Catwalk gait analysis for evaluating any effect of transcranial pulsed current stimulation on motor functioning after a stroke / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate any effect of transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) on the motor functioning of rats modelling stroke using the Catwalk gait analysis system.Methods:A stroke model was induced in 24 rats using middle cerebral artery embolization. They were then randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group and a tPCS group, each of 8. Neurological deficit scores were assigned 1 day after the modeling. Beginning two days after the modeling the tPCS group was given 20 minutes of tPCS daily with an intensity of 0.2mA at 10Hz for 7 days. Gait data were collected using the Catwalk gait system 1 day before, as well as 1 and 9 days after the modeling.Results:Nine days after the modeling the average Bederson neuroethology score of the tPCS group was significantly lower than one day after the modelling and significantly lower than the model group′s average. One day after the modelling significant differences were observed in the model and tPCS groups in the average contact area of the affected limb′s paw prints, limb swing speed, stride length, limb speed, swing time, average running speed and standing time compared with before the operation. After nine days the average standing time on the affected fore and hind limbs, as well as the paw contact areas were significantly better in the tPCS group than in the model group.Conclusion:tPCS can promote improvements in gait after ischemia and reperfusion, at least in rats.