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Objective To evaluate the effect of injecting botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) to the external urethral sphincter on detrusor wall thickness (DWT) and the bladder function of spinal cord injury patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (DSD).Methods Twenty-one adult patients with DSD due to spinal cord injury were recruited.A single 100 IU dose of botulinum toxin A was injected into their external urethral sphincters via an uhrasound-guided transperineal route.DWT,detrusor leak-point pressure (DLPP),post-void residual volume (PRV) and maximum bladder capacity(MBC) were assessed by urodynamic examination and ultrasound evaluation before and 4 and 8 weeks after the injection.Results Four weeks later a significant decrease in PRV was observed,but no significant difference in DWT,DLPP or MBC.After eight weeks the mean DWT value had decreased by 17％,a significant reduction.There were also significant improvements in DLPP,PRV and MBC at eight weeks compared with the of baseline values.Conclusions BTX-A injection to the external urethral sphincter can reduce DWT and improve bladder function in spinal cord injury patients with DSD.
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Objective To determine any relationship among detrusor wall thickness (DWT),bladder capacity (BC) and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD),and to study the clinical implications of using DWT to predict the risk of renal injury after spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods Forty-eight adults with NLUTD due to SCI were recruited for the SCI group,and another 41 healthy adults formed a control group.Both groups underwent urodynamic evaluation and maximum bladder capacity (MBC) detection.The DWT of all subjects was measured by ultrasound imaging of the anterior bladder wall.Thereafter,the SCI group was divided into low and high risk subgroups based on the results of the urodynamic tests.Patients with detrusor leak point pressure ＜40 cmH2O were classified as low risk.Results At MBC,the average DWT in the SCI group was (0.97 ± 0.31)mm and (0.59 ± 0.08)mm in the control group,demonstrating a significant difference in DWT between patients with NLUTD and normal adults.The average DWT among the patients with type A detrusor sphincter dyssynergia was (1.10 ± 0.34)mm,which was significantly higher than among the patients with external urethral sphincter contraction without detrusor contraction (type C).DWT was significantly correlated with detrusor leak point pressure.A DWT of 0.87 mm (sensitivity 89.5％,specificity 58.6％) could be used as a critical point for predicting risk of renal injury in patients with NLUTD.Conclusions DWT is significantly greater among SCI patients with NLUTD and it correlates positively with detrusor leak point pressure.DWT could be used as a risk predictor for renal injury in patients with NLUTD due to SCI.
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Objective To research the clinical rehabilitative effect of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.Methods Fifty-five PD patients were randomly divided into an rTMS treatment group (n =29) and a sham stimulation group (n =26).The treatment group received a course of 0.5 Hz rTMS treatment,while the sham stimulation group had the same treatment but with no energy output.Both groups were evaluated using a non-motor symptoms questionnaire (NMSQuest),the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD),the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS),the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the scale for outcomes in PD for autonomic symptoms (SCOPA-AUT) before treatment,immediately after,and a month after treatment.Results Compared with before treatment,the average NMSQuest score of the treatment group declined significantly,though 1 month after treatment the improvement was no longer significant.After treatment and 1 month later the average NMSQuest score of the sham stimulation group increased gradually.The effect in the treatment group was therefore significantly better than in the sham stimulation group.After treatment and 1 month later the average HAMD score of the treatment group was significantly lower than before treatment while the average HAMD score of the sham stimulation group had increased gradually.The improvement in depression in the treatment group was therefore significantly better than in the sham stimulation group.After treatment,sleep disorders in the treatment group had been significantly alleviated,but one month later the improvement was no longer significant compared with before treatment.PDSS scores in the sham stimulation group declined gradually,but the improvement in sleep disorders among the treatment group was significantly better than among the sham stimulation group.Cognition improved significantly among the treatment group right after treatment,but 1 month later it had worsened while the MMSE scores of the sham stimulation group decreased gradually.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant.The average SCOPA-AUT scores of the two groups were not significantly different from each other or from the scores before treatment.Conclusion Repeated TMS can improve most non-motor symptoms of PD.The improvement in depression is the most significant.A short course of rTMS has no obvious rehabilitative effect on the autonomic function disorders of PD patients.
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Objective To study the effects of motor imagery therapy combined with electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback on upper limb function in hemiplegic patients.Methods Sixty hemiplegic stroke patients were recruited and divided into a control group (n=20),an electrical stimulation group (n=20) and a combination group (n=20).All groups received basic medication and routine rehabilitation training once daily for 4 weeks.The electrical stimulation group was also treated with EMG biofeedback,and the combination group with motor imagery therapy plus EMG biofeedback.The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA),the modified Barthel index (MBI) and EMG parameters were assessed before and after 2 courses of treatment.Results After 8 weeks of treatment all groups had significantly higher FMA scores and MBI scores,and better integrated EMG values,but the effects in the combination group were significantly better than those in the other two groups.Conclusions Motor imagery therapy combined with EMG biofeedback can more effectively promote recovery of upper limb function in hemiplegic stroke patients.
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Objective To compare balance assessment with static balance measuring equipment and clinical balance measuring scales. Methods Seventy hemiplegic stroke patients ( the patient group) and 36 healthy volunteers (the controls) were recruited. Each subject's equilibrium was measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) ,the Fugl-Meyer Balance Scale (FM-B) and tetra-ataxiametry, all by the same therapist. Results The BBS and FM-B results both showed significant differences between the patient group and the control group. The data obtained through tetra-ataxiametric assessment showed that the average weight distribution index ( WDI ) and stability index (SI) were significantly lower in the patient group than among the controls. There was a strong correlation between the tetra-ataxiametric assessment results and the clinical balance test outcomes. The WDI and SI from tetra-ataxiametry were strongly correlated with Berg total static scores. Conclusions Tetra-ataxiametry and the BBS and FM-B tests can all effectively reflect the equilibrium of stroke patients. Tetra-ataxiametry can measure balance ability quantitatively, while the clinical balance tests ( BBS, FM-B) are easier to conduct.