A cutaneous electrical stimulation (CES) was applied to the skin over the left and right anterior tibial muscles of eight normal subjects, and the effect on reaction times (RTs) of finger extensions on the left and light hands was studied. RTs of fingers of both hands decreased significantly after receiving CES on the left while RTs of fingers of the right hand only decrease after receiving CES on the right. These results suggest that the left and right CESs differ from each other in the effect on behavioral alertness. If it is assumed that the pain relieving effect of CES is generated via the central arousal mechanism, this finding is critical in clinical application of the CES for relieving pain.

The influence of cutaneous electrical stimulation (CES) on reaction time (RT) was examined in 8 normal subjects. CES, wherever applied, generally increased RT, and only affected the pre-motor component of RT. Compared to RT without CES, a stronger effect of CES on RT prolongation was obtained from the skin over the antagonistic muscles, a weaker one from that over the agonistic muscles and a moderate effect from the skin of nonresponding part of body. Possible neurophysiological mechanisms of these phenomena were briefly discussed.

In order to analyze the influence of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) on rehabilitation process of stroke Patients, the comparison of functional gain and length of hospital stay was made between eight patients treated with TRH (TRH group) and 11 age and sex matched ones without TRH (control group). Using Social Maturation Scale (Takenshiki, SMS) and Motor Age Test for trunk and lower extremities (MoA), the patients were assessed at the admission, 2 and 3 months after the admission and the discharge, respectively. TRH of 2mg was administered once a day by intravenous drip injection for 10 days between 2 and 3 months after the admission. The gain of SMS score between 2 and 3 months after the admission was larger in the TRH group than in the control group, especially that of interpersonal skills. The gain of MoA score was not different between the two groups. Compared to the control group (5.3 months), the length of hospital stay was significantly short in the TRH group (4.2 months). However, functional gain during inpatient-rehabilitation was not different between the two groups. It is assumed that TRH is effective to shorten the course of stroke rehabilitation.