ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of nerve trunk stimulation in the rehabilitation of lower limb function in the patients with cerebral apoplexy at convalescence stage. METHODS: According the random number table, the patients with the lower limb dysfunction of cerebral apoplexy at convalescence stage were divided into a control group and a treatment group, 42 cases in each group. The drug therapy and the routine rehabilitation training were provided in the two groups. Additionally, in the treatment group, the nerve trunk stimulation therapy was adopted， in which, Chize (LU5，stimulating point of radial nerve), Neiguan (PC6, stimulating point of median nerve), Xiaohai (SI8, stimulating point of ulnar nerve) were selected. In the control group, acupuncture intervention was supplemented. Before and after treatment, the peak torque (PT) of the lower flexor-extensor muscle of the knee joint, gait parameters，the score of the modified Ashworth spasm scale (MAS), the score of Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA) and the score of Fugl-Meyer balance scale (FBS) were recorded. RESULTS: After the treatment, the PT of the lower flexor-extensor muscle of the knee joint，the scores of FMA and FBS，the step speed and frequency were all increased, the score of MAS and the difference in the stride between the left and the right were decreased as compared with those before treatment (P<0.01). After the treatment, The PT of the lower flexor-extensor muscle of the knee joint，the scores of FMA and FBS，the step speed and frequency in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). The score of MAS and the difference in the stride between the left and the right in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Nerve trunk stimulation therapy quite effectively increases the muscle strength and relieves the muscle tension as well as improves the motor function, the balance and the walking pattern of the lower limbs. This therapy is significantly valuable in the rehabilitation of the lower limbs in the patients with cerebral apoplexy at convalescence stage.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) mRNA after nerve trunk stimulation by electroacupuncture in rats' cortex with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Methods The MCAO model was established by ligation of the artery for 1 hour, and then reperfusion was conducted for 2h, 6h, 12h, 24h, 2d, 3d, 7d and 14d.The expression of BDNF mRNA after the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (MCAO group) was observed and comparison was made between the electroacupuncture group and the control group. Results The number of cells with positive expression of BDNF mRNA in the cortex after 2h, 6h, 12h, 24h, 2d and 3d of reperfusion was more than that in the control group (all P0.05). At 2h of reperfusion, the amount of the positive cells peaked and was much more than that at the 6h and 12h time points (P0.05),but after 6h reperfusion, a significant increase of expression of BDNF mRNA was observed against the MCAO group and control group, and the increase lasted to 14d after reperfusion. Conclusion Nerve trunk stimulation with electroacupuncture could improve and maintain the expression of BDNF mRNA for a long time, and this might contribute to the protection effect of electroacupuncture against the brain ischemia/reperfusion injury.