ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the effect of Lokomat training on the walking ability of stroke survivors with lower limb spasm.Methods:Eighty stroke survivors with lower limb spasm were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 40. Their routine rehabilitation treatment included normal limb positioning, passive joint movement, turnover training and inclined bed standing training. In addition, the control group underwent flat-ground walking training, while the observation group was given Lokomat training 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Both groups were evaluated after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment in terms of their walking ability, degree of lower limb spasm, lower limb motor functioning, balance and ability in the activities of daily life.Results:After 4 and 8 weeks the number of patients walking independently was significantly greater in the observation group. Their average stride frequency, step length on the affected side, support phase time and proportion of weight borne on the affected side were all significantly better than the control group′s averages. At both time points significantly more patients of the observation group had normal lower limb muscle tone. The observation group′s average Fugl-Meyer score, Berg Balance Scale score and modified Barthel Index score had improved significantly compared with those before the treatment, and were significantly better than the control group′s averages at the same time point. After 8 weeks of treatment the average walking speed of the observation group was faster than that of the control group.Conclusions:Lokomat training can significantly improve the walking ability of stroke survivors with lower limb spasm in the short term. Longer-term training can consolidate the effect and further improve the walking speed, motor function in the lower limbs, balance and even facility in daily life activities, as well as relieving spasm.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of core stability training on lumbar disc herniation using changes in surface-electromyography signals from the core muscles.Methods Sixty patients with lumbar disc herniation were equally divided into an experimental group who were given the core stability training in addition to their regular physical therapy and a control group given the regular physical therapy only.The total course of treatment was 8 weeks.Each patient was assessed before the experiment and after 4 and 8 weeks of the intervention using the numeric rating scales of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association,the Oswestry disability index and integrated electromyogram (iEMG),root mean square (RMS) and medium frequency (MF) of the electromyographic signals from the rectus abdominis,obliqus externus abdominis,erector spinae,lumbar multifidus and gluteus medius muscles.Results No significant differences between the two groups were observed in any of the measurements before or after four weeks of the treatment.After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment,both groups had significant improvements in all of the measurements compared with before the experiment.Between 4 and 8 weeks the experimental group showed significant improvement in all of the measurements which was not matched in the control group.By the end of the treatment,all of the measurements of the experimental group were,on average,significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusions Both core stability training and regular physical therapy have similar effects on patients with lumbar disc herniation in the short term.However,continued core stability training improves the ability of core muscles and relieves pain and dysfunction better than prolonged regular physical therapy.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of a decoction of buzhong yiqi in conjunction with rehabilitation training in relieving post-stroke fatigue.Methods A group of 115 stroke patients was enrolled and randomly divided into a simple rehabilitation group and a combination therapy group.Both groups received conventional rehabilitation treatment and appropriate treatment of any primary diseases.In addition,those in the combination therapy group were given a decoction of buzhong yiqi twice daily for a total of 4 weeks.EMG signals,subjective evaluations of fatigue severity,active rehabilitation exercise duration,motor function and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment.The slope of the surface electromyogram's mean power frequency (KMPF) and median frequency (KMF) were used to quantify fatigue.Subjective fatigue severity was estimated using a fatigue severity scale (FSS).The active rehabilitation exercise lasted,on average,90 minutes daily.The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) was used to evaluate motor function and the modified Barthel index (MBI) ADL ability.Results There were no statistically significant differences between the groups before treatment.After 4 weeks of treatment all the outcomes in both groups had improved (except the FSS scores of the simple rehabilitation group).The KMPF,KMF,FSS,exercise duration,FMA scores and MBI scores in the combination therapy group were all significantly better than those in the simple rehabilitation group.Conclusion Taking buzhong yiqi can significantly improve the clinical effects of conventional rehabilitation training on post-stroke fatigue.It helps relieve fatigue,improve active participation in rehabilitation exercise,and also improve motor function and ADL ability.