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Objective:To compare the immediate effectiveness of elbow forearm support with that of a traditional shoulder sling in reducing glenohumeral subluxation (GHS) after a stroke.Methods:Eight stroke survivors with GHS were randomized to receive either 30 minutes of intervention of an elbow forearm support treatment or a traditional shoulder sling treatment twice within 24 hours. Their healthy and affected shoulders were X-rayed before and right after the treatment is ongoing as well as after the end of the 30 min of treatment. The vertical (VD) and horizontal (HD) distances from the lower edge of the acromion to the center of the humeral head were measured. The satisfaction of the patients and their relatives was surveyed.Results:The average VD and HD improved significantly more after wearing the elbow forearm support. Moreover, the patients and their relatives expressed greater satisfaction with the elbow forearm support.Conclusion:Either an elbow forearm support or a traditional shoulder sling will have an immediate effect in reducing shoulder subluxation, but the elbow forearm support is more effective and gives greater satisfaction.
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Objective:To explore the suitability of using Rasch analysis to transform scores on the Activities and Participation component of the ICF Rehabilitation Set.Methods:Between January and May 2017, five hundred and fifteen post-acute rehabilitation patients were recruited in 13 research centers through quota sampling. Specially-trained health professionals used the Activities and Participation component of the ICF Rehabilitation Set to collect data. Rasch analysis was performed using RUMM 2030 software to test for goodness of fit, threshold estimates, and local dependency.Results:Of the five hundred and fifteen participants, 279 (54.2%) had a neurological condition, 119 (23.1%) a cardiopulmonary condition, 49 (10.0%) a musculoskeletal condition, and 68 (13.2%) some other condition. After Rasch analysis, the Activities and Participant component of the ICF Rehabilitation Set was divided into two domains: Activities, and Participation with 9 categories under activities and five under participation.Conclusions:After rescoring the response options, deleting four poorly-fitting categories and generating one testlet, it was found that the activities and participation component the ICF Rehabilitation Set can be divided into two outcome measures to be applied in clinical practice.
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Objective To investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) of the resting brain function network in patients in a minimal conscious state (MCS) so as to explore the mechanism.Methods Eleven MCS patients were selected.Among them,there were 9 males and 2 females,10 with cerebral trauma and 1 with cerebral hemorrhage,with an average age of (37.3±8.4) and an average course of disease of (3.4±0.1) months.All subjects were given a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) assessment prior to the single tDCS treatment,followed by a 20-minute single sham tDCS treatment at a time.After single-sham stimulation,a second time rs-fMRI assessment test will be conducted,followed by a real tDCS treatment for 20 minutes.Eventually,a third time rs-fMRI assessment test will be implemented.Results No significant statistical difference was shown in terms of all the parameters after single shamtDCS as compared to those before the treatment (P＞0.05).After single real-tDCS,no significant change was observed with CRS-R score,ALFF of default network (left anterior wedge),the frontal-parietal network (left fróntal lobe,right superior gyms),sensory motor network (left auxiliary motor area),subcortical network (right thalamus,bilateral caudate nuclei) was significantly higher than that before treatment,while the ALFF of the frontal network (frontal lobe) and auditory network (bilateral temporal lobes) was significantly decreased (P＜0.05).After single real-tDCS,the ALFF of default network (right frontal lobe) was significantly enhanced compared to that after single sham-tDCS (P＜0.05),while that of the salient network (left insula) and sensorimotor network (right central frontal) was significantly decreased (P＜0.05).Conclusion The enhancement of ALFF activity in the resting state brain function network is a possible neural mechanism for tDCS to promote the recovery of consciousness level in pa tients with minimal conscious state.
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Objective To explore the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the walking function of patients with early Parkinson's disease.Methods Thirty patients with early Parkinson's disease were randomly divided into an intervention group (n =15) and a control group (n =15).In addition to routine treatment,both groups were apparently provided with tDCS,though the current intensity for the intervention group was 2mA and that of the control group was zero.Both groups were treated for 20min every day for 5 days in succession.Before and after the treatment,all of the patients were evaluated using the timed up and go test (TUGT) and their gaits were analyzed to determine step velocity,cadence and width.Results Before and after the treatment there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of average TUGT time,though the average TUGT time had decreased significantly compared with before the treatment.Before the treatment there were no significant differences between the two groups in average step velocity,cadence or width.After the treatment,significant improvements were observed only in the intervention group.The average step width of the intervention group was then significantly bigger than that of the control group.Conclusion Transcranial direct current stimulation can improve the walking function and stability of early Parkinson's patients.
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Objective To observe and compare the effect of training using an electric standing bed or a dy-namic electric standing bed on the auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) in the brainstems of healthy people. Methods Twenty healthy people were divided into a common group ( n=10) and a dynamic group ( n=10) . The common group accepted training using an electric standing bed, while the dynamic group accepted training using a dynamic electric standing bed. Before and after the training, BAEPs were measured and compared using variance analysis. Results The latencies of the I, III and V waves among the common group were not significantly different from those of the dy-namic group before the training. After the training, however, the average wave V latency was significantly shorter than that in the common group. After the training there were, however, no significant differences in the I-III, I-V or III-V interpeak latencies in the common group, nor in the I-III interpeak latency in the dynamic group compared with before the training. In the dynamic group the average I-V and III-V interpeak latencies after the training were significantly shorter than those beforehand. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the I-III, I-V or II-V interpeak latency after the training. Conclusion Compared with training using an electric standing bed, a dynamic electric standing bed gives significantly greater improvement in the latency and interpeak latency of BAEP waves.
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@#Objective To explore the effect of electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) of the upper extremity in healthy subjects. Methods From October, 2015 to April, 2016, ten healthy young volunteers were selected. Each of the subjects was randomly treated with electroacupuncture and TEAS. Before and after treatment, the latency and amplitude of N20 and N9 of SEP were detected. Results After electroacupuncture, the latency of N20 prolonged in the stimulated side (Z=-2.620, P<0.01); the latency of N9 prolonged (Z=-2.454, P<0.05), and the amplitude of N9 decreased (Z=-2.330, P<0.05) in the non-stimulated side. After TEAS, the latencies of N9 both in the stimulated side and the non-stimulated side prolonged (Z>2.695, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the D-value of latency and amplitude of N20 and N9 in both two sides between two treatments (Z<1.817, P>0.05). Conclusion Both electroacupuncture and TEAS could affect the latency and amplitude of N20 and N9, and no difference was found between two treatments.
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Objective To investigate the impact flat deformity of the cerebral cortex induced by congenital hydrocephalus on motor functioning and cognition.Methods Tomography was used to confirm the presence of flat cortex deformity in three congenital hydrocephalus patients ranging in age from 20 to 33.Their motor control,balance,cognition and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA),the Berg balance scale (BBS),the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the modified Barthel index (MBI).Speech dysfunction was judged on the basis of clinical communication.The patients were scanned using a 64-slice spiral CT and size-of-ventricle indices were calculated.Results All 3 patients underwent ventrideperitoneal shunt.Their FMA scores were 75.5,83 and 100,with BBS scores of 4,24 and 56,MMSE scores of 14,23 and 26,and the MBIs of 40,90 and 100.CT images showed obvious ventricle enlargement and a thinner cortex layer in all three,with the thinnest part 0.18 cm,0.22 cm and 0.57 cm.Their ventricle indexes were 303％,288％ and 192％,respectively.Conclusion Although there is no systematic rehabilitation therapy for such patients,their motor,cognition and speech functioning were good,indicating the great potential for plasticity of the human brain.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects and duration of electroacupuncture on the mechanical pain threshold induced by paclitaxel and explore its analgesic mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-four C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, a normal+sham EA group, a normal+EA group, a medicine+sham EA(Med+ sham EA) group, a medicine + EA (Med + EA) group, 16 cases in each group. The model of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy was established with paclitaxel intraperitoneal injection on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th day in the Med + sham EA group and the Med + EA group. EA of 30 min was used on bilateral "Zusanli (ST 36)" on the 9th, 11th, 13th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 30th day in the EA groups, 2 Hz/100 Hz and 1~ 1.5 mA. Acupuncture was applied on the same acupoint at the same times in the sham EA groups. Mechanical pain thresholds were tested by VonFrey before and after model establishment, namely on the 8th, 14th; 21st and, 28th day. The heart blood of 8 mice was drawn quickly to collect serum in every group on the 31st day, and the contents of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in proinflammatory cytokine were examined by ELISA. Mechanical pain thresholds were tested by VonFrey for the rest 8 mice of each group until there was no apparent difference in the two paclitaxel groups once a week,namely on the 35th, 42nd, 49th day.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pain thresholds of each group were not statistically different before model establishment (P > 0.05). After model establishment (on the 8th day), thresholds of the paclitaxel groups were lower than those of the normal groups (all P < 0.05). After EA, the mechanical pain thresholds of the Med + EA group were higher than those of the Med + sham EA group at all the time points, and there was statistical difference on the 14th, 21st and 28th day (all P < 0.05). The analgesic effect was lasting to the 49th day. The contents of TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β of the Med + EA group were decreased than those of the Med+sham EA group in different degree, with statistical significance of IL-1α (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA can effectively treat paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy,and the analgesic mechanism is probably related to decreasing the proinflammatory cytokine.</p>
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Animals , Humans , Male , Mice , Acupuncture Points , Antineoplastic Agents , Electroacupuncture , Interleukin-1beta , Genetics , Metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Neoplasms , Drug Therapy , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases , Genetics , Metabolism , Therapeutics , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , Genetics , MetabolismABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on motor function and on the expression, proliferation, migration and differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) after cerebral ischemia.Methods Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used to induce a model of cerebral ischemia in 108 rats using the modified Zea-Longa method of intraluminal filament occlusion.They were then randomly divided into an FES group, a placebo stimulation group and a control group with 36 cases in each.Superficial FES electrodes were pasted on the paralyzed forelimbs of the rats in the first two groups, though FES treatment was administered only to the FES group beginning on the 3rd day after the MCAO operation.The stimulation was designed to produce extension of the wrist and digits of the paralyzed forelimb.Before, and after 1,3, 7 and 14 days of the treatment, the neurological deficit was evaluated using modified neurological severity scoring (mNSS).BrdU +/GFAP+, BrdU+/DCX+ and BrdU+/NeuN + cells in the SVZ were detected using immunofluorescence technique.Results After 7 and 14 days of treatment, the average motor function of the rats in the FES group had improved significantly when compared with the averages of the other two groups.Compared with the other two groups, the average number of BrdU +/GFAP+ positive cells in the ischemic SVZ was also significantly greater in the FES group after 7 and 14 days of treatment.After 14 days, BrdU +/Dcx + positive cells in the FES group had also increased significantly more,but only a few BrdU +/NeuN + cells had appeared in any of the three groups.Conclusion FES can improve motor function after cerebral ischemia, and promote proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in the SVZ.
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Objective To study the effects of different types of exercise training on learning and memory, as well as on the expression of synaptophysin (SYP) and on postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) in rats in which a model of vascular dementia had been created.Methods Forty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into a voluntary exercise group (V-EX) , a forced exercise group (F-EX) , an involuntary exercise group (I-EX) , a vascular dementia group (VD) and a sham-operation group (Sham) , with 8 rats in each group.Two-vessel occlusion (2-VO) of the arteria carotis communis was used to create a model of vascular dementia in all of the rats except those in the sham-operation group.Beginning one week after the surgery, the V-Ex rats were free to run in a running wheel.The F-EX rats were forced to run 270 m a day in an electric wheel.The I-EX rats were stimulated to imitate the gait pattern of their forelimbs running at 9 m/min three times a day for l0 minutes each time.No special training was given to the rats in the other 2 groups.Three weeks after the surgery, their learning and memory were tested using a novel object recognition test.Immediately after the test, their prefrontal cortex was sampled and the expression of SYP and PSD-95 was detected using western blotting.Results The average novel object recognition indices of the rats in the V-EX, F-EX and I-EX groups were all significantly higher than that of the VD group.Average PSD-95 expression was also significandy higher than in the VD group.Conclusion Exercise, whether voluntary, forced or induced by functional electrical stimulation can improve learning and memory in vascular dementia, at least in rats.The mechanism is possibly that the training can increase the expression of PSD-95 in the prefrontal cortex, though not SYP.
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Objective To investigate whether functional electrical stimulation (FES) can improve the expression of proteins in the NMDAR1-pGLuR1 pathway so as to promote the recovery of motor function and sensation after stroke.Methods Eighty-one Wistar rats were used to make a photochemical brain model of local ischemia.Rats were randomly assigned into a sham, placebo stimulation or FES group.Rats in the placebo and FES groups had local ischemia induced in the M1 zone of the brain using the photosensitive dye Bengal rose.It was administered intravenously and a laser beam was then stereotactically positioned on the skull.The rats in the FES groups were stimulated for 30 minutes (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, then 10 minutes on).The placebo group's treatment was similar, but without the electric current.The rats in the sham group received no intervention.The cylinder test and the adhesive-removal test were used to test the rats' motor function and sensation before the operation and before they were sacrificed.Cohorts were sacrificed after 3, 7 and 14 days of intervention.NMDA receptor and AMPA receptor were detected in the peri-ischemic cortex using western blotting.Results After 7 and 14 days the index of forelimb motor function in the cylinder test of the FES group was significantly better than that of the placebo group.The average adhesive-removal time of the FES group was also significantly faster compared with the placebo group.After 7 days the average expression of NMDAR1 in the FES group was significantly higher than in the placebo group.The average expression of GluR1 and pGluR1 in the FES group was significantly higher than in the placebo group after 14 days.Conclusion Functional electrical stimulation can improve motor function after ischemia through the NMDARAMPAR signal pathway, at least in rats.
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Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the hippocampal expression of GluA1,pGluA1,CaMK Ⅱ and pCaMK Ⅱ in rats with vascular dementia(VD),so as to find out the underlying mo lecular mechanisms of EA in treating VD.Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into a shamoperation group,a model group,a sham-acupuncture group,and an EA group (8 in each group).Permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion was performed to model vascular dementia in the model group,the shamacupuncture group and the EA group,while exposure but no occlusion of the bilateral common carotid were performed in the sham-operating group.Novel object recognition test was adopted to prove the establishment of VD rat model.All the rats were kept in an immobilization apparatus while receiving treatments.EA was applied ontoBaihui (GV20) and Zusanli (ST36) in EA group for 30 min,once daily for 7 days.Sham-acupuncture group were treated with needles inserted 0.5 mm superficially.And the sham-operation group and the model group were only immobilized.The protein expression of GluA1,pGluA1,CaMK Ⅱ and pCaMK Ⅱ in hippocampal tissue was detected by western blotting.Results The expression of GluA1 in the model group (1.216 ± 0.102) was significantly less than in the sham-operating group (1.918 ± 0.137) (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of GluA1 in the EA group (1.653 ± 0.169) was significantly higher than in the model group (1.216 ± 0.102) and in sham-acupuncture group (1.231 ±0.188) (P＜0.05).The expression of CaMKⅡ in the model group (1.516±0.392) was less than in the sham-operating group (2.187 ± 0.231) (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of CaMK Ⅱ in the EA group (2.733 ±0.387) was significantly higher than in the model group (1.516 ±0.392) and sham-acupuncture group (1.493 ±0.205) (P＜0.05).The expression ofpGluA1 in the model group (1.502 ±0.419) was less than in the sham-operating group (2.253 ± 0.244) (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of pGluA1 in the EA group (2.382 ± 0.308) was significantly higher than in the model group (1.502 ± 0.419) and the sham-acupuncture group (1.498 ± 0.223) (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of pCaMK Ⅱ in the model group (0.394 ± 0.227) was less than in the sham-operating group (0.667 ±0.175) (P＜0.05).The expression ofpCaMKⅡ in the EA group (1.189± 0.346) was significantly higher than in the model group (0.394 ± 0.227) and the sham-acupuncture group (0.408 ± 0.231) (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion EA can enhance the protein expression and phosporylation of GluA1 and CaMK Ⅱ,causing silent synapses transforming into functional synapses,and consequently,long term potentiation was facilitated and cognitive impairment was improved by EA.
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Objective To observe the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) based on a normal walking pattern on the lower extremity function of subjects early after cerebral infarction.Methods Twenty patients with cerebral infarction aged (59.7 ± 10.1) years (range 45-80) who were hospitalized and within 3 months (31.1 ± 19.3 days) after the onset were randomly assigned to an FES group (n =11) or a placebo stimulation group (n =9).All subjects in both groups received standard medical and rehabilitation treatment.In addition,the FES group received FES and the placebo group received sham-FES without current output.The daily stimulation and shamstimulation sessions lasted for 30 min,5 d/week for 3 weeks.All of the subjects in the two groups were assessed using the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA),postural assessment for stroke patients (PASS),the Berg balance scale (BBS),functional ambulation categories (FACs) and the modified Barthel index (MBI).Results After 3 weeks of treatment,FMA,PASS,BBS and MBI scores had all improved significantly compared with before treatment in both groups,but the FES group showed significantly better improvement.After treatment the average FAC results of both groups had improved,and there was no significant difference between the two groups.At the same time,the research revealed the expected significant correlations among the FMA,PASS,BBS and MBI results.Conclusion FES based on a normal walking pattern can improve lower extremity motor function early after cerebral infarction,improve balance,and improve ability in the activities of daily living.
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Objective To investigate the effects of repeated high frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on spatial learning and memory function,and on long-term potentiation (LTP) after global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion,and to explore the mechanisms involved.Methods Eighty-three male Wistar rats were studied.Five were tested to determine their average motor threshold (Tm).The others were divided into a normal control group,a cerebral ischemia and reperfusion model group and an rTMS group.Cerebral ischemia was induced with the four vessel occlusion method for 10 minutes.The rTMS treatment protocol (10 Hz stimulation for 5 s at the resting threshold,twice a day) was applied over a 2-week period from day 3 post-operation.The Morris water maze test was performed to observe spatial learning and memory at post-operation day 2 and day 4.The field excitatory postsynaptic potentials,population spike and the magnitude of long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by theta burst electric stimulation were recorded from the perforant path to the dentate gyrus (PP-DG).Results At post-operation day 3,rats in the untreated cerebral ischemia and reperfusion model group exhibited a significant decrease in the magnitude of the PP-DG LTP as compared to the normal group.No significant difference in LTP was found between the model group and the rTMS group.After the 2 weeks of treatment the LTP levels in the rTMS treated group were significantly higher than in the two untreated groups.In the Morris water maze testing,the average escape latency in the rTMS group was significantly shorter than that of the cerebral ischemia and reperfusion model group (which was not treated).In the probe trials,the time in the original quadrant of the platform and the time of crossing the platform were both significantly less for the rTMS-treated rats than for those not treated.Conclusions High frequency rTMS can improve spatial learning and memory after global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion by enhancing the LTP induced in the hippocampus.High frequency rTMS might exert this beneficial effect by modulating the function of intermediate neurons in the hippocampal neuronal network and by promoting neurotransmitter release.
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Objective To investigate the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on motor function and the expression of bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) + and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) + in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of rats with acute cerebral infarction,and to explore it's mechanism. Methods A rat model of cerebral infarction was established using Longa's technique for middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with an intraluminal filament.The rats were randomly divided into a FES group,a placebo stimulation group and a control group.In each group,rats were randomly allocated into 1 d,3 d,7 d and 14 d subgroups (6 rats/subgroup).Superficial electrodes were pasted on the paralyzed forelimbs of rats in the FES group for connecting with the FES instrument,and FES treatment was carried out with a current of 4-5 mA for 15 min on the third day after the MCAO operation to produce extension of the wrist and the digits of the paralyzed forelimb.The rats in the placebo stimulation group were pasted with electrodes,but no FES was administered and they received no other treatment.Neurological deficits were evaluated using the modified neurological severity score (mNSS) before treatment and on the 1 st,3rd,7th,and 14th day after treatment. BrdU and GFAP positive cells in the SVZ were detected by immunofluorescence techniques.Results After 7 or 14 days the motor function of rats in the FES group had improved significantly compared with the placebo stimulation and control groups.Compared with the other two groups,the expression levels of BrdU+ and GFAP+ cells in the ischemic SVZ in the FES group were significantly higher at the 3rd,7th and 14th day.Conclusion FES can improve motor function after acute cerebral infarction and also promote the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in the SVZ.
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Objective To observe the effects on somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) of multichannel functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the legs based on a normal walking pattern,and to compare the effects with two-channel functional electrical stimulation.Methods Thirteen healthy young volunteers (6males and 7 females) were randomly assigned to receive 2 sessions of either two-channel FES for 30 minutes or four-channel FES for 15min with a 3-day interval between the two treatment sessions.The latencies and amplitudes of the N9 and P40 SEPs were recorded before and after every treatment.All the treatments were carried out on the right lower limbs.Results Thirteen healthy young volunteers (6males and 7 females) were randomly assigned to receive 2 sessions of either two-channel FES for 30 minutes or four-channel FES for 15 min with a 3-day interval between the two treatment sessions.The latencies and amplitudes of the N9 and P40 SEPs were recorded before and after every treatment.All the treatments were carried out on the right lower limbs.Conclusions The N9 latency with four-channel FES is remarkably shorter than that with two-channel FES on the legs of healthy young subjects,suggesting that multichannel functional electrical stimulation based on the normal human walking pattern can activate brain cells faster.
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Objective To study the effects of functional electric stimulation(FES) on neural function recovery and expression of nestin around cerebral infract area of rats with acute stroke.Methods The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) of male adult SD rats was established with the method of modified intraluminal filament occlusion.Sixty successfully established model rats were randomly allocated into FES group, placebo group and control group(20/group).Three days after MCAO' s surgery, rats in FES group were treated with FES device while the ones in placebo stimulation group were treated with the same FES device but without electrical output.Rats in control group had no treatment.All groups were randomly assigned into 4 subgroups according to treatment time:1 d,3 d ,7 d and 14 d (5/subgroup).The modified neurological severity score(mNSS) was adopted to evaluate neural function recovery before and after treatment in 4 time points as mentioned above.Meanwhile,the nestin expression in various time points was detected by immunohistochemistry stain in distant area of ipsilateral cortex of infarction.Results The mNSS sours in FES group is lower than that in placebo simulation group and control group at the 7 thd and 14thd (P < 0.05 ) ;The expression of nestin-positive cells in distant area of ipsilateral cortex of infarction of rats in FES group is higher than that in placebo stimulation group and control group ( P < 0.05 ).Conclusions FES may improve the recovery of neural function in the earlier stage of cerebral infarction.FES treatment could improve the expression of nesitin around cerebral infarct area and it could be one of the mechanisms of FES' s effect.
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Objective To compare the effects of three different training patterns of MOTOmed training on the somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) of healthy youths. Methods Ten healthy young volunteers received training in patterned sequences of passive movement, active movement with no resistance and active movement with resistance. Each pattern lasted for 30 minutes and SEPs were examined before and after 90 minutes of training. The amplitude and latency of N9 and P40 were recorded. Results All three training patterns heightened SEP amplitude and lengthened SEP latency, but active training had the most obvious effect on amplitude. The rates of change of am-plitude after each training pattern had significant differences, which was most obvious after training the resistance training pattern. Conclusions MOTOmed motor training can excite the cerebral cortex and up-regulate SEP ampli-tude. Active movement with resistance is the most effective among the three patterns tested.
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Objective To observe the effects of low frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) on the proliferation of endogenous brain neural stem cells (NSCs) and on the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in rats with acute cerebral infarction; to explore the therapeutic mechanism of LFES in improving neural function. Methods Fifty-four rats were randomly divided into a LFES group, a placebo stimulation group and a sham-operated group. Each group was further divided into 3rd day, 7th day and 14th day subgroups, with 6 rats in each subgroup. An acute cerebral infarction model was induced in the rats of the LFES and placebo stimulation groups by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Three days after the operation, rats in the LFES group began LFES treatment (frequency 30 Hz, pulse width 250 μs, current intensity 3 mA, 10 min/d) ,while the placebo stimulation group was treated identically but without electricity. The rats in the sham-operated group had no special treatment. The expression of nestin positive cells in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The expression of bFGF, EGF proteins and mRNA in the ischemic hemisphere was detected by Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis. A screen test was applied to evaluate motor function. Results Nestin-positive cells in the subgranular and subventricular zones of rats in the LFES group increased significantly more than in the placebo stimulation group at the 7th and 14th day. The expression of bFGF, EGF proteins and mRNA in the ischemic hemisphere was up-regulated compared to the placebo stimulation group at the 7th and 14th day. At the 14th day a difference in motor function was observed in rats in the LFES group compared with the placebo stimulation group. Conclusion LFES can promote the proliferation of endogenous brain NSCs and the expression of bFGF and EGF in rats with acute cerebral infarction. It can also improve motor function and enhance neural plasticity in the brain.
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Objective: To study validity and reliability of Wolf motor function test (WMFT) on assessing the upper extremities motor function of acute stroke patients so as to guide clinical application. Method: Twenty-three stroke patients in acute stage participated in the study. Patients were assessed twice with WMFT and the upper extremities motor function test of Fugl-Meyer movement assessment (U-FMA) within one week. The correlation between the assessment results of WMFT and U-FMA were analyzed to study the validity and reliability of WMFT. Result: WMFT was highly correlated with U-FMA in total scores (r =0.922, 0.929, P＜0.001). There were high correlation in all items of WMFT between two assessment sessions. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were 0.989, 0.997 for intrarater and 0.980, 0.991 for interrater. Conclusion: The WMFT is valid and reliable on assessing upper extremities motor function of stroke patients in acute stage.