ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Whether continuous passive motion improves osteoarthritis by enhancing the proliferation ability of chondrocytes is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the therapeutic outcomes of continuous passive motion in rabbits with osteoarthritis and the underlying mechanism. METHODS:Thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were randomly al otted into three groups (n=12 per group). Rabbits in control group only underwent capsulotomy with no harm to the cartilage;osteoarthritis models were established in the rabbits of model and treatment groups using Hulth method. At 1 day after modeling, the treatment group rabbits were treated with continuous passive motion, 8 hours daily for consecutive 8 weeks. Interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factorαlevels in the synovial fluid were detected by ELISA;col agen type II expression and the proliferation ability of chondrocytes were detected by MTT assay;Erk signaling pathway activation was determined using western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the model group, interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factorαlevels in the synovial fluid were significantly increased, and the expression level of col agen type II mRNA was remarkablely down-regulated. Continuous passive motion significantly downregulated interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factorαlevels and up-regulated the col agen type II mRNA level (P<0.01). The model group showed significantly decreased proliferation ability of chondrocytes and down-regulated Erk signaling pathway activation, while after continuous passive motion, al above indicators were significantly improved (P<0.01). These results indicate that the continuous passive motion can al eviate osteoarthritis probably by influencing interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factorαlevels, proliferation ability of chondrocytes, and col agen type II expression, as wel as regulating Erk signaling pathway activation.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of task-oriented training combined with electromyographic biofeedback on wrist and finger extension after stroke.Methods Thirty-eight stroke patients were assigned randomly into either an experimental group (18 cases) or a control group (18 cases).Both groups received routine rehabilitation treatment and electromyographic biofeedback training.In addition,the experimental group was given task-oriented training in wrist and finger extension.Myoelectricity values,the active range of wrist dorsiflexion and the FuglMeyer upper extremity assessment (FMA) were assessed before and after 8 weeks of training.Results All of the patients showed significant improvements after 8 weeks of training,but compared with the controls,the patients in the experimental group improved significantly more in terms of all of the measures.Conclusion Task-oriented training with electromyographic biofeedback can improve upper extremity function,particularly wrist extension,among hemiplegic stroke survivors.