Effectiveness of Yijinjing on cognitive functions in post-stroke patients with mild cognitive impairment: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Statistics show that every year, 5.4 million people in the world suffer a stroke. Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is one of the most common complications after stroke with a rate of 75%, which leads to decreased functions for independent living and reduced quality of life (QOL). Exercise training has been reported to be useful to improve the cognitive functions of post-stroke patients. Yijinjing, a traditional Chinese Qigong exercise characterized by an integration of mind and body in moderate exercise intensity, can improve cognitive functions of PSCI patients. This study aims to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of the Yijinjing exercise in this regard. METHODS: A single-blind, superiority, randomized controlled trial will be employed with evaluations at 3 and 6 months. Seventy-two PSCI patients will be recruited and randomly assigned to the Yijinjing exercise intervention group or the control group (1:1). Participants in the control group will receive routine rehabilitation therapies, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture therapy, and health education 5 times a week for 3 months. The intervention group will receive a 12-week routine rehabilitation therapy combined with the Yijinjing exercise intervention for 40 min each session and 3 sessions a week. The primary outcome of cognition will be measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA). Secondary outcomes include executive function, memory function, visuospatial function, sleep quality, gait and motor function, activity of daily living (ADL), and quality of life (QOL). DISCUSSION: Current evidence has reported the effectiveness of traditional Chinese exercise in improving the post-stroke population's motor functions. This research is a randomized controlled trial that evaluates traditional Chinese exercise's effectiveness for PSCI patients. It is expected to expand the traditional Chinese exercise scope and provide a new treatment approach for stroke populations with cognitive impairments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900026532 . Registered on 13 October 2019.

Effects of Body Weight Support-Tai Chi Footwork Training on Balance Control and Walking Function in Stroke Survivors with Hemiplegia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Tai Chi (TC) is known to enhance balance control and walking function in stroke survivors. However, motor disorders in stroke patients may limit the implementation of TC exercise and increase the risk of falling. The body weight support (BWS) device can provide protection during the early rehabilitation of stroke survivors using an overhead suspension system. Theoretically, combining TC with BWS may be an effective intervention for stroke survivors. This study aimed to examine the effects of body weight support-Tai Chi training on balance control and walking function in stroke survivors with hemiplegia. METHODS: Seventy-one stroke survivors with hemiplegia aged 30-75 years were randomly allocated to the control group (N = 35) or the BWS-TC group (N = 36). During BWS-TC training, the subjects performed 7 Tai Chi footwork forms, and gradual easy-to-difficult progression (from 40% to 0% body weight) was followed. The subjects participated in 40 min rehabilitation sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was dynamic balance in the limits-of-stability test. The secondary outcomes, which reflect improvements walking function, included spatiotemporal parameters, the joint range of motion in the affected limb during the swing phase, the Berg Balance Scale score, and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment score. Evaluations were performed at baseline and 12 weeks and compared between groups. RESULTS: After training, significant between-group differences were observed in the scores for overall, forward, left, right, forward-left, and forward-right directional control in the limits-of-stability test (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the scores for gait cycle time, step length, step velocity, and range of motion of the joints were better in the BWS-TC group than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 12-week BWS-TC training may enhance dynamic balance and walking function in stroke survivors with hemiplegia.

Hydrothermal synthesis, structure, and luminescent properties of selected Zn(II)/Cd(II) coordination polymers constructed from 3,5-bis(x-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (x = 3, 4).

Utilizing 3,5-bis(x-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (x-Hpytz, x = 3; x = 4) as multidentate ligands, six novel coordination polymers with Zn(II) or Cd(II) metal ions were prepared: [Zn(3-pytz)(0.5)(OH)(0.5)Cl](n) (1, 1D ladder), {[Zn(3-Hpytz)(H(2)O)(4)] [Zn(3-Hpytz)(H(2)O)(3)·SO(4)]SO(4)·5H(2)O}(n) (2·5H(2)O, 1D chain), [Cd(3-Hpytz)(SO(4))](n) (3, 3D framework), {[Cd(3-Hyptz)SO(4)·3H(2)O]·2H(2)O}(n) (4·2H(2)O, 1D chain), [Zn(4-pytz)Cl](n) (5, 3D framework) and [Zn(2)(4-pytz)(SO(4))(OH)](n) (6, 3D framework). All compounds were obtained from hydrothermal reactions, with the exception of compound 4 which was obtained by solvent diffusion at room temperature. All compounds were characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis and TGA analysis and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. All compounds exhibited substantial thermal stability and showed photofluorescent properties that resulted from ligand π-π* transition.