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肌肉硬度； 竖脊肌； 信度； 康复训练
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We retrospectively surveyed and analyzed medical records of 41 effective cases with shigyakusan including shigyakusan decoction and shigyakusan extract. In classics, fullness in chest and hypochondrium and rectus abdominis muscle stiffness along with coldness of the extremities is regarded as important clinical indication of shigyakusan. In this analysis, patients who present fullness in chest and hypochondrium are more than 90%, and patients presenting rectus abdominis muscle stiffness are more than 60%, confirming that these findings are important. On the other hand, although more than half of the patients feel excessive sensitivity to cold, only about 20% of the patients had coldness of the extremities as objective Kampo findings in their medical records. Until now, coldness of the extremities has been considered to be important because shigyaku means Japanese expression of it. But our obtained results show that shigyakusan is used for the patients who do not have cold extremities.
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BACKGROUND: Far-infrared wave therapy can accelerate blood flow rapidly, strengthen the exchange of substance and energy among tissues, and promote the rapid recovery of musculoskeletal micro-injury. The far-infrared ceramic microsphere is a new functional rehabilitation material in the field of physical therapy and rehabilitation in recent years. OBJECTIVE: To verify the therapeutic effectiveness of far-infrared ceramic microsphere intervention on muscle extensibility, stiffness, and elasticity after musculoskeletal injury. METHODS: Male students aged 18-21 years who were diagnosed with posterior femoral muscle injury in each sports specialty were selected as test subjects. Twenty subjects were selected and randomly divided into two groups (n=10/group), and then underwent far-infrared therapeutic apparatus (control group) and far-infrared ceramic microsphere intervention treatment (trial group) for 2 consecutive weeks. A non-invasive muscle detection system was used to collect muscle extensibility, muscle stiffness, and muscle elasticity data before and 3, 7, and 14 days after treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The muscle extensibility in the trial group at 3, 7, and 14 days after treatment was higher than that before treatment (P 0.05). In the control group, the muscle extensibility at 14 days after treatment was higher than that before treatment (P 0.05). In the control group, the muscle stiffness at 14 days after treatment was higher than that before treatment (P 0.05). In the control group, the muscle elasticity at 14 days after treatment was higher than that before treatment (P < 0.05), but it was still lower than that of the healthy side (P < 0.05). The muscle elasticity at different time points in the trial group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (4) In summary, far-infrared ceramic microspheres can improve muscle extensibility and elasticity, reduce muscle stiffness and promote the recovery of muscle damage.
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<p>Objective：To investigate the lower limb skeletal muscle stiffness in healthy individuals.</p><p>Methods：Using ultrasonographic elastography, we measured the degree of stiffness of the rectus femoris and medial head of the gastrocnemius in healthy individuals and investigated the relationships between muscle stiffness and thickness, a quantitative measure of muscles, and between muscle stiffness and brightness, a qualitative measure of muscles. Furthermore, relationships between muscle stiffness and age, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) were also studied.</p><p>Results：Rectus femoris stiffness was positively correlated with muscle thickness. Rectus femoris stiffness had a weak negative correlation with muscle brightness and a weak positive correlation with body weight and BMI. Stiffness of the medial head of the gastrocnemius showed no correlation with any of the study variables. Muscle stiffness did not correlate with age in either of the muscles. No sex-related difference was found in the degree of muscle stiffness.</p><p>Conclusion：Although rectus femoris stiffness was associated with muscle thickness and brightness, these relationships were not observed for muscle stiffness of the medial head of the gastrocnemius. The data suggested that rectus femoris stiffness reflects the quantitative and qualitative states of the muscle, and the presence of such relationships may depend on the location of the muscle.</p>
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<p>Many previous studies have reported that static stretching (SS) may decrease muscle stiffness and compromise muscles’ ability to produce maximal strength. However, the effects of SS at different repetition durations and numbers within a constant total time remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether SS for a constant total time (2 min) with different repetition durations and numbers (e.g., 60 s × 2 times, 30 s × 4 times, and 10 s × 12 times) produces different changes in muscle stiffness and strength. Fifteen healthy males (mean age: 23.3 ± 1.0 years) participated in this study. Muscle stiffness was measured during passive ankle dorsiflexion using dynamometer and ultrasonography. In addition, muscle strength of the plantar flexors was measured using a dynamometer at 0° of plantarflexion with the hip and knee joints fully extended. Muscle stiffness and strength were measured before and immediately after SS. Each experimental protocol was conducted in random order with at least a 1-week interval but no longer than a 2-week interval between testing sessions. The results showed that there were no significant interaction effects on muscle stiffness and strength. However, in all experimental protocols, muscle stiffness and strength immediately decreased after SS. In conclusion, SS for a constant total of 2 min decreases muscle stiffness and strength regardless of repetition durations and numbers of each individual SS.</p>
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Objectives: The warm-water foot bathing is widely used as a clinical method for hemiplegic limb. Recent research have reported that the artificial high concentration carbon-dioxide (CO2) water foot bathing have a potent vasodilative action. However, the definite effects of the artificial high concentration CO2 water foot bath for hemiplegic limbs remain uncertain. We examined that the effects of the artificial high concentration CO2 water foot bath for patients after stroke. Patients: Three inpatients after stroke were recruited for this study. The age and duration after onset were 58.3 ± 21.4 years and 63.0 ± 38.9 months, respectively. Of the three patients (two males and one female), two were diagnosed with cerebral hemorrhage, one with cerebral infarction. Methods: The artificial high concentration CO2 water foot bath and tap water foot bath were prepared. The concentration of CO2 water foot bath was approximately 1000-1,200 ppm, and both lower limbs (under the knee joint) were immersed in 38 °C water for 20 minutes. Foot bathing in tap water was also carried out under the same conditions in the another day. The following physiological data were measured before foot bathing and after the end of foot bathing. Not only the deep body temperature at axillary, the surface skin temperature at the front of femur, the calf of the leg and the dorsal foot, but also the muscle stiffness at triceps muscle of calf were evaluated. Results: None of the subjects experienced discomfort before and after both the high concentration CO2 water and the tap water foot bath. The physiological examination was completed safely in all subjects. The results were as follows: The deep body temperature and the surface skin temperature had increased, and the muscle stiffness had been relieved in the high concentration CO2 water foot bath compared with the tap water bathing. The deep body temperature of the high concentration CO2 water foot bath have risen from 36.4 °C to 36.9 °C, the surface-skin temperature of the front of femur (from 26.7 °C to 28.1 °C), the calf of the leg (from 29.5 °C to 31.9 °C) and the dorsal foot (from 29.9 °C to 32.3 °C) have risen, respectively. The muscle stiffness have been relieved from 55.3 to 51.8 before and after. There was no change that the tap water had increased in the deep body temperature and the surface-skin temperature, and the muscle stiffness had been relieved before and after. Conclusion: These results suggested that the use of the high concentration CO2 water foot bath was more effective in hyperthermia compared with the tap water. Furthermore, we considered that carbon dioxide had promoted to increase the skin and the muscle blood flow by vasodilative action to the arteriole, and use of the high concentration CO2 water foot bath contribute to improve the circulatory dynamics for the hemiplegic limb. These findings may suggest that the use of the high concentration CO2 water foot bath is an effective physiotherapy for circulatory dynamics treatment that might facilitate stroke rehabilitation
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Objectives: Spasticity is defined as a pathological increase in muscle tonus, and increased muscle tonus of lower limbs is a major obstacle to the stroke rehabilitation. Foot baths are considered to provide beneficial thermal therapy for post-stroke patients with spasticity, but their anti-spastic effects have not been investigated comprehensively. The present study aimed to evaluate alterations in spasticity and motor function using foot baths in post-stroke patients with spastic hemiplegia. Methods: We underwent two separate experiments each consisting of immersion in warm water up to the knee joint level, and measuring spasticity, physiological examination and motor function. Experiment 1; Fourteen post-stroke patients with lower limb spasticity were enrolled in this study (nine males and five females; mean age 50.4±12.9 years; range, 28-65 years). The subjects’ legs from below the knee joint were immersed in water at 41°C for 15 min. Measurements of F-waves and a physiological examination were carried out immediately (within 5 min) after the foot-bath session, and again 30 min later, while the subject remained wrapped in blankets on the lift-bath stretcher. Experiment 2; Six post-stroke patients with lower limb spasticity were enrolled in this study (five males and one female; mean age 55.2±14.6 years; range, 39-68 years). The subjects’ legs from below the knee joint were immersed in the artificial high concentration carbon-dioxide (CO2) water or tap water foot bath at 38°C for 30 min. Measurements of muscle stiffness, motor function (active range of motion: A-ROM) and a physiological examination were carried out immediately (within 5 min) after the foot-bath session, and again 10 min later, while the subject remained wrapped in blankets. Results: None of the subjects experienced discomfort before, during or after the foot-bath treatment. The physiological examination was completed safely in all subjects. Experiment 1; The mean values of F-wave parameters were significantly reduced after foot-bath treatment (P<0.01). The anti-spastic effects of foot-bath treatment were indicated by decreased F-wave parameters, in parallel with decreases in modified Ashworth scale (MAS) score. The body temperature was significantly increased both immediately after, and 30 min following foot-bath treatment. Experiment 2; The changes both in the body and surface skin temperature were higher in the artificial high concentration CO2 water foot bath compared with the tap water foot bath. The changes in the MAS score, muscle stiffness and A-ROM were also higher in the high concentration CO2 water foot bath than in the tap water foot bath. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the use of foot baths is an effective non-pharmacological anti-spastic treatment that might facilitate stroke rehabilitation. In addition, the high concentration CO2 water foot baths appeared to play an important role in decreased spasticity.
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<b>Objectives:</b> The warm-water foot bathing is widely used as a clinical method for hemiplegic limb. Recent research have reported that the artificial high concentration carbon-dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) water foot bathing have a potent vasodilative action. However, the definite effects of the artificial high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> water foot bath for hemiplegic limbs remain uncertain. We examined that the effects of the artificial high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> water foot bath for patients after stroke. <BR><b>Patients: </b>Three inpatients after stroke were recruited for this study. The age and duration after onset were 58.3 ± 21.4 years and 63.0 ± 38.9 months, respectively. Of the three patients (two males and one female), two were diagnosed with cerebral hemorrhage, one with cerebral infarction. <BR><b>Methods: </b>The artificial high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> water foot bath and tap water foot bath were prepared. The concentration of CO<sub>2</sub> water foot bath was approximately 1000-1,200 ppm, and both lower limbs (under the knee joint) were immersed in 38 °C water for 20 minutes. Foot bathing in tap water was also carried out under the same conditions in the another day. The following physiological data were measured before foot bathing and after the end of foot bathing. Not only the deep body temperature at axillary, the surface skin temperature at the front of femur, the calf of the leg and the dorsal foot, but also the muscle stiffness at triceps muscle of calf were evaluated. <BR><b>Results: </b>None of the subjects experienced discomfort before and after both the high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> water and the tap water foot bath. The physiological examination was completed safely in all subjects. The results were as follows: The deep body temperature and the surface skin temperature had increased, and the muscle stiffness had been relieved in the high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> water foot bath compared with the tap water bathing. The deep body temperature of the high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> water foot bath have risen from 36.4 °C to 36.9 °C, the surface-skin temperature of the front of femur (from 26.7 °C to 28.1 °C), the calf of the leg (from 29.5 °C to 31.9 °C) and the dorsal foot (from 29.9 °C to 32.3 °C) have risen, respectively. The muscle stiffness have been relieved from 55.3 to 51.8 before and after. There was no change that the tap water had increased in the deep body temperature and the surface-skin temperature, and the muscle stiffness had been relieved before and after. <BR><b>Conclusion:</b> These results suggested that the use of the high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> water foot bath was more effective in hyperthermia compared with the tap water. Furthermore, we considered that carbon dioxide had promoted to increase the skin and the muscle blood flow by vasodilative action to the arteriole, and use of the high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> water foot bath contribute to improve the circulatory dynamics for the hemiplegic limb. These findings may suggest that the use of the high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> water foot bath is an effective physiotherapy for circulatory dynamics treatment that might facilitate stroke rehabilitation
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<b>Objectives:</b> Spasticity is defined as a pathological increase in muscle tonus, and increased muscle tonus of lower limbs is a major obstacle to the stroke rehabilitation. Foot baths are considered to provide beneficial thermal therapy for post-stroke patients with spasticity, but their anti-spastic effects have not been investigated comprehensively. The present study aimed to evaluate alterations in spasticity and motor function using foot baths in post-stroke patients with spastic hemiplegia. <BR><b>Methods:</b> We underwent two separate experiments each consisting of immersion in warm water up to the knee joint level, and measuring spasticity, physiological examination and motor function. <BR><b>Experiment 1;</b> Fourteen post-stroke patients with lower limb spasticity were enrolled in this study (nine males and five females; mean age 50.4±12.9 years; range, 28-65 years). The subjects’ legs from below the knee joint were immersed in water at 41°C for 15 min. Measurements of F-waves and a physiological examination were carried out immediately (within 5 min) after the foot-bath session, and again 30 min later, while the subject remained wrapped in blankets on the lift-bath stretcher. <BR><b>Experiment 2;</b> Six post-stroke patients with lower limb spasticity were enrolled in this study (five males and one female; mean age 55.2±14.6 years; range, 39-68 years). The subjects’ legs from below the knee joint were immersed in the artificial high concentration carbon-dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) water or tap water foot bath at 38°C for 30 min. Measurements of muscle stiffness, motor function (active range of motion: A-ROM) and a physiological examination were carried out immediately (within 5 min) after the foot-bath session, and again 10 min later, while the subject remained wrapped in blankets. <BR><b>Results: </b>None of the subjects experienced discomfort before, during or after the foot-bath treatment. The physiological examination was completed safely in all subjects. <BR><b>Experiment 1; </b>The mean values of F-wave parameters were significantly reduced after foot-bath treatment (P<0.01). The anti-spastic effects of foot-bath treatment were indicated by decreased F-wave parameters, in parallel with decreases in modified Ashworth scale (MAS) score. The body temperature was significantly increased both immediately after, and 30 min following foot-bath treatment. <BR><b>Experiment 2;</b> The changes both in the body and surface skin temperature were higher in the artificial high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> water foot bath compared with the tap water foot bath. The changes in the MAS score, muscle stiffness and A-ROM were also higher in the high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> water foot bath than in the tap water foot bath. <BR><b>Conclusion:</b> These findings demonstrate that the use of foot baths is an effective non-pharmacological anti-spastic treatment that might facilitate stroke rehabilitation. In addition, the high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> water foot baths appeared to play an important role in decreased spasticity.
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The effects of bathing in a solution of artificial bath additive including inorganic salts and carbon dioxide (CO2-bathing: 41°C, 10 minutes; the concentration of carbon dioxide was 160-180 ppm, and that of inorganic salts was about 64 ppm) on the cardiovascular system, body flexibility, muscle stiffness and the subjective feeling of bathing were compared with those of no bathing and plain water bathing in the healthy subjects. The deep body temperature and skin blood flow increased after bathing, and the increases after CO2-bathing were significantly greater than those after plain water bathing. Body flexibility after CO2-bathing was similar to that of no bathing and plain water bathing. Stiffness of the trapezius muscle was decreased at both 15 min and 30 min after CO2-bathing and plain water bathing, with no change in no bathing. The changes at 15 min after CO2-bathing and plain water bathing were statistically significant. Stiffness in the latissimus dorsi muscle decreased at both 15 min and 30 min after CO2-bathing and plain water bathing, with no change in no bathing. However, only these changes at 15 min and 30 min after CO2-bathing were statistically significant. A large decrease in the stiffness of the trapezius muscle by its isometric contraction was observed during both CO2-bathing and plain water bathing, and the decrease after CO2-bathing was greater than that after plain water bathing. These changes did not reach statistical significance. Improvements in subjective feeling of bathing were observed after both plain water bathing and CO2-bathing. Improvements after CO2-bathing in stiffness of muscle, ease of movements and mental relaxation were statistically greater than those after plain water bathing. Compared with plain water bathing, CO2-bathing showed additional effects on muscle stiffness and subjective feeling of bathing. Further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of the CO2-bathing alone and combined with isometric movements on muscle stiffness.
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The effects of bathing in a solution of artificial bath additive including inorganic salts and carbon dioxide (CO<SUB>2</SUB>-bathing: 41°C, 10 minutes; the concentration of carbon dioxide was 160-180 ppm, and that of inorganic salts was about 64 ppm) on the cardiovascular system, body flexibility, muscle stiffness and the subjective feeling of bathing were compared with those of no bathing and plain water bathing in the healthy subjects.<br> The deep body temperature and skin blood flow increased after bathing, and the increases after CO<SUB>2</SUB>-bathing were significantly greater than those after plain water bathing.<br>Body flexibility after CO<SUB>2</SUB>-bathing was similar to that of no bathing and plain water bathing.<br> Stiffness of the trapezius muscle was decreased at both 15 min and 30 min after CO<SUB>2</SUB>-bathing and plain water bathing, with no change in no bathing. The changes at 15 min after CO<SUB>2</SUB>-bathing and plain water bathing were statistically significant. Stiffness in the latissimus dorsi muscle decreased at both 15 min and 30 min after CO<SUB>2</SUB>-bathing and plain water bathing, with no change in no bathing. However, only these changes at 15 min and 30 min after CO<SUB>2</SUB>-bathing were statistically significant.<br> A large decrease in the stiffness of the trapezius muscle by its isometric contraction was observed during both CO<SUB>2</SUB>-bathing and plain water bathing, and the decrease after CO<SUB>2</SUB>-bathing was greater than that after plain water bathing. These changes did not reach statistical significance.<br> Improvements in subjective feeling of bathing were observed after both plain water bathing and CO<SUB>2</SUB>-bathing. Improvements after CO<SUB>2</SUB>-bathing in stiffness of muscle, ease of movements and mental relaxation were statistically greater than those after plain water bathing.<br> Compared with plain water bathing, CO<SUB>2</SUB>-bathing showed additional effects on muscle stiffness and subjective feeling of bathing. Further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of the CO<SUB>2</SUB>-bathing alone and combined with isometric movements on muscle stiffness.
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2.58 S. D.). The progress of early muscle stiffness was characterized by a sudden change and was maintainable. With EM, the sarcomere of stiffened muscles was significantly shorter than that of non-stimulated legs at 0h (P