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OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect on motor function, spasticity degree, muscle strength and the relevant parameters of three-dimensional gait analysis in the patients with post-stroke spasticity in the lower limbs treated with the combined therapy of electroacupuncture (EA) and muscle electricity biofeedback or the simple muscle electricity biofeedback therapy on the base of rehabilitation medicine.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with post-stroke spasticity in the lower limbs were randomized into an EA + biofeedback group, a biofeedback group and a rehabilitation group, 20 cases in each one. In the rehabilitation group, the basic rehabilitation training was provided, 45 min each time. In the biofeedback group, on the base of the treatment as the rehabilitation group, the biofeedback therapy was added, 30 min each time. In the EA + biofeedback group, besides the treatment as the biofeedback group, acupuncture was supplemented at Futu (ST 32), Liangqiu (ST 34), Zusanli (ST 36) and Fenglong (ST 40), etc, and EA was applid at Zusanli (ST 36) and Taichong (LR 3) with continuous wave and 5 Hz in frequency. In each group, the treatment was given once daily, 5 times a week, for 6 weeks totally. Separately, before and after treatment, the score of Fugle-Meyer assessment (FMA), the score of clinical spasticity index (CSI) in the lower limbs and the strength of the anterior tibial muscle on the affected side were assessed, and the spatial-temporal parameters (step frequency and steep speed) in the three-dimensional gait analysis and the kinematic parameters (maximum dorsal flexion and maximum plantar flexion of ankle joint on the affected side) were measured in the patients of three groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, FMA score was increased as compared with that before treatment in all of three groups (P<0.05). FMA score in the EA + biofeedback group and the biofeedback group was higher than the rehabilitation group respectively (P<0.05). CSI score in the EA + biofeedback group and the biofeedback group was lower than that before treatment respectively (P<0.05), and lower than the rehabilitation group (P<0.05). After treatment, the step frequency and speed were all improved and the angles of maximum dorsal flexion and maximum plantar flexion of ankle joint on the affected side were all increased as compared with those before treatment in the patients of three groups separately (P<0.05). The step frequency and speed, as well as the angles of maximum dorsal flexion and maximum plantar flexion of ankle joint on the affected side in either the EA + biofeedback group or the biofeedback group were all higher than the rehabilitation group (P<0.05), and the step speed in the EA + biofeedback group was higher than the biofeedback group (P<0.05). After treatment, the strength of the anterior tibial muscle on the affected side was increased as compared with that before treatment in the patients of each group (P<0.05); and the strength of the anterior tibial muscle in the EA + biofeedback group and the biofeedback group was larger than the rehabilitation group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#On the base of rehabilitation treatment, the combined regimen of EA and muscle electricity biofeedback therapy and the simple muscle electricity biofeedback therapy all effectively strengthen the motor functions and reduce spasticity as well as improve step frequency, step speed and the range of motion of ankle joint in the patients with post-stroke spasticity in the lower limbs. Regarding the gait improvement, the combined regimen of EA and muscle electricity biofeedback is better than the simple muscle electricity biofeedback.
Subject(s)
Humans , Electroacupuncture , Gait , Lower Extremity , Muscle Spasticity/therapy , Stroke Rehabilitation , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Objective To compare the effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A ( BTXA) and ethyl alcohol ( EA) in treating lower extremity spasticity after stroke. Methods This was a randomized, case-control study. A to-tal of 92 eligible stroke survivors completed the study. They were randomly divided into a BTXA group of 48 and an EA group of 44 according to a random number table. The gastrocnemius, soleus and posterior tibial muscles of the af-fected limb were chosen as injection sites. The BTXA group was injected with 50 to 200 IU of BTXA ( at 50 U/ml) at one to four sites in each muscle, with a total injection dose of less than 600 U. The EA group was injected with less than 10 ml of 50% EA (0.1 to 0.5 ml at each site). Before and 2, 4 and 12 weeks after the injection, both groups were evaluated using the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), a 3 m timed up and go test (TUG), a timed 10 meter walk ( 10m-WT) and each was asked to assess their pain level using a visual analogue scale ( VAS) . Any adverse re-actions were also observed. Results Two weeks after the injection, the average MAS score of both groups had im-proved significantly compared to that before the injection. The average improvement in the BTXA group was signifi-cantly less than in the EA group. No significant differences were found in other measurements. After four weeks the average MAS score of the BTXA group was still significantly different from that before injection or from 2 weeks previ-ously, but the EA group now showed no significant difference from before the injection. The average TUG, 10m-WT and VAS scores of both groups had improved significantly compared to those of the earlier time points. Twelve weeks after the injection, the average MAS, TUG, 10m-WT and VAS scores of the BTXA were still significantly improved compared to before the injection, but in the EA group only the average score VAS reading was significantly improved. There were then significant differences between the two groups in all of the measurements. Conclusions Both BTXA and EA can relieve muscle spasticity. Both take effect within 2 weeks, but the former has fewer side effects than the latter and a longer duration of therapeutic effect.
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Objective To investigate the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A injection with ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) for the treatment of post-stroke lower limb spasticity.Methods One hundred and three stroke patients with lower limb spasticity were randomly divided into control group,observation group and treatment group.The patients in control group were given routine treatment,those in observation group were given botulinum toxin type A injection in addition to routine treatment,and those in treatment group were treated with AFO on the basis of the interventions of observation group.Before treatment and at 1,3 and 6 months after treatment,clinic spasticity index (CSI) and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA),Berg balance scale (BBS) and functional independence measure (FIM) were used to evaluate the efficacy of all groups.Results When compare the assessment results at 1 month after treatment with those before treatment,statistically significant difference in terms of scores of CSI,FMA and FIM were revealed in treatment group and observation group (P ＜ 0.05),but not in the control group (P ＞ 0.05).Within-group comparison with the results at 1 month after treatment,the scores of CSI at 3 and 6 months increased in control group and observation group,while decreased in treatment group(P ＜ 0.05),although the scores of FMA and FIM increased in all groups and the increase was statistically significant only in treatment group(P ＜ 0.05).Between-group comparison of the scores in CSI,FMA and FIM showed no significant difference between the observation and control groups(P ＞ 0.05).It was shown that the scores of BBS at 1,3,and 6 months improved continuously in all groups(P ＜0.05),the improvements in treatment group were significantly greater than that of observation group and control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin type A injection with AFO could further improve lower limb muscle spasticity,and enhance motor,balance and activities of daily life for stroke patients.