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ObjectiveTo investigate the changes of surface electromyography (sEMG) of the flexors and extensors of the affected fingers after manual digitorum sensory stimulation (MDSS) in the hemiplegic patients after stroke. MethodsFrom April to August, 2020, 50 stroke patients in Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University accepted MDSS on the nail beds and the third knuckles of affected fingers, until the fingers extended actively. The tension of affected flexor pollicis brevis, flexor digitorum superficialis and extensor digitorum were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) before and immediately after stimulation; while the root mean square (RMS) of sEMG of bilateral flexor pollicis brevis, flexor digitorum superficialis and extensor digitorum were recorded. ResultsThe MAS score of all the muscles decreased after stimulation (|Z| > 2.699, P < 0.01), while the RMS of affected extensor digitorum increased (t = -2.069, P < 0.05). Compared with the unaffected ones, RMS of affected flexor pollicis brevis and extensor digitorum decreased before and after stimulation (t > 2.450, P < 0.05). ConclusionMDSS may immediately relieve the spasm of flexors of hemiplegic fingers after stroke, which associates with the promoting muscle strength of the extensors.
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@#Objective To demonstrate the changes in flexor digitorum and extensor digitorum tension in the affected hands with shear-wave elastography (SWE) before and after manual digitorum sensory stimulation (MDSS) in hemiplegic patients with stroke. Methods A total of 51 hemiplegic post-stroke inpatients in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University from April to June, 2020, underwent MDSS completed by a researcher who used a bare thumb and index finger to squeeze each nail bed as well as the sides of each fingertip in the affected hand. The stimulation intensity was the minimum that could cause finger extension without obvious pain, and the interval between two stimulations was five to ten seconds. Muscular tension of the flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and shear-wave velocity (SWV) of SWE on the affected side before and immediately after MDSS. MAS score was -1 as low muscular tension. Results The MAS scores of all the muscles significantly reduced after MDSS (|Z| > 2.843, P < 0.001); while the changes of SWV were not significantly in all the muscles with initially MAS score of 0 or -1 (t < 1.052, P > 0.05), and it reduced in those muscles with initial MAS scores of one to three (t > 2.672, P < 0.05). The SWV were positively correlated with the MAS scores both before and after MDSS (r > 0.334, P < 0.05). Conclusion MDSS can effectively, immediately, and safely relieves muscle spasms of the flexor digitorum and facilitate active finger extension in the affected hand for hemiplegic patients with stroke. SWE is useful for quantitatively and objectively evaluating muscular tension in the affected hand for hemiplegic patients with stroke.
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Objective:To analyze retrospectively the risk factors for pulmonary infection after traumatic cervical spinal cord injury.Methods:The 154 patients with a cervical spinal cord injury studied included 120 with a pulmonary infection and 34 uninfected controls. Regressions were evaluated using data on their genders, ages, the cause of injury, affected segments, the neurological level of the injury (NLI), and the presence of a vertebral fracture or dislocation.Results:Age, complete injury, NLI at C 1 to C 4, and an injury-to-treatment time of more than 8 hours were found to be independent risk factors for secondary pulmonary infection. Conclusion:Elderly spinal cord injury patients, with a complete injury, an NLI between C 1 and C 4 or an injury-to-treatment time of more than 8 hours have a higher risk of pulmonary infection.
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Objective@#To observe the clinical utility of continuous passive movement (CPM) of the ankle joint in treating children with cerebral palsy and foot valgus.@*Methods@#Thirty-six children with cerebral palsy and foot valgus were divided into a control group, a non-continuous passive exercise (NCPM) group and a CPM group with 12 children (24 feet) in each group. The NCPM and CPM groups were given conventional rehabilitation treatment for the first 20 days and then home rehabilitation for a further 10 days. The CPM group additionally received CPM treatment during the first 20 days. The control group was only given home rehabilitation for 30 days. Each subject′s plantar pressures were measured along with GMFM-88 scores for "standing" and "walking, running and jumping" before the treatment and 2 and 4 months later.@*Results@#There was no significant difference in the average values of the output measures among the control group before and after the treatment. After four months, significantly better improvement was observed in the average percentages of medial forefoot (MMF) pressure among the NCPM group compared with the CPM group. There were also significant differences between the two groups in the [initial contact phase(ICP) + forefoot contact phase(FFCP)] and foot flat phase (FFP) percentages, as well as in the standing, running and jumping scores. Significant differences were also observed between the NCPM and CPM groups in terms of the average percentage of FFP pressure and their average standing scores, but not in the average percentage of MMF or the average jumping and running scores.@*Conclusions@#CPM usefully supplements conventional comprehensive rehabilitation therapy in improving the walking ability of children with cerebral palsy and talipes valgus.
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Objective:To observe the clinical utility of continuous passive movement (CPM) of the ankle joint in treating children with cerebral palsy and foot valgus.Methods:Thirty-six children with cerebral palsy and foot valgus were divided into a control group, a non-continuous passive exercise (NCPM) group and a CPM group with 12 children (24 feet) in each group. The NCPM and CPM groups were given conventional rehabilitation treatment for the first 20 days and then home rehabilitation for a further 10 days. The CPM group additionally received CPM treatment during the first 20 days. The control group was only given home rehabilitation for 30 days. Each subject′s plantar pressures were measured along with GMFM-88 scores for "standing" and "walking, running and jumping" before the treatment and 2 and 4 months later.Results:There was no significant difference in the average values of the output measures among the control group before and after the treatment. After four months, significantly better improvement was observed in the average percentages of medial forefoot (MMF) pressure among the NCPM group compared with the CPM group. There were also significant differences between the two groups in the [initial contact phase(ICP) + forefoot contact phase(FFCP)] and foot flat phase (FFP) percentages, as well as in the standing, running and jumping scores. Significant differences were also observed between the NCPM and CPM groups in terms of the average percentage of FFP pressure and their average standing scores, but not in the average percentage of MMF or the average jumping and running scores.Conclusions:CPM usefully supplements conventional comprehensive rehabilitation therapy in improving the walking ability of children with cerebral palsy and talipes valgus.
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Objective To explore the effects of rehabilitation starting at different stages on the gross motor function of infants with high risk of cerebral palsy.Methods 214 neonates (117 boys and 97 girls) at least 14 days old and with a neonatal behavioral neurological assessment scale (NBNA) score of less than 35 were randomly divided into four groups.They received 2 to 3 weeks of rehabilitation in the hospital,followed by 4 to 6 weeks of family rehabilitation and then another 2 to 3 weeks of hospital rehabilitation.The three groups started this course of treatment at different times:beginning when the babies were not older than 3 months for group Ⅰ,3 to 6 months for group Ⅱ,6 to 12 months for group Ⅲ and 12 to 24 months for group Ⅳ.In each individual case the rehabilitation in hospital was replaced by family rehabilitation only when the baby's overall development was normal or almost normal.Another 63 infants with high risk of cerebral palsy composed group Ⅴ.They received only the family rehabilitation.The rehabilitation in hospital included taking neurotrophic drugs,receiving physical treatment,hand manipulation,kinesiotherapy,cognitive training,conductive education,and using orthoses.Family rehabilitation was implemented by the parents once or twice a day,for 35 to 45 minutes each time following detailed,individualized exercise plans made up jointly by the rehabilitation doctors and therapists.Moreover,a clinical checkup was required every 1 to 2 months.At 3,6,12 and 24 months old,all of the subjects' gross motor ability was quantified using the gross motor function measure (GMFM) scale.The hospital stays and the number of subjects diagnosed with cerebral palsy and motor retardation were recorded.Results At 3 months old,the average GMFM scores of the groups were 5.00± 1.89 for group Ⅰ,6.80± 1.55 for group Ⅱ,8.44±1.26 for group Ⅲ,11.10±1.72 for group Ⅳ and 12.70±1.64 for group Ⅴ,the controls.All of the intergroup differences were significant.At 6 months old the average GMFM scores of groups Ⅰ to Ⅳ were not significantly different,but all were significantly lower than the group Ⅳ average.At 12 months old the average GMFM scores of groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅴ were significantly higher than the group Ⅲl and Ⅳ averages.At 24 months old the groups' average scores decreased consistently from Ⅰ to Ⅴ,with significant differences between one group and the next.Group Ⅲ had the longest hospital stays,followed by groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅳ.Those inter-group differences were significant except for between groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ.The incidence of cerebral palsy in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ (38.10％ and 29.79％) was significantly higher than in group Ⅲ (21.62％),Ⅳ (12.00％) or Ⅴ (3.17％).Moreover,the incidence of motor retardation in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ (7.14％ and 10.64％) was also significantly lower than in group Ⅲ(56.76％),Ⅳ (68.00％) or Ⅴ (36.51％),but the differences between groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ and between groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ were not significant.The incidence of excellent gross motor performance ratings at 24mo decreased significantly from group Ⅰ to group Ⅴ,with all of the inter-group differences significant.Conclusion Early and formal rehabilitation is of great importance for infants with a high risk of cerebral palsy.The earlier formal rehabilitation starts,the better is its effect.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effects of rehabilitation starting at different stages on the gross motor function of infants with high risk of cerebral palsy.Methods 214 neonates (117 boys and 97 girls) at least 14 days old and with a neonatal behavioral neurological assessment scale (NBNA) score of less than 35 were randomly divided into four groups.They received 2 to 3 weeks of rehabilitation in the hospital,followed by 4 to 6 weeks of family rehabilitation and then another 2 to 3 weeks of hospital rehabilitation.The three groups started this course of treatment at different times:beginning when the babies were not older than 3 months for group Ⅰ,3 to 6 months for group Ⅱ,6 to 12 months for group Ⅲ and 12 to 24 months for group Ⅳ.In each individual case the rehabilitation in hospital was replaced by family rehabilitation only when the baby's overall development was normal or almost normal.Another 63 infants with high risk of cerebral palsy composed group Ⅴ.They received only the family rehabilitation.The rehabilitation in hospital included taking neurotrophic drugs,receiving physical treatment,hand manipulation,kinesiotherapy,cognitive training,conductive education,and using orthoses.Family rehabilitation was implemented by the parents once or twice a day,for 35 to 45 minutes each time following detailed,individualized exercise plans made up jointly by the rehabilitation doctors and therapists.Moreover,a clinical checkup was required every 1 to 2 months.At 3,6,12 and 24 months old,all of the subjects' gross motor ability was quantified using the gross motor function measure (GMFM) scale.The hospital stays and the number of subjects diagnosed with cerebral palsy and motor retardation were recorded.Results At 3 months old,the average GMFM scores of the groups were 5.00± 1.89 for group Ⅰ,6.80± 1.55 for group Ⅱ,8.44±1.26 for group Ⅲ,11.10±1.72 for group Ⅳ and 12.70±1.64 for group Ⅴ,the controls.All of the intergroup differences were significant.At 6 months old the average GMFM scores of groups Ⅰ to Ⅳ were not significantly different,but all were significantly lower than the group Ⅳ average.At 12 months old the average GMFM scores of groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅴ were significantly higher than the group Ⅲl and Ⅳ averages.At 24 months old the groups' average scores decreased consistently from Ⅰ to Ⅴ,with significant differences between one group and the next.Group Ⅲ had the longest hospital stays,followed by groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅳ.Those inter-group differences were significant except for between groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ.The incidence of cerebral palsy in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ (38.10％ and 29.79％) was significantly higher than in group Ⅲ (21.62％),Ⅳ (12.00％) or Ⅴ (3.17％).Moreover,the incidence of motor retardation in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ (7.14％ and 10.64％) was also significantly lower than in group Ⅲ(56.76％),Ⅳ (68.00％) or Ⅴ (36.51％),but the differences between groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ and between groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ were not significant.The incidence of excellent gross motor performance ratings at 24mo decreased significantly from group Ⅰ to group Ⅴ,with all of the inter-group differences significant.Conclusion Early and formal rehabilitation is of great importance for infants with a high risk of cerebral palsy.The earlier formal rehabilitation starts,the better is its effect.