Impact of task-oriented training based on acupuncture rehabilitation on upper extremity function and quality of life of patients with early stroke

BACKGROUND Eighty percent of stroke patients develop upper limb dysfunction,especially hand dysfunction,which has a very slow recovery,resulting in economic burden to families and society.AIM To investigate the impact of task-oriented training based on acupuncture therapy on upper extremity function in patients with early stroke.METHODS Patients with early stroke hemiplegia who visited our hospital between January 2021 and October 2022 were divided into a control group and an observation group,each with 50 cases.The control group underwent head acupuncture plus routine upper limb rehabilitation training(acupuncture therapy).In addition to acupuncture and rehabilitation,the observation group underwent upper limb task-oriented training(30 min).Each group underwent treatment 5 d/wk for 4 wk.Upper extremity function was assessed in both groups using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity(FMA-UE),Wolf Motor Function Rating Scale(WMFT),modified Barthel Index(MBI),and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure(COPM).Quality of life was evaluated using the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey(SF-36).Clinical efficacy of the interventions was also evaluated.RESULTS Before intervention,no significant differences were observed in the FMA-UE,MBI,and WMFT scores between the two groups(P>0.05).After intervention,the FMA-UE,WMFT,MBI,COPM-Functional Mobility and Satisfaction,and SF-36 scores increased in both groups(P<0.05),with even higher scores in the observation group(P<0.05).The observation group also obtained a higher total effective rate than the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Task-oriented training based on acupuncture rehabilitation significantly enhanced upper extremity mobility,quality of life,and clinical efficacy in patients with early stroke.

Virtual Reality-Based Mirror Therapy for Upper Extremity Function among Stroke Patients:A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review

[Objectives]To investigate the evidence-based effect of virtual reality-based mirror therapy system(VR-MT)on upper extremity function among stroke patients.[Methods]A systematic electronic searching of the Medline,PubMed,Web of Science and CNKI was initially performed up to June 10,2024.The risk of bias of the included studies was evaluated using RevMan 5.4 software based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews.The random-effects model or fixed-effects models was employed to estimate the standardized mean difference(SMD).The subgroup analyses were conducted exploring theVR-MT type(immersive or non-immersive)and comparing with MT or control group.[Results]In total 8 studies with a total of 273 stroke patients were included in this review.The pooled analysis of these trials showed a statistically significant enhancement inFMA-UE scores(6 studies,SMD=0.72,[95%CI 0.37 to 1.06];P<0.0001,I^(2)=31%)and Box and Block Test(BBT)(3 studies,SMD=0.49,[95%C/0.05 to 0.93];P=0.03,I^(2)=0%),rather than Manual Function Test(MFT)scores(3 studies,SMD=0.38,[95%CI-0.09 to 0.84];P=0.11,I^(2)=0%)following the application of reality-based mirror therapy.Additionally,the subgroup analysis results indicated that immersive VR-MT can significantly improve FMA-UE(5studies,SMD=0.73,[95%CI 0.24 to 1.23];P=0.004,I^(2)=43%).In contrast,the overall effect of non-immersive VR-MT was non-significant(2 studies,SMD=0.33,[95%CI-0.69 to 1.34];P=0.53,I^(2)=72%).[Conclusions]In this systematic review and meta-analysis,our findings indicate that immersiveVR-MT has the potential to improve upper extremity function among stroke patients.

Effects of Repetitive TranscranialMagnetic Stimulation on Upper Extremity Function in Acute Stroke:A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review

[Objectives]To conduct a comprehensive examination of the evidence-based impact of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)on upper extremity functionality in patients with acute stroke.[Methods]A rigorous and systematic electronic search was conducted across the Medline,PubMed,and Web of Science databases,encompassing literature up to July 1,2024.To ensure the reliability of the in-cluded studies,an assessment of their risk of bias was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software,in accordance with the rigorous standards out-lined in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Revieus.Subsequently,we employed either the random-effects model or the fixed-effects model,depending on the heterogeneity of the data,to estimate the standardized mean difference(SMD)in outcomes,utilizing Stata 18.0 software for statistical analysis.[Results]Our review encompassed a total of five studies,involving 252 patients with acute stroke.The pooled analysis of these studies revealed a statistically significant improvement in Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity(FMA-UE)scores among pa-tients who received rTMS therapy(SMD=2.71,95%CI:0.85 to 4.56;P<0.0001),albeit with considerable heterogeneity(I^(2)=97.65%)across the trials.[Conclusions]The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis underscore the promising potential of rTMS in enhancing upper extremity function in patients who have experienced an acute stroke.These findings provide compelling evidence for the therapeutic benefits of rTMS in this patient population.

Upper extremity vascular injuries:Etiology,management and outcome

BACKGROUND Vascular injuries of the upper extremities are considered relatively rare injuries affecting mostly the young population.They often are complex injuries accompanied by other musculoskeletal trauma or trauma in other anatomic locations.Their management is challenging since they can lead to disabilities with major socioeconomic effects.AIM To analyze data about the mechanism of injury,the management algorithm and functional outcomes of vascular injuries of the upper extremity.METHODS One hundred and fifteen patients(96 males and 19 females)with arterial injuries of the upper extremity treated in a tertiary trauma center from January 2003 to December 2022 was conducted.Mean patients’age was 33.7 years and the mean follow up time was 7.4 years.Patients with Mangled Extremity Severity Score≥7 and Injury Severity Score≥20,previous upper limb surgery or major trauma and any neuromuscular or psychiatric disease were excluded,from the study.RESULTS A penetrating trauma was the most common cause of injury.The radial artery was the artery injured in most of the cases(37.4%)followed by the ulnar(29.5%),the brachial(12.1%)and the axillary(6%).A simultaneous injury of both of the forearm’s arteries was in 15.6%of the cases.In 93%of the cases there were other concomitant musculoskeletal injuries of the extremity.Tendon lacerations were the most common,followed by nerve injuries.The postoperative functional scores(full Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder,and Hand and VAS)had very satisfactory values.CONCLUSION Although vascular injuries of the upper extremity are rare,they may occur in the context of major combined musculoskeletal trauma.Although a multidisciplinary approach is essential to optimize outcome,the ability of trained hand surgeons to repair all injuries in combined vascular and musculoskeletal upper extremity trauma,excluding isolated vascular injuries,ensures shorter operative times and better functional outcomes.

Work-related musculoskeletal injuries among upper extremity surgeons:A web-based survey

BACKGROUND Work-related injuries have gained recent attention,especially in the orthopaedic literature.As upper extremity orthopaedic surgical tasks require repetitive and constant maneuvers,these surgeons can be at increased risk of acquiring workrelated musculoskeletal(MSK)disorders during their years in practice.AIM To assess the prevalence,characteristics and impact of MSK disorders among upper extremity orthopaedic surgeons.METHODS A modified version of the physical discomfort survey was sent to surgeons who were members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and the Canadian shoulder and elbow society via e-mail.The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics,one-way analysis of variance,and Fisher's exact test.P values of<0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTS Of the 142 respondents,90.8% were males and the majority were younger than 55 years old(65.5%).A work-related MSK injury was reported by 89.4% of respondents,of which the most common diagnoses were low back pain(26.1%)and lateral elbow epicondylitis(18.3%).Among those that reported an injury,82.7%required treatment and 26% required time off work as a direct result of their injury.The need to undergo treatment due to the injury was associated with increased number of injuries(P<0.01).Moreover,surgeons were more likely to require time off work when they had been in practice for>21 years(P<0.05).CONCLUSION A high proportion of surgeons in our survey reported MSK injuries,with more than one quarter of surgeons reported requiring time off work due to an MSK injury.The high incidence of these disorders may place a financial and psychological burden on surgeons and affect their ability to provide patient care.Awareness of operative ergonomics,irrespective of surgical specialty may help to decrease or possibly prevent the occurrence of these disorders.

Traditional Chinese combined with western therapy in treatment of upper extremity edema after breast cancer surgery: A meta-analysis

Objective:To evaluate clinical efficacy by traditional Chinese combined with western therapy to treat upper extremity edema after breast cancer surgery.The clinical efficacy was described by the effective rate and the change of peripheral diameter of the affected limb.Methods:National Knowledge Internet(CNKI),Wan Fang Digital Journals(Wan Fang),VIP Chinese periodical service platform(VIP),Chinese biomedical literature service system(CBM),PubMed and EMBASE were searched on computer.And clinical randomized controlled trials(RCT)of the treatment of upper extremity edema after breast cancer surgery with integration of Chinese and western treatment were selected.The time was from January 2011 to May 2020.Upper extremity edema after breast cancer surgery was the first key word and the second was traditional Chinese combined with western therapy.Note Express was used to screen and extract literature.Bias risks of all the literature included in the study were evaluated and analyzed by RevMan5.3 software.Results:10 randomized controlled clinical tests,644 patients in conformity to the inclusion criteria,9 for the observation of curative effectiveness,5 of changes in limb circumference.322 cases were included in the observation group and the same number of cases in the control group,all of which were in Chinese.The results expressed that the curative effect in the observation group was 91.1%,and it was higher than the curative effect in the control group treated by single western treatment obviously,and it was only 68.9%[95%CI(1.22,1.44),Z=6.55,P<0.00001].The peripheral diameter shrinking degree of the affected limb in the observation group was also clearly higher than that in the control group which was healed by simple western treatment[95%CI(-0.98,-0.64),Z=9.40,P<0.00001].Conclusion:Traditional Chinese combined with western therapy treating upper extremity edema after the surgery of breast cancer had a notable clinical effect,which treated the disease and effectively lessened the peripheral diameter of the affected limb.The method was worthy of clinical application.However,owing to the low quality of the included documents,further discussion and learning were still needed.

Subcutaneous sarcoidosis of the upper and lower extremities: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease of unknown etiology that most often impacts the lungs.Cutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis are seen among 9%- 37% of patients.Subcutaneous sarcoidosis is a rare presentation of cutaneous sarcoidosis with estimates of frequency ranging from 1.4%-16%.To date,very few articles and case reports have been written about this subject.In this paper,we describe a case of subcutaneous sarcoidosis and perform a review of the literature to determine if there are commonalities among patients who present with subcutaneous sarcoidosis.CASE SUMMARY A 38-year-old female,with a past medical history of arthritis and recurrent nephrolithiasis,presents with an 8-mo history of 4 firm,asymptomatic,skincolored nodules on her left and right upper extremities and neck.Needle biopsy and post-excisional pathology report both revealed well-formed,dense,noncaseating granulomas localized to the subcutaneous tissue.Chest computed tomography revealed mild mediastinal lymphadenopathy.A diagnosis of subcutaneous sarcoidosis was made,and the lesions were surgically removed.CONCLUSION Commonalities among patients presenting with subcutaneous sarcoidosis include: middle-aged female,lesions localizing to the upper or lower limbs,lymphadenopathy or pulmonary infiltration on chest imaging,elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme.

A comprehensive musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous system assessment of war-related bilateral upper extremity amputees

Background: Upper limb amputations are one of the unpleasant war injuries that armed forces are exposed to frequently. The present study aimed to assess the musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous systems in Iraq-Iran war veterans with bilateral upper extremity amputation.Methods: The study consisted of taking a history and clinical examinations including demographic data, presence and location of pain, level of amputation, passive and active ranges of movement of the joints across the upper and lower extremities and spine, manual palpation, neurological examination, blood circulation pulses and issues related to a prosthetic limb. In this study, 103 Iranian bilateral upper extremity amputees(206 amputations) from the IranIraq war were evaluated, and a detailed questionnaire was also administered.Results: The most common level of amputation was the finger or wrist level(108, 52.4%). Based on clinical examination, we found high frequencies of limited active and passive joint range of movement across the scapula, shoulder, elbow, wrist and metacarpophalangeal, interphalangeal and thumb joints. Based on muscle strength testing, we found varying degrees of weakness across the upper limbs. Musculoskeletal disorders included epicondylitis(65, 31.6%), rotator cuff injury(24, 11.7%), bicipital tendonitis(69, 33.5%), shoulder drop(42, 20.4%) and muscle atrophy(19, 9.2%). Peripheral nerve disorders included carpal tunnel syndrome in 13(6.3%) and unilateral brachial plexus injury in 1(1%). Fifty-three(51.5%) were diagnosed with facet joint syndrome at the level of the cervical spine(the most frequent site). Using a prosthesis was reported by 65(63.1%), both left and right sides. The back was the most common site of pain(71.8%).Conclusion: The high prevalence of neuro-musculoskeletal disorders among bilateral upper extremity amputees indicates that they need regular rehabilitation care.

Non-ossifying fibromas: Case series, including in uncommon upper extremity sites

AIM To investigate non-ossifying fibromas(NOFs) common fibrous bone lesions in children that occur in bones of the lower extremities.METHODS We analyzed 44 cases of NOF including 47 lesions, which were referred with a working diagnosis of neoplastic lesions. Lesions were located in the upper extremities(1 proximal humerus, 1 distal radius) and the lower extremities(25 distal femurs, 12 proximal and 4 distal tibias, and 4 proximal fibulas).RESULTS Three cases had NOFs in multiple anatomical locations(femur and fibula in 1 case, femur and tibia in 2 cases). Overall, larger lesions > 4 cm and lesion expansion at the cortex were seen in 21% and 32% of cases, respectively. Multiple lesions with bilateral symmetry in the lower extremities suggest that these NOFs were developmental bone defects. Two patients suffered from fracture and were treated without surgery, one in the radius and one in the femur. Lesions in the upper extremities(i.e., humerus of a 4-year-old female and radius of a 9-year-old male) expanded at the cortex and lesion size increased with slow ossification.CONCLUSION NOFs in the lower extremity had fewer clinical problems, regardless of their size and expansiveness. In these two upper extremity cases, the NOFs had aggressive biological features. It seems that there is a site specific difference, especially between the upper extremity and the lower extremity. Furthermore, NOFs in the radius are predisposed to fracture because of the slender structure of the radius and the susceptibility to stress.

Effectiveness of Modified Constraint Induced Movement Therapy and Bilateral Arm Training on Upper Extremity Function after Chronic Stroke: A Comparative Study

Statement of the Problem: Upper limb hemiparesis is a common impairment underlying disability after Stroke. Transfer of treatment to daily functioning remains a question for traditional approaches used in treatment of upper extremity hemiparesis. Approaches based on Motor Learning principles may facilitate the transfer of treatment to activities of daily living. Methodology: Forty one subjects with chronic stroke, attending department of occupational therapy, National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped, Kolkata, West Bengal, India participated in a single blinded randomized pre-test and post-test control group training study. Subjects were randomized over three intervention groups receiving modified Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (n = 13), Bilateral Arm training (n = 14), and an equally intensive conventional treatment program (n = 14). Subjects in the bilateral arm training group participated in bilateral symmetrical activities, where as subjects in constraint induced movement therapy group performed functional activities with the affected arm only and conventional group received conventional Occupational Therapy. Each group received intensive training for 1 hour/day, 5 days/week, for 8 weeks. Pre-treatment and post-treatment measures included the Fugl-Meyer measurement of physical performance (FMA- upper extremity section), action research arm test, motor activity log. Assessments were administered by a rater blinded to group assignment. Result: Both m-CIMT (p = 0.01) and bilateral arm training (p = 0.01) group showed statistically significant improvement in upper extremity functioning on Action Research Arm Test score in comparison to the conventional therapy group (p = 0.33). The bilateral arm training group had significantly greater improvement in upper arm function (Proximal Fugl-Meyer Assessment score, p = 0.001);while the constraint induced movement therapy group had greater improvement of hand functions (Distal Fugl-Meyer Assessment score, p = 0.001. There is an improvement seen in Quality of movement in the Conventional Therapy group. (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Both the treatment techniques can be used for upper extremity management in patients with chronic stroke. Bilateral arm training may be used to improve upper arm function and m-CIMT may be used to improve hand functions, while the group that received modified constraint induced movement therapy had greater improvement.

Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis:An intensivist’s perspective

Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis(UEDVT)is less common than lower extremity DVT but is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in intensive care unit patients.Increasing cancer incidence,prolonged life expectancy and increasing use of intravascular catheters and devices has led to an increased incidence of UEDVT.It is also associated with high rates of complications like pulmonary embolism,post-thrombotic syndrome and recurrent thrombosis.Clinical prediction scores and D-dimer may not be as useful in identifying UEDVT;hence,a high suspicion index is required for diagnosis.Doppler ultrasound is commonly employed for diagnosis,but other tests like computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging venography may also be required in some patients.Contrast venography is rarely used in patients with clinical and ultrasound findings discrepancies.Anticoagulant therapy alone is sufficient in most patients,and thrombolysis and surgical decompression is seldom indicated.The outcome depends on the cause and underlying comorbidities.

Optimal Dimensional Synthesis of a Symmetrical Five-Bar Planar Upper-Extremity Neuromotor Device

Individuals with hemiplegia suffer from impaired arm movements that appear as a marked change in arm stiffness. A quantitative measure of arm stiffness would characterize rehabilitation therapy effectively, while little mechanism is designed to implement the function. A symmetrical five-bar linkage consisting of two revolute joints and three prismatic joints is presented. Inverse kinematics and forward kinematics are obtained first. Then inverse singularities and direct singularities of the mechanism are gained. The global stiffness index is defined based on the results of kinematics analysis. Finally, optimal dimensional synthesis of the mechanism in terms of maximum stiffness is conducted by genetic algorithms. The calculation results show that with the length of both the two linkage a=830 mm, the interacting angle of the two guides 2δ=4.48 radian, and the maximum range of displacement of the two carriers dmax=940 mm, the mechanism achieves highest rigidity and its workspace is singularity-free, which covers the human left and right arm range of motion. The proposed novel mechanism featuring high rigidity and a singularity-free workspace can provide rehabilitation training, also solve the problem of quantitative measure of arm stiffness.

Upper extremity disorders in heavy industry workers in Greece

AIM To investigate the disability due to musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities in heavy industry workers.METHODS The population under study consisted of 802 employees, both white-and blue-collar, working in a shipyard industry in Athens, Greece. Data were collected through the distribution of questionnaires and the recording of individual and job-related characteristics during the period 2006-2009. The questionnaires used were the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand(QD) Outcome Measure, the Work Ability Index(WAI) and the ShortForm-36(SF-36) Health Survey. The QD was divided into three parameters-movement restrictions in everyday activities, work and sports/music activities-and the SF-36 into two items, physical and emotional. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed by means of the SPSS v.22 for Windows Statistical Package.RESULTS The answers given by the participants for the QD did not reveal great discomfort regarding the execution of manual tasks, with the majority of the participants scoring under 5%, meaning no disability. After conducting multiple linear regression, age revealed a positive association with the parameter of restrictions in everyday activities(b = 0.64, P = 0.000). Basic education showed a statistically significant association regarding restrictions during leisure activities, with b = 2.140(P = 0.029) for compulsory education graduates. WAI's final score displayed negative charging in the regression analysis of all three parameters, with b =-0.142(P = 0.0), b =-0.099(P = 0.055) and b =-0.376(P = 0.001) respectively, while the physical and emotional components of SF-36 associated with movement restrictions only in daily activities and work. The participants' specialty made no statistically significant associations with any of the three parameters of the QD.CONCLUSION Increased musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity are associated with older age, lower basic education and physical and mental/emotional health and reduced working ability.

The Role of Baseline Functional MRI as a Predictor of Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Efficacy in Patients with Moderate to Severe Upper Extremity Dysfunction

Introduction: Upper extremity impairment is one of the common complications following a stroke. There are numerous rehabilitation strategies to address this problem. However, patients with moderate to severe upper limb disabilities respond differently to the same rehabilitation protocol. Apart from each patient’s unique characteristics, there are specific brain reorganizing patterns that affect the post-rehabilitation response rate. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) determines brain activation area and connectivity patterns and has been utilized in the neurorehabilitation field. Material and Methods: Six stroke patients who suffered from moderate to severe upper extremity dysfunction were enrolled in this pilot study. Upper extremity function tests including the Fugl-Meyer assessment test for upper extremity (FMA-UE), and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) were utilized before and after completing an intensive rehabilitation. The intensive rehabilitation program was conducted one hour a day for five days per week for four weeks. Moreover, fMRI was applied before initiating rehabilitation. The regions of interest were those associated with movement, including Brodmann areas (BA) BA1-BA6. Results: Six stroke patients in the sub-acute to chronic phase and ages ranging between 33 - 75 years were enrolled. All patients showed an improvement in upper limb function after four weeks of rehabilitation. Patient number one (Pt1) had the most improvement in FMA-UE, while patient number four (Pt4) recovered the most measured by WMFT. Pt1 demonstrated increased activity in all contralesional regions, whereas Pt4 had only increased activity in ipsilesional areas. Furthermore, patients with greater activation in the ipsilesional BA6 (Pt1, Pt4, Pt5, and Pt6) had better responses to the rehabilitation therapy. Conclusion: Patients with greater activation in the baseline fMRI, particularly ipsilesional BA6, had a better response to the intensive rehabilitation therapy. However, the patients with the most severe hand dysfunction showed lesser improvement despite the same brain activity as others in the initial fMRI.

Ongoing Blood Pressure Change in Both Upper Extremities: An Unusual Presentation of Aortic Dissection

Aortic dissection is a critical condition requiring immediate assessment and management. Patients with this condition usually present with severe chest pain and high blood pressure. However, because of the variety of presenting symptoms and features, it is a challenge to identify this condition, and patients are frequently misdiagnosed. The potentially critical course of aortic dissection can result in tragedy. We present the case of a 46-year-old woman who initially presented with a light headache and sensory loss in her right upper limb. She had a medical history of hypertension without regular medication, and her blood pressure (BP) was 110/67 mmHg on arrival. Four days later, she was sent to the emergency department again because she experienced transient loss of consciousness lasting for a few minutes. Her BP was 94/57 mmHg in the right arm and 89/54 in the left arm. She was admitted to the hospital, and the pulses in both upper limbs were impalpable on the following day. Chest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was arranged, and subsequently, aortic dissection was diagnosed. The case presented with unusual characteristics, which increased the difficulty in immediate correct diagnosis.

Uncommon Tissue Defects of Upper Extremities: Bacillus Antracis

Introduction: Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis spores. Cutaneous form is the most common and the least fatal form of the disease, however the disease is uncommon in Europe and U.S. and the reports in the literature are mostly case reports for upper extremity. Case Series: 7 patients, who were treated between 1999 and 2015 in our clinic with the diagnosis of cutaneous anthrax in their upper extremity, were included to our study. 3 patients applied directly to plastic surgery, others were consulted from the infectious disease clinics. Reconstructions were done with skin grafts or secondarily. Discussion: Anthrax causes cutaneous, gastrointestinal and inhalation forms of the disease. Despite being very rare in Europe and US, in Turkey there are many reported anthrax cases. However, cutaneous anthrax of upper extremity is reported rarely in the literature. Painless papule and vesicles are well defined as clinical findings. In anthrax, the excision of skin lesions or biopsies is contraindicated because of the risk of systemic spread. Conclusion: Despite cutaneous anthrax of the hand and upper extremity is very rare, the diagnosis is easy because of the typical presentation and history. Once the definitive diagnosis is set, the treatment is effortless with the antibiotherapy and first steps of the reconstruction ladder.

Clinical analysis of symmetry peripheral entrapment neuropathies of upper extremity

Objective To discuss the etiology,course of diseases and prognosis of symmetry peripheral entrapment enuropathies of upper extremity. Methods The etiology, clinical scale and resluts of 14 cases were analyzed betwen 1999 and April 2002. Results In the bilateral tunnel syndrome, the excellent and good rate was 60% at the original side and 80% at the contralateral side occurred later. In the bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, the excellent and good rate was 67% at the original side and 89% at the contralateral side occurred later. Conclusion The main etiological factor of the bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome was the elbow eversion deformity. The lesions of synovium contributed mainly to the symmetry carpal tunnel syndrome. The symmetry peripheral entrapment neuropathies of upper extremity should be operated on as soon as possible when diagnosis had been made for enhancement of treatment outcome. 5 refs,2 tabs.

Hirayama disease simple presenting proximal upper extremity muscular atrophy

Objective To investigate the clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of patients with Hirayama disease simply presenting proximal upper extremity muscular atrophy. Methods Three patients with Hirayama disease simply

Motor relearning program and Bobath method improve motor function of the upper extremities in patients with stroke

BACKGROUND: In the natural evolution of cerebrovascular disease, unconscious use of affected extremity during drug treatment and daily life can improve the function of affected upper extremity partially, but it is very slow and also accompanied by the formation of abnormal mode. Therefore, functional training should be emphasized in recovering the motor function of extremity. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of combination of motor relearning program and Bobath method on motor function of upper extremity of patients with stroke. DESIGN: Comparison of therapeutic effects taking stroke patients as observation subjects. SETTING: Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Beijing Jingmei Group. PARTICIPANTS: Totally 120 stroke patients, including 60 males and 60 females, averaged (59±3) years, who hospitalized in the Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Beijing Jingmei Group between January 2005 and June 2006 were recruited. The involved patients met the following criteria: Stroke attack within 2 weeks; diagnosis criteria of cerebral hemorrhage or infarction made in the 4th National Cerebrovascular Disease Conference; confirmed by skull CT or MRI; Informed consents of therapeutic regimen were obtained. The patients were assigned into 2 groups according to their wills: rehabilitation group and control group, with 30 males and 30 females in each group. Patients in rehabilitation group averaged (59±2)years old, and those in the control group averaged (58±2)years old. METHODS: ① Patients in two groups received routine treatment in the Department of Neurology. When the vital signs of patients in the rehabilitation group were stable, individualized treatment was conducted by combined application of motor relearning program and Bobath method. Meanwhile, training of activity of daily living was performed according to the disease condition changes of patients at different phases, including the nursing and instruction of body posture, the maintenance of good extremity position, bed exercise, bedside sit up and sitting position balance, sit up exercise, dynamic and static balance exercise, walking exercise, active training and passive training. The strength, time and speed of training were increased gradually according to their physical abilities. Patients were trained 45 to 60 minutes once, 5 times a week, within 2 weeks. ② Evaluation criteria of therapeutic effect: The motor function of upper extremity was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer method on the day of beginning and end of treatment. Higher points indicated better function of upper extremity. ③ t test and paired t test were used for comparing the difference of intergroup and intragroup measurement data, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in Fugl-Meyer scoring of two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: Totally 120 stroke patients participated in the final analysis. Before treatment, Fugl-Meyer scoring was close between rehabilitation group and control group [(14.47±2.38),(14.16±2.39) points, P > 0.05]; Fugl-Meyer scoring of rehabilitation group after treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment and that of control group[(37.93±2.67),(18.36±2.43) points, t =11.053, 5.408, P < 0.01]; There were no significant differences in Fugl-Meyer scoring between before treatment in the control group and control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined application of motor relearning program and Bobath method can significantly improve the motor function of upper extremity of patients with stroke.

Kinematic Analysis of the Neck and Upper Extremities During Walking in Healthy Young Adults

The objective of this paper is to quantify the local stabilities of the neck and upper extremities （right/left shoulders and right/left elbows）, and investigate differences between linear and nonlinear measurements of the associated joint motions and differences in the local stability between the upper and lower extremities. This attempt involves the calculation of a nonlinear parameter, Lyapunov Exponent （LE）, and a linear parameter, Range of Motion （ROM）, during treadmill walking in conj unction with a large population of healthy subjects. Joint motions of subjects were captured using a three-dimensional motion-capture system. Then mathematical chaos theory and the Rosenstein algorithm were employed to calculate LE of joints as the extent of logarithmic divergence between the neighboring state-space trajectories of flexion-extension angles. LEs computed over twenty males and twenty females were 0.037~0.023 for the neck, 0.043＋0.021 for the right shoulder, 0.045i0.030 for the left shoulder, 0.032i0.021 for the right elbow, and 0.034~0.026 for the left elbow. Although statistically significant difference in the ROM was observed between all pairs of the neck and upper extremity joints, differences in the LE between all pairs of the joints as well as between males and females were not statistically significant. Between the upper and lower extremities, LEs of the neck, shoulder, and elbow were significantly smaller than those of the hip （-0.064） and the knee （-0,062）. These results indicate that a statistical difference in the local stability between the upper extremity joints is not significant. However, the different result between the ROM and LE gives a strong rationale for applying both linear and nonlinear tools together to the evaluation of joint movement. The LEs of the joints calculated from a large population of healthy subjects could provide normative values for the associated joints and can be used to evaluate the recovery progress of patients with joint related diseases.