Brain Representation of Active and Passive Hand Movements in Healthy Aged People

Objective:To reveal the neural network of active and passive hand movements. Method:Seven healthy aged people were checked, and acquired functional magnetic resonance imaging data on a 1.5T scanner. Active movement consisted of repetitive grasping and loosening of hand; passive movement involved the same movement performed by examiner. Both types of hand movements were assessed separately. These data were analysed by Statistical Parametric Mapping Microsoft. Result:The main activated brain areas were the contralateral supplemental motor area, primary motor area, primary sensory area and the ipsilateral cerebellum when subjects gripped right hands actively and passively. The supplemental area was less active in passive hand movement than active hand movement. The activated brain areas were mainly within Brodmann area 4 during active hand movement; in the contrast, the voxels triggered by passive movement were mainly within Brodmann areas 3,1,2 areas. Conclusion:The results suggest that the neural networks of passive and active tasks spared some common areas, and the passive movement could be as effective as active movement to facilitate the recovery of limbs motor function in patients with brain damage.

Effects of Standardized Rehabilitation on Quality of Life of Stroke Patients at Convalescence and Sequelae Stages

Objective:To explore the effects of standardized rehabilitation on quality of life (QOL) of stroke patients at convalescence and sequelae stages. Method:A total of 251 stroke patients were randomly divided into a standardized rehabilitation group and a control group. The simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment(FMA) scale, the 36-item short-form health survey questionnaire (SF-36) and functional comprehensive assessment (FCA) were administered before as well as after 3, 6 and at 12 months a follow-up study respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted based on the evaluations at 4 testing time points. Result:There was no significant difference in FMA,SF-36 and FCA scores of the two groups before and after 3 months treatments, while FMA,SF-36 and FCA scores of the rehabilitation group were obviously higher than those of the control group either after 6 months treatments or of followup study. Moreover, after 6 months treatments FMA score was apparently higher than the score at the beginning and after 3 months treatments. The FMA, SF36 and FAC scores during the followup visit decreased when compared with scores after 6 months treatments, but increased significantly when compared with the scores at the beginning and after 3 months treatments. Conclusion:Standardized tertiary rehabilitation (STR) at convalescence and sequelae stages can significantly improve motor functions and QOL of stroke patients.