Electric stimulation and decimeter wave therapy improve the recovery of injured sciatic nerves

Drug treatment, electric stimulation and decimeter wave therapy have been shown to promote the repair and regeneration of the peripheral nerves at the injured site. This study prepared a Mackinnon’s model of rat sciatic nerve compression. Electric stimulation was given immediately after neurolysis, and decimeter wave radiation was performed at 1 and 12 weeks post-operation. Histological observation revealed that intraoperative electric stimulation and decimeter wave therapy could improve the local blood circulation of repaired sites, alleviate hypoxia of compressed nerves, and lessen adhesion of compressed nerves, thereby decreasing the formation of new entrapments and enhancing compressed nerve regeneration through an improved microenvironment for regeneration. Immunohistochemical staining results revealed that intraoperative electric stimulation and decimeter wave could promote the expression of S-100 protein. Motor nerve conduction velocity and amplitude, the number and diameter of myelinated nerve fibers, and sciatic functional index were significantly increased in the treated rats. These results verified that intraoperative electric stimulation and decimeter wave therapy contributed to the regeneration and the recovery of the functions in the compressed nerves.

Combination of epidural electrical stimulation with ex vivo triple gene therapy for spinal cord injury:a proof of principle study

Despite emerging contemporary biotechnological methods such as gene-and stem cell-based therapy,there are no clinically established therapeutic strategies for neural regeneration after spinal cord injury.Our previous studies have demonstrated that transplantation of genetically engineered human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells producing three recombinant therapeutic molecules,including vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF),and neural cell adhesion molecule(NCAM)can improve morpho-functional recovery of injured spinal cord in rats and mini-pigs.To investigate the efficacy of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells-mediated triple-gene therapy combined with epidural electrical stimulation in the treatment of spinal cord injury,in this study,rats with moderate spinal cord contusion injury were intrathecally infused with human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells expressing recombinant genes VEGF165,GDNF,NCAM1 at 4 hours after spinal cord injury.Three days after injury,epidural stimulations were given simultaneously above the lesion site at C5(to stimulate the cervical network related to forelimb functions)and below the lesion site at L2(to activate the central pattern generators)every other day for 4 weeks.Rats subjected to the combined treatment showed a limited functional improvement of the knee joint,high preservation of muscle fiber area in tibialis anterior muscle and increased H/M ratio in gastrocnemius muscle 30 days after spinal cord injury.However,beneficial cellular outcomes such as reduced apoptosis and increased sparing of the gray and white matters,and enhanced expression of heat shock and synaptic proteins were found in rats with spinal cord injury subjected to the combined epidural electrical stimulation with gene therapy.This study presents the first proof of principle study of combination of the multisite epidural electrical stimulation with ex vivo triple gene therapy(VEGF,GDNF and NCAM)for treatment of spinal cord injury in rat models.The animal protocols were approved by the Kazan State Medical University Animal Care and Use Committee(approval No.2.20.02.18)on February 20,2018.

Clinical efficacy of magnetic vibration magnetoelectric therapy in the treatment of chronic prostatitischronic pelvic pain syndrome

BACKGROUND The prominent symptoms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome(CPPS)are urogenital pain,lower urinary tract symptoms,psychological problems,and sexual dysfunction.Traditional pharmacological treatments have poor efficacy and more untoward reaction and complications.Magnetic vibration magnetoelectric therapy is a non-invasive form of physiotherapy.Nevertheless,its effectiveness in improving urinary discomfort and relieving pain in patients requires further exploration.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy of the magnetic vibration magnetoelectric therapy instrument in the treatment of chronic prostatitis(CP)/CPPS.METHODS Seventy patients with CP/CPPS were collected from the outpatient clinic and ward of the Department of Male Medicine,Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,and were treated with magnetic vibration magnetoelectric therapy once a day for a period of 14 d.National Institutes of healthchronic prostatitis symptom index(NIH-CPSI),international index of erectile function 5(IIEF-5),premature ejaculation diagnostic tool(PEDT),generalized anxiety disorder(GAD),patient health questionnaire,the pain catastrophizing scale(PCS)and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome(TCMS)scores were performed before and after treatment.RESULTS The total effective rate of treatment was 58.5%,and the total NIH-CPSI score,pain symptoms,voiding symptoms,quality of life,IIEF-5,PEDT,GAD,PCS and TCMS scores all decreased significantly(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Magnetic vibration magnetotherapy is effective in improving urinary discomfort,relieving pain,improving quality of life,improving sexual dysfunction and relieving negative emotions such as anxiety in patients with CP/CPPS.

Effects of Electrical Stimulation in People with Post-Concussion Syndromes: A Pilot Study

Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a complex disorder with various symptoms. There is limited evidence to support that any intervention enhances recovery after a concussion. This pilot study aimed to examine the efficacy of neck paraspinal muscles electrical stimulation (ES) in conjunction with physical therapy (PT) on reducing the severity of post concussive symptoms. Twenty-four individuals with PCS were randomly assigned to the ES group (PT + ES) or the control group (PT only). Both groups received the intervention twice a week for eight weeks. Clinical measures including the Concussion Signs/Symptoms Checklist, balance error scoring system, King-Devick test, ImPACT, and the Standardized Assessment of Concussion were used to evaluate the symptoms. We investigated the recovery rate by calculating slopes of changes over time for each participant. A changing slope was derived by linearly fitting the symptoms severity over time with the initial severity score as the intercept. Significant overall improvement was observed in both groups after the interventions. There was no significant difference seen in total symptom recovery rate between two groups (-1.49 ± 1.59 versus -1.2 ± 1.56, p = 0.32). The cognitive symptoms recovery rate of the ES group was faster than the control group (-0.5 ± 0.49 and -0.13 ± 0.46 respectively, p = 0.04). Physical therapy targeting the cervical region is beneficial for persons with PCS. Moreover, peripheral electrical stimulation on the paraspinal muscles surrounding the neck region could potentially advance the cognitive function recovery of persons with PCS.

Electrical stimulation scheme optimization for retinal prosthesis:considerations from biological perspective

Effective and safe electrical stimulation of the retinal ganglion cells is at the heart of retinal prosthesis design.However,the effectiveness and safety demand of the electrical stimulation is often at odds against each other.Besides,the nerve fiber layer above retinal ganglion cells limits the spatial resolution of stimulation.Also,current retinal prosthesis still cannot selectively activate the ON or OFF visual pathways,thus cannot relay the correct luminance information to the brain.With decades of development,the stimulation protocol for retinal implants began to tackle these problems.We believe that a novel design of electrical stimulation scheme,combined with gene therapy technique,can improve the selectivity and spatial resolution of retinal implants and further lower the damage caused by electric stimulation.

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Intensive Care Unit Patients:Integrative Review

Intensive care units’ acquired muscle weakness is present in approximately 50% of the patients. Although active muscle training can attenuate weakness, a large proportion of critical patients cannot participate in any active mobilization. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation may be an alternative strategy to reverse muscle weakness. The objective of the study was to review the scientific publications on the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and its parameters and the main results in patients hospitalized in intensive care units. This is an integrative review surveying studies in online databases. The studies were selected from the following descriptors: neuromuscular electrical stimulation AND parameters AND intensive care units AND muscle weakness. The inclusion criteria included articles that addressed the topic of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the parameters used in patients admitted to intensive care units, aged 18 years or older. Exclusion criteria were studies involving animals, case reports, letters to the editor and book chapters. The search comprised articles in the Portuguese, English and Spanish languages from January 2013 to March 2019. Of the 185 articles identified, nine met the eligibility criteria. The studies were evaluated assessing the level of evidence, and the relevant information was presented in the table and discussed. The parameters of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation employed in the studies showed positive results for the maintenance of strength and muscle mass. There was evidence of benefits in the local and systemic microcirculation, potentially mobilizing endothelial stem cells, to prevent atrophy, to reduce mechanical ventilation time and stay in intensive care unit;and when incorporated into the usual physiotherapy care, proved to be more effective than usual care. Its use is safe and viable in critically ill patients.

Technical Innovation of Electrostimulation Biofeedback Combined with Vaginal Dumbbell in the Treatment of Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Objective: To investigate the application value of electrostimulation biofeedback therapy in combination with vaginal dumbbell therapy to postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 200 cases of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction patients discharged from the hospital from January 2016 to March 2019 as study subjects who were excluded other underlying diseases and were randomly divided into two groups of 100 cases per group, using electrostimulation biofeedback therapy combined vaginal dumbbell therapy as a treatment group. The treatment of electrostimulation biofeedback therapy in combination with kegel was treated as a control group. Then the curative effects of the two groups were compared and statistically analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in EMG value of postpartum pelvic floor treatment, type I muscle strength, type II muscle strength, muscle type I fatigue, type II fatigue and POP-Q detection results between the two groups before treatment, p > 0.05. There were significant differences in type I muscle strength, type II muscle strength and muscle type I fatigue between the pelvic floor muscles and the muscles at the end of the treatment day, the sixth month and one year after treatment, p ?There was no statistically significant difference at?the end of muscle type II fatigue?treatment day, p > 0.05;while after the treatment of six months and one year, the difference was statistically significant, p 0.05. In addition, the treatment group and the control group were compared before and after treatment, the difference of myoelectric potential value, pelvic floor muscle type I muscle strength, type II muscle strength, muscle type I fatigue degree, type II fatigue degree and POP-Q test result were significant, and the changes in the indicators before and after treatment in the treatment group were significantly higher than the control group. Comparison of urinary incontinence between the two groups before and after treatment, the difference between pre-treatment and the end of treatment day was not statistically significant, p > 0.05;there was significant difference between half a year and one year after treatment (p 0.05, respectively). Comparing?the satisfaction with sexual life after the time of treatment day, half a year and one year after the end of treatment, the difference was statistically significant (p ?Conclusion: Electrical stimulation biofeedback therapy combined with vaginal dumbbell therapy has a good effect in the treatment of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and it is worthy of popularization and application.

Multifunctional hydrogel combined with electrical stimulation therapy for promoting diabetic wound healing

Diabetic wounds, as a complication of diabetes, are slow to heal and seriously affect the quality of life of patients. Functional hydrogel dressing is an effective approach to improve diabetic wound healing. Electrical stimulation (ES) therapy is conducive to promoting cell migration and wound healing. In this work, a multifunctional PPTZ hydrogel wound dressing was developed by freeze-thaw method with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), phytic acid (PA), tannic acid (TA), and Zinc chloride. The obtained PPTZ hydrogel has good mechanical properties (stress and strain of 700.03 kPa and 575.08%), light transmittance (close to 100%) and antibacterial rate (over 75%). With good biocompatibility, antioxidant abilities and conductivity, the PPTZ hydrogel could effectively promote the healing of diabetic wounds with two weeks under the action of electric field, which provides an auxiliary treatment strategy for diabetic patients.

Neuroplasticity in post-stroke gait recovery and noninvasive brain stimulation

Gait disorders drastically affect the quality of life of stroke survivors,making post-stroke rehabilitation an important research focus.Noninvasive brain stimulation has potential in facilitating neuroplasticity and improving post-stroke gait impairment.However,a large inter-individual variability in the response to noninvasive brain stimulation interventions has been increasingly recognized.We first review the neurophysiology of human gait and post-stroke neuroplasticity for gait recovery,and then discuss how noninvasive brain stimulation techniques could be utilized to enhance gait recovery.While post-stroke neuroplasticity for gait recovery is characterized by use-dependent plasticity,it evolves over time,is idiosyncratic,and may develop maladaptive elements.Furthermore,noninvasive brain stimulation has limited reach capability and is facilitative-only in nature.Therefore,we recommend that noninvasive brain stimulation be used adjunctively with rehabilitation training and other concurrent neuroplasticity facilitation techniques.Additionally,when noninvasive brain stimulation is applied for the rehabilitation of gait impairment in stroke survivors,stimulation montages should be customized according to the specific types of neuroplasticity found in each individual.This could be done using multiple mapping techniques.

Study of repeated nerve stimulation in myasthenia gravis

AIM:To investigate normal value range of low-frequent repeated nerve stimulation(RNS):whether different low-frequent stimulation and different muscles have different normal value range.METHODS:Low-frequent (3c /s and 5c /s)RNS of 30healthy people and 27myasth enia gravis(MG)patients were test.RESULTS:Superior limit of amplitude of wave a ttenuation value of low-frequent RNS(x±2.5s)of different muscles(orbicularis oculi muscle,deltoid muscle and abductor muscle of little finger)of healthy people was 5.45%-7.55%.According to our normal value standard,RNS positive rate of MG group was 85%;according to the current criteria(amplitude of wave attenuation value >10%),positive rate of MG group was 70%,th ere was no apparent difference in RNS positive rate(P>0.1).Some labs adopted the criteria that amplitude of wave attenuation value >15%,ac-cording to this criteria,positive r ate of MG group was 51%.Compared with positive rate(85%)obtained according to our criteria,there was apparent difference(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Each labs should establish their own normal value standard according to difference muscle and different f re-quent.If adopt universal standard,amplitude of wave attenuation value8%or 10%was suggested.

Iatrogenic opioid dependence is endemic and legal: Genetic addiction risk score (GARS) with electrotherapy a paradigm shift in pain treatment programs

The mounting endemic of prescription iatrogenic opioid dependence in pain patients provoked this treatise about an alternative method that can be used to treat pain, improve function and reduce the risk of opioid dependence. It is well known that as well as the side effects reported for chronic opioid therapy, genetically predisposed individuals are at risk for opioid dependence. We propose the use of the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) assessment to identify patients early in treatment who should avoid narcotic pain medications. Primarily, this review will be an exploration of the mechanisms of action of an electrotherapeutic alternative to narcotic treatment that can be used to augment tissue healing and reduce the pain associated with human injuries and neuropathies. This particular electrotherapeutic device was developed at the Electronic Waveform Laboratory in Huntington Beach, California and is called the H-Wave? device. The primary effect of the H-Wave?device is stimulation (HWDS) of small diameter fibers of “red-slow-twitch” skeletal muscle. Mechanisms of action of HWDS have been investigated in both animal and human studies. They include edema reduction, induction of nitric oxide dependent augmented microcirculation and angiogenesis, small muscle contraction that eliminates transcapillary fluid shifts, reducing the painful effects of tetanizing fatigue and gradual loading of healing injured muscle tissue that helps repair and remodeling. A recent metaanalysis found a moderate-to-strong-positive effect of the HWDS in providing pain relief, reducing the requirement for pain medication, with the most robust effect being increased functionality. We are proposing that GARS can be used to identify those at risk of developing opioid dependence and that the need for opioid analgesia can be reduced by use of this electro therapeutic alternative to opioid analgesia in the treatment of pain and injuries.

Therapeutic efficacy of swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with acupuncture for post-stroke dysphagia

Objective To seek a better therapy for treating post-stroke dysphagia. Methods Patients with stroke and swallowing disorders were randomly divided into ordinary acupuncture group （group A, 58 cases） and swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with acupuncture group （group B, 62 cases）. Two-group patients were given the same basic internal medical treatment. In addition, group A was given normal acupuncture treatment with the choice of local points： Junjin （金津 EX-HN 12）, Yuye（玉液 EX-HN 23）, Fengchi （风池 GB 20）, Yifeng （翳风 TE 17）, Lianquan （廉泉 CV 23）, Wangu （完骨 GB 12）. Group B was given swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with acupuncture： GB 20, Fengfu （风夜 GV 16）, TE 17, Yiming （翳明 EX-HN 14）, Yamen （哑门 GV 15）, Tianrong（天容 SI 17）, Tianchuang （天窗 SI 16）, CV 23, the uniform reinforcing-reducing manipulation was used; EX- HN 12, EX-HN 13, the piercing and blood-letting method （1-2 mL blood） was used; at the same time, the swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy device was used to electrically stimulate the nerves and muscles in the throat and neck at specific output pulse current （50-100 Hz）. Treatment was made twice a day, 30 minutes each time. Two weeks after the treatment, the patients were assessed in symptoms improvement and clinical efficacy. Results The total effective rate in group B was 91.4% and 75.8% in group A; in the total efficiency comparison in both groups, χ^2=5.232, P〈0.05. The difference in improvement of symptoms with post-stroke dysphagia treated with above mentioned combination treatment was statistically significant between both groups （P〈0.05）. Conclusion The above mentioned swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with acupuncture treatment has a better clinical effect when compared with ordinary acupuncture.

Emerging trends in materials and devices-based electric stimulation therapy for tumors

Electrical stimulation(ES),as one of the physical therapy modalities for tumors,has attracted extensive attention of researchers due to its promising efficacy.With the continuous development of material science,nanotechnology,and micro/nano processing techniques,novel electroactive nanomaterials and delicately designed devices have emerged to realize innovative ES therapies,which provide more possibilities and approaches for tumor treatment.Meanwhile,exploring the molecular biological mechanisms underlying different ES modalities affecting tumor cells and their immune microenvironment is also an unresolved hotspot emerging from the current biomedical engineering research.Focusing on the above research interests,in this review,we systematically summarized the effects of different ES parameters on the subcellular structure of tumor cells and the tumor immune microenvironment(TIME)in conjunction with the involved signaling pathways.In addition,we also reviewed the latest progress in novel self-powered devices and electroactive nanomaterials for tumor therapy.Finally,the prospects for the development of electrostimulation tumor therapy are also discussed,bringing inspiration for the development of new physical therapy strategies in the future.

经皮穴位电刺激配合音乐疗法(TEASMT)治疗肠易激综合征疗效观察

目的:观察经皮穴位电刺激配合音乐疗法治疗肠易激综合征的疗效。方法:将250例患者随机分为观察组和对照组,每组125例。观察组给予经皮穴位电刺激配合音乐疗法和口服安慰剂治疗;对照组给予口服654-2片,思连康片,复方谷氨酰胺肠溶胶囊的药物治疗和经皮穴位电刺激安慰治疗。3个疗程后,观察两组的各症状评分。结果:治疗后两组各症状积分均低于治疗前,其中观察组腹痛、腹胀、排便不尽感、黏液便积分显著低于对照组(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论:经皮穴位电刺激配合音乐疗法对肠易激综合征患者疗效显著。

Effect of electric acupoint stimulation on gastrointestinal hormones and motility among geriatric postoperative patients with gastrointestinal tumors

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of electric acupoint stimulation on gastrointestinal hormones and motility among geriatric postoperative patients with gastrointestinal tumors,and to explore an efficient and noninvasive method for postoperative recovery of bowel functions.METHODS:Forty patients were randomly and evenly assigned into a regular nursing care group(RNC) and an acupoint electric stimulation group(AES).Patients in the RNC group received regular nursing care and patients in the AES group received regular nursing care plus electric stimulation of acupoints.The serum levels of gastrin(GAS),motilin(MOT),and cholecystokinin(CCK),and an electrogastrogram(EGG) of all the patients were evaluated on the first,third,and fifth day after surgery.The time to first flatus after surgery and the number of patients with side effects such as abdominal pain,abdominal distention,and diarrhea were recorded.RESULTS:There were significant differences between the two groups in GAS,MOT,EGG,time to first flatus,abdominal pain,abdominal distention,and diarrhea(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Electric stimulation on acupoints could increase levels of GAS and MOT,promote the recovery of gastrointestinal functions,and decrease complications among postoperative senile patients with gastrointestinal tumors.

Effect of acupuncture plus medium-frequency electric stimulation on bladder function after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer

Objective： To observe the effect of acupuncture plus medium-frequency electric stimulation on bladder function after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Methods： A total of 170 patients confirmed by biopsy and surgical pathology and treated with radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer were randomly divided into an acupuncture group, an observation group and a control group by random digital table. Fifty-six cases in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture after surgery, one session each day, till the extubation day; 58 cases in the observation group were treated with acupuncture plus medium-frequency electric stimulation after surgery, one session each day, till the extubation day; and 56 cases in the control group didn＇t receive any intervention, and the catheter was retained till the extubation day. On the postoperative day 14, all groups were dealt with catheterization to determine the residual urine volume, in order to observe the occurrence rate of urinary retention and the recovery of bladder function and to compare the differences of the therapeutic effects among the groups. Results： The occurrence rates of urinary retention were respectively 16.1%, 20.7% and 46.4% in the acupuncture group, observation group and control group, with significant differences （P〈0.05）. When comparing the acupuncture group and the observation group with the control group, there were significant differences （both P〈0.05）. In comparison between the acupuncture group and the observation group, there was no significant difference （P〉0.05）. The recovery rates of bladder function in the three group were respectively 42.9%, 60.3% and 41.1% without significant differences （P〉0.05）. Moreover, there were no significant between-group differences （P〉0.05）, but acupuncture plus medium-frequency electric stimulation showed a better tendency. Conclusion： The single application of acupuncture therapy is effective and able to prevent urinary retention after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Acupuncture plus medium-frequency electric stimulation can effectively enhance the recovery of bladder function and reduce the residual urine volume in the bladder to the maximum.

Overview of reported transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation effects on pain mediators

Literatures on pain intervention with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)were collected by searching the databases both in Chinese and English,and summarized to understand the research progress of TEAS effects on pain mediators in recent years.This will provide a more objective and scientific theoretical basis for clinical practice of TEAS to treat pain syndrome,thus promoting the clinical application of TEAS.Our literature analysis indicated that TEAS effectively regulated the release levels of various pain factors such as prostaglandin,5-hydroxytryptamine,interleukins,substance P and tumor necrosis factor-αto achieve the analgesic effects by affecting the conduction pathways.TEAS is a safe,non-invasive and effective treatment for pain syndrome.However,further research is necessary due to the lack of rigor of the current clinical trial design.

Efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)for menopausal insomnia and its effect on serum hormone levels

Objective:To explore the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)for menopausal insomnia.Methods:A total of 80 patients with menopausal insomnia were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,with 40 cases in each group.The patients in the control group received conventional Western medication treatment,and the patients in the observation group received TEAS on the basis of conventional Western medication treatment.The treatment for both groups lasted for 4 weeks.Before and after treatment,Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)and modified Kupperman scale were evaluated,and the serum levels of estradiol(E2)and follicular stimulating hormone(FSH)were measured.The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after treatment.Results:After treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05);in the control group,the improvement of PSQI score was significant(P<0.05),while the change of modified Kupperman score was insignificant(P>0.05);the PSQI and Kupperman scores in the observation group were significantly improved after treatment(both P<0.05),and there were significant differences between the observation group and the control group in PSQI and Kupperman scores(both P<0.05).After treatment,the serum E2 and FSH levels in the control group were not statistically different from those before treatment(both P>0.05);the serum E2 level was significantly increased(P<0.05),and the FSH level was decreased(P<0.05)in the observation group after treatment,and the between-group differences in serum levels of E2 and FSH were significant(both P<0.05).Conclusion:TEAS plus conventional Western medication in treating menopausal insomnia is effective,and can significantly improve the symptoms of insomnia and menopause,which may be related to the regulation of serum E2 and FSH levels.

Clinical study on acupuncture combined with low-frequency electric stimulation for scissor gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy

Objective：To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with low-frequency electric stimulation on scissor gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods：A total of 60 spastic cerebral palsy kids were allocated into two groups by random number table, 30 in each group. Cases in the control group were treated with physical exercise therapy, massage and hydrotherapy. Based on the therapies given to the control group, cases in the observation group were supplemented with acupuncture combined with low-frequency electric stimulation. Selected points included Zusanli （ST 36）, Sanyinjiao （SP 6）, Yanglingquan （GB 34）, Jiexi （ST 41）, Chengshan （BL 57）, Naoqing [Extra, locates at 2 cun directly above Jiexi （ST 41）] and Genping （Extra, locates at the midpoint of the line connecting medial and lateral malleolus）. The treatment was done once every other day and 10 d made up a treatment course. The low-frequency electric stimulation was applied to anterior tibia, 6 times a week and 20 times made up a treatment course. Cases were treated for a total of 3 courses and there was a 15-20 d interval between two courses. The low limb functions were assessed before and after treatment using the modified Ashworth scale （MAS） and composite spasticity scale （CSS）. In addition, the ankle dorsiflexion angles were measured before and after treatment. Results：After treatment, the ankle dorsiflexion angles and CSS scores in the observation group were better than those in the control group, showing statistical significances （P〈0.05）; the effective rate in the observation group calculated by MAS and ankle dorsiflexion angle were both higher than that in the control group, showing a statistical significance （P〈0.05）. Conclusion：Rehabilitation training combined with acupuncture and low-frequency electric stimulation can achieve better effect than rehabilitation training alone in improving scissor gait in kids with spastic cerebral palsy.

Clinical observation on acupoint massage plus Vitalstim electrical stimulation for deglutition disorder after stroke

Objective:To observe the effect of acupoint massage plus Vitalstim electrical stimulation on deglutition function and surface electromyography(SEMG)of deglutition muscle groups.Methods:A total of 60 patients with deglutition disorder after stroke were selected and divided into an electrical stimulation group,a massage group and an integrated group according to the random number table method,with 20 cases in each group.Patients in these three groups were given the same routine rehabilitation training for deglutition.In addition,patients in the electrical stimulation group were given extra Vitalstim electrical stimulation,patients in the massage group were given extra acupoint massage on the head,face and neck,and patients in the integrated group were given extra acupoint massage plus Vitalstim electrical stimulation.Fujishima Ichiro food intake level scale(FILS)was scored before and after treatment.The swallowing duration and maximal amplitude of masseter muscle in SEMG were evaluated before and after treatment.Results:After treatment,the FILS score and the maximal amplitude of recruitment potential generated by muscular contraction of masseter muscle group in the three groups were higher than those before treatment(all P<0.05),and the swallowing duration of masseter muscle group was shortened compared with that in the same group before treatment(all P<0.05).After treatment,the FILS score in the integrated group was higher than that in the electrical stimulation group and the massage group(both P<0.05).The swallowing duration of masseter muscle group measured by SEMG was lower than that in the electrical stimulation group and the massage group(both P<0.05),while the maximal amplitude was higher than that of the electrical stimulation group and the massage group(P<0.05).After treatment,there were no significant differences in the FILS score,swallowing duration and maximal amplitude of masseter muscle group between the electrical stimulation group and the massage group(all P>0.05).Conclusion:Both acupoint massage and electrical stimulation can improve the deglutition function in patients with deglutition disorder after stroke,and improve the coordination and flexibility of masseter muscle.The integration of the two is more effective.