Clinical Neuroscience Research

Application of Neural Rehabilitation Manipulator Training in Upper Limb Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients with Hemiplegia

Shan Xiang, Qingze Lu, Pei Liu — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Objective: To analyze the application of neural rehabilitation manipulator training in upper limb rehabilitation of stroke patients with hemiplegia. Methods: 94 patients with hemiplegia after stroke were selected from January 2021 to January 2023. The patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 47 cases in each group. The control group received routine rehabilitation training while the observation group received neural rehabilitation manipulator training. The upper limb and nerve function, daily task performance ability, quality of life, and rehabilitation training satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results: There was no significant difference in upper limb and nerve function between the two groups before training, P > 0.05. After training, the observation group had 51.45 ± 8.75 points in ARAT and 52.59 ± 8.48 points in FMA-UE, which were higher than those in the control group with 43.81 ± 6.67 points and 45.51 ± 7.31 points respectively, P < 0.05. The observation group had 5.71 ± 1.53 points in NIHSS, which was lower than those in the control group with 8.04 ± 2.39 points, P < 0.05. In terms of daily task performance ability and quality of life, there was no significant difference between the two groups before training, P > 0.05. After training, the observation group had 78.54 ± 10.63 scores in MBI and 171.93 ± 19.12 scores in SS-QOL, which were higher than those in the control group with 70.51 ± 9.25 scores and 160.13 ± 18.42 scores respectively, P < 0.05. In terms of satisfaction, the total satisfaction rate of the observation group was 93.62%, which was higher than that of the control group with 74.47%, P < 0.05. Conclusion: The application of neural rehabilitation manipulator training in the upper limb rehabilitation of stroke patients with hemiplegia can significantly improve the upper limb function of patients, relieve nerve defects, improve daily task performance ability and quality of life, and increase patient satisfaction with rehabilitation training.

Relationship between Cognitive Impairment and Serum ALP after Light Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Elderly

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Objective: To analyze the association between cognitive impairment and serum ALP levels in elderly patients who developed light acute ischemic stroke. Methods: 100 cases of elderly patients with mild acute ischemic stroke admitted from January 2022 to June 2023 were selected as the study subjects, and were divided into two groups according to whether or not they developed cognitive impairment within six months; those who did not develop cognitive impairment were classified into the control group, with a total of 62 cases, while those who developed cognitive impairment were classified into the case group, with a total of 38 cases. The general data and serum ALP levels of the two groups were compared, and the correlation between serum ALP levels and MoCA scores was analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference between the general information of the two groups of patients in the control group and the case group (P > 0.05). The serum ALP level of the patients in the case group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05), and there was a negative correlation between the serum ALP level and the total score of MoCA, the visuospatial and executive scores, and the memory score (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The serum ALP levels of elderly patients with cognitive impairment after mild acute ischemic stroke were higher than those of elderly patients without cognitive impairment after mild acute ischemic stroke, so the risk of cognitive impairment can be predicted in advance by detecting serum ALP levels.

Application of Network Pharmacology to Explore the Anti-Aging Molecular Mechanism of Radix notoginseng

Junyang Zhang, Qinglin Yu, Tong Zhao, Xueru Ding — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Objective: To study the anti-aging effects of Radix Notoginseng and to explore its molecular network mechanism. Methods: Aging and Radix notoginseng gene targets were searched and downloaded from the Genecards website, then Venn intersection analysis was performed to find common genes for diseases and drugs to explore candidate targets for Radix notoginseng in the treatment of aging. Bioinformatics was then used to analyze the biological processes, cellular components, molecular functions, and KEGG signaling pathways of the shared target network. Protein molecular network construction was carried out to find the core molecular network genes of the drug Radix notoginseng for the treatment of aging. A final PubMed literature comparison was performed to assess the value of the potential role of core network genes. Results: The keywords “Aging” and “Radix notoginseng” were queried in Genecards and 25,000 aging-related targets were obtained, 17 for Radix notoginseng. GO and KEGG analysis of the intersecting genes obtained from the Venn intersection analysis then showed that the BP with the highest potential to be associated with disease and drugs is positive regulation of protein phosphorylation, CC is macromolecular complex and MF is identical protein binding. The KEGG with the higher correlation is lipid and atherosclerosis, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, and proteoglycans in cancer. A total of 10 hub genes were identified in the PPI network construction, including EGFR, MMP9, TNF, VEGFA, RHOA, CDKN1A, CASP3, CCND1, AKT1, and IL1B. Among these, it found that a large number of MMP9 and TNF genes were reported in the literature, with the remaining hub genes less frequently reported in the literature. Conclusion: This study uses bioinformatics and network pharmacology to explain the core network mechanisms of the drug Radix notoginseng in the treatment of aging using the latest databases. The results show that hub genes such as CDKN1A, EGFR, and AKT1 are involved in the core biological processes of aging. The results of the study provide an important reference for resolving the core molecular network mechanism of anti-aging properties and provide a validation basis for future experimental validation.

Research Progress on the Use of Music Therapy Combined with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Cognitive Impairment after Stroke

Chubo Xiang, Wuming Huo — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Stroke patients may develop different functional impairments, including cognitive impairment after treatment. To improve their condition, music therapy combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy should be used in rehabilitation treatment to promote their cognitive and living ability, thereby improving the patient’s quality of life and easing the burden on the patient’s family. Therefore, it is necessary to first clarify the concept of cognitive impairment after stroke and then elaborate on music therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment. The respective roles played in rehabilitating patients with cognitive impairment after stroke and the value of their combined application are discussed for reference.

Application of Cognitive Training Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease and Evaluation of its Efficacy

Sha Chang, Yu Zhang, Xiaohui Wang, Zhi Li, Le Wang — Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Objective: The purpose of this study is to conduct in-depth research on the cognitive training treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and evaluate its efficacy. Methods: 74 cases of Alzheimer’s disease patients in the hospital were randomly selected for analysis and study from January 2023 to December 2023. The 74 patients were divided into two groups, 37 cases in the control group received conventional drug treatment, while 37 cases in the study group received conventional drug treatment combined with cognitive training. The cognitive functions of the two groups of patients before and after receiving the two different treatment methods were compared. Results: The cognitive impairment symptoms of patients in both groups were alleviated to a certain degree. The ADAS-Cog score of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group, and the CDT, RVR, TMT-A, DS, FOME, and BD scores were higher than those of the control group, P < 0.05. Conclusion: After the combined intervention of medication and cognitive training therapy, the cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer’s disease was significantly improved, which increased the patients’ rehabilitation effect and quality of life, so this combined therapy is worth further research for widespread application.

The Efficacy of Manual Nerve Mobilization Combined with Traction Therapy in the Treatment of Nerve Root Cervical Spondylosis

Lei Zhou, Kaixing Du, Jing Chen, Jieran Li — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the manual nerve mobilization technique combined with traction therapy on nerve root cervical spondylosis and to investigate its effect on symptomatic improvement and functional recovery of patients. Methods: 101 patients diagnosed with nerve root cervical spondylosis were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The control group received conventional medication and physical therapy, while the observation group was treated with manual nerve mobilization combined with traction therapy. The manual nerve mobilization technique uses a delicate and gentle technique to reduce pain and inflammation by loosening the soft tissues around the compressed nerve roots. Traction therapy was used to relieve pressure on the cervical discs pull on the nerve roots, and restore the normal physiologic curvature of the cervical spine. All patients were assessed for pain scores and neck mobility before and after treatment. Results: At the end of the treatment, the pain scores of the patients in the observation group were significantly reduced and neck mobility was significantly improved, with a significant difference compared with the control group (P < 0.001). No serious adverse events occurred in the patients of the observation group after the completion of treatment. Conclusion: Manual nerve mobilization combined with traction therapy has good efficacy in the treatment of nerve root cervical spondylosis. This therapy can effectively reduce patients’ pain and improve neck motor function. Therefore, the promotion and application of this therapy in rehabilitation therapy will play a positive role in the recovery of patients with radiculopathy.

Prediction of Futile Recanalization Following Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke Using Quantitative Electroencephalography: Temporal Delta/Alpha Power Ratio as an Independent Predictor

Min Wang, Li Li, Shengli Chen, Lina Zhang — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Objective: Previous studies have reported associations between quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) parameters and acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, the relationship between QEEG parameters and clinical outcomes in AIS patients with complete intracranial recanalization post-thrombectomy has been rarely explored. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the QEEG parameter, specifically the regional delta/alpha power ratio (DAR), and futile recanalization (FR) in AIS patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on AIS patients with anterior circulation large artery occlusion who underwent mechanical thrombectomy and achieved complete vessel recanalization (mTICI 2b or 3) between May 2020 and October 2021. Patients with complete recanalization were categorized into effective recanalization and FR groups based on their modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores at three months. The FR group was defined as having an mRS score of 3–6 at three months, while the effective recanalization group had an mRS score of 0–2. Univariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with FR, and factors with P < 0.05 were further analyzed using binary logistic regression to determine independent predictors of FR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to assess the predictive ability of identified factors for FR. Results: Among 152 patients, 81 had effective recanalization, while 71 had FR, resulting in an FR rate of 46.7%. Univariate analysis revealed that baseline characteristics such as admission NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) score, neutrophil ratio, hemorrhagic transformation rate, number of thrombectomy passes, and time to recanalization were higher, whereas ASPECTS score was lower in the FR group compared to the effective recanalization group, all with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Electrophysiologically, DAR values in the affected frontal and temporal regions were significantly higher in the FR group compared to the effective recanalization group (P < 0.05). After adjusting for potential confounders, multivariable adjusted regression analysis demonstrated that regional DAR (odds ratio [OR] 1.205 [95% CI 1.041–1.396], P = 0.013), neutrophil ratio (OR 1.040 [95% CI 1.040–1.081], P = 0.042), ASPECTS score (OR 0.556 [95% CI 0.397–0.780], P = 0.001), and admission NIHSS score (OR 1.209 [95% CI 1.064–1.373], P = 0.004) were independent predictors of FR. ROC analysis indicated that combining regional DAR, especially temporal DAR, with other clinical factors could effectively predict adverse outcomes. Conclusion: Baseline characteristics including NIHSS score, ASPECTS score, and neutrophil ratio are independent predictors of FR, while electrophysiological characteristics, particularly temporal DAR of regional DAR, are closely associated with adverse outcomes at three months post-mechanical thrombectomy in AIS patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. This shows that models incorporating temporal DAR can effectively predict FR.