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Objective:To observe any stimulatory effect of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on the cerebral swallowing cortex and the cerebellar swallowing motor area and to explore the related mechanisms.Methods:Forty-four healthy right-handed subjects were divided at random into a dominant cerebellum group ( n=15), a non-dominant cerebellum group ( n=15) and a control group ( n=14). In the dominant cerebellum group, iTBS was administered to the cerebellum of the dominant hemisphere, and the other hemisphere was given sham stimulation. In the non-dominant cerebellum group, it was the opposite. The dominant cerebellum received the sham stimulation. In the control group both hemispheres received sham stimulation. Before and after the stimulation, single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was applied to the representative regions of suprahyoid muscles in bilateral brain and cerebellum to observe changes of the latency and amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEPs). Results:After the intervention the MEP amplitude of the bilateral swallowing cortex and the stimulated cerebellum had increased in the non-dominant cerebellum group, with increased MEP amplitude only from the stimulated cerebellum of the dominant cerebellum group. Compared with the control group, the non-dominant cerebellum group showed the greatest improvement in MEP amplitude of the stimulated bilateral cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Improvement in the dominant cerebellum group was significantly smaller. However, there were no significant differences in MEP latency or the percentage change in MEP latency from baseline among the three groups.Conclusions:Applying iTBS to either the non-dominant or the dominant cerebellum excites the brain areas related to swallowing, but in different ways.
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Objective:To observe the clinical effectiveness of manual therapy based on posture decoding for patients with lower crossed syndrome (LCS).Methods:Thirty-six LCS patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 18. The observation group received manual therapy based on posture decoding, while the control group was treated with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), both in 20min sessions, once a week for 4 weeks. Before the experiment, after one, two and four weeks of treatment and followed-up 4 and 8 weeks later, both groups were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and finger-floor distance (FFD). Anterior pelvic tilt angles (ASIS-PSISs), sacral slopes (SS), lumbar curve index (LCI) and surface EMG flexion-relaxation ratios (FRRs) were also recorded from both groups before and after the treatment.Results:After one and four weeks of the treatment, the average VAS, ODI, and FFD had decreased significantly in both groups, with all significantly lower in the observation group, on average. At the final follow-up, the average VAS and ODI scores of both groups were significantly lower than before the treatment, with those of the observation group significantly lower than the control group′s averages. After 4 weeks of treatment significant differences were observed also in the group′s average ASIS-PSISs, SSs and LCIs compared with before the treatment. And right after the treatment the left and right surface electromyography FRRs of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group.Conclusion:Manual therapy based on posture decoding can significantly improve the pelvis forward angle and lumbar motion of LCS patients, relieving back pain and relaxing back muscles.
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Objective:To observe the effect of repeated, bilateral administration of high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treating post-stroke dysphagia.Methods:Forty-five persons with post-stroke dysphagia were randomly divided into a bilateral group ( n=14 after one dropout), an affected group ( n=15) and a healthy group ( n=15). All received 30 minutes of conventional swallowing rehabilitation training 5 times a week for 2 weeks from a speech therapist. Those in the affected group also received 5Hz rTMS applied to the motor cortex controlling the suprachyoid muscle group. The bilateral group received the same stimulation bilaterally with the same duration and treatment course. Videofluoroscopy was used to assess their swallowing before and after the 2 weeks of treatment. It was rated using the penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) and the functional swallowing disorder scale (FDS). Surface electromyography was employed to evaluate suprachyoid muscle function. Cortical excitability was assessed by measuring the resting motor threshold (RMT) of the unaffected hemisphere. Results:After the treatment, the average PAS, FDS and muscle function values had improved significantly for all three groups, but significant RMT differences were observed only between the bilateral and the unaffected group. Significant differences in the average FDS and PAS scores were observed after the treatment, as well as significant changes in FDS and muscle function between the affected group and the other two groups. The average FDS scores before and after treatment were significantly different between the unaffected and bilateral group, with the former scoring significantly better than the latter. But no significant differences in the average PAS scores were observed after the treatment.Conclusions:5Hz rTMS of either the unaffected or affected cerebral cortex (or bilateral) can effectively improve the swallowing function of persons with post-stroke dysphagia. Bilateral stimulation has the greatest therapeutic effect, followed by stimulation of the unaffected cerebral cortex.
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Objective:To observe the clinical effect of spinal manipulation on chronic, non-specific neck pain.Methods:Thirty patients with chronic, nonspecific neck pain were divided randomly into an observation group ( n=15) and a control group ( n=15). Patients in the observation group were given 20 minutes of a novel 4R spinal manipulation (resetting joint malalignment, resetting abnormal muscle, resetting joint stabiliazation, resetting sensorimotor control) twice a week for 2 weeks while the control group were given 20 minutes of medium frequency and high frequency conventional physiotherapy 4 times a week, also for 2 weeks. Before the treatment, right after, and one and three months later, both groups were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a neck disability index (NDI). Right before and after the treatment, cervical flexion and extension range of motion (ROM) were measured. The surface electromyography was employed to record the root mean square (RMS) of the EMG amplitude and the median frequency (MF) from the erector spinae and upper trapezius. Results:Before the treatment no significant differences were found in any of the measurements between the two groups. Afterward and one and three months later the average VAS, NDI and cervical ROM results of both groups had improved significantly, with the improvements in the observation group significantly greater than those in the control group on average. After 2 weeks of treatment, the average RMS and MF values had improved in both groups, again with the observation group′s average values significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusion:Spinal manipulation can effectively improve the strength and stamina of cervical muscle groups in patients with chronic, non-specific neck pain.
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Objective:To explore the effect of high-frequency and low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the unaffected pharyngeal motor cortex of dysphagic stroke survivors.Methods:Forty-two stroke survivors with dysphagia were enrolled and randomly divided into a high-frequency stimulation group ( n=14), a low-frequency stimulation group ( n=13), and a sham group ( n=15). All received conventional swallowing training. The high- and low-frequency stimulation groups additionally received 250 pulses of 5Hz or 1Hz rTMS over the cortical representation of the mylohyoid muscle on the unaffected side daily for 2 consecutive weeks. In the sham group, sham rTMS was applied with identical protocols. Before and after the intervention, all subjects were subjected to a videofluoroscopic swallowing study and surface electromyography (sEMG). They were also evaluated using the fuctional dysphagia scale (FDS) and the penetration aspiration scale (PAS). Results:After the intervention, a significant improvement was observed in the average PAS, FDS and sEMG results in both rTMS groups compared with the sham control group. The average FDS score of the high-frequency stimulation group had improved significantly more than that of the low-frequency group.Conclusions:rTMS of the contra-lesional cortical representation of the mylohyoid muscle at either 5Hz or 1Hz can effectively improve dysphagia post-stroke. The higher frequency gives superior results.
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Objective To evaluate the role of treadmill exercise‐stress echocardiography in the assessment of left ventricular ( LV ) function in patients with slow coronary flow ( SCF ) ,and discuss the possible mechanism of SCF . Methods Forty‐six patients with diagnosis of SCF were enrolled as SCF group . Forty age and sex matched adults were included as control group . All subjects had underwent clinical evaluation and exercise stress echocardiography . LV diastolic and systolic functions were assessed by conventional echocardiography , tissue Doppler imaging and two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography at rest and during exercise . Results ①LV function in patients with SCF at rest :LV peak systolic longitudinal strain ( LS) was lower in patients with SCF than that in controls ( P <0 .05) . T here was no difference of LV ejection fraction ( LVEF) between the two group( P>0 .05) . Early diastolic mitral annulus velocity ( M itral e′) and the ratio between the early mitral inflow velocity and Mitral e′( M itral E/e′) were significantly decreased in SCF group( all P<0 .01 ) . ②LV function during exercise :LVEF ,LS and M itral e′were significant increased in two groups ( all P <0 .05 ) than those at rest ,but there was no significant difference of LVEF ,LS ,M itral e′ and M itral E/e′ between the two groups ( all P > 0 .05 ) . Compared with control group ,ΔLS and ΔM itral e′were significantly higher in SCF group ( all P<0 .05 ) . Conclusions LV systolic and diastolic function in patients with SCF are impaired at rest . LV systolic and diastolic function recover in patients with SCF during exercise .
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Objective To evaluate the effect of intensive electromyographic biofeedback ( EMGBF ) on swallowing and the velocity of hyolaryngeal excursion among stroke survivors with dysphagia. Methods Forty-two stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into a conventional rehabilitation group ( group A, n=15) , an EMGBF group (group B, n=14) and an intensive EMGBF group (group C, n=13).In addition to routine medica-tions and motor function rehabilitation training, all received 30 minutes of conventional swallowing training once a day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Group B additionally received 15 minutes of EMGBF once daily and group C twice daily. Videofluoroscopy was conducted to measure the superior and anterior excursion distances and the movement time of the hyoid bone when swallowing semi-liquid food, and the velocity was calculated. The swallowing dysfunction evaluation and a penetration-aspiration scale ( PAS) were also employed to evaluate the subjects'swallowing function before and after the treatment. Results There were no significant differences among the 3 groups in any of the measurements before the treatment. After the 4 weeks of treatment the average swallowing dysfunction evaluation and PAS scores of all three groups had improved significantly, as had the superior and anterior excursion velocity of the hyoid bone. Compared with group A, the average swallowing dysfunction evaluation and PAS scores of groups B and C had improved significantly more. The average swallowing dysfunction evaluation scores of groups B and C were not sig-nificantly different, but the average anterior and superior excursion velocity of the hyoid bone in group C was signifi-cantly higher than in group B. Conclusion EMGBF therapy has advantages over routine rehabilitation training in improving swallowing function after a stroke and speeding the velocity of the hyoid bone's excursions.
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Objective To evaluate left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions of patients with coronary slow flow (CSF) according to left ventricular myocardial systolic/diastolic performances (MSP/MDP) by using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE).Methods Fifty patients with CSF diagnosed with coronary angiography (CSF group) and 45 patients without CSF (control group) underwent STE.Left ventricular systolic longitudinal,radial and circumferential peak strain and early-diastolic peak strain rate were measured,and left ventricular MSP and MDP were calculated,then the results were statistically analyzed between the 2 groups.Results Compared with control group,left ventricular systolic longitudinal,radial and circumferential peak strain and early-diastolic peak strain rate,MSP and MDP reduced in CSF group (all P<0.05).The mean thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) of coronary artery was negatively correlated with MDP (r=-0.23,P=0.04),and the number of affected coronary arteries was negatively correlated with MDP (r=-0.31,P=0.03).There was significant difference of MDP among patients with different numbers of affected coronary arteries and control group (all P<0.05),and MDP in affected 2 and 3 coronary arteries patients were lower than those of the control group (all P< 0.05).Conclusion Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions is impaired in patients with CSF.The mean TFC and the number of affected coronary arteries are negatively correlated with left ventricular diastolic function.Left ventricular MSP and MDP are comprehensive parameters in evaluating systolic and diastolic functions.
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Objective To evaluate the effect of septal flash (SF) on left ventricular function and systolic synchrony in patients with complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by two-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging (2D-STI).Methods Sixty CLBBB patients with preserved LVEF were selected,and 30 healthy individuals serving as control group.The SF of CLBBB patients were evaluated using 2D-STI,and the CLBBB patients were categorized into two groups (SF group and NSF group) based on the present SF.Conventional echocadiography and 2D-STI were performed for all individuals.Results ①SF was present in 53.3% of CLBBB patients with preserved LVEF and was not present in control group.②LV longitudinal peak stain of global (LS-G) in SF group was lower than those in both control group and NSF group (P <0.05),and there was no significant difference between control group and NSF group (P >0.05).③Compared with control group,there were significant increase of left atrial dimension and Mitral E/e'and decrease in mitral E/A and mitral e'in SF group and NSF group (P <0.05),while there was no significant difference between SF group and NSF group (P >0.05).④There was an increase in standard deviation of time to peak systolic strain for the 18 LV segments (LV-SDt) in SF group and NSF group,and the LV-SDt in SF group was higher than that in NSF group (P <0.01).Conclusions SF is present in 53.3 % of CLBBB patients,patients of CLBBB with SF have lower left ventricular systolic function and systolic synchrony.
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Objective To observe the effect of intensive training on lower extremity motor function and depression after stroke.Methods Thirty patients with post-stroke depression were randomly divided into an intensive training group and a control group,each of 15.Both groups received conventional anti-stroke and antidepressant drug therapy,and rehabilitation training.The intensive training group,however,was additionally provided with lower extremity motor function training each day.Hamilton Depression Rating Scale,the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA),10-meter maximum walking speed test (10MWT) and the Holden functional ambulation categories (FAC) were conducted before treatment,and 2 and 4 weeks after the treatment.The level of human β-endophin (β-EP) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the serum were also detected.Results After 4 weeks of treatment,the FAM,10MWT,BDNF and β-EP were significantly improved in both groups compared to those before the treatment (P< 0.05).No significant differences,however,were found between the 2 groups in the above measurements after 2 weeks of treatment (P>0.05).After 4 weeks of treatment,the FAM (20.67±6.79),10MWT [(0.48±0.22)m/s],BDNF [(10.81±2.33)μg/L] and β-EP [(164.02±42.15)ng/L] of the intensive training group were significantly improved compared to those of the control group (P<0.05).Both after 2 weeks and 4 weeks treatment,the HAMD scores of the intensive training group (16.33±6.74 and 12.13±5.44) were significantly better than those of the control group (P< 0.05).However,there was no significant difference in terms of FAC between the two groups either after 2 weeks or 4 weeks of treatment (P>0.05).Conclusion The intensive training can improve motor function and relieve poststroke depression of stroke survivors.It is worth promoting and applying in clinical practice.
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Objective To explore the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES) on hyolaryngeal structural movement in post-stroke dysphagia.Methods Thirty patients with post-stroke dysphagia were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =10) namely group A,group B and group C.On the basis of routine swallowing training,medication and rehabiliation given to group C,group A was provided with VitalStim therapy on both suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles,while group B was only on suprahyoid muscles lasting 2 weeks.Before and after treatment,the Video Fluoroscopy Swallowing Study (VFSS) was carried out and the upward and forward displacement distances of the hyoid and thyroid cartilage when swallowing pap were measured.Moreover,water swallow test,dysphagia severity scale and DOSS scores were used to assess the swallowing function.Results After 2 weeks' treatment,the water drinking test score,dysphagia severity scale and DOSS scores increased significantly in all groups than before treatment.The water drinking test score of group A (2.40 ± 1.26) and group B (2.10 ± 0.99),dysphagia severity scale of group A (5.30 ± 1.89) and group B(5.20 ± 1.69),as well as the DOSS level of group A (5.20 ± 1.40) and group B (5.10 ± 1.45) were significantly better than the control group.However,no significant difference was observed in all measurements between group A and group B.The group B revealed a significantly increase in anterior hyoid excursion distance of (12.15 ± 7.59) mm,much bigger than that before treatment and that of group A and B after treatment.Conclusion NMES on the basis of traditional swallowing training can improve the swallowing function of post-stroke dysphagia patients,and NMES on suprahyoid muscles can further induce an increase in anterior hyoid excursion.
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Objective To observe the effects of neuromuscular stimulation (NMES) intensity on post-stroke dysphagia.Methods Thirty patients with dysphagia resulting from a stroke were randomly divided into a control group,an NMES group,and an intensive NMES group,with 10 patients in each.The 3 groups all received conven-tional swallowing training.Patients in the NMES group also received NMES once a day and those in the intensive NMES group received it twice a day.Kubota's water drinking test and videofluoroscopy were used to assess the subjects' swallowing function before treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment.Results After 2 weeks,the average water drinking test score was significantly better in the intensive NMES group than in the control group.The fluoroscopic results of all three groups had improved significantly,but the results in the NMES group and the intensive NMES group were significantly better than those of the control group.The intensive NMES group also scored significantly higher than the NMES group.Conclusion NMES can improve the swallowing reflex and the contraction of the suprahyoid muscles.It can strengthen the effect of re-learning swallowing.Two NMES sessions a day are better than one.
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Objective To investigate the effects of intensive motor mental practice (MP) on the recovery of upper limb function in hemiplegic stroke patients.Methods Thirty-nine stroke patients were randomly divided into an intensive group,a conventional group and a control group (13 cases in each group).All received regular rehabilitation therapy for 6 weeks (40 min a day,5 d a week).In the following 6 weeks,patients in the intensive and conventional groups received MP-twice a day for the intensive group and once a day for the conventional group.The patients in the control group instead listened to music daily.Motor function was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA)and the action research arm test (ARAT),which were carried out before treatment and after 2,4 and 6 weeks of treatment.Results There was no significant difference in FMA or ARAT scores among the 3 groups after 2 weeks of therapy.After four weeks FMA improvement was significantly greater in the intensive group than in the conventional or control group.There were also significant differences in FMA between the conventional and control groups.ARAT score improvement was significantly better in the intensive group than in the control group,But there was no significant difference in ARAT results between the conventional and control groups.After 6 weeks FMA and ARAT scores had improved significantly more in the intensive and conventional groups than that in the control group.There were also significant differences in FMA and ARAT scores between conventional and control groups.Conclusion Intensive motor mental practice can improve the upper limb motor function of stroke patients more effectively than less aggressive treatment.
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Objective To observe the effects of intensive training at different intensities on the expressions of semaphorin 3A ( Sema 3A) and its receptor neuropilin ( NP-1 ) and the cell apoptosis in cerebrum after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats,and to investigate the possible mechanism of intensive training in recovery of motor function after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats.Methods To establish animal model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats,the intraluminal thread method was applied to cause left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h and before reperfusion.After cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model were established for 24 h,60 male model Wistar rats were randomly divided into training group 1 ( swimming for 5 min once a day),training group 2 ( swimming for 10 min once a day),training group 3 (swimming for 10 min twice a day) and control group (no training) ; another 15 rats assigned to the sham-operation group were subject to no MCAO and no training.Neurological function was evaluated by Garcia scores,and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) was performed to dectect the cortical cell apoptosis.Expressions of neural growth inhibition factor Sema 3A and its receptor NP-1 were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results The neurological function in sham-operation group was normal.The differences of Garcia scores at different time points beween sham-operation group and control group were significant (P < 0.01 ).Garcia scores in all training groups,were significantly higher than those in controls at the 7th and 14th d after swimming training ( P < 0.01 ),especially in training group 3 the Garcia scores were ( 12.80 ± 0.45 ),( 15.20 ± 0.45 ),( 16.80 ± 0.45 ),respectively,at the 3rd,7th and 14th d after swimming training.The rates of positive cell of Sema 3A,NP-1 and TUNEL indexes in all training groups were lower than those in controls at the 3rd,7th and 14th d after swimming training (P < 0.01 ),especially in the training group 3.At the 3rd,7th and 14th d after swimming training in training group 3,the rates of TUNEL indexes positive apoptosis cells were ( 29.43 ± 1.38 ) %,( 22.30 ± 1.21 ) %,( 17.58 ± 1.70) %,respectively,the positive cell rates of Sema 3A were ( 19.64 ± 1.17) %,(9.73 ± 3.83)%,(8.24 ± 0.87)%,respectively,the positive cell rates of NP-1 were ( 33.95 ± 6.86) %,( 27.95 ± 1.29 ) %,( 18.90 ± 1.44 ) %,respectively,the reduction of positive cells expressions in training group 3 was significantly more obvious compared with other training groups (P < 0.01 or 0.05).Conclusions Rehabilitation training can reduce the expression of positive cell of Sema 3A,NP-1 and TUNEL indexes in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion and can improve motor function recovery and facilitate neural plasticity.The more intensive the training,the better the effects.
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Objective To explore the effects of mental practice on upper extremity function after stroke. Methods Thirty sub-acute stroke patients were randomly divided into a treatment group ( n=15 ) and a control group (n=15). The patients in the control group were treated with conventional therapy. The patients in the treat-ment group were treated with motor imagery therapy in addition. All patients were assessed using the Fugl-Meyer mo-tor assessment (FMA) and the motor assessment scale (bIAS) before treatment and after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treat-ment. Results After 2 weeks of treatment, average MAS scores in the treatment group improved significantly com-pared with before treatment, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. After 4 weeks, FMA and MAS scores in the two groups had improved, and the FMA scores in the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group. After 8 weeks, the FMA and MAS scores of both groups had further improved significant-ly, but the average FMA and MAS scores in the treatment group were now significantly higher than those in the control group. Conclusions Mental practice can improve the functional performance of the upper extremities of stroke pa-tients.
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Objective To explore possible mechanisms of the cross-over observed in stroke patients comple-ting a line bisection test. Methods Twenty-five stroke patients with left neglect and twenty normal subjects were studied.In the ordinary line bisection test,there are two papers presenting 20 mm and 100 mm lines respectively.On each paper,three lines with the same length are presented at the left,middle and right of the paper.In the line im-age test,the two papers are the same as in line bisection test,but here subjects are asked to set endpoints of each re-al line. Results Replicating earlier findings,length cross-over was observed in the patients with neglect.In the hline image test,those patients neglected lines on both sides but with a much larger proportion on the left.The patientsunderestimated long lines as in previous studies,but they also underestimated very short lines in contrast to earlier findings. Conclusion Foveal neglect sparing may explain these observations.For very short lines,the left end of the line falls into foveal vision and the left part of the line was not neglected.As a result,the crossover effect of line length occurs.
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@# Objective To observe the effects of citalopram and physical therapy on poststroke depression(PSD).Methods72 patients with PSD were randomly divided into medicine group(n=36)and control group(n=36).The patients in the control group were treated only with physical therapy and the patients in the medicine group were treated with Citalopram and physical therapy.All patients were assessed with Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale(ZSDS)and Modified Barthel index(MBI)before and after treatment.ResultsAfter treatment,the Zung score in both groups decreased significantly(P<0.01).Meanwhile,the medicine group showed significantly less depression than the control group(P<0.05).The score of MBI was also significantly increased after treatment(P<0.01)in both group,but there was no significant difference between two groups(P>0.05).ConclusionCitalopram combined with physical therapy is effective on PSD.