ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a task-oriented upper arm exercise performed in a sitting position on either an unstable support surface or a stable support surface for children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 18 children with cerebral palsy. Eight subjects were randomly assigned to each of the stable and unstable support surface groups. We performed the upper arm exercise three times a week for 6 weeks. To confirm the effects of the intervention, the berg balance scale test, modified functional reaching test (MFRT), timed up and go test (TUG), and Jebsen-Taylor hand function test were conducted before and after the study. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in MFRT and TUG between the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). In the Jebsen-Taylor hand function test, there were significant differences between the groups for the items picking up small objects, stacking checkers, lifting large light objects, and lifting large heavy objects (p<0.05), but not for writing and stimulation of feeding. Significant differences were observed between the groups in items of card turning, lifting large light objects, and lifting heavy objects. CONCLUSION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a task-oriented upper extremity exercise program for dynamic balance and hand function performed in a sitting position with either stable or unstable support by cerebral palsy patients. There were improvements in the two groups, but performing the exercise while sitting on an unstable support surface had a greater effect on dynamic balance and hand function than exercise while sitting on a stable supporting surface. The results of this study can be used to improve the daily lives of cerebral palsy patients.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Arm , Cerebral Palsy , Hand , Lifting , Prospective Studies , Upper Extremity , WritingABSTRACT
The protective efficacy of a silkworm extract (SE) on N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinsonism and its possible mechanisms were studied in C57BL/6 mice. Mice were administrated intraperitoneally with SE (20 mg/kg/day) for 15 days and MPTP (10 mg/kg/day) was administrated subcutaneously into the mice for the first 6 consecutive days 1 hour before SE treatment. All animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last SE treatment. Then the parameters related to general toxicity and neurobiochemical markers, such as the dopamine level and the activities of monoamine oxidase (MAO)-B, were measured in various regions of the brain. Treatment of mice with SE effectively attenuated the MPTP-induced decline of striatal dopamine level. MAO-B activity in SE-pretreated mice was inhibited in whole brain, cerebellum and substantia nigra. These results suggest that SE plays an effective role in attenuating MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in animal model. These neuroprotective effects of SE are likely the result from the inhibitory effect on MAO-B activity in mouse brain.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine , Bombyx , Brain , Cerebellum , Dopamine , Models, Animal , Monoamine Oxidase , Neuroprotective Agents , Parkinsonian Disorders , Substantia NigraABSTRACT
The protective efficacy of a silkworm extract (SE) on N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinsonism and its possible mechanisms were studied in C57BL/6 mice. Mice were administrated intraperitoneally with SE (20 mg/kg/day) for 15 days and MPTP (10 mg/kg/day) was administrated subcutaneously into the mice for the first 6 consecutive days 1 hour before SE treatment. All animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last SE treatment. Then the parameters related to general toxicity and neurobiochemical markers, such as the dopamine level and the activities of monoamine oxidase (MAO)-B, were measured in various regions of the brain. Treatment of mice with SE effectively attenuated the MPTP-induced decline of striatal dopamine level. MAO-B activity in SE-pretreated mice was inhibited in whole brain, cerebellum and substantia nigra. These results suggest that SE plays an effective role in attenuating MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in animal model. These neuroprotective effects of SE are likely the result from the inhibitory effect on MAO-B activity in mouse brain.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine , Bombyx , Brain , Cerebellum , Dopamine , Models, Animal , Monoamine Oxidase , Neuroprotective Agents , Parkinsonian Disorders , Substantia NigraABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, sildenafil, has been effective against nociception. Several lines of evidence have demonstrated the role of the GABAergic pathway in the modulation of nociception. The impact of the GABA receptors on sildenafil was studied using the formalin test at the spinal level. METHODS: Male SD rats were prepared for intrathecal catheterization. The formalin test was induced by subcutaneous injection of formalin solution. The change in the activity of sildenafil was examined after pretreatment with GABA receptor antagonists (GABAA receptor antagonist, bicuculline; GABAB receptor antagonist, saclofen). RESULTS: Intrathecal sildenafil dose-dependently attenuated the flinching observed during phase 1 and 2 in the formalin test. The antinociceptive effect of sildenafil was reversed by the GABAB receptor antagonist (saclofen) but not by the GABAA receptor antagonist (bicuculline) in both phases. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal sildenafil suppressed acute pain and the facilitated pain state. The antinociception of sildenafil is mediated via the GABAB receptor, but not the GABAA receptor, at the spinal level.