Chair in Neuroscience at Central Michigan University. Full article

Background/Objectives: SSVEP-BCI has broad application potential in mobile human–computer interaction due to its high information transfer rate and stable signal characteristics. The introduction of deep learning technology has significantly advanced SSVEP decoding performance, offering novel approaches for processing short-duration signals and tackling complex classification tasks. The establishment of the Tsinghua Benchmark dataset provides a standardized benchmark for evaluating algorithm performance, accelerating the development of deep learning-based SSVEP decoding. However, a summary of SSVEP deep learning decoding technologies for real-time mobile applications is lacking. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review of SSVEP deep learning decoding studies published since 2023, using the Tsinghua Benchmark dataset. This review focuses on technical developments targeting real-time performance, low computational complexity, and high robustness. Results: We summarize the key technologies developed for real-time mobile SSVEP decoding. Our analysis thoroughly examines how these techniques address core challenges in the engineering implementation of mobile brain–computer interfaces, including real-time processing requirements, resource constraints, and environmental robustness. Conclusions: This review provides a comprehensive overview of SSVEP deep learning decoding technologies for mobile applications, establishing a technical foundation to advance mobile brain–computer interfaces from laboratory settings to practical deployment. Full article

Consciousness presents a structural puzzle: a unified, context-sensitive, globally integrated mode of experience emerging from distributed neural dynamics. While classical neuroscience has mapped synaptic, oscillatory, and network-level mechanisms with increasing precision, debate persists as to whether classical formalisms fully capture the integrative and contextual features of conscious processing. This review examines whether quantum principles offer explanatory leverage in two distinct senses: as formal mathematical frameworks for modeling contextual cognition, and as mechanistic hypotheses proposing biologically instantiated non-classical states. We surveyed empirical and theoretical developments spanning zero-quantum-coherence in MRI signals, entanglement-structured learning paradigms, quantum-inspired computational models, and proposed neural substrates, including microtubules, nuclear spins, and photonic architectures. Although certain findings have been interpreted as consistent with a non-classical structure, no study to date has demonstrated entanglement, long-lived coherence, or collapse dynamics in neural tissue under operational criteria comparable to those used in controlled quantum systems. Replication remains limited, biological entanglement witnesses are not yet established, and nonlinear classical dynamics can reproduce many putative quantum signatures. Accordingly, the decisive question is not whether the brain is quantum, but whether its dynamics exceed the explanatory reach of rigorously defined classical models. Progress hinges on replication, adversarial scrutiny, and operational criteria precise enough to discriminate genuine non-classical correlations from classical complexity. Whether quantum mechanisms ultimately prove necessary or refined classical models remain sufficient, this inquiry compels a deeper understanding of integration, contextuality, and the physical constraints shaping conscious experience. Full article

Background/Objectives: Freezing of gait (FoG) is a disabling motor manifestation of Parkinson’s disease (PD) associated with impaired neural control of locomotion and increased gait variability. Quantitative characterization of gait kinematics may provide biomechanical insight into FoG-related instability, particularly under different dopaminergic states. Methods: This pilot study evaluated sagittal-plane knee kinematics in healthy individuals (n = 27) and patients with PD. (n = 8) under OFF and ON dopaminergic medication conditions using two-dimensional videogrammetry (Kinovea^®). Knee flexion–extension trajectories were time-normalized to 0–100% of the gait cycle, and group ensemble profiles (mean ± SD) were computed. Results: Phase-specific range of motion (ROM), within-subject variability, and interlimb coordination were quantified. Interlimb coordination was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) and cross-correlation lag analysis computed per subject and summarized statistically across groups. Compared with healthy participants, PD patients in the OFF state exhibited significantly reduced knee ROM during stance and swing (p < 0.05), accompanied by increased kinematic variability and disrupted temporal coordination. Interlimb correlation was significantly lower in PD OFF compared to healthy gait groups (p = 0.010), with larger temporal lags, indicating impaired bilateral synchronization. Following medication intake (ON state), knee excursion increased and interlimb coordination partially improved; however, correlation values and timing symmetry did not fully normalize to healthy levels. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that sagittal-plane knee kinematics and interlimb coordination metrics derived from low-cost 2D videogrammetry are sensitive to the dopaminergic state and reveal persistent neuromotor deficits in PD. The proposed framework provides an interpretable and accessible approach for characterizing gait organization in Parkinson’s disease and supports future integration with clinical assessment and longitudinal monitoring. Full article

Background: Port-a-catheter (PAC) placement is a common procedure in oncology that, despite local anaesthesia, can induce patient discomfort, procedural pain, and anxiety. Virtual reality hypnosis (VRH), combining immersive virtual reality with clinical hypnosis, has been proposed as a non-pharmacological adjunct to reduce peri-procedural distress. Objectives: This pilot study aimed to explore the suitability of VRH during PAC placement and its potential effects on pain, anxiety, and VRH-related experiences, while investigating psychological variables associated with VRH engagement. Methods: In this single-arm interventional monocentric prospective pilot study, twenty oncology patients undergoing first-time elective PAC placement received a VRH intervention delivered via a medical-grade head-mounted display throughout the procedure. Pain, anxiety, and VRH-related dimensions—including absorption, dissociation, automaticity, arousal, and sense of presence—were assessed pre- and post-procedure using self-reported numerical rating scales and questionnaires. Non-parametric Wilcoxon tests evaluated pre–post changes, and correlational analyses (Pearson’s and Spearman’s when necessary) explored associations between variables. Results: VRH was well tolerated by most participants, although three patients required additional pharmacological support, and four could not complete the session due to intolerance or technical issues. Anxiety scores decreased significantly following VRH, whereas pain showed a non-significant trend toward reduction. Post-procedural absorption and dissociation were positively associated with presence, and higher absorption traits were linked to greater immersive engagement and prior VR/hypnosis experience. Cybersickness was negatively associated with absorption. Older age was correlated with lower post-procedural pain, and females reported higher state anxiety. Conclusions: In this pilot, VRH was feasible, well tolerated, and associated with a significant exploratory reduction in procedural state anxiety. Given the single-arm design, these findings constitute directional evidence warranting controlled trial evaluation rather than proof of efficacy. These preliminary results support the rationale for randomised controlled trials to evaluate VRH efficacy, underlying mechanisms, and potential role as a non-pharmacological adjunct in oncology perioperative care. Full article