Objective:To study the impact of third-party disability in caregivers of aphasia patients with stroke based on the concept of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and to examine the factors influencing it.Methods:Sixty-four pairs of stroke patients with aphasia and their caregivers were recruited. The patients were assessed using a general information questionnaire and the western aphasia battery (WAB), while the caregivers were surveyed using a general information questionnaire and a family aphasia measure of life impact (FAMLI) developed based on the ICF framework. Pearson correlation analysis was performed on the WAB scores of the patients and the FAMLI scores of their caregivers, and multiple linear regression analysis was used to screen out the factors significantly influencing third-party disability among the caregivers.Results:The caregivers′ average total FAMLI score was (33.64±19.38), with significant differences reflecting the patient′s age and the course of the disease. Correlation analysis showed that the patients′ cerebral cortical quotients (CQs) and aphasia quotients were significantly and positively correlated with the FAMLI scores of their caregivers ( r-values of 0.408 and 0.395, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that a patient′s CQ score and age were significantly correlated with the FAMLI score of their caregiver (β-values of 0.326 and 0.599, respectively). Conclusion:The caregivers of stroke survivors with aphasia tend to have third-party disabilities. The patient′s age and the severity of their aphasia are important predictors of life quality for their caregivers.

Objective:Based on the functional classification structure of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health′s rehabilitation set (ICF-RS), the data available in the open database of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were analyzed longitudinally to construct the development trajectories of different functional dimensions among China′s elderly population.Methods:The CHARLS data for 2013, 2015 and 2018 describing persons aged 60 and older were distributed using the ICF-RS′s classification structure. Group-based multi-trajectory modeling (GBMTM) was then applied to analyze the characteristics of the development trajectories of physical functioning, daily activities and social participation.Results:Different development trajectory subtypes emerged from the data. A gradual decline in physical functioning was evident throughout the study period, while daily activities first improved and then declined. Social participation was in decline throughout the period. There were, however, significant differences in the initial functional level, the degree of decline and the degree of decline reversal among the different subtype groups.Conclusions:The overall functional performance of the elderly in China shows a downward trend, but some functional dimensions can still improve with time, at least during the specific period covered in this open database. It is recommended that the ICF-RS be integrated into the CHARLS to comprehensively assess the classification of function and developmental changes among China′s elderly.

Objective:To observe any ability of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation to regulate inflammation in degenerate nucleus pulposus cells.Methods:Primary nucleus pulposus cells from rats were cultured and divided into a control group, a model group, an A2AR-small interfering RNA group (A2AR-siRNA group), and a PEMF group. The control and model group cells were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in phosphate-buffered saline solution, those in the A2AR-siRNA and the PEMF groups were transfected with A2AR siRNA and given TNF-α stimulation. The PEMF group cells had four hours daily of PEMF irradiation beginning within 24 hours after the TNF-α stimulation for 2 days. After 48 hours, cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 assay, while the positive expression of A2AR in the nucleus pulposus cells was measured using immunofluorescence staining. The expression of A2AR, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the cells was observed using western blotting and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reactions.Results:The rate of cell proliferation among the model group was approximately 60%, significantly lower than that of the control group (100%), but significantly higher than that of the A2AR-siRNA group (approximately 34%). The cell proliferation rate of the PEMF group was approximately 80%, significantly higher than that of the model and A2AR-siRNA groups. Compared with the control group, the positive expression of A2AR in the nucleus pulposus cells, A2AR protein and mRNA in the model group increased significantly in response to stress. The expression of A2AR protein and mRNA in the A2AR-siRNA group and the PEMF group was significantly lower than in the model group. Compared with the control group, the cAMP level in the nucleus pulposus cells of the model group had decreased significantly. The cAMP content in the A2AR-siRNA group further decreased compared with the model group, and that in the PEMF group increased compared with the model and the A2AR-siRNA groups. The average expression of PKA and CREB in the model group was significantly higher than among the control group, while that of PKA and CREB in the A2AR-siRNA group was significantly lower. The PKA and CREB protein levels in the PEMF group were slightly higher than in the A2AR-siRNA group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The expression of NF-κB, NLRP3, and IL-6 protein and mRNA in the cells of the model group was significantly higher than in the control group, but those of the A2AR-siRNA group were significantly higher than in the model group. The levels in the PEMF group were significantly lower than among the model and A2AR-siRNA groups, on average.Conclusions:Down-regulation of A2AR content further aggravates the inflammatory injury of degenerated nucleus pulposus cells. The mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of CREB activity, activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, and subsequent up-regulation of inflammatory factors NLRP3 and IL-6. PEMF stimulation cannot significantly increase the A2AR level in degenerated nucleus pulposus cells, but it can promote the expression of cAMP and inhibit the downstream NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby exerting an anti-inflammatory effect.

Objective:To relate the changes in electroencephalography (EEG) signals after a spinal cord injury (SCI) with functional independence.Methods:The EEG data describing ninety SCI patients in both open and closed eye states were compared with those collected from 45 healthy counterparts. The SCI patients′ EEG data were correlated with their spinal cord independence measure (SCIM) scores at corresponding time points. The SCI patients were divided into a cervical SCI group (SCI-C group) and a non-cervical SCI group (SCI-NC group), with 45 cases in each group. The difference in EEG data between them and its correlation with the SCIM scores were also compared and analyzed.Results:In the eyes-open state, the EEG power in the frontal, central, temporal, and right occipital regions of the SCI group was lower than among the control group, on average. There were significant differences in the δ and θ low-frequency bands. The α1 band power in the frontal and right parietal regions was significantly higher in the SCI group, on average. With the eyes closed the δ band power in the right prefrontal, frontal, left central, and temporal regions of the SCI group was lower than among the control group, while the α1 band power in the right prefrontal, frontal, central, and parietal regions was significantly higher. The reactivity to eye opening of the α1 band in the right prefrontal, frontal, central, parietal, and temporal regions was less in the SCI patients compared to healthy subjects. Among the SCI patients, higher EEG power in the β2 band of the right frontal lobe and the α2 and β bands of the right temporal lobe was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores during the eyes-open measurements. And the higher EEG power in the α2 band of the prefrontal and frontal lobes, the β2 band of the frontal lobe, the α2 band of the right central region, the α2 and β bands of the temporal lobe, and the α2 and β2 bands of the occipital lobe was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores during the eyes-closed state. The subgroup analysis showed that the δ band power in the left temporal lobe and the α2 band power in the parietal lobe were lower among the SCI-C compared with the SCI-NC patients in the eyes-open state. With the eyes closed, the δ band power in the left frontal, left parietal, and left temporal lobes and the α2 band power in the frontal, central, parietal, temporal, and right occipital lobes was significantly lower in the SCI-C group compared to the SCI-NC group, on average. The reactivity to eye opening of the δ band in the temporal lobe, the α2 band in the left prefrontal, frontal, central, parietal, temporal, and right occipital lobes, and the β2 band in the right parietal and left occipital lobes was less in the SCI-C group than in the SCI-NC group ( P≤0.05). Among the SCI-C patients, higher EEG power in the β1 and β2 bands of the right temporal lobe with the eyes open was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores. With the eyes closed, higher EEG power in the α2 and β1 bands of the right prefrontal lobe was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores. Among the SCI-NC patients, higher EEG power in the δ band of the prefrontal lobe, the β1 and β2 bands of the left prefrontal lobe, and the δ bands of the frontal, central, right parietal, and right temporal lobes during the eyes open measurements was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores. Conclusions:The EEG power of cervical and non-cervical SCI patients shows characteristic changes which correlate with their functional independence.

Objective:To analyze the physical activity level of patients treated with a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary artery disease in the early out-of-hospital recovery phase, and the factors influencing it.Methods:Patients who had been discharged within the previous 6 months after their first PCI treatment were surveyed using a general information questionnaire, the long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Chinese version of the Tilburg Frailty Scale, the Social Support Rating Scale, and for their ability in the activities of daily living. Epidemiological descriptive methods were used to analyze the reported physical activity levels, and multifactoral logistic regression was applied to explore the influencing factors. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of the risk factors.Results:A total of 394 former patients were surveyed, including 117 (30%) reporting a low level of physical activity, 202 (51%) describing a moderate level and 75 (19%) claiming a high level. The univariate analysis revealed significant differences in physical activity levels among those of different ages, with different chronic co-morbidities, and with different frailty and self-care ability. Multifactoral logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age, chronic co-morbidities, frailty and little self-care ability are significant predictors of a low level of physical activity. The area under the ROC curve for predicting the physical activity level by combining those four factors was 0.89 (95% CI 0.84-0.94), with a sensitivity of 0.89 and a specificity of 0.80. Conclusions:The physical activity level of patients treated with PCI for coronary disease is moderately low early after their release from the hospital. Targeted intervention to increase it is called for.

Objective:To observe the effect of ankle joint proprioception training on ankle joint proprioception, balance and gait in patients with thalamic infarction.Methods:Fifty-six patients with thalamic infarction were divided into a control group and a treatment group, each of 28, using a random number table. Both groups were given conventional lower limb rehabilitation training, but the treatment group was additionally provided with ankle joint proprioception training. Before and after 4 weeks of the treatment, the Tecnobody proprioception testing system was used to determine the average trajectory error rate (ATE) and the time taken in the test. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and a balance tester were used to assess balance. A gait analyzer was used to collect spatial-temporal measures of the patients′ walking, including the stride amplitude, stride rate, the proportion of the time spent in the swing phase, and foot dorsiflexion and plantarflexion angles.Results:After the treatment, the time used, ATE, ankle proprioception, BBS scores, static balance test scores, stability limits, stride length, stride rate, swing phase time percentage, and foot dorsiflexion and plantarflexion angles had improved in both groups compared with before the treatment ( P≤0.05). Compared with the control group, the treatment group had a smaller average ATE, spent less time on the ankle proprioception test, had higher BBS scores, had lower scores on the static balance test, had larger limits of stability, took longer strides at a faster rate, and spent a greater percentage of time in the swing phase. That group also showed greater ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion on average ( P≤0.05). ATE difference of the affected lower limb and the time to complete the ankle proprioception test were positively correlated with the gap in the static balance ability test, and negatively correlated with the gaps in the BBS score, the limits of stability, stride length, stride rate, and the time share of the swing phase, as well as the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion angles of the foot. Conclusions:Ankle proprioception training, in addition to effectively improving ankle proprioception, can improve the balance and gait of persons with thalamic infarction. It is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of continuous theta burst stimulation in the treatment of post-stroke aphasia (PSA).Methods:Forty-six patients with post-stroke aphasia were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 23 cases in each group. In addition to conventional rehabilitation and speech-language therapy, the observation group received daily theta burst stimulation (cTBS) targeting the contralesional inferior frontal gyrus, the superior temporal gyrus, and the superior frontal gyrus. The control group received sham stimulation over the same areas. The treatment was 5 days per week for 3 weeks. Before and after the treatment, both groups were evaluated using the China Rehabilitation Research Center′s aphasia examination method (CRRCAE), the Boston diagnostic aphasia examination (BDAE), the brief mental scale (MMSE), and the Stroke Aphasia Quality of Life scale (SAQOL-39).Results:After the treatment, intra-group comparison showed significantly greater improvements among the observation group in terms of their average CRRCAE listening comprehension (112.74±8.935), repetition (115.74±16.015), speaking (99.91±6.273), oral reading (98.22±14.087), and reading (86.57±8.101) sub-scores and their average BDAE [3.00 (3.00, 4.00)], MMSE [21.00 (20.00, 24.00)] and SAQOL-39 (112.96±21.995) scores.Conclusions:Continuous theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation can effectively improve the speech, cognition and life quality of persons with post-stroke aphasia. This therapy is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Objective:To observe any effect of combining visual deprivation training (VDT) with repeated low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of lower limb motor dysfunction among stroke survivors.Methods:Fifty stroke survivors were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group ( n=25 each). In addition to routine rehabilitation treatment, the control group received rTMS targeting the primary motor cortex (M1, lower limb representation area) of the unaffected hemisphere, while the experimental group also received VDT. Before and after 4 weeks of the treatments, everyone′s lower limb motor function, balance, gait and ability in the activities of daily living were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE), the root mean square (RMS) values generated through surface electromyography of the affected tibialis anterior muscle, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), the Tinetti Gait Assessment (TGA), and the modified Barthel Index (MBI). Results:After the treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in their average FMA-LE, BBS, TUGT, TGA and MBI results, as well as in the RMS values of the affected tibialis anterior muscle. The experimental group showed significantly greater improvement compared to the control group.Conclusions:The combination of VDT and low-frequency rTMS can effectively improve the lower limb motor function, balance and gait of stroke survivors. It is more effective than rTMS alone. The combined therapy is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Objective:To evaluate any effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive impairment after an ischemic stroke (IS) using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS).Methods:Fifty-one patients with mild or more serious cognitive impairment after an IS were divided into an electrical stimulation group (26 cases) and a control group (25 cases) using a random number table. In addition to conventional rehabilitation treatment, the electrical stimulation group was given tDCS, while the control group was given sham tDCS for 15 days. Before and after the treatment, both groups were evaluated using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was also performed. TBSS were computed for the differences in fractional anisotropy (FA) between the two groups before and after the treatment, and Pearson correlation analysis was applied to the pre-treatment and post-treatment FA differences within each group and the improvements in MMSE and MoCA scores.Results:After the treatment, the average MMSE and MoCA scores of both groups had improved significantly, but the improvement was significantly greater in the electrical stimulation group. After the treatment, the FA values among the electrical stimulation group had increased significantly in the bilateral genu of the corpus callosum, the bilateral inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, the bilateral anterior thalamic radiation and the left superior longitudinal fasciculus. In the control group significant increases were recorded only in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus and the left anterior thalamic radiation. The FA change in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus of the electrical stimulation group was then positively correlated with the improvement in MMSE scores ( r=0.42), and that in the left anterior thalamic radiation was positively correlated with the improvement in MoCA scores ( r=0.45). Conclusions:tDCS can significantly improve the cognition of stroke survivors with cognitive impairment and promote the recovery of white matter fiber tracts. The FA values of the anterior thalamic radiation and the superior longitudinal fasciculus may be useful predictors and indicators of the recovery of cognitive function among such patients.

Objective:To observe any therapeutic effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with intermittent oroesophageal tube feeding (IOE) on dysphagia among ischemic stroke survivors.Methods:Eighty-four ischemic stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, each of 42. In addition to conventional rehabilitation, swallowing training and IOE, the observation group received tDCS while the control group received sham stimulation. Before and after 14 days of this treatment, both groups′ swallowing, life quality and depression were evaluated using the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS), the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), the Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI), and a 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9).Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups before the experiment in terms of their general data, their average PAS, FOIS, DHI or PHQ-9 scores, or the incidence of depression. After the treatment, significant improvement was observed in the above indicators among both groups, but with significantly better average PAS, FOIS, DHI [(51.25±6.78) vs. (44.78±5.75)] and PHQ-9 [(4.17±1.15) vs. (6.01±1.93)] scores and less depression (14.29% vs. 42.86%) in the observation group compared with the control group.Conclusions:Combining tDCS with IOE better improves swallowing function, depression, and life quality after an ischemic stroke.