Effects of Mirror Therapy on the upper Limb Functionality:A study on the perception of Occupational Therapists

With the visual illusion of the mirror,Mirror Therapy,models the primary somatosensory cortex,cortical and muscular excitability,stimulating cortical reorganization and sensorimotor recovery.Studies have shown to be effective in improving motor function in short and medium term,in activities of daily living,in visuospatial neglect and in reducing pain,especially in patients with complex regional pain syndrome.Objective:To report the perception of Occupational Therapists regarding the application of Mirror Therapy in professional practice.Specifically,what factors lead to its application,what are the effects and benefits of the technique,what are its advantages and limitations.Results:In the perception of Occupational Therapists,the Mirror Therapy technique has the following benefits:significant decrease in pain,improved sensitivity and functionality of the upper limb,unblocking movements in the affected limb,decreased phantom pain;as negative aspects:difficulties in spatial/environmental control,patient's perceptual/cognitive skills,high level of concentration/attention,absence of scientific evidence in neurological conditions.Conclusion:For the interviewed Occupational Therapists,the Mirror Therapy is a safe and useful technique to be applied in your professional practice that has been showing positive results in the functional recovery of patients,however,it lacks studies that identify the appropriate time to start its application and the explanation of an intervention protocol.

Impact of stage-specific limb function exercises guided by a selfmanagement education model on arteriovenous fistula maturation status

BACKGROUND The exercise of limb function is the most economical and safe method to promote the maturation of arteriovenous fistula(AVF).However,due to the lack of a uni-fied exercise standard in China,many patients have insufficient awareness of the importance of AVF,leading to poor effectiveness of limb function exercise.The self-management education model can effectively promote patients to take pro-active health-related actions.This study focuses on the characteristics of patients during the peri-AVF period and conducts a phased limb function exercise under the guidance of the self-management education model to observe changes in fac-tors such as the maturity of AVF.AIM To assess the impact of stage-specific limb function exercises,directed by a self-management education model,on the maturation status of AVFs.METHODS This study is a randomized controlled trial involving 74 patients with forearm AVFs from the Nephrology Department of a tertiary hospital in Sichuan Province,China.Patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group using a random number table method.The observation group underwent tailored stage-specific limb func-tion exercises,informed by a self-management education model which took into account the unique features of AVF at various stages,in conjunction with routine care.Conversely,the control group was given standard limb function exercises along with routine care.The assessment involves the maturity of AVFs post-intervention,post-operative complications,and the self-management level of the fistula in both groups patients.Analyses were conducted using SPSS version 23.0.Count data were represented by frequency and percentage and subjected to chi-square test comparisons.Measurement data adhering to a normal distribution were presented as mean±SD.The independent samples t-test was utilized for inter-group comparisons,while the paired t-test was used for intra-group comparisons.For measurement data not fitting a normal distribution,the median and interquartile range were presented and analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test.RESULTS At the 8-wk postoperative mark,the observation group demonstrated significantly higher scores in AVF symptom recognition,symptom prevention,and self-management compared to the control group(P<0.05).However,the variance in symptom management scores between the observation and control groups lacked statistical signi-ficance(P>0.05).At 4 wk after the operation,the observation group displayed a superior vessel diameter and depth from the skin of the drainage vessels in comparison to the control group(P<0.05).While the observation group did manifest elevated blood flow rates in the drainage vessels relative to the control group,this distinction was not statistically significant(P>0.05).By the 8-wk postoperative interval,the observation group outperformed the control group with notable enhancements in blood flow rates,vessel diameter,and depth from the skin of drainage vessels(P<0.01).Seven days following the procedure,the observation group manifested significantly diminished limb swelling and an overall reduced complication rate in contrast to the control group(P<0.05).The evaluation of infection,thrombosis,embolism,arterial aneurysm stenosis,and incision bleeding showed no notable differences between the two groups(P>0.05).By the 4-wk postoperative juncture,complications between the observation and control groups were statistically indistinguishable(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Stage-specific limb function exercises,under the guidance of a self-management education model,amplify the capacity of AVF patients to discern and prevent symptoms.Additionally,they expedite AVF maturation and miti-gate postoperative limb edema,underscoring their efficacy as a valuable method for the care and upkeep of AVF in hemodialysis patients.

Demonstration of the test-retest reliability and sensitivity of the Lower Limb Functional Index-10 as a measure of functional recovery post burn injury:a cross-sectional repeated measures study design

Background:Lower limb burns can significantly delay recovery of function.Measuring lower limb functional outcomes is challenging in the unique burn patient population and necessitates the use of reliable and valid tools.The aims of this study were to examine the test-retest reliability,sensitivity,and internal consistency of Sections 1 and 3 of the Lower Limb Functional Index-10(LLFI-10)questionnaire for measuring functional ability in patients with lower limb burns over time.Methods:Twenty-nine adult patients who had sustained a lower limb burn injury in the previous 12 months completed the test-retest procedure of the study.In addition,the minimal detectable change(MDC)was calculated for Section 1 and 3 of the LLFI-10.Section 1 is focused on the activity limitations experienced by patients with a lower limb disorder whereas Section 3 involves patients indicating their current percentage of pre-injury duties.Results:Section 1 of the LLFI-10 demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability(intra-class correlation coefficient(ICC)0.98,95%CI 0.96–0.99)whilst Section 3 demonstrated high test-retest reliability(ICC 0.88,95%CI 0.79–0.94).MDC scores for Sections 1 and 3 were 1.27 points and 30.22%,respectively.Internal consistency was demonstrated with a significant negative association(rs=?0.83)between Sections 1 and 3 of the LLFI-10(p<0.001).Conclusions:This study demonstrates that Section 1 and 3 of the LLFI-10 are reliable for measuring functional ability in patients who have sustained lower limb burns in the previous 12 months,and furthermore,Section 1 is sensitive to changes in patient function over time.

Application of cross-migration theory in limb rehabilitation of stroke patients with hemiplegia

BACKGROUND Stroke is a common cause of neurological dysfunction,often resulting in hemiplegia.Thus,rehabilitation of limb function in stroke patients is an important step towards accelerating recovery and improving quality of life.AIM To investigate whether unilateral strength training in hemiplegic stroke patients could lead to cross-migration,an increase in bilateral muscle strength,and an improvement in lower limb motor function.METHODS We randomly divided 120 patients with hemiplegic stroke into two groups:Eexperimental and control groups,with 60 patients in each group.Both groups received routine rehabilitation treatment,while the experimental group additional-ly received ankle dorsiflexion resistance training on the healthy side for 6 wk.We measured the maximum voluntary contract(MVC),changes in surface electromyography(EMG),and the lower limb motor function using the simplified Fugl Meyer Motor Function Assessment Scale(FMA)before and within 1 wk after training.RESULTS The FMA score in the experimental group improved significantly compared to both their pre-training score and the control group's post-training score(P<0.05).The integrated EMG of the anterior tibialis muscle and pulmonary intestine muscle in the experimental group were significantly different after training than before(P<0.05).Furthermore,the MVC of the anterior tibialis muscle on both the healthy and affected sides and the MVC of the pulmonary intestine muscle on both sides showed significant improvement compared with before training and the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that ankle dorsiflexion resistance training on the healthy side in hemiplegic stroke patients can increase strength in the opposite tibialis anterior muscle and antagonist's muscle,indicating a cross-migration phenomenon of strength training.Furthermore,this type of training can also improve lower limb motor function,providing a new exercise method for improving early ankle dorsiflexion dysfunction.

Examination of the Effect of Rehabili-Mouse, a Desktop Rehabilitation Robot for Upper Limb Paresis after Stroke

Background: Active rehabilitation of the paralyzed limb is necessary for functional recovery from upper limb paralysis after stroke. In particular, the amount of training is very important, and robot rehabilitation is useful. However, most conventional robots are expensive, large, and stationary. We have developed Rehabili-Mouse, a new tabletop rehabilitation robot that is compact and portable. The purpose of this study was to conduct paralyzed upper limb training for a patient after stroke using Rehabili-Mouse and to examine its effect. Case: The patient was a 44-year-old man who had left-sided paresis after a right cerebral infarction, 3 months after onset. The training was carried out between February 2021 and March 2021 at Oyu Rehabilitation Hotspring Hospital. The training was 20 minutes of Rehabili-Mouse in addition to 40 minutes of usual occupational therapy and performed five times a week for four weeks. Upper limb functions were evaluated before and after the training, and two questionnaires of patient satisfaction with the device and the training were administered after the completion of the training. Upper limb function improved. The patient’s satisfaction with the device was poor, but his satisfaction with the training was good. Discussion: Training for the paralyzed upper limb after stroke using Rehabili-Mouse improved upper limb function and satisfied the trained patient. We plan to increase the number of cases and conduct further studies.

Botulinum toxin type A plus rehabilitative training for improving the motor function of the upper limbs and activities of daily life in patients with stroke and brain injury

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is mostly to be used to treat various diseases of motor disorders, whereas its effect on muscle spasm after stroke and brain injury needs further observation. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of BTX-A plus rehabilitative training on treating muscle spasm after stroke and brain injury. DESIGN: A randomized controlled observation. SETTINGS: Department of Rehabilitation, Department of Neurology and Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty inpatients with brain injury and stroke were selected from the Department of Rehabilitation, Department of Neurology and Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2001 to August 2006. They were all confirmed by CT and MRI, and had obvious increase of spastic muscle strength in upper limbs, their Ashworth grades were grade 2 or above. The patients were randomly divided into treatment group (n =30) and control group (n =30). METHODS: ① Patients in the treatment group undertook comprehensive rehabilitative trainings, and they were administrated with domestic BTX-A, which was provided by Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products, Ministry of Health (S10970037), and the muscles of flexion spasm were selected for upper limbs, 20-25 IU for each site. ② Patients in the treatment group were assessed before injection and at 1 and 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months after injection respectively, and those in the control group were assessed at corresponding time points. The recovery of muscle spasm was assessed by modified Ashworth scale (MAS, grade 0-Ⅳ; Grade 0 for without increase of muscle strength; Grade Ⅳ for rigidity at passive flexion and extension); The recovery of motor function of the upper limbs was evaluated with Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA, total score was 226 points, including 100 for exercise, 14 for balance, 24 for sense, 44 for joint motion, 44 for pain and 66 for upper limb); The ADL were evaluated with Barthel index, the total score was 100 points, 60 for mild dysfunction, 60-41 for moderate dysfunction, < 40 for severe dysfunction). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes of MAS grade, FMA scores and Barthel index before and after BTX-A injection. RESULTS: All the 60 patients with brain injury and stroke were involved in the analysis of results. ① FMA scores of upper limbs: The FMA score in the treatment group at 2 weeks after treatment was higher than that before treatment [(14.98±10.14), (13.10±9.28) points, P < 0.05], whereas there was no significant difference at corresponding time point in the control group. The FMA scores at 1 and 3 months in the treatment group [(23.36±10.69), (35.36±11.36) points] were higher than those in the control group [(20.55±10.22), (30.33±10.96) points, P < 0.01]. ② MAS grades of upper limbs: There were obviously fewer cases of grade Ⅲ in MAS at 2 weeks after treatment than before treatment in the treatment group (0, 9 cases, P < 0.05), whereas there was no obvious difference in the control group. There were obviously fewer cases of grade Ⅲ in MAS at 2 weeks and 1 month after treatment in the treatment group (0, 0 case) than the control group (5, 2 cases, P < 0.01). ③ Barthel index of upper limbs: The Barthel index at 2 weeks after treatment was higher than that before treatment in the treatment group [(30.36±22.25), (28.22±26.21) points, P < 0.05], whereas there was no significant difference in the control group. The Barthel indexes at 1 and 3 months after treatment in the treatment group were obviously higher than those in the control group [(20.55±10.22), (30.33±10.96) points, P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: BTX-A has obvious efficacy on decreasing muscle tension after stroke and brain injury, and relieving muscle spasm; Meanwhile, the combination with rehabilitative training can effectively ameliorate the motor function of upper limbs and ADL of the patients.

Effects of Water Weight-Loss Walking Training on Lower Limb Motor Function and Gait in Stroke Patients

Background: Water weight-loss walking training is an emerging physical therapy technique, which provides new ideas for improving the motor function of stroke patients and improving the quality of life of patients. However, the rehabilitation effect of water weight-loss training in stroke patients is currently unclear. Objective: To analyze the effect of water weight loss walking training in stroke patients. Methods: A total of 180 stroke patients admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The control group received routine walking training, and the research group performed weight loss walking training in water on this basis. The lower limb motor function, muscle tone grade, daily living ability, gait and balance ability were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: Compared with the control group, the FMA-LE score (Fugl-Meyer motor assessment of Lower Extremity), MBI score (Modified Barthel Index) and BBS score (berg balance scale) of the study group were higher after treatment, and the muscle tone was lower (P Conclusion: Water weight loss walking training can enhance patients’ muscle tension, correct patients’ abnormal gait, improve patients’ balance and walking ability, and contribute to patients’ motor function recovery and self-care ability improvement.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of brain function reorganization in cerebral stroke patients after constraint-induced movement therapy

In this study, stroke patients received constraint-induced movement therapy for 3 weeks. Before and after constraint-induced movement therapy, the flexibility of their upper limbs on the affected side was assessed using the Wolf motor function test, and daily use of their affected limbs was assessed using the movement activities log, and cerebral functional reorganization was assessed by functional magnetic resonance imaging. The Wolf motor function test score and the movement activities log quantity and quality scores were significantly increased, while action performance time in the Wolf motor function test was significantly decreased after constraint-induced movement therapy. By functional magnetic resonance imaging examination, only scattered activation points were visible on the affected side before therapy. In contrast, the volume of the activated area was increased after therapy. The activation volume in the sensorimotor area was significantly different before and after therapy, and the activation area increased and appeared adjusted. In addition to the activated area around the lesions being decreased, there were also some new activated areas, including the supplementary movement area, premotor area and the ipsilateral sensorimotor area. Our findings indicate that constraint-induced movement therapy significantly improves the movement ability and daily use of the affected upper limbs in stroke patients and promotes cerebral functional reorganization.

Evaluation of the Curative Effect of "Xingnao Kaiqiao" Acupuncture Based on Brunnstrom Staging on Upper Limb and Hand Motor Function in the Recovery Period after Stroke

Objective: To observe the effects of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture(醒脑开窍针) on the motor function of upper limb and hand in the recovery period after stroke. Methods: Seventy-six cases of hemiplegia patients with ischemic stroke were divided into the treatment group and the control group(n=38 in each). Based on the Brunnstrom's stage of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training was used in the treatment group, and the control group was given rehabilitation training. FuglMeyer Assessment of the upper extremity(FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test(ARAT) and Simple Test for Evaluating hand Function(STEF) were adopted separately to compare scores before treatment and 8 weeks after treatment. Results: The difference was not statistically significant in the two groups of patients for comparison of FMA-UE, ARAT and STEF scores before treatment(P>0.05). The difference was statistically significant in the two groups of score comparison of FMA-UE, ARAT and STEF after treatment(P<0.05). Conclusion: The Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture has its unique advantages in improving recovery of motor function of upper limb and hand in recovery period after stroke.

Gait improvement after treadmill training in ischemic stroke survivors A critical review of functional MRI studies

Stroke survivors often present with abnormal gait, movement training can improve the walking performance post-stroke, and functional MRI can objectively evaluate the brain functions before and after movement training. This paper analyzes the functional MRI changes in patients with ischemic stroke after treadmill training with voluntary and passive ankle dorsiflexion. Functional MRI showed that there are some changes in some regions of patients with ischemic stroke including primary sensorimotor cortex, supplementary motor area and cingulate motor area after treadmill training. These findings suggest that treadmill training likely improves ischemic stroke patients＇ lower limb functions and gait performance and promotes stroke recovery by changing patients＇ brain plasticity; meanwhile, the novel treadmill training methods can better training effects.

Early application of percutaneous neuromuscular electric stimulation in interfering motor function of limbs and difference in temperature of axilla of patients with ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND： Temperature of axilla could be affected due to motor dysfunction of limbs and neural changes of vessel after ischemic stroke. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of percutaneous neuromuscular electric stimulation （PNES） on difference in temperature of axilla and analyze the relationship between function of limbs and difference in temperature of axilla. DESIGN： Randomized grouping and controlled observation SETTING： Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA PARTICIPANTS： Sixty patients with ischemic stroke were selected from Neurological Department of General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA from January to June 2003. All cases were diagnosed with clinical diagnosis criteria of ischemic stroke established by the Fourth Chinese Classification of Cerebrovasular Disease and CT examination and received neuromuscular electric stimulation （NES）. Patients were randomly divided into control group and treatment group with 30 in each group. METHODS： Control group： Patients received routinely neurological therapy. Treatment group： Except routine therapy, patients suffered from NES at 48 hours after hospitalization. NMT-91 NES equipment was used to stimulated injured limbs with low frequency once 30 minutes a day in total of 10 times a course, especially extensor muscle of upper limb and flexor muscle of lower limb. Prescription of hemiplegia was internally decided by equipment with the output frequency of 200 Hz. Intensity of electric output could cause muscle contraction. The therapy needed two or three courses. Temperature of bilateral axilla was measured every day to calculate the difference with the formula of （temperature of axilla on the injured side - temperature of axilla on the healthy side）. Motor function of limbs was measured with FugI-Meyer Motor Assessment （FMA） during hospitalization and at 2 and 4 hours after hospitalization. Among 90 points, upper and lower limb function was 54, equilibrium function 10, sensory function 10, and motion of joint 16. The higher the scores were, the better the function was. Correlation of data was dealt with linear correlation analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ： Assessment and correlation between difference in temperature of axilla and motor function of injured limbs during hospitalization and at 2 and 4 weeks after hospitalization. RESULTS： All 60 patients with ischemic stroke were involved in the final analysis. ① Difference in temperature： Difference of 2 and 4 weeks after hospitalization was lower than that in control group and at just hospitalization [treatment group： （0.056±0.000）, （0.024±0.003） ℃; control group： （0.250±0.001）, （0.131 ±0.001）℃; hospitalization; （0.513±0.001） ℃, P 〈 0.05-0,01]. ② FMA scores： Scores of 2 and 4 weeks after hospitalization were higher than those in control group and at just hospitalization [treatment group; （43.50±15.09）, （67.97 ±18.21） points; control group： （33.33 ±13.54）, （40.87±19.34） points; hospitalization： （26.43 ±11.87） points, P 〈 0.05-0.01]. ③ Correlation： Difference in temperature of axilla was negative correlation with FMA scores （c=- -0.255 1, P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： ① PNES can accelerate recovery of limb function and decrease temperature of axilla of patients with ischemic stroke. ② The lower the difference in temperature is, the better the functional recovery is.

Observation of the Effect of Gait-induced Functional Electrical Stimulation on Stroke Patients with Foot Drop

Objective:To explore the effects of functional electrical stimulation and functional mid frequency electrical stimulation on lower limb function and balance function in stroke patients.Methods:20 cases of stroke patients with foot drop after admission were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group,10 cases in each group.On the basis of the two groups of patients,the observation group used the gait induced functional electrical stimulation to stimulate the peroneal nerve and the pretibial muscle in the observation group.The control group used the computer medium frequency functional electrical stimulation to stimulate the peroneal nerve and the anterior tibial muscle for 2 weeks.Before and after treatment,the lower extremity simple Fugl-Meyer scale(FMA),the Berg balance scale(BBS)and the improved Ashworth scale were evaluated respectively,and the comparative analysis was carried out in the group and between the groups.Results:After 2 weeks of treatment,the scores of FMA and BBS in the two groups were significantly higher than those before the treatment(P<0.05),and the scores of FMA and BBS in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05),and the flexor muscle tension of the ankle plantar flexor muscle of the observed group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions:Exercise therapy combined with gait induced functional electrical stimulation or computer intermediate frequency functional electrical stimulation can significantly improve lower limb function and balance function in patients with ptosis,and the therapeutic effect of functional electrical stimulation combined with gait is better.

Advances in functional limb reconstruction in the irradiated setting

The management of extremity soft tissue sarcoma is constantly evolving, and, in recent decades, limb salvage has been the main goal. More commonly, this is being achieved with a combination of neo-adjuvant radiotherapy,followed by wide excision and soft tissue reconstruction in the form of vascularised soft tissue transfer. Although limb salvage is now readily achievable, the resultant functional disabilities following excision of major musculotendinous and neurovascular structures can be life changing. In recent years, there has been a move towards functional limb reconstruction in the form of free functioning muscle transfer. This paper reviews the advances in functional limb reconstruction in the setting of preoperative radiation and reports our experience in this challenging reconstructive field.

A novel glasses-free virtual reality rehabilitation system on improving upper limb motor function among patients with stroke:A feasibility pilot study

Background:Virtual reality(VR)technology is increasingly used in stroke rehabilitation.This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of using the glasses-free VR training to improve motor function of upper limb in patients with stroke.Methods:Twelve patients with stroke were recruited to participate in the intervention of 3 weeks.At the baseline and post intervention,two times of evaluation including Fugl-Meyer upper-extremity scale(FMS-UE),transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS)measurement and motion evaluation were performed.Results:No significant difference was observed between two groups at baseline evaluation.After the intervention,the FMS-UE scores presented a greater improvement in the VR group compared with the control group.TMS measurement showed that there was significant difference in cortex latency and central motor conduction time between two groups after the intervention,but no significant difference in the amplitude of motor event potential was observed.In addition,there was a significant correlation between game scores and FMS-UE scores.Conclusions:The novel glasses-free VR training was at least as effective as conventional occupational therapy in upper limb motor function,improving nerve conduction time and corticospinal excitability in patient with stroke.

Effectiveness of modified constraint-induced movement therapy for upper limb function intervention following stroke:A brief review

Neglecting the use of the affected limb in stroke patients can result in learned non-use.Modified constraint-induced movement therapy(mCIMT)is a form of rehabilitation therapy that limits the less paretic side,and through repeated and concentrated training improve the upper limb function of the paretic side.The aim of this paper is to develop a critical systematic review on the research evidence evaluating the effectiveness of applying mCIMT in the recovery of upper limb function in stroke patients.The outcome of this evaluation support that mCIMT significantly improves the upper limb function of stroke patients.Moreover,group mCIMT modality and TR(trunk restraint)+mCIMT modality provide greater benefits than mCIMT alone.

Effect of Predictive Nursing on Limb Rehabilitation in Patients with Cerebral Haemorrhage:A Randomized Controlled Study

Objective:To explore the effect of predictive nursing on limb rehabilitation in patients with spontaneous hypertensive cerebral haemorrhage in the basal ganglia region based on diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)technology.Methods:From January 2020 to January 2021,55 patients with spontaneous hypertensive cerebral haemorrhage in the basal ganglia were selected from the Department of Neurosurgery,Huzhou First People's Hospital.They were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group.The control group was given routine nursing measures,and the experimental group was assigned predictive nursing based on DTI.After three weeks of intervention,the two groups'nursing effects were compared.The Fugl-Meyer motor assessment(FMA)and modified Barthel index(MBI)scoring scale were used to evaluate patients'motor function and daily living activities.Results:After three weeks of intervention,motor function scores improved in both groups compared with before treatment(P<0.05).There was a statistically significant difference in FMA scores between the experimental and control groups before and after the intervention(P<0.001).The MBI scores of the two groups before and after the intervention were statistically significant(P<0.001).From the mean point of view,the MBI score of the experimental group after the intervention was significantly higher than that before the intervention.Conclusion:Predictive nursing based on DTI can improve the limb motor function of patients with basal ganglia haemorrhage and enhance the patient's ability to live daily.

通督调神灸结合康复训练对中风偏瘫患者上肢运动功能恢复的影响

Objective:To observe the impacts of the combined treatment of Tongdu Tiaoshen moxibustion(moxibustion for promoting the circulation of the governor vessel and regulating the spirit)and rehabilitation training on the motor function recovery in the patients with apoplectic hemiplegia.Methods:A total of 50 patients with apoplectic hemiplegia and qualified in the trial recruitment criteria were divided into two groups according to random number table,25 cases in each group.In the control group,the simple rehabilitation training was provided.In the observation group,on the base of the treatment as the control group,Tongdu Tiaoshen moxibustion was given.Main acupoints:Baihul(百会GV20),Fengfu(风府GV16)and Dazhui(大椎GV14).The treatment was given once a day,6 treatments a week,4 weeks as one course and two courses of treatment were required.Before and after treatment,the scores of Fugle-Meyer assessment(FMA),the modified Barthel index(MBI)and action research arm test(ARAT)were detected before and after treatment in the two groups separately.Results:After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment,the scores of FMA,MBI and ARAT were all improved obviously as compared with those before treatment respectively in patients of the two groups(all P<0.01).After8 weeks of treatment,the score of each scale in the observation group was more obviously improved as compared with the control group(all P<0.05).The difference in the clinical therapeutic effect was significant statistically between the two groups(P=0.005).Conclusion:The combined treatment of Tongdu Tiaoshen moxibustion and rehabilitation training promotes the recovery of the upper limb motor function and improves the self-ability of living activities in the patients with apoplectic hemiplegia.The long-term effect of this combined therapy is superior to that of simple rehabilitation training.