Objective:To observe any therapeutic effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with intermittent oroesophageal tube feeding (IOE) on dysphagia among ischemic stroke survivors.Methods:Eighty-four ischemic stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, each of 42. In addition to conventional rehabilitation, swallowing training and IOE, the observation group received tDCS while the control group received sham stimulation. Before and after 14 days of this treatment, both groups′ swallowing, life quality and depression were evaluated using the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS), the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), the Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI), and a 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9).Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups before the experiment in terms of their general data, their average PAS, FOIS, DHI or PHQ-9 scores, or the incidence of depression. After the treatment, significant improvement was observed in the above indicators among both groups, but with significantly better average PAS, FOIS, DHI [(51.25±6.78) vs. (44.78±5.75)] and PHQ-9 [(4.17±1.15) vs. (6.01±1.93)] scores and less depression (14.29% vs. 42.86%) in the observation group compared with the control group.Conclusions:Combining tDCS with IOE better improves swallowing function, depression, and life quality after an ischemic stroke.

Objective:To observe any therapeutic effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with intermittent oroesophageal tube feeding (IOE) on dysphagia among ischemic stroke survivors.Methods:Eighty-four ischemic stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, each of 42. In addition to conventional rehabilitation, swallowing training and IOE, the observation group received tDCS while the control group received sham stimulation. Before and after 14 days of this treatment, both groups′ swallowing, life quality and depression were evaluated using the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS), the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), the Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI), and a 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9).Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups before the experiment in terms of their general data, their average PAS, FOIS, DHI or PHQ-9 scores, or the incidence of depression. After the treatment, significant improvement was observed in the above indicators among both groups, but with significantly better average PAS, FOIS, DHI [(51.25±6.78) vs. (44.78±5.75)] and PHQ-9 [(4.17±1.15) vs. (6.01±1.93)] scores and less depression (14.29% vs. 42.86%) in the observation group compared with the control group.Conclusions:Combining tDCS with IOE better improves swallowing function, depression, and life quality after an ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: With social development, the average life span is prolonged. The issue of aging has increasingly attracted people's attention. It is necessary to promote the health status and the guality of life of the elderly..OBJECTIVE: To understand the status and distribution features of several common diseases which influence the quality of life of elderly.DESIGN: Random cluster sampling methods and a cross-section survey.SETTING: Beijing Institute of Geriatrics of Beijing Hospital.PARTICIPANTS:Totally 1 558 old people aged ≥60 years living in 10 communities affiliated to Jianguomen district office of the Eastern District of Beijing City,and 8 villages affiliated to Xiangyang and Henan Villagers'Commissions of Shunyi County of Beijing from May 1997 and October 1997 were recruited.In fact,1 434 persons responded,with a response rate being 92％,319 males and 498 females came from the city;242 males and 375 females came from the villages.METHODS:Questionnaires were filled up,and physical examinations were conducted in all the elderly. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 6 common diseases were observed among the elderly: Hyperplasia of prostate, abnormal audition, cartaract ,osteoarthritis, fracture and constipation.RESULTS:Totally 1434 elderly entered the stage of result analysis.①The incidence of hyperplasia of prostate in the males from the urban areas was lower than that in the rural areas (61.4％,65.7％, P ＜ 0.01 ). ② The incidence of abnormal audition among the elderly from the urban areas was lower than that in the rural areas (53.9％,64.7％,P ＜ 0.01).③ The incidence of cataract of the two eyes in the elderly from the urban areas was higher than that in the rural areas(46.4％,44.4％, P ＜ 0.01). ④ The incidence of osteoarthropathy in the elderly from the urban areas was higher than that in the rural areas (24.4％,14.9, P ＜ 0.01). ⑤ The incidence of fracture in the elderly from the urban areas was higher than that in the rural areas (14.2％,9.1％, P ＜ 0.05). ⑥ The incidence of constipation of the elderly in urban areas was lower than that in the rural areas(18.2％,23.0％,P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION:There is a difference between the elderly from the urban areas and the rural areas in hyperplasis of prostate,abnormal audition, cataract, osteoarthropathy, fracture and constipation, and this is related with the economy, nutrition, medical conditions and cultural traits.Therefore, attention should be attached to nutrition and health knowledge of the elderly and prevention and treatment of common diseases among the elderly people.

The relation of obesity with food components, genetic factors and life style were explored in obesity group (212 cases) and normal group (212 subjects). The result revealed close relationships among food components, life style or genetic factors and obesity. The food components and life style consisted of high fat and sugar, high salt diet, drinking, smoking and sedentary work. Parents with obesity conferred another factor.