Various approaches to stroke rehabilitation, such as facilitation techniques including proprioceptive neuromuscural facilitation techniques (PNF), Brunnstrom's approach, and Bobath's approach, have been studied to improve the functional recovery of hemiplegia due to brain damage. However, there is some controversy surrounding these facilitation techniques with regard to their efficacy in stroke rehabilitation. Specifically, there is insufficient evidence that these techniques are superior to conventional exercise therapies.
Recent studies have shown that brain plasticity results in functional recovery in humans. Recovery depends on the plasticity of the synapse, and changes in the strength of a synapse are controlled by a basic mechanism:An increase in synaptic efficacy arises from the repeated stimulation of the postsynaptic cell by the presynaptic cell. The basic theory of repetitive facilitation exercises (RFE) using novel facilitation methods for the hemiplegic limb mainly aim to strengthen the neuronal circuits through the injured descending motor tracts by repetition of the movements that are to be recovered. The patient's intentions to move the hemiplegic limb are realized by using multiple sensory stimulations to target the neural circuits related to each movement. The effects of RFE on the functional recovery of hemiplegic limbs have been confirmed by scientific studies.
Combined therapy using vibratory or electrical stimulation might promote efficacy of RFEs for patients with hemiplegia.

Dry skin causes many skin disorders such as dry dermatitis. It requires a lot of time and medication to treat patients with skin disorder that cover a vast skin area. Although glycerin is a component of many skin care creams and cosmetics, there is no report regarding the effects of glycerin alone as a bathwater additive. We investigated the effects of bathing in warm water with added glycerin on skin conditions and the prevention of skin disorders in patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities.
Two studies were conducted to analyze the effects of a glycerin+warm water bath (GWWB). In study 1, the skin conditions in a total of 18 subjects were compared between the glycerin group (G) and nonglycerin group (NG). In the G group, skin moisture, skin pH, and skin sebum were measured with a skin analyzer noninvasively at the forehead and precordial and lateral forearm after GWWB for approximately 6 months. Subjects in the 2 groups had bathed 2 times per week and were immersed in warm water at 40 to 41°C for 2 to 3min. In the G group, 250ml glycerin was added in a 14001 bathtub. In study 2, a total of 78 subjects were examined retrospectively; their medical records after GWWB for approximately 6 months were investigated to gain information regarding cutaneous diseases (number of diagnosis, drugs, areas affected with cutaneous diseases, and days of treatment) in order to compare the G and NG groups.
Skin moisture levels at forearm improved significantly (p<0.05) in the G group. The average skin moisture level in other areas was higher in the G group than in the NG group but without sig nificance. Skin sebum levels at the forehead improved significantly (p<0.05) in the G group. The number of diagnosis, drugs, and areas with cutaneous disease were significantly lower in the G group than in the NG group. Further, the average number of treatment days was lower in case of the G group than in case of the NG group but without significance.
The moisturizing effects are produced due to a thin film formed by glycerin after GWWB, especially in an area where there is friction between the skin and clothes. Skin sebum is also maintained due to glycerin-film formation.
It is possible that maintenance of skin moisture protects the skin from cutaneous diseases due to xerosis. In conclusion, these results indicate that GWWB maintains skin moisture and sebum and prevents skin disorders.

 Blood glucose disposition rate after intravenous glucose infusion is considered to reflect mainly the rate of cellular glucose uptake, the rate of glucose degradation process and gluconeogenesis. excluding the influense of glucose absorption.
 When it is hypothesized that the elevated blood glucose is disposed by constant rate (one-compartment theory), the following formula will be realized.
 Ct = A (1— k)^t   Ct = blood glucose level at t-minutes after infusion
            A = initial glucose level after infusion
            k = constant glucose disposition index / min
 log Ct = log A (1—k) ^t= log A + t log (1 — k)
 This formula demonstrates that logarithm of blood glucose concentration (Ct) is a one-dimensional (linear) function of time t with a slope log (1 — k), and blood glucose disposition index k can be calculated from this slope.
 To examine the validity of this hypothesis, 1.5 ml / kg of 20% glucose (0.3g / kg) was infused at rest within 3 minutes into an antecubital vein and plasma glucose was determinned at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 min after the cessation of infusion.
 In 10 healthy subjects, linear regression coefficient between logarithm of plasma glucose and time t was significantly higher (r= 0.992 ± 0.006, p<0.001) during 5 to 40 min. Calculated k index ranged from 0.78 to 4.54% / min and the correlation between the 1st and the 2nd measurements (n=5) within a week was also significantly high (0.92±0.06, p<0.01). These results highly support the validity of basic formula (one-compartment theory) and practical procedure to measure k index.
 The effects of warm water bathing (42 C, 10min) was examined in 7 subjects keeping warmth by blankets. After bathing, k value remained in nearly the same in 4 subjects, decreased in 2 and increased in 1. Although more detailed studies are needed, the effect of single bathing on glucose disposition seems to be not so significant.

Purpose : To study the effect of repetitive facilitation exercise combined with continuous low-frequency electrical stimulation on upper-extremity motor impairment or hand edema during the acute phase of cerebral infarction. Subjects : Thirty inpatients with both hemiplegia and hand swelling, who were admitted to a hospital from April 2011 to March 2012. Methods : In this randomized, controlled, observer-blinded trial, we randomized the subjects into two groups and provided treatment on a 2-week, 30 minutes/day schedule. Subjects in the intervention group received repetitive facilitation exercise concurrent with continuous low-frequency electrical stimulation, while subjects in the control group were provided passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercise. Upper Limb Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), edema and passive ROM were evaluated at baseline and at two weeks. Results : At two weeks, the intervention group showed significant improvements on all measurements. However, the control group showed significant improvement only in their FMA. The intervention group had significantly greater improvements than the control group on all three measurements. Conclusion : Repetitive facilitation exercise concurrent with continuous low-frequency electrical stimulation therapy is effective not only for recovery from motor impairment but also for reducing swelling of the hand during the acute phase of cerebral infarction.