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Objective:To observe any effect of dynamic motor instability training on the balance and postural control of stroke survivors.Methods:Forty stroke survivors with poor balance were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, each of 20. In addition to routine rehabilitation, the observation group was given 20 minutes of dynamic motor instability training, 5 days a week for 8 weeks, while the control group underwent routine rehabilitation for the same length of time. Before and after the intervention, surface electromyogram of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and erector spinae were recorded during perturbation. Activation time and the intensity of the anticipatory and complementary postural adjustments (APAs and CPAs) were also observed. Balance and lower limb motor functioning were assessed using the Berg balance scale (BBS), the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE), and GaitWatch analysis.Results:After the treatment the average activation time of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris in the affected side and those of the biceps femoris [(-84.31±5.74)s] and erector spinae in the intact side in APAs were all significantly shorter in the observation group than in the control group, while the average activation intensity of the rectus femoris and erector spinae was significantly greater. There was no significant difference in the activation intensity of each muscle group in CPAs after the treatment. After the intervention the average BBS score, FMA-LE score, stride length and walking speed of the observation group all were significantly better than the control group′s averages.Conclusions:Supplementing traditional rehabilitation training with dynamic motor instability training can further improve the posture control of stroke survivors and promote recovery of their balance and walking ability.
ABSTRACT
Balance impairment is a common complication after stroke, which often leads to difficulty in walking function recovery and high risk of fall, seriously affecting the independent activity ability and quality of life of stroke patients. Accurate assessment of balance is conducive to better formulation of rehabilitation plans, evaluation of rehabilitation effects, and guidance of safer daily living activities of stroke patients. This article reviews the research progress of various methods for accurate assessment of balance function in patients with stroke.
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Objective:To observe any effect of repeated unilateral high frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the swallowing function and functional magnetic resonance images of dysphagic stroke survivors.Methods:Twenty stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into a treatment group ( n=10) and a control group ( n=10). Both groups received traditional swallowing rehabilitation training, while the treatment group was additionally provided with high frequency rTMS over the cortical area of the suprahyoid muscle group of the healthy contralateral cerebral hemisphere. The stimulation frequency was 5Hz and the stimulation intensity was 80% of the resting movement threshold. During the 20-minute treatment, there was a 20-second interval between each 2-second dose of stimulation. Before and after the treatment, both groups were evaluated using the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10), a swallowing functional communication measurement (FCM) and the modified Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MMASA). In addition, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe any changes in the relevant brain regions. Results:After the treatment the average EAT-10, FCM and MMASA scores of both groups were significantly better than those before the treatment, with the treatment group′s averages significantly superior to those of the control group. After the treatment, the activation range of the parietal lobe, the superior parietal lobule, the BA7 region and the BA40 area in the treatment group was significantly larger than before the treatment and larger than the control group′s ranges.Conclusions:Repeated high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation of the cortical area of the suprahyoid muscles in the contralateral cerebral hemisphere can improve dysphagia and promote the activation of brain areas related to swallowing after a stroke.
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Objective To compare the effects of Baimai ointment and baclofen in stroke patients with spas-ticity.Methods 84 cases accompanied by limb spasticity in stroke patients by digital table were randomly divided into Baimai ointment group and baclofen group,42 cases in each group.The Baimai ointment group were treated with Baimai ointment on the spastic limbs,the baclofen group received oral baclofen tablets 30 -75mg/days for 2 weeks, 4 weeks,8 weeks.The curative effects of the two groups were compared before and after treatment.Results Before and after treatment in the two groups,the levels of spasticity,pain and activities of daily living (ADL)differences were statistically significant and Baimai ointment in the treatment of spasm.After 4 weeks and 8 weeks,the Ashworth score of the Baimai ointment group were (1.59 ±0.46)points,(0.89 ±0.56)points,and those of baclofen group were (1.75 ±0.64)points,(1.45 ±0.48)points,the differences were statistically significant(t values were 2.916, 3.367,all P <0.05).After 2 weeks,4 weeks and 8 weeks,the VAS score of the Baimai ointment group were (2.72 ± 0.54)points,(2.02 ±0.24)points,(1.24 ±0.12)points,and baclofen group were (3.56 ±0.44)points,(3.15 ± 0.48)points,(2.58 ±0.26)points,the differences were statistically significant(t values were 2.975,3.359,5.416, all P <0.05),activities of daily living (ADL)was higher than that of the baclofen group.After 8 weeks,the MBI score of the Baimai ointment group was (64.46 ±10.78)points,and baclofen group was (50.74 ±9.18)points,the difference was statistically significant between the two groups (t values was 3.562,P <0.05).Conclusion Baimai ointment has the better antispasmodic effect than baclofen in patients with stroke.