ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of self-efficacy-based intelligent walking training on function of lower extremities of stroke patients. MethodsFrom December, 2021 to December, 2022, 44 stroke inpatients from Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 22) and experimental group (n = 22). Both groups accepted routine rehabilitation, while the control group accepted routine gait training, and the experimental group accepted self-efficacy-based intelligent walking training on the gait training system (Walker View), for six weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities, 10-Meter Walk Test, Timed 'Up and Go' Test, stride length and average walking velocity, Functional Ambulation Category and General Self-Efficacy Scale before and after treatment. ResultsThree cases dropped down in the experimental group. All the indexes improved in two groups after treatment (|t| > 5.808, |Z| > 2.961, P < 0.01), and improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 2.049, Z = -2.572, P < 0.05). ConclusionThe self-efficacy-based intelligent walking training can promote the recovery of motor function of lower extremities and walking ability in stroke patients.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) combined with bilateral arm training (BAT) on upper limb motor function of hemiplegic stroke patients. MethodsFrom January, 2021 to January, 2022，105 stroke patients from Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital were randomly divided into taVNS group (n = 35), BAT group (n = 35) and combined group (n = 35). All the patients received routine rehabilitation, while taVNS group received taVNS, BAT group received BAT, and the combined group received both taVNS and BAT, for eight weeks. The root mean square (RMS) of surface electromyography in deltoid, triceps brachii and extensor carpi was measured, and the scores of Box and Block Test (BBT), and Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE) were obtained before and after treatment. ResultsThe RMS of all these muscles, and the scores of BBT and FMA-UE improved in all the three groups after treatment (|t| > 6.124, P < 0.001), and they were improved the most in the combined group (F > 18.162, P < 0.001). ConclusionBoth taVNS and BAT can enhance the muscle strength on the affected upper limb, increase the hand flexibility, and improve upper limb motor function of stroke patients, while the combination of both methods is more effective.
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ObjectiveTo explore low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with bilateral isokinematic training (BIT) on upper limb motor function and activities of daily living of stroke patients. MethodsFrom September, 2021 to September, 2022, 60 stroke inpatients in Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital were randomly divided into rTMS group (n = 20), BIT group (n = 20) and combination group (n = 20). All the patients accepted routine rehabilitation, moreover, rTMS group accepted 1 Hz rTMS on healthy side, BIT group accepted BIT, and the combination group accepted the combination of 1 Hz rTMS on healthy side and BIT, for four weeks. They were evaluated with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Carroll Upper Extremities Function Test (UEFT) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and after treatment. ResultsThe scores of FMA-UE, WMFT, UEFT and MBI significantly improved in all the groups after treatment (|t| > 5.052, P < 0.001), and improved the most in the combination group (F > 9.834, P < 0.001). ConclusionBoth low-frequency rTMS and BIT can effectively improve upper limb motor function and activities of daily living of stroke patients, and the combination of them is more effective.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of multimodal mirror therapy on upper limb and hand function in stroke patients. MethodsFrom April, 2021 to August, 2022, 60 stroke patients from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital were randomly divided into group A (n = 20), group B (n = 20) and group C (n = 20). All the patients accepted routine rehabilitation, while group B accepted mirror therapy, and group C accepted multimodal mirror therapy, in addition, for six weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE), Upper Extremity Function Test (UEFT) and modified Barthel Index (MBI), while the maximum grip strength and pinch strength of the affected hand were measured. ResultsThe FMA-UE score, UEFT score, maximum hand grip strength and pinch strength, and MBI scores improved in all groups after treatment (|t| > 7.878, P < 0.001), and it was the most in group C (F > 12.563, P < 0.001). ConclusionMultimodal mirror therapy may further improve the upper limb motor function and hand function of stroke patients, as well as the strength of the affected hand and the activities of daily living.
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ObjectiveTo explore the effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (atDCS) on premotor cortex (PMC) on upper limb motor function in patients with severe stroke. MethodsFrom June, 2021 to December, 2022, 60 patients with severe stroke in Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 20), primary motor cortex (M1) group (n = 20) and PMC group (n = 20). All the groups accepted routine rehabilitation treatment, while the control group accepted atDCS pseudo stimulation to the focus side PMC, M1 group accepted atDCS to the focus side M1, and PMC group accepted atDCS to the focus side PMC, for six weeks. Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), the surface electromyography root mean square (RMS) ratio of affected/unaffected side of triceps and extensor carpus were used to evaluate the efficacy before and after treatment. ResultsAfter treatment, the scores of FMA-UE and WMFT, and RMS ratio of triceps and extensor carpus significantly increased in all the groups (|t| > 2.458, P < 0.05), and were better in PMC group than in the other two groups (F > 4.084, P < 0.05). ConclusionatDCS on PMC could improve the overall function of upper limb in patients with severe stroke.
ABSTRACT
Nausea and emesis are a major side effect and obstacle for chemotherapy in cancer patients. Employ of antiemetic drugs help to suppress chemotherapy-induced emesis in some patients but not all patients. Ginger, an herbal medicine, has been traditionally used to treat various kinds of diseases including gastrointestinal symptoms. Ginger is effective in alleviating nausea and emesis, particularly, for cytotoxic chemotherapy drug-induced emesis. Ginger-mediated antiemetic effect has been attributed to its pungent constituents-mediated inhibition of serotonin (5-HT) receptor activity but its cellular mechanism of action is still unclear. Emetogenic chemotherapy drugs increase 5-HT concentration and activate visceral vagal afferent nerve activity. Thus, 5-HT mediated vagal afferent activation is essential to provoke emesis during chemotherapy. In this experiment, water extract of ginger and its three major pungent constituent's effect on 5-HT-evoked responses were tested on acutely dispersed visceral afferent neurons with patch-clamp methods. The ginger extract has similar effects to antiemetic drug ondansetron by blocking 5-HT-evoked responses. Pungent constituents of the ginger, [6]-shogaol, [6]-gingerol, and zingerone inhibited 5-HT responses in a dose dependent manner. The order of inhibitory potency for these compounds were [6]-shogaol>[6]-gingerol>zingerone. Unlike well-known competitive 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron, all tested ginger constituents acted as non-competitive antagonist. Our results imply that ginger and its pungent constituents exert antiemetic effects by blocking 5-HT-induced emetic signal transmission in vagal afferent neurons.