Objective To explore fMRI data with independent component analysis (ICA) in order to investigate effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on brain function. Methods The experiment was performed on a whole-body 1.5 T GE Signa Excite MRI scanner with which the brain oxygenation level dependent (BOLD)/EPI images were acquired from a female traumatic brain injury patient. A block designed protocol was used. Both durations of rest and TEAS were 30 seconds. The data processing was performed with GIFT, Statistical Parametric Mapping 5 (SPM5) and MRIcro. Results from ICA and SPM were compared. Results Extended Infomax algorithm provided by GIFT found thirteen independent components (ICs), each of which contained a spatial map and a corresponding time course. The spatial maps associated with task-related ICs resembled the activation maps from SPM5 but were not totally identical. In addition, the time courses of these ICs differed from the shape of canonical HRF model used by SPM. Conclusion ICA is a good choice to investigate data and obtain prior knowledge before using model-based methods such as SPM.

Objective To investigate the trend of length of stay (LOS) and identify variables that predict LOS for inpatient rehabilitation after stroke. Methods A total of 3049 inpatients who completed the stroke rehabilitation program at Beijing Bo'ai Hospital from January 2002 to December 2011 were reviewed and analyzed with nonparametric rank sum test and binary Logistic regression analysis. Results The median of LOS was 82 days, and tended to decrease obviously in 2010 and 2011. On Logistic regression analysis, there were 13 variables associated with LOS, in which operation, muscle spasm, gain of activities of daily living (ADL), onset admission interval, nosocomial infection,complications, speech disorder, the type of stroke, the number of hospitalization, methods of payment were the risk factors, and age,functional ambulation classificateion and Fugl-Meyer Assessment were protect factors. Conclusion Reducing LOS must base on rehabilitation efficacy, and the improvement of hospital management process, the prevention of complications and nosocomial infection control, and early rehabilitation intervention can reduce the LOS.

Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture on head Shen- acupoints on cognitive dysfunction after stroke. Methods 35 cases with cognitive dysfunction after stroke were divided into treatment group (n=19) and control group (n=16). The control group received conventional treatment, while the treatment group received electroacupuncture on Sishencong (EX-HN1), Shenting (GV24) and Benshen (GB13) in addition. They were assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) before and after 4-week treatment. Results The scores of MMSE and MoCA increased more in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). The scores of visuospatial abilities and executive functions, attention and concentration, calculation, memory and orientation of MoCA improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture on head Shen-acupoints can improve cognitive function in patients after stroke.

Objective To observe the changes of functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) when performing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) in Du Channel of the patient with brain trauma.Methods TENS was applied to the acupoints of Mingmen and Yaoyangguan in a patient with brain trauma.The changes of brain function when TENS performed were observed with fMRI.Results Compared with rest status,multiple brain areas were activated during stimulation.Conclusion TENS in Du Channel may influence neural plasticity course after brain injury.

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at Ouch Point on proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Desmin and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression in gastrocnemius muscle, and explore the possible mechanisms of the effect. Methods 78 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into model group (n=6), blank group (n=24), self-repair group (n=24) and electroacupuncture group (n=24). Each of the later 3 groups was divided into 1 d, 4 d, 7 d and 14 d subgroups, 6 rats in each subgroup. The model group, self-repair group and electroacupuncture group were modeled by gastrocnemius muscle crush injury combined with eccentric exercise-induced injury. After that, the model group given HE stain, and the other groups were given correspondent approach according to time point and immunohistochemical technology was used to test the expression of PCNA, Desmin and bFGF. Results PCNA expression was higher in the self-repair group than in the blank group at each time point (P<0.01). Desmin expression was lower in the self-repair group than in the blank group 1 d and 14 d after injury (P<0.05), but higher 7 d after injury (P>0.05). bFGF expression was higher in the self-repair group than in the blank group 7 d after injury (P<0.01). PCNA, bFGF and Desmin expression were higher in the electroacupuncture group than in the self-repair group 1 d and 4 d after injury (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Ouch Point can promote the proliferation of muscle satellite cells, accelerate the myogenic differentiation and shorten the repair process, which may be related to the increased and advanced expression of bFGF.

Objective To explore the relationship between temperature and change of serum electrolytes (potassium, natrium, chlorine,and calcium) in patients with spinal cord injury. Methods 321 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) following fever were regarded as observation group, while 313 SCI patients in normal temperature as control group. The level of serum electrolytes (potassium, natrium, chlorine, and calcium) in both groups was analyzed. Results There was no significant difference in the level of serum potassium (P>0.05), but was in the serum natrium, chlorine, and calcium (P<0.05) between 2 groups. The level of serum potassium didn't correlated with their temperature, and the level of serum natrium, chlorine, and calcium correlated with the temperature negatively. Conclusion The level of serum natrium, chlorine, and calcium may decrease in SCI patients following fever while the level of serum natrium is unchanged.

Objective To study the effect of swallowing training combined with acupuncture on patients with dysphagia more than one month after stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods 61 patients with dysphagia meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a control group (31 cases) and a treatment group (30 cases). Both groups were subdivided according to the course of disease-1 ～ 2 months or ＞ 2 months. The patients in the control group received only swallowing training, 30 min per day, 5 times a week for 9 weeks. The patients in the treatment group were treated with the same swallowing training as the control group, additionally combined with acupuncture at the acupoints around the neck, including Lianquan (Ren23), Jinjin (EX-HN12), Yuye (EX-HNI3),Fengchi (GB20) , Yifeng (SJ17) and Wangu (GB12). Acupuncture was performed 5 times a week, 30 min per session for 8-week courses with a week's break between them. Results Both groups and their sub-groups demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvements in swallowing function. Scores in the 2 treatment subgroups showed more improvement than in the control group. There was, however, no significant difference between the 2 treated subgroups in either their post-treatment or pre-treatment swallowing function scores. The cure rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than in the control group, but there was no significant difference in the total effectiveness rate between the two groups. Conclusion Swallowing training alone or combined with acupuncture can improve the swallowing of patients with chronic neurogenic dysphagia. The combination therapy was more effective. The improvement was not related with the course of the disease.

Objective To study the effects of body weight support treadmill training (BWSTT) or Du channel electroacupuncture (DcEA) on locomotion function and expressions of nerve growth factor (NGF) and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in rats with spinal cord transection. Methods 54 adult SD rats were divided into control group (n=18), BWSTT group (n=18) and DcEA group (n=18). Each group was divided into 3 subgroups (n=6) for 8 d, 15 d and 30 d respectively. Spinal cord transection was performed at T10 level. The locomotion function was assessed with Bosso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating scale for open field (BBB scale) and the expressions of NGF and GAP-43 in spinal cord tissues to the injury caudal ends were measured with immunohistochemistry. Results The scores of BBB scales and expressions of NGF and GAP-43 were higher in BWSTT group and DcEA group than those in the control group on the 8th d,15th d and 30th d respectively (P<0.01); and were higher in DcEA group than in BWSTT group on the 15th d and 30th d respectively (P<0.01). Conclusion Both BWSTT and DcEA can improve the locomotion function in rats with spinal cord transection and increase expressions of NGF and GAP-43 in spinal cord tissues, and DcEA is more effective.

Objective To explore the effects of Chinese flutter massage on spasticity, motor function and activities of daily living (ADL)in post-stroke hemiplegics. Methods 44 stroke patients with spastic hemiplegia were divided into 2 groups randomly, 22 cases in eachgroup. The control group received routine massage and rehabilitation, the observation group received flutter massage and rehabilitation.They were assessed with Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and Barthel Index (BI) before and 4 weeks aftertreatment. Results There was no significant difference in spasticity in both groups (P>0.05). The scores of FMA and BI improved aftertreatment in both groups (P<0.05), and improved more in the observation than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Flutter massagecan promote the recovery of motor and ADL in plastic hemiplegics without improvment of spasticity.