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Hwang IS, Ryu JW, Jin S, Kim SA, Kim MS. Long-Term Enhancement of Botulinum Toxin Injections for Post-Stroke Spasticity by Use of Stretching Exercises-A Randomized Controlled Trial. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:267. [PMID: 38922161 PMCID: PMC11209169 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16060267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Botulinum toxin A (BONT/A) injections play a central role in the treatment of upper limb spasticity in stroke patients. We proposed structured stretching exercises to enhance the effect of post-stroke spasticity relief of the upper limbs following BONT/A injections. A total of 43 patients who had a stroke with grade 2 spasticity or higher on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) in their upper-limb muscles were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 21) or control group (n = 22). The former received structured stretching exercises after their BONT/A injections for 20 min, 5 days per week, for 6 months at a hospital, while the others conducted self-stretching exercises at home. The outcome measures were assessed before the intervention (T0) and after three (T1) and six months (T2). Significantly greater improvements in the MAS scores of the elbows, wrists, and fingers were found in the intervention group's patients at T1 and T2. The behavioral outcome measures, including shoulder pain, activities of daily living, and quality of life, and our electrophysiological studies also showed a significantly higher enhancement in this patient group. In conclusion, the structured stretching exercises plus BONT/A injections for six months showed a superior effect in relieving post-stroke upper-limb spasticity compared to self-stretching exercises.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Su Hwang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan 31151, Republic of Korea; (I.-S.H.); (J.-W.R.); (S.J.); (S.-A.K.)
| | - Jin-Whan Ryu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan 31151, Republic of Korea; (I.-S.H.); (J.-W.R.); (S.J.); (S.-A.K.)
| | - Sol Jin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan 31151, Republic of Korea; (I.-S.H.); (J.-W.R.); (S.J.); (S.-A.K.)
| | - Soo-A Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan 31151, Republic of Korea; (I.-S.H.); (J.-W.R.); (S.J.); (S.-A.K.)
| | - Min-Su Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan 31151, Republic of Korea; (I.-S.H.); (J.-W.R.); (S.J.); (S.-A.K.)
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan 31151, Republic of Korea
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Kim SH, Ji DM, Hwang IS, Ryu J, Jin S, Kim SA, Kim MS. Three-Dimensional Magnetic Rehabilitation, Robot-Enhanced Hand-Motor Recovery after Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1685. [PMID: 38137133 PMCID: PMC10742112 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed an end-effector-type rehabilitation robot that can uses electro- and permanent magnets to generate a three-way magnetic field to assist hand movements and perform rehabilitation therapy. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of a rehabilitation program using a three-dimensional (3D) magnetic force-based hand rehabilitation robot on the motor function recovery of the paralyzed hands of patients with stroke. This was a double-blind randomized controlled trial in which 36 patients with subacute stroke were assigned to intervention and control groups of 18 patients each. The intervention group received 30 min of rehabilitation therapy per day for a month using a 3D magnetic force-driven hand rehabilitation robot, whereas the control group received 30 min of conventional occupational therapy to restore upper-limb function. The patients underwent three behavioral assessments at three time points: before starting treatment (T0), after 1 month of treatment (T1), and at the follow-up 1-month after treatment completion (T2). The primary outcome measure was the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), and secondary outcome measures included the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Limb (FMA_U), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and European Quality of Life Five Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire. No participant safety issues were reported during the intervention. Analysis using repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant interaction effects between time and group for both the WMFT score (p = 0.012) and time (p = 0.010). In post hoc analysis, the WMFT scores and time improved significantly more in the patients who received robotic rehabilitation at T1 than in the controls (p = 0.018 and p = 0.012). At T2, we also consistently found improvements in both the WMFT scores and times for the intervention group that were superior to those in the control group (p = 0.024 and p = 0.018, respectively). Similar results were observed for FMA_U, MBI, and EQ-5D. Rehabilitation using the 3D hand-rehabilitation robot effectively restored hand function in the patients with subacute stroke, contributing to improvement in daily independence and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Hoon Kim
- Department of Electronics & Information Engineering, Korea University, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea;
| | - Dong-Min Ji
- Department of Electronics Convergence Engineering, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Republic of Korea;
| | - In-Su Hwang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan 31151, Republic of Korea; (I.-S.H.); (J.R.); (S.J.); (S.-A.K.)
| | - Jinwhan Ryu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan 31151, Republic of Korea; (I.-S.H.); (J.R.); (S.J.); (S.-A.K.)
| | - Sol Jin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan 31151, Republic of Korea; (I.-S.H.); (J.R.); (S.J.); (S.-A.K.)
| | - Soo-A Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan 31151, Republic of Korea; (I.-S.H.); (J.R.); (S.J.); (S.-A.K.)
| | - Min-Su Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan 31151, Republic of Korea; (I.-S.H.); (J.R.); (S.J.); (S.-A.K.)
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan 31151, Republic of Korea
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Lv Y, Zhang JJ, Wang K, Ju L, Zhang H, Zhao Y, Pan Y, Gong J, Wang X, Fong KNK. Determining the Optimal Stimulation Sessions for TMS-Induced Recovery of Upper Extremity Motor Function Post Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1662. [PMID: 38137110 PMCID: PMC10741851 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
To find out the optimal treatment sessions of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) for upper extremity dysfunction after stroke during the 6-week treatment and to explore its mechanism using motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), 72 participants with upper extremity motor dysfunction after ischemic stroke were randomly divided into the control group, 10-session, 20-session, and 30-session rTMS groups. Low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS over the contralesional M1 was applied in all rTMS groups. The motor function of the upper extremity was assessed before and after treatment. In addition, MEPs and rs-fMRI data were analyzed to detect its effect on brain reorganization. After 6 weeks of treatment, there were significant differences in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the upper extremity and the Wolf Motor Function Test scores between the 10-session group and the 30-session group and between the 20- and 30-session groups and the control group, while there was no significant difference between the 20-session group and the 30-session group. Meanwhile, no significant difference was found between the 10-session group and the control group. The 20-session group of rTMS decreased the excitability of the contralesional corticospinal tract represented by the amplitudes of MEPs and enhanced the functional connectivity of the ipsilesional M1 or premotor cortex with the the precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and cingulate gyrus, etc. In conclusion, the 20-session of rTMS protocol is the optimal treatment sessions of TMS for upper extremity dysfunction after stroke during the 6-week treatment. The potential mechanism is related to its influence on the excitability of the corticospinal tract and the remodeling of corticomotor functional networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Lv
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264000, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Jack Jiaqi Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kui Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Leilei Ju
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Hongying Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Yuehan Zhao
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264000, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Yao Pan
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264000, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Jianwei Gong
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264000, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Kenneth N. K. Fong
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Kim MS, Moon BS, Ahn JY, Shim SS, Yun JM, Joo MC. Elucidating the mechanisms of post-stroke motor recovery mediated by electroacupuncture using diffusion tensor tractography. Front Neurol 2022; 13:888165. [PMID: 36237615 PMCID: PMC9551655 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.888165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture has been commonly used for post-stroke patients, and electroacupuncture allows simultaneous application of acupuncture and electrical stimulation. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism of electroacupuncture on post-stroke motor recovery using diffusion tensor tractography. A total of 33 subacute stroke patients were recruited. The control group was subjected to conventional rehabilitation therapy. In contrast, the patients in the experimental group received electroacupuncture treatment for 30 min per session for 4 weeks in addition to the rehabilitation therapy. Fugl-Meyer assessment of the lower extremity (FMA_L), functional ambulation categories (FAC), and the Korean version of modified Barthel index (K-MBI) were used to compare behavioral outcomes between groups. The corticospinal tract (CST) was examined before and after the intervention via diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) to determine the motor recovery mechanism mediated by electroacupuncture. After 4 weeks of intervention, both the control and experimental groups showed a significant improvement with respect to FMA_L, FAC, and K-MBI. The level of improvement in FMA_L, FAC, and K-MBI did not vary significantly between the two groups. However, DTT results showed that the CST fractional anisotropy of the affected side (control: from 0.456 to 0.464, experimental: from 0.459 to 0.512) and its ratio (control: from 89.8 to 90.3, experimental: from 90.2 to 93.3) were significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.032 and p = 0.018). In addition, there were significant differences in the CST axial diffusivity of affected side (control: from 0.783 to 0.877, experimental: from 0.840 to 0.897) and its ratio variation (control: from 87.9 to 100.0, experimental: from 95.7 to 100.7) between the groups (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001). Electroacupuncture played a role in promoting brain plasticity and delaying neural degeneration in subacute period after stroke. Thus, electroacupuncture could be an effective adjuvant therapy in addition to conventional rehabilitation for motor recovery after stroke in a long-term perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Su Kim
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, South Korea
| | - Byung Soon Moon
- Professional Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea
| | - Jae-yoon Ahn
- Department of Korean Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea
| | - Sang-song Shim
- Department of Korean Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea
| | - Jong-Min Yun
- Department of Korean Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea
- Jong-Min Yun
| | - Min Cheol Joo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wonkwang University College of Medicine, Iksan, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Min Cheol Joo
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