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Objective:To observe any effect of combining motor imagery therapy (MIT) with repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for improving upper limb motor functioning after a stroke.Methods:Ninety stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group, an MIT group and a combination group, each of 30. All received conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the MIT group additionally received MIT and the combination group received the MIT along with 1Hz rTMS applied over the M1 region of the contralateral cortex. Before and after 4 weeks of treatment, everyone′s upper limb functioning was quantified using the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) and the Hong Kong version of the hemiplegia upper limb function test (FTHUE-HK). Motor evoked potentials (MEPs), cortical latency (CL) and central motor conduction time (CMCT) were also recorded.Results:After the treatment the average FMA and FTHUE-HK scores of all three groups had improved significantly. The average CL and CMCT were significantly shortened. Compared with the control group, the average upper limb FMA score and FTHUE-HK scores of the treatment group were significantly higher. The combination group showed a significant improvement in its average MEP cortical latency and CMCT values.Conclusions:MIT therapy alone can improve the upper limb motor functioning of stroke survivors, but it is more effective in combination with rTMS.
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BACKGROUND@#Intra-articular injection is a classic strategy for the treatment of early osteoarthritis (OA). However, the local delivery of traditional therapeutic agents has limited benefits for alleviating OA. Exosomes, an important type of extracellular nanovesicle, show great potential for suppressing cartilage destruction in OA to replace drugs and stem cellbased administration. @*METHODS@#In this study, we developed a thermosensitive, injectable hydrogel by in situ crosslinking of Pluronic F-127 and hyaluronic acid, which can be used as a slow-release carrier to durably retain primary chondrocyte-derived exosomes at damaged cartilage sites to effectively magnify their reparative effect. @*RESULTS@#It was found that the hydrogel can sustainedly release exosomes, positively regulate chondrocytes on the proliferation, migration and differentiation, as well as efficiently induce polarization of M1 to M2 macrophages. Intraarticular injection of this exosomes-incorporated hydrogel significantly prevented cartilage destruction by promoting cartilage matrix formation. This strategy also displayed a regenerative immune phenotype characterized by a higher infiltration of CD163+ regenerative M2 macrophages over CD86+ M1 macrophages in synovial and chondral tissue, with a concomitant reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, IL-1b, and IL-6) and increase in anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in synovial fluid. @*CONCLUSION@#Our results demonstrated that local sustained-release primary chondrocyte-derived exosomes may relieve OA by promoting the phenotypic transformation of macrophages from M1 to M2, which suggesting a great potential for the application in OA.
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Objective:To observe the effect of enriched rehabilitation training on cognitive function, plasma mir-146a-5p microRNA precursor levels and inflammatory factors in persons with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).Methods:Fifty-eight persons with PSCI were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 29. The observation group was given enriched rehabilitation training, while the control group was provided with conventional cognitive rehabilitation training. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), the Digit Span Test (DST), parts A and B of the Trail Making Test (TMT A-B) and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were used to assess the subjects′ cognitive functioning and their ability in the activities of daily living (ADL). Plasma levels of mir-146a-5p, IL-6 and TNF-α were detected before and after the treatment.Results:After treatment, the average MOCA, DST and MBI scores, as well as the average TMT A-B times had improved significantly for both groups. However, the observation group′s averages were significantly better than those of the control group on all three tests. After the treatment, the average plasma expression of miR-146a-5p had increased significantly in both groups, but the increase in the observation group was significantly greater. Plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly lower than before the treatment, with the average TNF-α level in the observation group significantly lower than that of the control group.Conclusions:Enriched rehabilitation training can improve the cognition of stroke survivors more effectively than conventional cognitive rehabilitation training. That may be related to the up-regulation of plasma miR-146a-5p and reducing inflammation.
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Objective:To explore the effect of high-frequency repeated magnetic stimulation on the body-specific attention of healthy adults.Methods:Forty healthy adults were recruited and randomly divided into a repeated stimulation group and a sham stimulation group, each of 20. A " Pathleader" medical device which can produce magnetism was used to stimulate the initial segment of the deep branch of the radial nerve on each subject′s non-dominant side in the repeated stimulation group. The intensity was set within the subject′s tolerable range but sufficient to induce obvious dorsiflexion of the wrist joint. The frequency was 50Hz, the stimulation time was 2s with 1s intervals. The entire stimulation sequence lasted 36min. In the sham stimulation group, the device and parameters were the same but the coil was rotated 90° so there was no actual stimulation. The difference between the reaction time in the body condition and the reaction time in the control condition was defined as body-specific attention. Body-specific attention was quantified before stimulation, right after stimulation and 10 minutes later.Results:Right after stimulation body-specific attention was no different from before stimulation in either group. Ten minutes after real stimulation, body-specific attention had increased significantly, but there was no significant difference in the sham stimulation group.Conclusion:High-frequency repeated magnetic stimulation of a peripheral nerve can improve the body-specific attention of neurologically-intact healthy adults. The effect may arise from initial inhibition followed by enhancement.
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Objective@#To compare the efficacy of intra-articular injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with that of sodium hyaluronate for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).@*Methods@#Fifty KOA patients were randomly divided into a PRP group (n=25) and a sodium hyaluronate group (n=25). Those in the PRP group were injected intra-articularly with 5 ml of autologous PRP every 2 weeks for 6 consecutive weeks, while the sodium hyaluronate group was given intra-articular injections of 2 ml of sodium hyaluronate once a week for 6 weeks. Both groups performed isokinetic strength training three times a week for 6 weeks. Before as well as 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after the treatment, both groups were followed and evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster University osteoarthritis index (WOMAC). A Biodex System 4 isometric muscle strength testing system was used to evaluate the knees′ peak torque (PT) in flexion and extension, total power (TW), and average power (AP).@*Results@#Before the treatment there were no significant differences in pain, stiffness or average WOMAC score between the two groups. Afterward significant improvement was observed in the pain, stiffness and WOMAC scores of both groups. Compared with the sodium hyaluronate group, significantly greater decreases in the average WOMAC pain score were observed in the PRP group after the different intervals. That was also true of the average stiffness scores and the overall average WOMAC scores after 6 and 12 months. The flexor and extensor PT, TW and AP at the angular velocities of 60°/s and 90°/s also improved significantly in both groups after 6 weeks and 12 months, with the improvement of the PRP group significantly greater than that in the control group at the same time points.@*Conclusion@#Intra-articular injection of either autologous PRP or sodium hyaluronate can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of KOA when combined with isokinetic strength training. However, PRP is the more effective. Its use is worthy of clinical application and promotion.
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Objective To compare the efficacy of intra-articular injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with that of sodium hyaluronate for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods Fifty KOA patients were randomly divided into a PRP group ( n=25) and a sodium hyaluronate group ( n=25) . Those in the PRP group were injected intra-articularly with 5 ml of autologous PRP every 2 weeks for 6 consecutive weeks, while the sodium hyaluronate group was given intra-articular injections of 2 ml of sodium hyaluronate once a week for 6 weeks. Both groups performed isokinetic strength training three times a week for 6 weeks. Before as well as 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after the treatment, both groups were followed and evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster University osteoarthritis index ( WOMAC) . A Biodex System 4 isometric muscle strength testing system was used to evaluate the knees' peak torque (PT) in flexion and extension, total power (TW), and average power (AP). Results Before the treatment there were no significant differences in pain, stiffness or average WOMAC score be-tween the two groups. Afterward significant improvement was observed in the pain, stiffness and WOMAC scores of both groups. Compared with the sodium hyaluronate group, significantly greater decreases in the average WOMAC pain score were observed in the PRP group after the different intervals. That was also true of the average stiffness scores and the overall average WOMAC scores after 6 and 12 months. The flexor and extensor PT, TW and AP at the angular velocities of 60°/s and 90°/s also improved significantly in both groups after 6 weeks and 12 months, with the improvement of the PRP group significantly greater than that in the control group at the same time points. Conclu-sion Intra-articular injection of either autologous PRP or sodium hyaluronate can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of KOA when combined with isokinetic strength training. However, PRP is the more effective. Its use is worthy of clinical application and promotion.
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Objective To explore the effect of sling exercise therapy (SET) for improving the balance and walking ability of patients with incomplete paraplegia.Methods The 37 patients were randomly divided into two groups:19 patients in the observation group and 18 cases in the control group.Both groups were given conventional rehabilitation training,including bridge training on the mat,kneeling position training,sit-stand training and orthosis walking training.The observation group was additionally provided with sling exercise therapy with multi-point,muhi axis sling suspension supine,prone with a neutral lumbar spine,supine with pelvic elevation and in a lateral position like an arch.Before the treatment and 6 weeks after the treatment,trunk control tests (TCTs) were administered.The Berg balance scale (BBS) and Holden's walking function classification were used to assess the subjects' balance and walking ability.Results There were no significant differences in the two groups' average TCT and BBS scores before the treatment.After 6 weeks of treatment the average scores of both groups had increased significantly,with a significantly bigger increase observed in the observation group.After the treatment,the average Holden classification of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group.Conclusion SET in addition to conventional rehabilitation training can significantly improve the balance and walking ability of patients with incomplete paraplegia.It is worthy of application in clinical practice.
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@# Objective To observe the effect of Kinesio taping combining with sling exercise therapy (SET) on the motor function for children with spastic hemiplegia. Methods From October, 2014 to April, 2016, 60 children with spastic hemiplegia of cerebral palsy were randomly divided into control group (n=20), SET group (n=20) and observation group (n=20), who accepted routine rehabilitation, routine rehabilitation+SET and routine rehabilitation+SET+Kinesio taping, respectively. They were assessed with Mallet Score, modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-fine motor (PDMS-2FM) and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-C zone before and three months after treatment. Results The Mallet Score and the scores of PDMS-2FM and GMFM-C improved in all the groups after treatment (t>2.074, P<0.05), and improved the most in the observation group (F>10.032, P<0.001). The score of MAS decreased in the observation group after treatment (t=4.767, P<0.001), and was the least among these groups (F=4.262, P<0.05). Conclusion Kinesio taping combining with SET can improve the motion in the children with spastic hemiplegia, and promote the development of both fine and gross motor function.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with transperineal injection of botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) on neurogenic bladder caused by spinal cord injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One day af ter surgery, 35 cases of spinal cord injury accompanied with neurogenic bladder were randomly divided into a BTX-A plus EA group (20 cases, group A) and a BTX-A group (15 cases, group B). The two groups were both treated with regular rehabilitation training of bladder function and injection of 200 IU (4 ml) BTX-A through perineum external urethral sphincter; the group A was additionally treated with EA at Zhongji (CV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4), Shenshu (3BL 23), Huiyang (BL 35) and Baliao (Shangliao (BL 31), Ciliao (BL 32), Zhongliao (BL 33), Xialiao (BL 34)), once a day, 40 min per treatment. The treatment was given 6 times per week for 4 weeks. The urination status in two groups before and after treatment was observed, and urodynamics examination and urethral pressure test were also made.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 4-week treatment, mean times of urinary incontinence, mean urethral catheter output, pressure of bladder and volume of urinary incontinence were all improved in two groups (all P<0.05), which were more significant in the group A (all P<0.05). The residual urine, maximum bladder capacity, maximum urethral closure pressure and maximum urine flow rate were all improved in two groups after treatment (all P<0.01); the improvement of residual urine, maximum bladder capacity, maximum urethral closure pressure in the group A was more significant than that in the group B (all P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture com bined with transperineal injection of BTX-A could effectively improve the urination dysfunction in patients with neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Botulinum Toxins, Type A , Combined Modality Therapy , Electroacupuncture , Injections , Spinal Cord Injuries , Treatment Outcome , Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic , Drug Therapy , Therapeutics , UrinationABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of scalp acupuncture plus body weight support treadmill (BWST) training on motor function and ambulation of lower limbs in spastic cerebral palsy. Method Sixty-six eligible subjects with cerebral palsy were divided by using random number table into group A (n=20), group B (n=23), and group C (n=23). Group A was intervened by regular rehabilitation training, group B was by BWST in addition to the treatment given to group A, and group C was intervened by scalp acupuncture in addition to the treatment given to group B. The dimension D and E of Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) scale and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) were adopted for evaluation before treatment and after 3-month treatment. Result Before treatment, there were no significant differences in comparing the indexes among the three groups (P>0.05). After 3-month treatment, the D-dimension scores of GMFM were respectively (25.38±4.85), (29.54±5.70), and (32.37±6.58) in the three groups; the E-dimension scores were respectively (55.35±11.64), (60.80±12.47), and (65.74±13.50); the ADL scores were (60.24±14.49), (68.25±13.74), and (76.30±14.58); the scores were significantly increased in all three groups after intervention (P＜0.01), and the D-dimension and E-dimension scores of group B and C were significantly higher than those of group A (P＜0.05), and the scores of group C were significantly higher than those of group B (P＜0.05). Conclusion Scalp acupuncture plus BWST can improve the motor function and walking ability of lower limbs in spastic cerebral palsy, and thus enhance of ADL of the patients.
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Objectives To observe the effect of rehabilitation robots with routine rehabilitation training on walking func -tion after stroke .Methods Sixty patients with stroke were randomly divided into treatment group and control group , 30 ca-ses in each group .The control group received routine rehabilitation training while the treatment group received routine reha -bilitation training by rehabilitation robots .The lower extremity functions ,balance and walking ability were assessed with a simplified Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA) and using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) before treatment and after 12 weeks. Results Before treatment , neither the treatment group nor the control group showed any statistically significant difference in terms of FMA and BBS results (P>0.05).After 12 weeks′training, both groups showed significant improvement in terms of FMA and BBS results(P<0.05).The treatment group showed significantly better improvement in lower extremity function, balance and walking function than the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Rehabilitation robots can signifi-cantly improve walking function in patients after stroke .
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Objective To explore the effect of acupuncture on ankle varus after stroke. Methods 61 stroke patients with ankle varus were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (n=30) was treated with exercise and function electrical stimulation (FES), while the observation group (n=31) was treated with acupuncture in addition. Clinical Spasticity Index (CSI), Simplified Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), modified Barthel Index (MBI), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Holden Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) were applied to as-sess ankle spasticity, lower limb motor function, the activities of daily living (ADL), balance function and walking ability respectively be-fore and 8 weeks after treatment. Results Compared with pre-treatment, two groups improved in the ankle spasticity, lower limb motor func-tion, ADL, balance function and walking ability 8 weeks after treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group was better than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture can facilitate to improve the ankle spasticity, lower limb motor function, ADL, balance function and walking ability for stroke patients ankle varus.