ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of mirror neuron theory-based visual feedback therapy (VFT) on restoration of upper limb function of stroke patients and motor-related cortical function using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS: Hemiplegic stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups: a VFT group and a control (CTL) group. Sixteen patients in the VFT group received conventional rehabilitation (CR) and VFT for 8 weeks, while 15 patients in the CTL group received only CR. The Barthel Index (BI) was used to assess the activities of daily living at baseline and the 8th week of the recovery training period. The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) scale, somatosensory evoked potential (SEP), and fMRI were used to evaluate the recovery effect of the training therapies. The latencies and amplitudes of N9 and N20 were measured. Before recovery training, fMRI was performed for all patients in the VFT and CTL groups. In addition, 17 patients (9 in the VFT group and 8 in the CTL group) underwent fMRI for follow-up 2 months after treatment. Qualitative data were analyzed using the χ 2 test. The independent sample t-test was used to compare normally distributed data among different groups, the paired sample t-test was used to compare data between groups, and the non-parametric test was used to comparing data without normal distribution among groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the VFT and CTL group in all indexes. However, after 8 weeks of recovery training, these indexes were all significantly improved (P < 0.05). As compared with the CTL group, the FMA scores, BI, and N9/N20 latencies and amplitudes of SEP in the VFT group were significantly improved (P < 0.05). Two months after recovery training, fMRI showed that the degree of activation of the bilateral central anterior gyrus, parietal lobe, and auxiliary motor areas was significantly higher in the VFT group than the CTL group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: VFT based on mirror neuron theory is an effective approach to improve upper extremity motor function and daily activity performance of stroke patients. The therapeutic mechanism promotes motor relearning by activating the mirror neuron system and motor cortex. SEP amplitudes increased only for patients who participated in visual feedback. VFT promotes sensory-motor plasticity and behavioral changes in both the motor and sensory domains.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) on spinal cord injury (SCI) induced urinary retention. METHODS: A total of 107 patients with SCI induced urinary retention were randomly divided into 3 groups, including group 1 (CIC treatment), group 2 (EA combined with CIC treatment), and group 3 (sham acupuncture combined with CIC treatment). After different treatments, the residual urine volume, voided volume (each time), number of bladder balance patients, and frequency of CIC were recorded and compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between group 1 and 3 in number of bladder balance patients and voided volume (ml) at the 1(st) month. The rate of patients reaching bladder balance was significantly higher in group 2 than group 1 and 3 (P<0.05). The frequency of CIC was significantly less in group 2 than the other groups (P<0.001). The voided volume at the 1(st) and the 3(rd) month after surgery was significantly higher in group 2 than that in group 1 and 3 (P<0.001). Meanwhile, after 1 month and 3 months of treatment, residual urine volume was significantly reduced in group 2 compared with that in group 1 and 3 (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effects of EA were effective for SCI induced urinary retention by reducing residual urine volume and the frequency of CIC, increasing voided volume, and promoting the balance of vesical function.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of rehabilitation robot for lower-limb on motor function in hemiplegic patients after stroke. METHODS: Forty-eight hemiplegic patients were divided randomly into treatment (n = 24) and control (n = 24) group. The neuro-facilitation technique was applied for both groups. But the treatment group had also rehabilitation robot for lower-limb training of 10 - 20 min/d, 6 d/week for 8 weeks. All patients were assessed with the Fugl-Meyer lower limb (FMA), 10 m maximum walking speed (MWS), function ambulation category (FAC) classification and the modified Barthel index (MBI)at the time of beginning and 8 weeks later. RESULTS: Prior to intervention, no significant differences in any parameter existed between two groups. Eight weeks later, all assessment scores of FMA (25.7 ± 3.5), MWS (52 ± 16), FAC (4.3 ± 1.4) and MBI (82 + 17) were significantly better in the treatment group than those FMA (22.8 ± 3.7), MWS (40 ± 17), FAC (3.4 ± 1.3) and MBI (72 ± 14) in the control group. CONCLUSION: The application of rehabilitation robot for lower-limb may markedly improve the motor function of lower limb, walking ability and activity of daily living.
Subject(s)
Exercise Therapy/instrumentation , Exercise Therapy/methods , Robotics , Stroke Rehabilitation , Aged , Female , Humans , Lower Extremity , Male , Middle Aged , Recovery of FunctionABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of tracheal reconstruction with a prosthesis made of memory alloy coated with collagen sponge in mongrel dogs. METHOD: The basic skeleton of the prosthesis was knitted with Ni-Ti memory alloy wires. The tubular mesh was sealed with polyurethane membrane and then inner and external walls of the lumen were coated with collagen sponge. Cervical trachea segmental reconstruction was performed in 8 mongrel dogs with these prostheses. The efficacy of the implanted prostheses were periodically evaluated after operation using x-ray, tracheoscopy and specimen microscope examinations. RESULTS: One dog died of prosthesis dislocation 10 days after operation, another was killed 45 days later because of anastomotic stenosis. 6 dogs survived more than 90 days and the longest one lived for 150 days. Its implanted prosthesis was completely incorporated with the recipient tissue, where re-epithelialization occluded on anastomotic sites. The tracheal lumen was patent. CONCLUSION: This memory alloy tracheal prosthesis has been proved useful for reconstruction of large, circumferential tracheal defects, although its long-term safety and efficiency need to be confirmed.
