The main objectives of this study was to compare the sensorimdt afar Performance of the unaffected upper extremity of elderly stroke patients with that of healthy elderly people. Methods: The groupof stroke patients was of 30 hemiplegic subjects who had had a cerebrovasculai accident at least 6 monthsearlier. A group of 30 healthy subjects matched for age and sex was used for comparison. The main parameters of the performance of the unaffected upper extremity of the stroke subjects and of the same side of the healthy subjects were measured with valid,reliable instruments. Some variables potentially related to theunaffected upper extremity were also measured:length of time since the stroke,activity level,etc.Results;Statistical analyses showed significant deficits in the unaffected upper extremity of hemiplegic subjecs compared with normal subjects with regard to the following parameters: gross manual dexterity, fine manualdexterity, motor coordination,global performance (P<0. 05 to P<0. 0001 ). No significant clinical or statistical difference was found for grip strength,two-- point discrimination and kindethesia.-- Conclusions: Manyfactors (frequency of use of the unaffected hand sensorimotor interaction task,sevrity of the the deficits in corticifugal projection and deficits in postural stabilization)could interact to provide the clinical picture obtainedin the present study.

Objective To explore the characteristics of prospective memory ( PM ) deficit in acute stroke patients with cognitive impairment.MethodsSixty patients suffering from acute stroke who met the inclusion criteria in screening with the neurobehavioral cognitive status examination (NCSE) were enrolled into the experimental group. Sixty healthy participants who matched the experimental group in gender distribution and average age and education level were assigned as a control group. All the participants completed several neuropsychological evaluations,including the Chinese version of the Cambridge prospective memory test ( C-CAMPROMT), the Chinese version of the Rivermead behavior memory test (C-RBMT), a digit-span test (DS), the Chinese version of Stroop's word-color test (C-SWCT) and a color trail test (CTT).ResultsTime-based PM (TBPM) scores in the control group were significantly higher than in the experimental group. At the intention initiation stage TBPM scores in the control group were also significantly better than in the experimental group. The TBPM performance of the experimental group was significantly worse than that of the controls when PM performance was compared with other cognitive functions controlled for.ConclusionsThe acute stroke patients with cognitive impairment showed greater TBPM performance deficits than the controls. This may have resulted from impairment at the intention initiation stage. TBPM deficits may exist independently. If so, they could serve as an assessment of cognitive impairment after stroke.

Objective To compare the effects of semi conductor laser nasal cavity irradiation with He Ne laser intravenous irradiation therapy on patients with brain lesion. Methods Ninety six cases of cerebral infarction(CI), traumatic brain injury(TBI) were randomly divided into semi conductor laser group (group A, n =50, ?=650nm , 2.4mW, 30mins/nasal cavity), He Ne laser group (group B, n =46, ?=632.8nm, 2.5mW, 40mins/ intermedia cubiti vein or basilic vein). The changes of the blood lipids, hemorheology parameters, scores with Fugl Meyer movement scale and Barthel index assessment were compared after the semi conductor laser and He Ne laser irradiation. Results After laser irradiation,The CHOL, TG, LDL, ESR and HCT were significantly reduced in both groups( P 0.05). The brain damage area was reduced in all the patients as revealed by CT examination. Conclusion The influence of the two kinds of laser irradiation therapies is similar when applied in patients with brain injury. But semi conductor laser nasal cavity irradiation is a simple, safe, inexpensive therapy for the patients.

Objective To assess the contraction and coordination changes in the anterior and posterior thigh muscles of patients recovering from cerebral infarction,and to provide objective references for targeted rehabilitation programs. Methods Eighteen cerebral infarction patients with mild hemiparesis (the patient group) and eighteen age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (the healthy group) were investigated. The surface-electromyographic (sEMG) signals of their vastus medialis,rectus femoris,vastus lateralis,biceps femoris,semitendinosus and semimembranosus were recorded during knee joint flexion and extension in the prone position.The sEMG signals from both legs were recorded for the patient group,but only from the left leg in the healthy group.The standardized root mean square (stRMS) signals and the co-contraction ratios (CRs) were compared and analysed, Results The stRMSs of the rectus femoris,vastus lateralis and vastus medialis on the patients' affected side during knee extension were significantly higher than those in the healthy group at baseline and follow-up.The stRMSs of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus-semimembranous on the patients' unaffected side were significantly higher than those of the affected side and the healthy group during knee flexion at baseline.The CRs during knee flexion on the patientsˊ affected side at baseline and follow-up were significantly higher than those of the unaffected side at baseline. Conclusions After cerebral infarction,the functioning of both the anterior and posterior thigh muscles on the affected side are impaired.The rectus femoris are the most severely impaired knee extensors,and the biceps femoris,semitendinosus and semimembranous are impaired equally in knee flexion.The thigh flexors and extensors lose their normal antagonist-agonist contraction modes.The functions of both the anterior and posterior thigh muscles should be emphasized during rehabilitation to improve abnormal contraction.

Objective To observe the effects of bolus volume on pharyngeal and upper esophageal sphincter pressures and durations in healthy volunteers by using high-resolution manometry (HRM).Methods Twentyfour health subjects were recruited and asked to swallow three volumes of bolus (3 ml,5 ml and 10 ml) in the neutral head position.Pressure and duration measurements were acquired by utilizing a high-resolution solid-state manometer,with an emphasis on the hypopharynx and upper esophageal sphincter (UES).Variables including UES residual pressure,UES relaxation duration,maximum hypopharygeal pressure and hypopharyngeal pressure duration were analyzed across bolus volumes and consistencies by using three-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) to investigate influence of bolus volume.Results UES residual pressure [-1.71 mmHg(3 ml thick liquid)vs.-4.68 mmHg(10 ml thick liquid)],UES relaxation duration[590.45 ms(3 ml thick liquid) vs.702.49 ms (10 ml thick liquid)],maximum hypopharygeal pressure [169.91 mmHg (3 ml thick liquid) vs.204.42 mmHg (10 ml thick liquid)] and hypopharyngeal pressure duration(P ＜0.05) varied significantly across bolus volumes when swallowing water or thick liquid.The UES relaxation duration,UES residual pressure and maximum hypopharyngeal pressure had a direct positive relationship with bolus volume.There was significant differences with regard to UES relaxation duration [685.75 ms(3 ml paste)vs.772.27 ms (10 ml paste)] but not to UES residual pressure (P ＞ 0.05) and maximum hypopharyngeal pressure (P ＞ 0.05) across bolus volume when swallowing paste.Conclusions Difference in hypopharyngeal pressure and duration,UES residual pressure and duration were detected across varying bolus volumes.Consideration of these variables is paramount in understanding normal and pathological swallowing.

Objective To observe the application of dysphagia ventilation swallowing and speaking valve inchildren with swallowing disorder after tracheostomy.Methods Four children with tracheostomy done and swallowing disorders(3 with brainstem encephalitis caused by hand,foot and mouth disease and 1 post-surgery case of cerebellar astrocytoma)were observed.Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies(VFSS)showed cricopharyngeal achalasia and silent aspiration.After VFSS assessments,ventilation swallowing and speaking valves(Passy-Muir,USA,PMVs)were applied to the 4 children.After that they received comprehensive swallowing trainings including balloon dilatation,breathing exercises,sensory stimulation and electrical stimulation.Results Four children could pronounce with PMVs immediately.After(36.50 ± 35.63)d of comprehensive intervention,all of them could live without tracheostomy tube or nasal feeding tube,their swallowing function improved obviously and could take food per os.Conclusions The application of PMVs combining with swallowing training is effective for children with swallowing disorder and dysphonia after tracheostomy.It is helpful to decrease the risk of aspiration,to open the cricopharyngeus muscle and to restore pronunciation.

Objective To screen and identify International Classification of Functioning,Disability and Health (ICF) core sets for spasticity and make a dedicated and comprehensive assessment tool for spasticity after stroke.MethodsFifty patients with spasticity after stroke were involved in this study.Information about them was collected by clinical investigation and self-completed questionnaires.The ICF scale was used to assess the severity of each item.Each item's frequency was calculated and those items with frequencies ≥ 30％ were selected as the first ICF core set for spasticity.The ICF check list was designed as a questionnaire and 8 doctors and 5 therapists were consulted.Items with frequency ≥50％ were chosen as the second level ICF core set for spasticity.The two results (termed ICF core sets Ⅰ and Ⅱ) were integrated with the initial ICF core sets for spasticity and sent to 42 experts in the area of neurological rehabilitation.Items with a frequency ≥80％ were chosen as the final ICF core set for spasticity.ResultsA total of 32 ICF items were included in the ICF core set for spasticity after stroke.There were 10body function items,4 body structure items,13 activity and participation items and 5 environmental items involved.ConclusionThe ICF core set for spasticity was identified in this study.The selected items covered content broader than other common spasm assessment scales.The result is a comprehensive description of spasticity.

Objective To test the reliability and validity of the brief International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core sets for Chinese stroke patients using Rasch model analysis. Methods The body functions of 38 Chinese stroke patients were measured using the brief ICF core sets. The qualifiers of the 20items were measured by two raters and analyzed using FACETS statistical software. The intra-rater reliability and validity were tested by using the separation index and separation reliability and fit analysis. Results The brief ICF core sets had good internal consistency and reliability (person separation index = 6.02, person separation reliability = 0.94 ) with these Chinese patients. The raters showed significantly different strictness in rating, but their ratings had good internal self-consistency. The construct validity was good for the body functions of the ICF component ( separation index = 10.50, separation reliability = 0.80) , but misfitting and overfitting were found in items b117, b152and b755. Conclusion The body function of the brief ICF core sets has good reliability and validity for Chinese stroke patients. A many-facet Rasch measurement model can provide comprehensive information and has good application prospects for testing the reliability and validity of ICF core sets.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and safety of double-lumen balloon catheter applied in patients with achalasia of cricopharyngeal muscle. Method Fifty patients with achalasia of cricopharyngeal muscle were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. All the patients received routine drug treatment,swallowing function training,feeding training and low frequency VitalStim electric stimulation. In addition,double-lumen balloon catheter and #14 urinary catheters were applied to patients in the experimental group and control group,respectively. The swallow water tests and video fluoroscopy swallowing study(VFSS) were used to evaluate the treatment effects,the electron-nasopharyngolaryngoscope was used to assess bleeding and swelling of mucous membrane,and VRS-5 was used to assess pain. Result After treatment,the scores of swallow water tests and VFSS were significantly better than those before treatment in both groups(P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05). However,the incidence of complications was significantly higher in the control group than that of experimental group(P<0.05). Conclusion Both treatment methods can effectively relieve the achalasia of cricopharyngeal muscle,but modified double-lumen balloon catheter can reduce the incidence of complications.

Objective To investigate the effects of using a catheter balloon to treat crieopharyngeal achala-sia in patients with brainstem lesions. Methods Thirty cases of dysphagia caused by brainstem lesions were diag-nosed as crieopharyngeal achalasia through videofluoroscopy of swallowing.The cases were divided into a treatment group and a control group randomly.The treatment group was treated with balloon dilatation and routine dysphagia re-habilitation training once daily,while the control group was treated with routine dysphagia rehabilitation training only.The treatment end point was either the patient resuming an oral diet or after 4 weeks of treatment.All eases were evaluated videofluoroscopically with a drinking test pre-and pest-treatment.Results After 10 to 24 balloon dilata-tions,10 of the 15 patients in the treatment group regained the ability to take solid food and water orally,thoush 2 of them could take pasty food only.Only 2 of the 15 patients in the control group regained the ability to take common food by mouth,though 5 of them could take pasty food.The other patients had no improvement.There wag a signifi-cant difference between the two groups.The cricopharyngeal aehalasia of 12 patients in the ffeatment group improved from incomplete relaxation/opening to complete relaxation/opening.Pooling and residue in the pyriform sinus or val-leculae was reduced and no misaspiration was observed.In the control group only 7 patients had some improvement.The mesn time for the bolus passing the pharynx after treatment was significantly shortened from 0.23 s to 0.15 s in the treatment group,but not significantly in the control group.Conclusions Catheter balloon dilatation is effective for cricopharyngeal achalasia caused by brainstem injury and is helpful for relieving the symptoms in the pharynx phase and the esophagus phase of dysphagia.