Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial of Truncal Exercises after Stroke to Improve Gait and Muscle Activity

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a trunk exercise program on the gait and muscle activity in stroke patients. The participants of this pilot study included six hemiplegic stroke patients. The outcomes were surface electromyography (sEMG) and spatiotemporal gait parameters. In analysis of sEMG, no statistically difference was found between pre- and post-training of Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) in rectus abdominis and external abdominal oblique muscle, but it tended to increase. However, the gait parameter significantly increased in walking speed, walking cycle, and affected stride length in stroke patients. These results suggest that the trunk exercise program may in part improve the gait of chronic stroke patients.

Effects of aerobic training on serum paraoxonase activity and its relationship with PON1-192 phenotypes in women

Background：Paraoxonase 1（PON1） is an antioxidant enzyme that protects high-density lipoprotein（HDL） and low-density lipoprotein against oxidation.Limited studies have addressed the influenc of exercise on PON1 activity and its relationship with PON1 phenotypes.We investigated relationships between PON1-192 phenotypes,PON1 activity,aerobic exercise,and blood lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in middle-aged women.Methods：An exercise group（n=50） engaging in regular aerobic exercise and a control group（n=41） were selected from a subset of 300 Caucasian women that met the inclusion criteria.Serum PON1,salt-stimulated PON1（SSPON1）,and arylesterase（ARE） activities;cholesterol levels and ARE activities of total HDL and HDL subgroups（HDLs）（supernatants obtained by polyethylene glycol）;and blood lipid and lipoprotein concentrations were determined by standardized enzymatic methods.PON1-192 QQ（low activity）,QR（moderate activity）,and RR（high activity） phenotype groups were define using serum SSPON1/ARE activity ratios.The R-carries（RC） phenotype group consisted of the QR and RR groups combined.Results：All lipid and lipoprotein concentrations were greater in the exercise group than in the control group.Regardless of phenotype,no significan differences were observed between the exercise and control groups in terms of serum PON1,SSPON1,or ARE activity associated with HDLs（p〉 0.05）,whereas PON1 activities in QQ-phenotyped women in the exercise group were significant y higher than those in the control group（p〈0.01）,but not the RC group.A statistically significan interaction between PON1 phenotypes（QQ and RC groups） and exercise（exercise and control groups） on PON1 activity was found.Conclusion：These results showed that a regular aerobic exercise program can improve PON1 activity depending on PON1-192 phenotype,but not on lipid and lipoprotein levels,in middle-aged Turkish women.

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome with ischemic stroke:A case report

BACKGROUND Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome(KTWS)is a very rare syndrome that involves three conditions:Cutaneous hemangiomas,varicosities,and soft-tissue hypertrophy of the affected limb.There are few cases of ischemic infarction with KTWS.Here,we describe a case of KTWS with ischemic stroke.CASE SUMMARY A 43-year-old man was diagnosed with KTWS with ischemic stroke.His chief complaints were worsening weakness and spasticity in the right leg.These symptoms had been present for 1 year,but the patient did not receive comprehensive rehabilitation until he underwent a 3-week integrated inpatient rehabilitation program at our center.After the program,his muscle strength,walking ability,and exercise endurance improved.Although relatively rare,clinicians should consider the possibility of a thromboembolic event in KTWS patients.Integrated rehabilitation can help such patients to recover function.CONCLUSION In conclusion,although rare,patients with KTWS may experience central nervous system vascular malformations and accompanying stroke.It is necessary to investigate whether such patients have any neurological or comorbid abnormalities.Even in the subacute or chronic period after neurological insult,integrated rehabilitation programs can lead to structural and functional enhancement.