ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of robot-assisted therapy combined with electromyographic biofeedback (EMGBF) on upper limb function after stroke.Methods Thirty acute stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups of 15.The patients in the control group received a conventional rehabilitation program and EMGBF.The patients in the treatment group received robot-assisted therapy for 30 minutes daily,6 days a week for 3 weeks combined with EMGBF on the basis of the conventional rehabilitation program.Upper limb motor function and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed with the Fugl-Meyer upper extremity assessment (FMA) and a functional independence measure (FIM) before treatment,at 3 weeks and 3 months after treatment.Results After treatment the FMA and FIM scores of both groups were significantly better than before treatment.At 3 weeks after treatment there was no significant difference in the average FMA scores of the two groups,but at 3 months after treatment the patients in the treatment group had significantly better scores.No significant differences in FIM scores were observed at 3 weeks or 3 months.Conclusions Robot-assisted therapy combined with EMGBF can improve upper limb motor function significantly in acute stroke patients,and more effectively than EMGBF.But no significant advantage in improvement in ADL performance was observed with Robot-assisted therapy combined with EMGBF over EMGBF.
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@#ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect of moxibustion on heat-sensitive acupoints on Bell's palsy.Methods102 patients with Bell's palsy were divided into observation group (n=52) and control group(n=50). The observation group was treated by moxibustion on the heat-sensitive acupoints plus physical therapy and medication, and the control group was only treated by physical therapy and medication. The therapeutic effect was assessed according to score of facial nerve function before and after the treatment.ResultsThe curative rate of 88.5% in the observation group was better than 62% in the control group. After treatment, the scores significantly improved in two groups (P<0.001), and were significantly better in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01).ConclusionMoxibustion on the heat-sensitive acupoints has a high therapeutic effect on Bell's palsy.
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@#ObjectiveTo study the effect of partial body-weight support and treadmill training in subacute stroke patients.Methods40 stroke patients were randomly arranged into 3 groups: group A (n=14) accepted 8 weeks of routine physical therapy, group B (n=13) accepted additional 6 weeks partial body-weight support and treadmill training at the 3rd week, group C (n=13) accepted additional 3 weeks partial body-weight support and treadmill training at the 6th week. The patients were evaluated with Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Physical Performance(FMA), Barthel Idex(BI) and the Berg Balance Scale(BBS). ResultsThe functional outcome of the initial evaluation with FMA, BI and BBS were no-significantly different, 8 weeks later, that of group B were better than that of group A and group C (P<0.05～0.01), and that of group C were better than that of group A (P<0.05).ConclusionEarly treatment of partial body-weight support and treadmill training can help to improve the lower extremities function.