Effect of brain-computer interface training based on motor imagery on hand function for subacute stroke patients / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of brain-computer interface (BCI) training based on motor imagery on hand function in hemiplegic patients with subacute stroke. MethodsFrom June, 2020 to December, 2021, 40 patients with hemiplegia in subacute stroke from Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were divided into control group (n = 20) and experimental group (n = 20) using random number table. Both groups accepted medication and routine comprehensive rehabilitation, while the control group accepted hand rehabilitation robot training, and the experimental group accepted the robot training using motor imagery-based BCI, for four weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE), modified Barthel Index, modified Ashworth scale, and measured integrated electromyogram of the superficial finger flexors, finger extensors and short thumb extensors of the affected forearm during maximum isometric voluntary contraction with surface electromyography. ResultsTwo patients in the control group and one in the experimental group dropped off. All the indexes improved in both groups after treatment (t > 2.322, Z > 2.631, P < 0.05), and they were better in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.227, Z > 2.078, P < 0.05), except the FMA-UE score of wrist. ConclusionMotor imagery-based BCI training is more effective on hand function and activities of daily living in hemiplegic patients with subacute stroke.

Effects of viscosity and head position on the surface electromyography of the suprahyoid muscles during swallowing / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of swallowing fluids of different viscosities in different head positions on the surface electromyography (sEMG) of the suprahyoid muscles.Methods:Twenty healthy adults were asked to swallow 5ml of liquids with 5 different viscosities in 3 different head positions. sEMG signals were recorded from their suprahyoid muscles in real time. The interactions between viscosity, head position and suprahyoid muscle activation were determined using simple effect analysis.Results:Significant head position and viscosity effects were observed. In the head-turning-right or the right head-flexion position, the net amplitude values of the left suprahyoid muscles were significantly higher than those from the right side when swallowing fluid of the same viscosity. Meanwhile, the net amplitude values of the left suprahyoid muscles increased gradually and significantly from the neutral position to the head-turning-right and the right head-flexion positions. When swallowing fluid with a viscosity of 0 to 3, the net amplitude values of the right suprahyoid muscles in the right head-flexion position were significantly lower than in the neutral and right head-flexion positions. With a viscosity of 4 the values of the former were significantly higher than the latter. The net amplitude of the left superhyoid muscle group when swallowing zero-viscosity food in a head-turning-right position was significantly lower than that when swallowing food of viscosity 1 to 4. In the right head-flexion position, the net amplitude of the left superhyoid muscle group when swallowing zero-viscosity food was significantly lower than that when swallowing food of viscosity 2 to 4. When swallowing fluid of viscosity 1 it was also significantly lower than that when swallowing food of viscosity 3 to 4. In the same position, the net amplitude of the right suprhyoid muscle group when swallowing fluid of viscosity 4 was significantly higher than that with a viscosity of 0 to 1. At viscosity 3 it was significantly higher than with a viscosity of 1.Conclusion:Swallowing fluids of different viscosities in different head positions can affect the contraction of the suprahyoid muscles to different degrees.

Effects of iliopsoas tensile vibration training on the walking ability of stroke survivors / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To observe the effect of iliopsoas tensile vibration training on the walking ability of stroke survivors.Methods Thirty stroke survivors were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,each of 15.Both groups were given traditional rehabilitation treatment,while the observation group was additionally provided with iliopsoas tensile vibration training.Both groups were evaluated in terms of the root mean square (RMS) of iliopsoas,active range of motion (A-ROM) of the hip joint,the kinematic parameters of gait and Berg balance scale (BBS) scores before and after the 4-week treatment.Results Before the treatment there were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the measurements.After the treatment improvement in all of the measurements was observed in both groups,with the average RMS iliopsoas,A-ROM,step length,step velocity and BBS score of the observation group significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusions Tensile vibration training of the iliopsoas can significantly improve the muscle excitability of the affected iliopsoas in stroke survivors,and improve their balance and walking ability.

Vibration therapy helps relieve spasticity and improve upper limb motor function after stroke / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To observe the effect of variable frequency vibration therapy while sitting in an anti-spasmodic posture on spasticity and the motor function of the upper limbs among stroke survivors.Methods Thirty stroke survivors with upper limb spasticity were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,each of 15.Both groups were given routine rehabilitation training for 4 weeks while the treatment group was additionally provided with variable frequency vibration training while sitting in anti-spasmodic postures.Before and after the treatment,the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) was used to assess spasticity.The root mean square (RMS) value of the surface electromyogram amplitude of the affected biceps when extended passively and those of the triceps,obliques and multifidus in maximum isometric contraction was measured and recorded.The motor function of the affected upper limbs was evaluated using the active range of motion (A-ROM) of the shoulder,elbow and wrist,as well as a Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA).Moreover,ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed using the modified Barthel index (MBI).Results After the treatment,significant improvement was observed in the average MAS,A-ROM,RMS,FMA and MBI results in both groups compared to those before the treatment.Moreover,the results in the treatment group were significantly better than those of the control group,on average.Conclusions Variable frequency vibration therapy while sitting in an anti-spasmodic posture combined with traditional rehabilitation is more effective than the latter alone in relieving spasticity as well as improving motor function and ability in the activities of daily living among stroke survivors with the upper limb spasticity.