ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect of moxibustion on heat-sensitive acupoints on Bell's palsy.Methods102 patients with Bell's palsy were divided into observation group (n=52) and control group(n=50). The observation group was treated by moxibustion on the heat-sensitive acupoints plus physical therapy and medication, and the control group was only treated by physical therapy and medication. The therapeutic effect was assessed according to score of facial nerve function before and after the treatment.ResultsThe curative rate of 88.5% in the observation group was better than 62% in the control group. After treatment, the scores significantly improved in two groups (P<0.001), and were significantly better in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01).ConclusionMoxibustion on the heat-sensitive acupoints has a high therapeutic effect on Bell's palsy.

Objective To study the effects of robot-assisted therapy combined with electromyographic biofeedback (EMGBF) on upper limb function after stroke.Methods Thirty acute stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups of 15.The patients in the control group received a conventional rehabilitation program and EMGBF.The patients in the treatment group received robot-assisted therapy for 30 minutes daily,6 days a week for 3 weeks combined with EMGBF on the basis of the conventional rehabilitation program.Upper limb motor function and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed with the Fugl-Meyer upper extremity assessment (FMA) and a functional independence measure (FIM) before treatment,at 3 weeks and 3 months after treatment.Results After treatment the FMA and FIM scores of both groups were significantly better than before treatment.At 3 weeks after treatment there was no significant difference in the average FMA scores of the two groups,but at 3 months after treatment the patients in the treatment group had significantly better scores.No significant differences in FIM scores were observed at 3 weeks or 3 months.Conclusions Robot-assisted therapy combined with EMGBF can improve upper limb motor function significantly in acute stroke patients,and more effectively than EMGBF.But no significant advantage in improvement in ADL performance was observed with Robot-assisted therapy combined with EMGBF over EMGBF.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of THERA-vital Movement Therapy System on hemiplegic patients after stroke. Methods58 patients were divided into experimental group (n=30) or control group (n=28), the control group accepted routine stroke rehabilitation program, while the experimental group received muscle strength training with THERA-vital Movement Therapy System in addition. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and after treatment. ResultsThere was no different between these two groups in both FMA and MBI before treatment （P＞0.05）. The scores of FMA and MBI significantly improved in both groups （P＜0.01）, and experimental group improved more than those in the control group （P＜0.01） after treatment. ConclusionMuscle strength training with THERA-vital Movement Therapy System is beneficial in improving motor function and activity of daily living in hemiplegic patient after stroke.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between bolus volume and hyoid displacement in dysphagia patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiation therapy. Methods: Twenty-three nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with dysphagia were recruited and their swallowing of 3, 5, 10 and 20ml of liquid food was studied fluoroscopically. The vertical and horizontal displacement of the hyoid as well as its time in motion were measured, and the relationship between the bolus volume, hyoid displacement and time in motion time was evaluated. Results: The largest vertical displacement of the hyoid (1.01±0.65cm) was observed when swallowing a 10ml bolus. The hyoid showed the smallest average horizontal displacement (0.39±0.34cm), when swallowing a 3ml bolus. The average motion time of the hyoid was (2.11±0.65) seconds. It was shorter when swallowing a 10 or 20ml bolus than when dealing with a smaller one. Hyoid motion time was negatively correlated with the horizontal displacement of the hyoid bone, and the volume of a swallow was negatively correlated with the hyoid motion time but positively correlated with the penetration-aspiration scale score. Conclusion Bolus volume affects hyoid displacement and hyoid motion time in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with dysphagia after radiation therapy. For patients with a penetration-aspiration scale score of 5 or less, the optimum bolus volume is 5 to 10ml.