ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of virtual reality on upper limb function in stroke patients through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). MethodsFrom September, 2021 to March, 2023, 80 stroke patients in the Fuzhou Second General Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 40) and experimental group (n = 40). Both groups received routine rehabilitation, while the experimental group received virtual reality training additionally, for four weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) before treatment, after treatment and after four-week follow-up; and they were scaned with DTI to measure the fractional anisotropy (FA) and relative anisotropy (RA) of cerebral peduncle and posterior limb of inner capsule of the affected side before and after treatment. ResultsTwo cases dropped in each group. The FMA-UE and ARAT scores increased in both groups after treatment and follow-up (F > 2.790, P < 0.001), and increased more in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.297, P < 0.05). FA and RA in the posterior limb of inner capsule increased in both groups after treatment (t > 21.013, P < 0.001), and increased more in the experimental group (t > 2.006, P < 0.05). The d-value of FA of the posterior limb of internal capsule before and after treatment (ΔFA) was positively correlated with the d-value of FMA-UE score (r > 0.362, P < 0.05) in both groups, the ΔFA of the posterior limb of internal capsule was positively correlated with the d-value of ARAT score (r = 0.459, P < 0.01). ConclusionVirtual reality training can promote the recovery of upper limb function in stroke patients, which may associate with the conductivity of posterior limb of inner capsule.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe any effect of transplanting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on microglia and neuron expression in newborn mice with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).Methods:Sixty 10-day-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a hypoxic-ischemia group, a placebo group and a stem cell group, each of 15. The hypoxia-ischemia model was induced in the hypoxia-ischemia, placebo and stem cell groups, while the sham operation group was sutured after the neck incision. After successful modeling, the rats in the stem cell group were injected with BMSCs into the bregma while those in the placebo group received phosphate buffered saline. Seven days later, brain tissue was resected and its structure was observed using transmission electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the expression of microglia and neurons in the left cerebral cortex.Results:Seven days after stem cell transplantation, the neuron morphology had improved and nerve fiber swelling was relieved in the stem cell group. The average expression of neurons was significantly greater in the stem cell group compared with the hypoxic-ischemia and placebo groups, while the expression of microglia was significantly lower.Conclusions:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells may induce neuron regeneration and reduce inflammatory response by inhibiting the expression of microglia, at least in neonatal rats modeling hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.