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Objective:To observe the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) combined with an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) and gait training on lower limb motor function, gait parameters and the joint angles of hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods:Thirty-two stroke survivors who met the inclusion criteria were selected and randomly divided into a control group ( n=10), an orthosis group ( n=10), and a combination therapy group ( n=12). In addition to routine medication and rehabilitation, the control group received only gait training, the orthosis group received gait training and an AFO and the combination therapy group was given FES, an AFO and gait training. All three groups were treated for four weeks. Then, the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE), the Brunnstrom lower extremity assessment (BRL), and Functional Ambulation Categories (FACs) were used to evaluate the lower limb motor function and walking ability of the three groups. The gait parameters of the three groups were quantified using a three-dimensional gait analyzer, and the changes in the hemiplegic gait before and after treatment were compared among the three groups. Results:After the treatment the average FMA-LE, FAC and BRL scores, time-space parameters, and joint angle parameters of all three groups had all improved significantly. After the intervention the average indicators in the combined therapy group (including stride frequency, stride length and walking speed) were all significantly better than in the other two groups.Conclusions:Adding FES to gait training with an AFO can effectively improve lower limb motor function and the walking ability of hemiplegic stroke survivors.
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Objective To investigate the effect of graded motor imagery ( GMI) therapy combined with rou-tine occupational therapy on the recovery of upper extremity function after stroke. Methods Thirty stroke survivors who met inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to a control group ( n=15) or a GMI group ( n=15) . The control group received routine medication, conventional physical therapy and routine occupational therapy ( one hour a day) , while the GMI group received 30 minutes of routine occupational therapy and 30 minutes of graded motor imagery therapy every day in addition to conventional medication and physical therapy. Before and after four weeks of treat-ment, the patients in both groups were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the Upper Extremities ( FMA-UE) , the Box and Block Test ( BBT) and Brunnstrom arm and hand staging. Surface electromyography of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii was performed as the affected elbow flexed and stretched in maximum isometric contrac-tions, and the co-contraction ratios ( CRs) were calculated. Results After the treatment, the average FMA-UE score, Brunnstrom arm and hand stage, BBT and CR scores in both groups had improved significantly. The average improvement in the GMI group was significantly greater than in the control group. Conclusions Graded motor im-agery therapy can significantly promote motor recovery of the upper extremities of hemiplegic patients after a stroke.
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@#Objective To investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the behaviors, organizational morphology and the expression of protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK) in rats with spinal cord injury. Methods Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group, sham group, model group and HBO group, with nine cases in each group. The normal group did not receive any treatment, the sham group received only laminectomy, and the other two groups were established spinal cord injury model with modified Allen's method. Six hours after operation, the model group was treated with regular air, and HBO group received HBO treatment for seven days. The recovery of locomotor function was evaluated by BBB (Basso Beattie and Bresnahan) on the day before operation and six hours, three days, seven days after operation. HE staining was used to observe the change of tissue morphology in injured spinal cord, and the expression of PERK in spinal cord was detected by Western blotting. Results There was no neurological deficit in the normal group and the sham group. The neurological score was lower in the model group than in the sham group three days and seven days after operation (P < 0.05), and was higher in HBO group than in the model group seven days after operation (P < 0.05). There was no obvious structural change in the normal group and the sham group, however, the model group showed swelling cells, condensed cytoplasm, and nucleus pycnosis hyperchromatic, and the HBO group showed slighter swelling cell compared with the model group. The expression of PERK was higher in the model group than in the sham group, and was lower in HBO group than in the model group seven days after operation (P < 0.05). Conclusion HBO could reduce the expression of PERK in the injured spinal cord, and improve the recovery of hind limb locomotor function in spinal cord injury rats.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the activation of microglia cells in the Lto Lspinal cord in rats with neuropathic pain, so as to investigate whether EA could inhibit the activation of spinal microglial cells and regulate the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to achieve the analgesic effect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham-model group, a model group and an EA group, 10 rats in each one. The rats in the normal group received no treatment; the rats in sham-model group were treated with operation to exposure sciatic nerve for 2 to 3 min (no knot); the rats in the remaining groups were treated with model establishment of chronic constrictive injury (CCI). 7 days after model establishment, the rats in the EA group were treated with EA at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34), 30 min per time, once a day for consecutive 7 days. Only immobilization was used in the remaining groups the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) of affected side feet were respectively measured before model establishment and 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 10 days, 12 days and 14 days after model establishment; 14 days after model establishment, rats were sacrificed; the immunohistochemical method was used to measure the expression of Iba1 and BDNF in the sample of Lto Lspinal cord; real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to measure the expression BDNF mRNA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the sham-model group, the pain threshold was decreased significantly in the model group (<0.05), leading to hyperpathia. After EA treatment, compared with the model group, the pain threshold was increased significantly in the EA group (<0.05). 14 days after operation, the microglia cells in the Lto Lspinal cord, expression of BDNF and level of mRNA in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group and sham-model group (all<0.01); those in the EA group were significantly lower than those in the model group (all<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The analgesic effect on neuropathic pain is likely to be achieved by EA through inhibiting the activation of spinal microglia cells and down-regulating the expression of BDNF.</p>
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effects and safety on moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis treated with acupoint application therapy of the different intensity during the dog days.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and sixty patients of moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis were randomized into a No.1 treatment group, a No.2 treatment group, a No.3 treatment group and a placebo group, 40 cases in each one. The same acupoints were used in the four groups, named Dazhui (GV 14), Dingchuan (EX-B1), Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 20), Mingmen (GV 4), Gaohuang (BL 43), Shenshu (BL 23) and Qihai (CV 6). In the three treatment groups, the fine powder of the ingredients (,,,) of compoundformula was used. In the No.1 treatment group, the herbal paste (ginger-prepared paste) was prepared with ginger juice and the above herbal powder. In the No.2 and No.3 treatment groups, the herbal paste (honey-prepared paste) was prepared with honey with the above herbal powder. In the placebo group, the pseudo-herbal paste of the same appearance was prepared with millet powder and distilled water. The acupoint application was given for 2 h in the No.1 and No.2 groups and was for 6 h in the No.3 treatment group and the placebo group. The acupoint application therapy was given once every week during the dogdays, continuously for 5 weeks. The total nasal symptom score (TNSS), the score of the rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) and the count of blood eosinophils (EOS) were observed in the patients of the 4 groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared among the 4 groups. The incidences of the skin adverse reactions were observed in each treatment group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the scores of TNSS and RQLQ were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the three treatment groups (<0.05,<0.01), in which, the improvements in the No.3 treatment group were better than those in the No.1 treatment group and the No.2 treatment group (both<0.05). After treatment, the count of EOS was all reduced as compared with that before treatment in the three treatment groups (all<0.05). The differences were not significant statistically among the three treatment groups (all>0.05). The total effective rate was 85.0% (34/40) in the No.3 treatment group, better than 76.3% (29/38) in the No.1 treatment group, 71.8% (28/39) in the No.2 treatment group and 5.0% (2/40) in the placebo group (<0.05,<0.01). The incidences of the skin adverse reaction in the No.3 treatment group and the No.2 treatment group were lower than those in the No.1 treatment group (both<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acupoint application of the different intensity relieves the symptoms and improves the living quality in the patients of moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis. The stimulation of the ginger-prepared herbal paste is strong and induces skin blisters after 2 h herbal application. The stimulation of the honey-prepared herbal paste is moderate and does not induce blisters. The 6 h stimulation of the honey-prepared herbal paste is mild and the therapeutic effect is optimal.</p>
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Objective To investigate the effects of playing virtual reality games on the recovery of hemiplegic upper extremities after stroke.Methods Thirty stroke patients with hemiplegic upper extremities were randomly assigned to a treatment group (n=15) or a control group (n=15).Both groups received routine medication and conventional physical therapy,while the treatment group was additionally given (Nintendo) gaming-based virtual reality therapy.Before and after 2 weeks of treatment,the patients in both groups were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the Upper Extremities (FMA-UE),Brunnstrom staging and co-contraction ratios (CRs).Surface electromyogram signals from the biceps brachii and triceps brachii were also recorded during maximum isometric voluntary flexion and extension of the affected elbow.Results No significant differences in any of the measurements were observed between the 2 groups before or after the intervention.Both groups demonstrated significant increases in their average FMA-UE score,Brunnstrom staging and CRs.Conclusions Virtual reality gaming using a Wii controller is as effective as conventional therapy in enhancing upper extremity motor function and elbow flexion and extension after stroke.
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Objective To observe the efficacy of underwater partial body-weight-supported treadmill training in repairing spinal cord injury (SCI) and its relationship with spinal nerve plasticity. Methods A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: a sham model group, a model control group, an underwater training group, a partial body-weight-supported treadmill training (PBWSTT) group and an underwater PBWSTT group. A rat model of SCI was induced by contusion of the T10 segment with a Multicenter Animal Spinal Cord Injury Study (MASCIS) impactor. One week post-operation, different rehabilitation strategies, such as free exercise in water, BWSTT and underwater PBWSTT, were administered to the rats in the underwater training groups for 8 weeks.Those in the sham model group and model control group were given no training. The Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale and a climbing test were used to evaluate the recovery of hindlimb locomotor function.The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in the spinal cords was detected with immunohistochemical methods. Results Nine weeks post-operation, hindlimb locomotor function had improved significantly more in the underwater PBWSTT group than in underwater training group or the BWSTT group.The expression of BDNF in the 3 training groups was significantly higher than in the model control group, though there was no significant difference among the 3 training groups. The expression of NT-3 in the underwater PBWSTT group increased more significantly than in the BWSTT group, however there was no significant difference between the underwater PBWSTT group and the underwater training group. Conclusion Underwater PBWSTT can promote the recovery of hindlimb locomotor function in rats after SCI, probably through increasing the expression of BDNF and NT-3 and thus promoting neural plasticity in the spinal cord.
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Objective To survey cervical myoelectric signals during craniocervical flexion, neutral and extension postures, and to explore the evidence that proper head position can alleviate cervical muscle fatigue in a lateral recumbent position. Methods Surface electromyography (sEMG) signals were detected from the sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius and erector spinae muscles of 30 young subjects bilaterally during craniocervical flexion,neutral and extension postures in the left lateral recumbent position. The integrated trace area (IEMG) and median frequency (MF) were estimated. Results The average IEMG of the sternocleidomastoid muscles was significantly lower in flexion than in extension bilaterally. The average IEMG of the erector spinae muscles was lower in extension than in flexion bilaterally, and the difference was again significant. The IEMGs of the upper trapezius muscle showed no significant difference on average in the three postures bilaterally. There was no significant MF difference in any of the muscles. Conclusions The muscles in the cervical back were less activated during craniocervical extension in a lateral recumbent position. A little cranicocervical extension is optimal while resting in a lateral recumbent position.
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[Objective]To explore the anatomical structures,depth and direction of needling at Chengqi (ST1).[Methods] Forty-eight adult orbital specimens were observed by dissection.[Results] When a needle was vertically inserted into Chengqi (ST1),the needle tip would pass through the skin,subcutaneous tissue,orbicularis muscle,orbital adipose body,inferior obliges and inferior rectus.[Conclusion] The acupuncture of the Chengqi (ST1) should select straight sting needling back-upwards.The depth should not exceed 25.0mm.