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Objective:To investigate the effect of cathodic transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) combined with upper limb robot therapy (RT) on the rehabilitation of upper limb motor function in stroke patients.Methods:Forty patients with stroke hemiplegia who met the enrollment criteria were randomly divided into a pseudo-stimulation group ( n = 20) and a stimulation group ( n = 20). In addition to conventional treatment in both groups, ctDCS + RT was used in the stimulation group, and sham stimulation + RT was used in the sham-stimulation group. Treatment was performed 10 times, 5 times per week, for 30 minutes each time. Patients in both groups were evaluated before, during, and after treatment using the Brunnstrom Staging Scale, the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) scale, and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), respectively. Results:Compared with the same group before treatment, there were statistically significant differences in Brunnstrom’s rating grade Ⅳ for upper limbs and hands in both groups during and after treatment (all P < 0.05). Compared with the same group during treatment, there were statistically significant differences in Brunnstrom’s rating grade Ⅳ for upper limbs and hands in both groups after treatment (all P < 0.05). MBI scores were higher in two groups during and after treatment compared to the same group before treatment (all P < 0.05). MBI scores were higher in two groups after treatment compared to the same group during treatment (all P < 0.05). The MBI scores after treatment in the stimulation group were higher than those in the pseudo-stimulation group ( P < 0.05). The MAS scores of elbow flexion grade 2 and extension grade 4 and shoulder flexion grade 2, extension grade 2, adduction grade 2, and abduction grade 2 were lower in both groups after treatment compared with the same group before treatment (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Cathodic transcranial direct current stimulation combined with robotic therapy can effectively promote upper limb motor function rehabilitation in stroke patients and is superior to upper limb robotic therapy alone.
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Objective:To investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the behavior and the mismatch negativity (MMN) component of the auditory evoked potential of autistic children.Methods:Thirty-four autistic children were randomly divided into an anode stimulation group ( n=19) and a pseudo-stimulation group ( n=16). Both groups were given one hour of routine rehabilitation five times a week for 4 weeks, while the anode stimulation group was additionally provided with 20 minutes of tDCS 3 times a week. Before and after the treatment, both groups′ behavior was evaluated by using autism behavior checklist (ABC) as well as any changes in MMN of the auditory evoked EEG signals. Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the measurements before the treatment. Afterwards behavior had improved significantly in both groups, with significantly greater improvement in the stimulated group. In the stimulated group the average MMN amplitude had increased significantly and the average latency had decreased significantly. However, no such significant changes were observed in the pseudo-stimulation group. There was a significant linear correlation between the changes in the incubation period of MMN components and the improvements in ABC, vestibular functioning, tactile defense and proprioception.Conclusion:Anodal tDCS combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy can effectively increase the MMN amplitude and shorten the latency in autistic children, improving their brain function.
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Objective To evaluate the effect of isokinetic muscle training combined with semiconductor laser on acute knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods Ninety-eight KOA patients were randomly divided into 4 groups. All patients were treated with conventional rehabilitation treatment and nursing. Based on that treatment, the group 1 received semiconductor laser irradiation, the group 2 received isokinetic muscle training, and the group 3 received laser irradiation combined with isokinetic muscle training. All patients were assessed with WOMAC osteoarthritis rating scale and affected knee extensor and flexor muscles strength measurement including peak torque, peak work, average power, average work and flex/extend before and 4 weeks after the treatment. Results All of the four treatments can significantly alleviate the condition of acute KOA patients and improve the muscle condition around the ipsilateral knee joint. The isokinetic muscle training improves the knee function of KOA patients better than the laser irradiation treatment. Isokinetic strength training combined with laser irradiation can get the most significant improvement of knee joint pain, stiffness, dysfunction, muscle strength of flexors and extensors in KOA patients. Conclusions The combination of isokinetic muscle training and semiconductor laser irradiation has a significant effect on relieving pain, reducing the stiffness, improving the function of knee of the patients with KOA in the acute phase and improving the muscle strength of the affected lower extremities. That methad is superior to drug therapy, physical therapy, or exercise alone, and is better to solve the problem of relieving symptoms and enhancing function simultaneously.
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The upper limb dysfunction after stroke has a high incidence,and is difficult to recovery,which seriously affects the patients' activities of daily living and the quality of life.Scholars have been exploring new and effective rehabilitation strategies for upper limb dysfunction after stroke.Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS),a typical form of non-invasive brain stimulation,is widely used in upper limb function rehabilitation by modulating the excitability of the cerebral cortex to improve motion performance.Some results showed that tDCS combined with repetitive rehabilitation training can significantly improve the motion function of stroke patients.Robotic therapy (RT) provides high-intensity,repetitive motion therapy that meets the training needs of patients at different levels.Therefore,tDCS combined with RT can effectively enhance the upper limb function rehabilitation effect of stroke patients.In this paper,the research status of tDCS combined with RT in the treatment of upper limb function after stroke were reviewed such as target patients,treatment methods,rehabilitation effects,combination methods,etc.The research trends and future development ideas in this field were discussed.
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Objective To investigate the effect of isokinetic training on shoulder function in patients underwent surgery of breast cancer.Methods Seventy breast cancer patients were randomly allocated into an isokinetic group(36 cases) and a control group (34 cases).Both groups were treated with traditional rehabilitation treatments,and the patients in the isokinetic group also received isokinetic training in addition.The lymphatic return,the circumference of upper limb,the maximum torque(MT),the total work(TW),the average work(AW),the shoulder function and the range of motion of the shoulder at the affected side were recorded before and after training.Results ① After training,the lymphatic return and the circumference of upper limb improved in both groups compared with baseline,while those in the isokinetic group improved to a significantly greater extent(P＜0.05).②After training,average MT,TW and AW increased significantly in isokinetic group(P＜0.05);the shoulder function and the range of motion of affected side shoulder increased in both groups compared with baseline,but the isokinetic group increased significantly better(P＜0.05).Conclusion Isokinetic training can improve the shoulder function of patients underwent breast cancer surgery.
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Objective To explore the nonlinear complexity characteristics of electroencephalogram (EEG) in ischemic stroke patients with different course. Methods Sample entropy of all bands of EEG signals in 20 ischemic stroke patients and 10 healthy controls was extracted and analyzed using statistical analysis methods. Results The full-band EEG in sample entropy of stroke patients was significantly lower than that of healthy controls in most locations. Theα-band sample entropy of different course had significant differences in the frontal, temporal and occipital lobe (P<0.05), and the parameters had significant negative linear correlation with the post-stroke time in some locations. Conclusions There is an abnormal neural electrical activity in post-stroke patients. It is feasible to detect the aberrant EEG complexity using sample entropy, which is worth of further research.
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Objective To evaluate the effect of acupuncture point stimulation on the urodynamics of spinal cord injury patients.Methods Sixty spinal cord injury cases were divided into a research group and a comparison group.Both groups were given bladder training, but the research group also received acupuncture point stimulation.The subjects' maximum cystometric capacity, maximum detrusor pressure and residual urine were measured, along with renal function and any urinary tract infections.The scale of activity of their daily lives was compared before and 3 months and 6 months after the treatment.Results There were no statistically significant differences between the groups before the treatment.There were statistically significant differences in maximum cystometric capacity, maximum detrusor pressure, residual urine and Barthel index (BI) after 3 and 6 months of treatment.In the research group, maximum detrusor pressure, residual urine and BI scores had all improved after 6 months compared with the 3 month values.In the comparison group only the BI score had improved significantly between 3 and 6 months, and this was not reflected in a significant change in the scale of activity in daily life.After 3 months, only the average BI differed significantly between the two groups.After 6 months all indexes except the BI and maximum cystometric capacity differed significantly.There were also significant differences between the groups in reflex voiding, percussion voiding, and abdominal pressure voiding.Conclusions Acupuncture point stimulation can improve the bladder function of spinal cord injury patients.It can also decrease the incidence of urinary tract infection and the possibility of renal dysfunction.
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Objective To observe any therapeutic effect of laser irradiation on pathological inflammatory reactions in ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by oxazolone,and to investigate possible mechanisms.Methods Six rats were selected as a normal control group.Another 24 rats with UC induced by oxazolone were randomly assigned to a UC model group (n =8),a 400 mW laser group (161.3 mW/cm2,n =8),and a 200 mW laser group (80.6 mW/cm2,n =8).All the rats were fixed in custom-built devices.Those in the therapy groups were treated daily,10 min per time,for 10 days.After the end of the last irradiation session,disease activity indexes (DAIs)were observed.Rats from every group were sacrificed 24 h after the last irradiation in order to observe any pathological changes in colon tissue,the weight of fresh ulcerated tissues,and gross changes in morphology.Colon segments were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and histological lesion scoring was performed under a light microscope.Any changes in inflammatory edema in the colonic mucous membrane were observed before and after laser irradiation.Results The UC model was successfully established.Average body weight in the 400 mW laser group increased significantly more than in the UC model group,approaching that of the normal control group.DAI decreased significantly.The thickness of the epithelial mucous membrane,lamina propria and submucosa was basically restored.Histological lesion scores also improved significantly,and the weight of fresh ulcerative tissue was significantly lower.Mucous membrane ulcers,submucosa edema and inflammatory cell infiltration all were alleviated significantly,merely presenting a few inflamed cells and small amounts of periphlebitis.In the 200 mW laser group all these outcome measures improved significantly compared with the UC model group,but were not as good as in the 400 mW laser group,and the rats needed longer to recover.Conclusion Laser irradiation at 400 mW has advantages over 200 mW,and could significantly relieve the pathological inflammatory response in colonic tissue,decrease submucosa edema and ameliorate other symptoms of ulcerative colitis,at least in rats.
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Objective To evaluate the effects of isokinetic quadriceps training with different ranges of motion for improving mal-patellar tracking after total knee replacement (TKR). Methods Isokinetic quadriceps training was administered to 52 TKR cases, involving 66 knee joints with poor patellar tracking. The subjects were randomly allocated into 3 groups for isokinetic training with ranges of 0-30°, 30-60° or 60-90°, with 22 knee joints in each group. The angular velocity was set at 30°/second. X-rays with loading and with 45° knee flexion were taken before and after the training. The lateral patello-femoral angle,the patella index and the patello-femoral index were recorded along with the maximum torque ( MT), the total work ( TW ), and the average work(AW) in the three different ranges of motion. Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores were also recorded. Results After 3 months of training, the average lateral patello-femoral angle, patella index, and patello-femoral index in the 0-30° training group were all significantly better than before the training. However, there was no significant difference in these measures for the 30-60° and 60-90° groups. After training average MT, TW and AW increased significantly in all groups, but the improvements were significantly correlated with the differences in lateral patello-femoral angles, patella indices and patello-femoral indices only for the 0-30°group. When compared with the baseline values, a statistically significant difference in HSS score after training was observed only in the 0-30° training group. Conclusions Isokinetic quadriceps training with a 0-30° range of motion can best realign patellar tracking after TKR, and best improve knee function.
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Objective To explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of laser therapy on serum and colon tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in rats with oxazolone induced ulcerative colitis (UC).Methods Thirty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:a normal group ( n =6),a UC model group ( n =8 ),a 400 mW laser treatment group ( n =8 ) and a 200 mW laser treatment group ( n =8 ).Odified oxasolone sensitization was used to induce UC models in the rats.The AsAlGa semiconductor laser used in the treatment had a power of 200 mW or 400 mW.The therapy lasted for 10 days with daily 10 min sessions.The rats were sacrificed after treatment and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure IL- 6,IL- 10 and TNF-α in serum and ulcer tissues in all groups.Results Compared with the normal group,the weights of the UC model rats were significantly lower,and they had severe mucoid bloody stool.TNF-α and IL-6 levels in serum and colon tissues increased significantly and IL-10 decreased significantly,so the UC model was successfully established.After laser treatment,body weight gain and stool moderation in rats were observed.in the 400 mW group,and average TNF-α and IL-6 levels in both serum and colon tissue decreased significantly.IL-10 increased significantly,close to the level of the normal group.In the 200 mW group,serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly lower,and IL-6 in the colon tissue was reduced significantly.TNF-α did not lessen significantly,and serum and colon tissue IL-10 levels did not improve significantly compared with the model group.Conclusions 400 mW AsAlGa semiconductor laser irradiation can effectively regulate cytokines after oxaZolone induced UC in rats in two ways.It reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and increases the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines.This may imply one of the underlying molecular mechanisms of low energy laser treatment of UC.