Safety and effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in cardiac surgery:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Lack of mobilization and prolonged stay in the intensive care unit(ICU)are major factors resulting in the development of ICU-acquired muscle weakness(ICUAW).ICUAW is a type of skeletal muscle dysfunction and a common complication of patients after cardiac surgery,and may be a risk factor for prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation,associated with a higher risk of readmission and higher mortality.Early mobilization in the ICU after cardiac surgery has been found to be low with a significant trend to increase over ICU stay and is also associated with a reduced duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay.Neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)is an alternative modality of exercise in patients with muscle weakness.A major advantage of NMES is that it can be applied even in sedated patients in the ICU,a fact that might enhance early mobilization in these patients.AIM To evaluate safety,feasibility and effectiveness of NMES on functional capacity and muscle strength in patients before and after cardiac surgery.METHODS We performed a search on Pubmed,Physiotherapy Evidence Database(PEDro),Embase and CINAHL databases,selecting papers published between December 2012 and April 2023 and identified published randomized controlled trials(RCTs)that included implementation of NMES in patients before after cardiac surgery.RCTs were assessed for methodological rigor and risk of bias via the PEDro.The primary outcomes were safety and functional capacity and the secondary outcomes were muscle strength and function.RESULTS Ten studies were included in our systematic review,resulting in 703 participants.Almost half of them performed NMES and the other half were included in the control group,treated with usual care.Nine studies investigated patients after cardiac surgery and 1 study before cardiac surgery.Functional capacity was assessed in 8 studies via 6MWT or other indices,and improved only in 1 study before and in 1 after cardiac surgery.Nine studies explored the effects of NMES on muscle strength and function and,most of them,found increase of muscle strength and improvement in muscle function after NMES.NMES was safe in all studies without any significant complication.CONCLUSION NMES is safe,feasible and has beneficial effects on muscle strength and function in patients after cardiac surgery,but has no significant effect on functional capacity.

Analysis on the Effect of Yiqi Huoxue Decoction Combined with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Improving ICU-Acquired Debility in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Objective:To investigate the effect of Yiqi Huoxue decoction combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on improving intensive care unit(ICU)acquired debility in mechanically ventilated patients.Methods:50 patients who were admitted to the ICU and received mechanical ventilation treatment in our hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 and were complicated with ICU-acquired neurasthenia were selected,and randomly grouped using the randomized envelope method into two groups:control group with 25 patients who received neuromuscular electrical stimulation alone;observation group with 25 patients who received the traditional Chinese medicine Yiqi Huoxue decoction.Comparison indexes:treatment efficiency,degree of emotional recovery(APACHEⅡscore),muscle strength status(MRC score),motor status(FAC rating),and self-care ability(BI index score).Results:The treatment efficiency of patients in the observation group patients was higher as compared to those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the comparison of the results of the scores(ratings)of each index between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05).After the treatment,the APACHEⅡscores of patients in the observation group were significantly lower as compared to those in the control group,while the MRC scores,FAC ratings,and BI index scores were higher in the observation group than those of the control group patients(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combined application of Yiqi Huoxue decoction and neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the treatment of patients with ICU-acquired neurasthenia complicated by mechanical ventilation significantly enhanced the clinical efficacy,the patient’s muscle strength,motor status,and ability of self-care.Hence,it has high application value and is worthy to be popularized.

Contribution of glial cells to the neuroprotective effects triggered by repetitive magnetic stimulation:a systematic review

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has been increasingly studied in different neurological diseases,and although most studies focus on its effects on neuronal cells,the contribution of nonneuronal cells to the improvement trigge red by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in these diseases has been increasingly suggested.To systematically review the effects of repetitive magnetic stimulation on non-neuronal cells two online databases.Web of Science and PubMed were searched fo r the effects of high-frequency-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,low-frequencyrepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,intermittent theta-bu rst stimulation,continuous thetaburst stimulation,or repetitive magnetic stimulation on non-neuronal cells in models of disease and in unlesioned animals or cells.A total of 52 studies were included.The protocol more frequently used was high-frequency-repetitive magnetic stimulation,and in models of disease,most studies report that high-frequency-repetitive magnetic stimulation led to a decrease in astrocyte and mic roglial reactivity,a decrease in the release of pro-inflammatory cyto kines,and an increase of oligodendrocyte proliferation.The trend towards decreased microglial and astrocyte reactivity as well as increased oligodendrocyte proliferation occurred with intermittent theta-burst stimulation and continuous theta-burst stimulation.Few papers analyzed the low-frequency-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation protocol,and the parameters evaluated were restricted to the study of astrocyte reactivity and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines,repo rting the absence of effects on these paramete rs.In what concerns the use of magnetic stimulation in unlesioned animals or cells,most articles on all four types of stimulation reported a lack of effects.It is also important to point out that the studies were developed mostly in male rodents,not evaluating possible diffe rential effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation between sexes.This systematic review supports that thro ugh modulation of glial cells repetitive magnetic stimulation contributes to the neuroprotection or repair in various neurological disease models.Howeve r,it should be noted that there are still few articles focusing on the impact of repetitive magnetic stimulation on non-neuronal cells and most studies did not perform in-depth analyses of the effects,emphasizing the need for more studies in this field.

Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Combination with Glutamine Administration on Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Colon-26 Tumor-Bearing Mice

The depressed protein synthetic response,a phenomenon termed anabolic resistance,has been shown to be involved in muscle wasting induced by cancer cachexia.Moreover,a positive relationship between the protein synthetic rate and intracellular glutamine(GLN)concentration has been found in skeletal muscles.This study investigated the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation(ES)and GLN administration on muscle wasting and GLN metabolism in colon-26(C-26)tumor-bearing mice.CD2F1 mice were divided into 8 groups:control(CNT),CNT+ES,CNT+GLN,CNT+ES+GLN,C-26,C-26+ES,C-26+GLN,C-26+ES+GLN.Cancer cachexia was induced by subcutaneous injection of C-26 cells and developed for four weeks.ES was performed on the left plantar flexor muscles every other day,and GLN(1 g/kg)was administered daily intraperitoneally starting one day after the C-26 injection.Tumor-free body mass and fast-twitch gastrocnemius(Gas)muscle weight were lower in the C-26 group than in the CNT group(-19%and-17%,respectively).Neither ES training nor GLN administration,alone or in combination,ameliorated the loss of Gas muscle weight in the C-26 mice.However,ES training in combination with GLN administration inhibited the increased expression of GLN synthetase(GS)in the C-26 muscles.Thus,it is likely that GLN plays a critical role in muscle protein metabolism and,therefore,can be targeted as a tentative treatment of cancer cachexia.

Effect of low-frequency pulse percutaneous electric stimulation on peripheral nerve injuries at different sites

BACKGROUND: The postoperative recovery of nerve function in patients with peripheral nerve injury is always an important problem to solve after treatment. The electric stimulation induced electromagnetic field can nourish nerve, postpone muscular atrophy, and help the postoperative neuromuscular function. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of low-frequency pulse percutaneous electric stimulation on the functional recovery of postoperative patients with peripheral nerve injury, and quantitatively evaluate the results of electromyogram (EMG) examination before and after treatment. DESIGN: A retrospective case analysis. SETTING: The Sixth People’s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen postoperative inpatients with peripheral nerve injury were selected from the Department of Orthopaedics, the Sixth People’s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University from June 2005 to January 2006, including 13 males and 6 females aged 24-62 years with an average of 36 years old. There were 3 cases of brachial plexus nerve injury, 3 of median nerve injury, 7 of radial nerve injury, 3 of ulnar nerve injury and 3 of common peroneal nerve injury, and all the patients received probing nerve fiber restoration. Their main preoperative manifestations were dennervation, pain in limbs, motor and sensory disturbances. All the 19 patients were informed with the therapeutic program and items for evaluation. METHODS: ① Low-frequency pulse percutaneous electric stimulation apparatus: The patients were given electric stimulation with the TERESA cantata instrument (TERESA-0, Shanghai Teresa Health Technology, Co.,Ltd.). The patients were stimulated with symmetric square waves of 1-111 Hz, and the intensity was 1.2-5.0 mA, and it was gradually adjusted according to the recovered conditions of neural regeneration following the principle that the intensity was strong enough and the patients felt no obvious upset. They were treated for 4-24 weeks, 10-30 minutes for each time, 1-3 times a day, and 6 weeks as a course. ② EMG examination was applied to evaluate the recoveries of recruitment, motor conduction velocity (MCV) and sensory conduction velocity (SCV) before and after treatment. The patients were examined with the EMG apparatus (DISA2000C, Danmark) before and after the treatment of percutaneous electric stimulation. ③ Standards for evaluating the effects included cured (complete recovery of motor functions, muscle strength of grade 5, no abnormality in EMG examination), obviously effective [general recovery of motor function, muscle strength of grade 4, no or a few denervation potentials, motor conduction velocity (MCV) and sensory conduction velocity (SCV)], improved (partial recovery of motor function, muscle strength of grade 3, denervation potentials and reinneration potentials, slowed MCV and SCV, invalid (no obvious changes of motor function). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Ameliorated degree of the nerve function of the postoperative patients with peripheral nerve injury treated with percutaneous electric stimulation; ② Changes of EMG examination before and after treatment. RESULTS: All the 19 postoperative patients with peripheral nerve injury were involved in the analysis of results. ① Comparison of nerve function before and after treatment in 19 patients with peripheral nerve injury of different sites: For the patients with radial nerve injury (n=7), the nerve functions all completely recovered after 8-week treatment, and the cured and obvious rate was 100% (7/7); For the patients with brachial plexus nerve injury (n=3), 1 case had no obvious improvement, and the cured and obvious rate was 67% (2/3); For the patients with common peroneal nerve injury (n=3), the extension of foot dorsum generally recovered in 1 case of nerve contusion after 4-week treatment, and the cured and obvious rate was 67% (2/3); For the patients with median nerve injury (n=3), muscle strength was obviously recovered, and the cured and obvious rate was 100% (3/3); For the patients with ulnar nerve injury (n=3), 1 case only had recovery of partial senses, and the cured and obvious rate was 67% (2/3). Totally 9 cases were cured, 7 were obviously effective, 1 was improved, and only 2 were invalid. After 4 courses, the cured rate of damaged nerve function after four courses was 47% (9/19), and effective rate was 89% (17/19). ② Comparison of EMG examination before and after treatment: Before and after percutaneous electric stimulation, he effective rates of recruitment, MCV and SCV were 89% (17/19), 58% (11/19), 47% (9/19) respectively, and there were extremely obvious differences (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ① Low-frequency pulse percutaneous electric stimulation can improve the nerve function of postoperative patients with peripheral nerve injury of different sites, especially that the injuries of radial nerve and median nerve recover more obviously. ②Percutaneous electric stimulation can ameliorate the indexes of EMG examination, especially the recruitment, in postoperative patients with peripheral nerve injury.

Effect of Unilateral Low-Frequency Stimulation of Hippocampus on Rapid Kindling—Induced Seizure Development in Rats

Since the last decade deep brain stimulation has been proposed as an alternative treatment for patients who do not become seizure-free with the current pharmacological treatments and cannot undergo resective surgical procedure. However, the optimal stimulation parameters remain undetermined and active research in humans and animals is necessary. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of unilateral Low Frequency Stimulation (LFS) of hippocampus on seizure development by using the hippocampal rapid kindling method (hRK) in rats. We used male Wistar rats implanted with electrodes in the ventral hippocampus. All rats underwent hRK (biphasic square wave pulses, 20 Hz for 10 seconds) during three consecutive days (twelve stimulations per day). The control group (hRK;n = 6) received only RK stimulus, while the treated group (LFS-hRK;n = 8) received also LFS (biphasic square wave pulses, 1 Hz for 30 seconds) immediately before the RK stimulus, during three consecutive days. At the end of behavioral testing on day 3, 62% (P < 0.05) of the animals receiving LFS treatment were still not fully kindled staying in stages 0-III (P < 0.01). The number of stimulations needed to achieve generalized seizures (stage IV-V of Racine scale) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the LFS group with respect to control group. No significant differences in the cumulative daily afterdischarge duration were observed between both groups. These findings suggest that preemptive LFS can significantly decrease the incidence of hippocampus-kindled seizures and delay the progression and secondary generalization of focal seizures.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation and testosterone did not influence heterotopic ossification size after spinal cor injury: A case series

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES) and testosterone replacement therapy(TRT) are effective rehabilitation strategies to attenuate muscle atrophy and evoke hypertrophy in persons with spinal cord injury(SCI). However both interventions might increase heterotopic ossification(HO) size in SCI patients. We present the results of two men with chronic traumatic motor complete SCI who also had pre-existing HO and participated in a study investigating the effects of TRT or TRT plus NMES resistance training(RT) on body composition. The 49-year-old male, Subject A, has unilateral HO in his right thigh. The 31-year-old male, Subject B, has bilateral HO in both thighs. Both participants wore transdermal testosterone patches(4-6 mg/d) daily for 16 wk. Subject A also underwent progressive NMES-RT twice weekly for 16 wk. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired prior to and post intervention. Cross-sectional areas(CSA) of thewhole thigh and knee extensor skeletal muscles, femoral bone, and HO were measured. In Subject A(NMES-RT + TRT), the whole thigh skeletal muscle CSA increased by 10%, the knee extensor CSA increased by 17%, and the HO + femoral bone CSA did not change. In Subject B(TRT), the whole thigh skeletal muscle CSA increased by 13% in the right thigh and 6% in the left thigh. The knee extensor CSA increased by 7% in the right thigh and did not change in the left thigh. The femoral bone and HO CSAs in both thighs did not change. Both the TRT and NMES-RT + TRT protocols evoked muscle hypertrophy without stimulating the growth of preexisting HO.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for a dysphagic stroke patient with cardiac pacemaker using magnet mode change: A case report

BACKGROUND Electromagnetic interference(EMI),means disturbance to the operation of implanted electrical devices caused by external sources.If cardiac pacemaker is implanted into the body,the risk of EMI should be considered when performing neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES).So far,no case has been reported that clinical magnets are used to safely manage the EMI risk of patients with cardiac pacemaker in NMES.CASE SUMMARY A 72-year-old male with swallowing disorder due to pure motor lacunar syndrome was transferred to rehabilitation department six days after the symptom onset.EMI risk needed be considered when implementing NMES on pharyngeal muscles,since cardiac pacemaker was implanted on his left chest due to the sick sinus syndrome.In the first NMES,the function of the pacemaker was directly monitored using telemetric instruments.From the second day,by a simple method of placing a magnet on the pacemaker,we chose to move the pacemaker into a mode that the device was not influenced by external stimulus.This magnet method has been used repeatedly for a year for the safe NMES treatment.We could remove Levin tube four months after the initial symptom and dysphagia related symptoms had not been noted during two-year follow-up period.CONCLUSION This report is the first case of dysphagia rehabilitation that EMI risk was handled using mode change of pacemaker with magnet.This method is unfamiliar to doctors,but safe and easy approach.This paper could be guidance for clinicians who need to treat patients with EMI risk.

The Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Treatment of Acute Cerebral Infarction with Dysphagia and Psychological Disorder

Objective:To explore the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in treatment of acute cerebral infarction with dysphagia and psychological disorder.Methods:78 cases of patients with acute cerebral infarction with dysphagia and psychological disorder were selected and randomly divided into two groups.Control group were treated with conventional drug treatment and swallowing training while neuromuscular electrical stimulation was used to additionally treat the experimental group.Profile of Mood States(Poms)and Robson self-esteem questionnaire(RSEQ-30)scores were used to evaluate the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the two groups before and after treatment.Results:In control group,both Poms and RSEQ-30 scores were not significant different before treatment.In experimental group,Poms and RSEQ-30 scores were significantly lower and higher than before treatment(P<0.05),respectively.Similarly,after treatment,Poms and RSEQ-30 scores in the experimental group were significantly lower and higher than control group(P<0.05),respectively.Conclusion:Neuromuscular electrical stimulation in treatment of acute cerebral infarction with dysphagia and psychological disorder could eliminate the patient's psychological barriers and improve their quality of life.

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 Fugl-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 (r= -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.

Effects of different frequencies of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on the recovery of upper limb motor dysfunction in patients with subacute cerebral infarction

Studies have confirmed that low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can decrease the activity of cortical neurons, and high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can increase the excitability of cortical neurons. However, there are few studies concerning the use of different frequencies of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on the recovery of upper-limb motor function after cerebral infarction. We hypothesized that different frequencies of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with cerebral infarction would produce different effects on the recovery of upper-limb motor function. This study enrolled 127 patients with upper-limb dysfunction during the subacute phase of cerebral infarction. These patients were randomly assigned to three groups. The low-frequency group comprised 42 patients who were treated with 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on the contralateral hemisphere primary motor cortex(M1). The high-frequency group comprised 43 patients who were treated with 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on ipsilateral M1. Finally, the sham group comprised 42 patients who were treated with 10 Hz of false stimulation on ipsilateral M1. A total of 135 seconds of stimulation was applied in the sham group and high-frequency group. At 2 weeks after treatment, cortical latency of motor-evoked potentials and central motor conduction time were significantly lower compared with before treatment. Moreover, motor function scores were significantly improved. The above indices for the low- and high-frequency groups were significantly different compared with the sham group. However, there was no significant difference between the low- and high-frequency groups. The results show that low- and high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can similarly improve upper-limb motor function in patients with cerebral infarction.

Molecular mechanisms and roles of inflammatory responses on low-frequency residual hearing after cochlear implantation

Preservation of low-frequency residual hearing is very important for combined electro-acoustic stimulation after cochlear implantation.However,in clinical practice,loss of low-frequency residual hearing often occurs after cochlear implantation and its mechanisms remain unclear.Factors affecting lowfrequency residual hearing after cochlear implantation are one of the hot spots in current research.Inflammation induced by injury associated with cochlear implantation is deemed to be significant,as it may give rise to low-frequency residual hearing loss by interfering with the blood labyrinth barrier and neural synapses.Pathological changes along the pathway for low-frequency auditory signals transmission may include latent factors such as damage to neuroepithelial structures,synapses,stria vascularis and other ultrastructures.In this review,current research on mechanisms of low-frequency residual hearing loss after cochlear implantation and possible roles of inflammatory responses are summarized.

Clinical observation of acupoint injection combined with nerve electrical stimulation in the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia

Background:Post-stroke dysphagia is one of the common clinical symptoms in the rehabilitation department of primary hospitals,which seriously affects the quality of life of patients and their families.Majority of medical workers have comprehensively studied post-stroke dysphagia as it easily induces inhalation pneumonia,asphyxia,and many other complications.At present,many methods for post-stroke dysphagia have been proved to be effective.With regard to comprehensive treatment effect,patient compliance,technology promotion difficulty,grassroots hospital operability,and other factors,we found that acupoint injection combined with nerve electrical stimulation is a good method worthy of promotion.Methods:A total of 130 patients with dysphagia after stroke were randomly divided into nerve electrical stimulation group(n=41),acupoint injection group(n=40),and comprehensive treatment group(nerve electrical stimulation plus acupoint injection,n=49).The therapeutic effect in each group was evaluated before treatment and 20 days after treatment using the improved water swallow test,video fluoroscopic swallowing study,and standardized swallowing assessment.Results:After 20 days of treatment,significant differences were noted in each group.The scores of improved water swallow test decreased from 4.10±0.74 to 2.12±0.95 in the nerve electrical stimulation group,4.00±0.78 to 2.28±1.04 in the acupoint injection group,and 4.16±0.77 to 1.73±0.79 in the comprehensive treatment group;video fluoroscopic swallowing study scores increased from 3.71±2.16 to 5.05±2.111 in the nerve electrical stimulation group,3.80±1.94 to 5.20±1.942 in the acupoint injection group,and 3.73±2.22 to 6.24±2.21 in the comprehensive treatment group;and standardized swallowing assessment scores of the three groups also decreased from 35.13±3.38 to 28.17±3.42,34.66±3.46,and 34.48±3.26 to 26.39±3.86,respectively.The overall scores of each group after treatment were significantly different from those before treatment(P<0.05),indicating that both nerve electrical stimulation and acupoint injection were effective for post-stroke dysphagia;the scores of nerve electrical stimulation group and acupoint injection group were similar,but those of the comprehensive treatment group were significantly better than the single treatments(P<0.05).It shows that the two treatment methods have synergistic effect,and combined treatments have more benefits.Conclusion:Nerve electrical stimulation and acupoint injection have a synergistic therapeutic effect on post-stroke dysphagia.The combined treatment is more beneficial to patients with post-stroke dysphagia than the single treatments.

Selective stimulation of smaller nerve fibers by single electrode using Biphasic Rectangular Pulses

Based on the F-H model, a simulation system to study the excitation properties of myelinated nerve fibers was developed. In order to minimize electrochemical damage of nerve tissue, a method was studied to selectively stimulate the smaller nerve fibers by single electrode employing charge-balanced biphasic rectangular pulses, in which an anode pulse with lower amplitude and longer pulse width was added before a cathode pulse with higher amplitude and short pulse width. The simulation results proved that the method is effective in selective stimulation of smaller nerve fibers in a compound nerve trunk in certain conditions. The feasibility of this method was also verified by animal experiments on the sciatic nerve trunks of toads. The amplitude and delay of compound action potential and the results of collision experiments proved that the method is valid. These methods will be very useful in functional neuromuscular stimulation.

Effects of Eccentric Contractions Induced Electrical Stimulation Training System on Quadriceps Femoris Muscle

We developed an eccentric contraction induced electrical stimulation (ES) training system. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the eccentric contraction induced ES enhance the knee extension torque compared with typical ES. Twenty-two young untrained men (age: 23 ± 3 years) in the acute response trial (single training) and seven untrained men in the long period training trial (for 6 weeks) were studied. We measured muscle thickness and knee extension torque evoked by ES with eccentric contraction training system (ES + ECC) or ES alone for the quadriceps muscle of men. The levels of pain and discomfort were evaluated using numeric rating scale (NRS) and heart rate variability. The knee extension torque of ES + ECC was higher than that of ES alone in the acute response trial. There were no significant differences in the levels of pain and discomfort between ES and ES + ECC. Additionally, ES + ECC training for 6 weeks was effective on the quadriceps muscle thickness and knee extension torque. In contrast, the ES alone training failed to increase muscle thickness and knee extension torque. These results suggest that eccentric contraction induced ES would have the potential to become an effective intervention to promote muscle strengthening.

Hippocampal High-Frequency Stimulation Inhibites the Progression of Rapid Kindling-Induced Seizure in Rats

Epilepsy is one of the most common serious neurological disorders. Pharmacoresistant epilepsy patients are poorly controlled or their seizures are refractory to drug treatment. Resective surgery is frequently a promising therapy in this population, however, not all the patients meet the eligibility criteria for the surgical treatment. Deep brain stimulation has been investigated in clinical studies and animal studies as an alternative treatment, but the optimal stimulation parameters remain an issue. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of unilateral high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of hippocampus on seizure development by using the hippocampal rapid kindling method (hRK) in rats, and compared the results with those of low-frequency stimulation previously published by our group. We used male Wistar rats implanted with electrodes in the ventral hippocampus. All rats underwent hRK (biphasic square wave pulses, 20 Hz for 10 seconds) during three consecutive days (twelve stimulations per day). The control group (hRK;n = 7) received only RK stimulus, while the treated group (HFS-hRK;n = 9) received also HFS (biphasic square wave pulses, 130 Hz for 30 seconds) immediately before the RK stimulus, during three consecutive days. At the end of behavioral testing 78% (p 0.01) of the animals receiving HFS treatment were still not fully kindled staying in stages 0 -III (p 0.01). HFS group needed a higher number of stimulations to achieve stage III (p 0.05) with respect to control group. However, no significant differences in the cumulative daily afterdischarge duration were observed. HFS did not present significant differences compared with LFS in any of studied parameters. The findings suggest that unilateral HFS applied on hippocampus effectively inhibited the epileptogenic process induced by hippocampal rapid kindling. According to the comparative results about hippocampal rapid kindled animals stimulated with HFS and LFS (5 Hz), we found no conclusive information on which treatment is most efficient.

神经肌肉电刺激联合口腔感觉训练对重症病毒性脑炎合并吞咽障碍患儿的康复效果

目的探讨神经肌肉电刺激(NMES)联合口腔感觉训练对重症病毒性脑炎(SVE)合并吞咽障碍患儿的康复效果、吞咽功能、神经功能、营养状况的影响。方法选择河北省儿童医院2021-01—2023-03收治的SVE合并吞咽障碍患儿108例。随机数字表法分为口腔感觉训练组和NMES联合组各54例。2组患者均进行抗病毒、降颅内压、去高热、控制惊厥、保护脑神经等对症支持治疗。口腔感觉训练组给予口腔感觉运动训练,NMES联合组在口腔感觉训练基础上进行NMES康复治疗。比较2组患者康复效果、吞咽功能[吞咽障碍调查量表(DDS)]、神经功能指标[血清脑源性的神经营养因子(BDNF)、神经元特异性的烯醇化酶(NSE)水平]、营养状况[主观的综合性营养评分量表(SGA)]、生活质量[吞咽障碍特异性生存质量量表(SWAL-QOL)]。结果康复治疗4周后,NMES联合组康复总有效率为92.59%,高于口腔感觉训练组的72.22%(P<0.05);NMES联合组口腔期、咽期、食管期DDS评分、SGA评分、SWAL-QOL评分、血清BDNF水平明显高于口腔感觉训练组,血清NSE水平低于口腔感觉训练组(P<0.05)。结论NMES联合口腔感觉训练用于SVE合并吞咽障碍患儿的康复治疗,可有效提升康复效果,进一步改善吞咽功能和神经功能,改善患儿的营养不良状况,提升患儿生活质量。

腹壁强化训练联合神经肌肉电刺激治疗产后腹直肌分离的临床研究

目的研究腹壁强化训练联合神经肌肉电刺激治疗产后腹直肌分离的临床效果。方法选取2021年1月至2022年12月江苏省江阴市中医院收治的108例产后腹直肌分离患者,按照随机数字表法将其分为三组,每组36例。腹壁强化组采用腹壁强化训练治疗,电刺激组采用神经肌肉电刺激治疗,联合组采用腹壁强化训练联合神经肌肉电刺激治疗,治疗3个疗程。比较两组临床疗效;比较两组治疗前后腹直肌超声指标、腹部核心肌群肌力、生活质量评分。结果联合组临床疗效优于腹壁强化组、电刺激组(P<0.05)。治疗后,三组腹直肌间距小于治疗前,腹直肌厚度、弹性模量值、剪切波速度高于治疗前;且联合组腹直肌间距小于腹壁强化组、电刺激组,腹直肌厚度、弹性模量值、剪切波速度高于腹壁强化组、电刺激组(P<0.05)。治疗后,三组腹直肌、腹横肌、腹斜肌肌力高于治疗前,且联合组高于腹壁强化组、电刺激组(P<0.05)。治疗后,三组躯体功能、社会功能、心理功能和物质生活状态评分高于治疗前,且联合组高于腹壁强化组、电刺激组(P<0.05)。结论腹壁强化训练联合神经肌肉电刺激治疗产后腹直肌分离的效果显著,可增强患者腹部核心肌群肌力,提高生活质量。

低频神经肌肉刺激治疗产后盆底肌力减退的效果分析

目的:分析低频神经肌肉刺激治疗产后盆底肌力减退的效果。方法:选取2021年1月—2022年1月南方医科大学南方医院收治的产后盆底肌力减退患者300例作为研究对象,采用随机数字表法分为对照组和观察组,各150例。对照组实施常规产后盆底康复训练,观察组在对照组基础上实施低频神经肌肉刺激治疗。比较两组临床疗效、盆底肌力、漏尿情况、盆底功能。结果:观察组治疗总有效率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.004)。观察组盆底肌力优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。干预后,两组漏尿次数、漏尿量评分低于干预前,且观察组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。干预后,两组盆底功能评分低于干预前,且观察组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:低频神经肌肉刺激治疗产后盆底肌力减退的效果显著,可改善漏尿情况,提高盆底肌力,改善盆底功能。