Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation combined with robot-assisted therapy on upper limb function of stroke patients
10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2023.06.009
- VernacularTitle:经皮耳迷走神经电刺激结合康复机器人训练对脑卒中患者上肢功能的效果
- Author:
Li ZHENG
1
;
Zhicheng BAO
2
;
Qi ZHANG
2
;
Xuyan REN
1
;
Min SU
1
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the First People's Hospital of Kunshan, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215300, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
stroke;
transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation;
robot-assisted therapy;
upper limb;
motor function
- From:
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice
2023;29(6):691-696
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) combined with robot-assisted therapy on upper limb function of subacute stroke patients. MethodsFrom March, 2022 to March, 2023, 60 subacute stroke patients from Dushu Lake Hospital and the First People's Hospital of Kunshan were randomly divided into control group (n = 20), robot group (n = 20) and combined group (n = 20). All the groups received conventional treatments including medication, physical therapy and occupational therapy; the robot group received sham taVNS combined with hand robot-assisted therapy; while the combined group received taVNS combined with hand robot-assisted therapy, for four weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE) and hand part, the root mean square (RMS) electromyography of the extensor carpi radialis and extensor digitorum muscles during contraction, and the latency and amplitude of transcranial magnetic stimulation motor-evoked potential (TMS-MEP) before and after treatment. ResultsAfter treatment, the scores of FMA-UE and hand part, RMS of the extensor carpi radialis and extensor digitorum muscles, and latency and amplitude of TMS-MEP improved in all the groups (t > 2.099, P < 0.05); and they were the best in all indicators in the combined group (F > 9.106, P < 0.001). ConclusiontaVNS combined with robot-assisted therapy can promote central nervous system remodeling and further improve upper limb function in stroke patients.
