ABSTRACT
Objective To quantitatively assess the cardiopulmonary exercise function of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients and observe the effect of aerobic exercise on cardiopulmonary function, motor function and activities of daily living. Methods From December, 2014 to June, 2016, 34 incomplete SCI patients (ASIA C and D) and 23 healthy controls received cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). SCI pa-tients were randomly divided into conventional rehabilitation group (n=17) and aerobic exercise group (n=17). The aerobic exercise group received aerobic exercise for four weeks. They were assessed with CPET, motor and sensory function, walking index for spinal cord injury II (WISCI II) and spinal cord independence measure (SCIM) before and four weeks after training. Results Oxygen uptake (VO2)peak, anaerobic threshold (AT), metabolic equivalent of energy (METpeak), VO2/heart rate (HR)peak, respiratory exchange rate (RER)peak, minute ventilation (VE)peak, work rate (WR)peak and systolic blood pressure (SBP)peak were lower in the patients than in the controls (t>2.714, P2.431, P3.282, P2.985, P<0.05). Conclusion The cardiopulmonary function decreased in incomplete SCI patients, which could be improved by moderate intensity aerobic exercise.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of aerobic exercise combined with routine rehabilitation therapy on cardiorespiratory exercise function and rehabilitation efficacy in stroke patients with hemiplegia.Methods Thirty consecutive stroke patients with the first-ever hemiplegia were enrolled prospectively.They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=13) or a control group (n=13) according to the random number table (n=15 in each group).Four patients withdrew,and finally 26 patients completed the study (n=13 in each group).The two groups of patients were given routine rehabilitation therapy.On the basis of routine rehabilitation therapy,the experimental group was also treated with aerobic exercise training,once a day,30 min each time for 4 weeks.The evaluations of cardiopulmonary exercise tests were performed on both groups before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment (peak oxygen uptake [VO2peak]),anaerobic threshold [AT],peak minute ventilation [VEpeak]),and motor function (Fugl-Meyer assessment scale [FMA],activities of daily living (Barthel index [BI]) were performed.The differences between the two groups before and after treatment were compared.Results (1)Cardiopulmonary exercise test results:Compared with before treatment,VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak were increased significantly (16±4 ml/[kg·min] vs.13±3 ml/[kg·min],12.9±2.5 kg·min vs.10.0±2.7 ml/[kg·min],41±12 L/min vs.34±9 L/min,t=9.668,4.328,and 3.662,respectively,all P0.05).The differences in VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak in the patients of the control group before and after treatment were 0.4 (0.2,0.6),0.1 (-0.5,0.7 ml/kg·min) and 0 (-2.5,5.0 L/min),respectively.The differences of VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak in patients of the experimental group before and after treatment were 3.0 (2.2,3.9 ml/[kg·min],2.7 (1.8,5.3 ml/[kg·min],and 7.0 (1.0,13.0 L/min),respectively.There were significant differences in VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak before and after treatment between the two groups (Z=4.287,3.721,and 2.236,respectively,P0.05).Conclusion On the basis of routine rehabilitation therapy,stroke patients with hemiplegia increasing aerobic exercise training may improve their cardiopulmonary exercise function.
ABSTRACT
Objective Toinvestigatetheeffectofrehabilitationrobothandontheupperlimbmotor functioninpatientswithstrokeandhemiplegia.Methods Theeffectsoftraditionalrehabilitation therapy or robot rehabilitation treatment of 15 stroke patients with hemiplegia were analyzed retrospectively. There were 4 females and 11 males. According to the group order,they were divided into either a robot rehabilitation group (n=8 )or a general rehabilitation group (n =7 ). The patients of the general rehabilitation group received general rehabilitation training at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine for 4 weeks,3 times a week,and 30 min for each time. At the same time,they also conducted family rehabilitation training,5 times a week,once for 1 h;the patients of the robot rehabilitation group received the general rehabilitation training for the same length of time as the general rehabilitation group,and they also performed robot rehabilitation training,5 times a week,once for 1 h. The patients of both groups were evaluated with the modified Ashworth scale (MAS )scores,Fugl-Meyer motor assessment of the upper extremity(FMA-UE),andWolfmotorfunctiontest(WMFT)beforeandaftertreatment.Results Compared with before training,the MAS score of the robot rehabilitation group was decreased significantly after four weeks of training. The time in WMFT was shortened significantly and the function score was improved obviously. The scores of upper extremity,hand score,and total FMA score in FMA-UE were improved significantly,and there were significant differences (all P 0. 05). Comparing the effects after four weeks of rehabilitation in both groups,the robot rehabilitation group was superior to the general rehabilitationgroupforthehandscoreinFMA-UE(allP<0.05).Conclusion Therehabilitation robot hand effectively lowered the upper limb spasticity. It has significant effect for recovery motor function of hand;however,it did not have a significant effect for motor rehabilitation on wrist.