OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts on post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect treated with acupuncture for "regaining consciousness, benefiting marrow and opening orifices" and rehabilitation.

METHODSForty patients of post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 20 cases in each one. In the observation group, acupuncture was applied to the acupoints for "regaining consciousness, benefiting marrow and opening orifices", named Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Benshen (GB 13), Shenting (GV 24), and the bilateral-primary points and-connecting points of the heart meridian, pericardium meridian and kidney meridian, as well as the acupoints along the affected meridians. Additionally, the rehabilitation was provided. In the control group, acupuncture at the acupoints along the affected meridians and rehabilitation were adopted. The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week. After 8 weeks of treatment the evaluation was made. the indexes of unilateral spatial neglect such as line bisection test, the score of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), the score of simple Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment and the modified Barthel indexes were adopted for the assessment of the severity of unilateral spatial neglect, cognitive function, motor function, and the activities of daily living.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the indexes of unilateral spatial neglect (line bisection test, line cancellation test, clock-drawing test and copying drawing test), MMSE score, the simple Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment and modified Barthel indexes were all improved as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all<0.01). The improvements in the observation group were more obvious than those in the control group (<0.05,<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of acupuncture treatment for "regaining consciousness, benefiting marrow and opening orifices" and rehabilitation much more effectively alleviates the severity of post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect and improves the motor function and the activities of daily living in the patients.

Objective To probe the therapeutic effect of ginger-salt-partitioned moxibustion on urge incontinence after stroke. Methods 40 stroke patients following urge incontinence were randomly divided into control group (n=20) and experimental group (n=20). 2 groups all received the same treatment, routine acupuncture and rehabilitation. Additionally, the experimental group received ginger-salt-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque (CV8). The curative effect was compared after treatment (4 weeks). Results 36 cases finished the treatment, 17 in the control group and 19 in the experimental group. Total number of urination, urinary incontinence and nocturia reduced, and the average volume of each urine increased (P<0.05), and volume of bladder residual urine reduced in 2 groups after treatment (P<0.001), while the experimental group was better than the control group (P<0.05). The scores of modified Barthel Index increased in 2 groups after treatment, but there was no significant difference between 2 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion The effect of ginger-salt-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque on poststroke following urination disorders is remarkable.

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 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 observe the effect of electroacupuncture on basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), Desmin and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) expression of rabbits with acute lumbar muscle contusion, and discuss the possible mechanism of muscle tissue regeneration and repair. Methods 40 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank group (BG, n=10), model group (MG, n=10), Weizhong (BL40) electroacupuncture group (WG, n=10) and local electroacupuncture group (LG, n=10). Lumbar muscle injury was established with blunt trauma, and the rabbits were assessed with Appearance Score. The WG and LG accepted electroacupuncture for 2 weeks after modeling. The lumbar muscle of each animal was stained with HE to observe pathological changes, and immunohistochemical staining was used to observe bFGF expression, and Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Desmin and ERK1/2 protein.Results Appearance Score was more in the MG, WG and LG than in the BG (P<0.01). Histological score ranked from more to less as MG,LG, WG and BG (P<0.05). The expression of bFGF ranked as LG, WG, MG and BG (P<0.01), Desmin ranked as WG=LG and BG=MG (P<0.05), ERK1/2 as LG=WG, MG and BG (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture could promote the regeneration and repair of tissue after acute lumbar muscle contusion, which may be related to the up-regulation of bFGF/ERK signaling pathway.

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 explore the effect of acupuncture on gastrocnemius fatigue. Methods 20 healthy volunteers were selected. Accordingto the rating of perceived exercise (RPE) table, when exercise-induced fatigue occurred, the volunteers were needled in PointChengjin for 15 minutes (acupuncture group). 4 weeks later, they just rest after exercise-induced fatigue occurred for the second time for 15minutes (non-acupuncture group). The data of surface electromyographic signal (sEMG) and heart rate were collected. Results The value oflow frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) of sEMG of both groups was higher after exercise. The acupuncture group decreased after acupuncture(P<0.05), the non-acupuncture group increased after rest (P<0.05). The heart rate of both groups increased significantly after exercise(P<0.01), and decreased after acupuncture and rest (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the decrement between 2 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture can relieve gastrocnemius fatigue.

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.

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.