Prevention of Septal Perforation Using a Combination of Crushed Cartilage and Thin Silastic Sheet During Septoplasty

Background and Objectives@#The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a combination of crushed cartilage and thin silastic sheet for patients with a risk of septal perforation during septoplasty. @*Materials and Methods@#A total of 195 people who underwent septoplasty surgery at Dong-A University Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled retrospectively. Among 195 people, our surgical method was provided for those with damage to both septal mucosa. The cartilage was collected, crushed with the cartilage crusher, and inserted between perforated mucosa. After the cartilage insertion, a 0.254-mm-thin silastic sheet was designed to cover both sides of the perforated septal mucosa. Next, a penetrating suture was placed. After thin silastic was applied on both mucosa, a 1-mm-thick silastic sheet was inserted on both sides of the nasal cavity and penetrating sutures were placed on the anterior and inferior septum. The operation concluded after packing both sides of the nasal cavity using non-absorbable packing material. The packing was removed on the second day after the operation, and the nasal cavity condition was checked every week. Thick silastic sheets were removed 5 days after surgery, and thin silastic sheets were maintained until both septal mucosa healed. @*Results@#Of nine total cases, only one 78-year-old male experienced septal perforation at the cartilage portion two months after surgery. In this case, no other action was taken to cover the perforation site because he reported no symptoms or discomfort during the 9 months after surgery. In the other eight cases, both septal mucosa healed completely, and there were no complications. @*Conclusion@#This method with crushed cartilage and silastic sheets to fill the defect after septal surgery is thought to help prevent postoperative perforation at no additional cost, and further research is needed.

The Impact of Depressive Symptom on Efficacy and Compliance of Positive Airway Pressure in Obstructive Sleep Apnea / 생물치료정신의학

Objectives@#：The aim of this study was to determine how the efficacy and compliance of positive airway pressure (PAP) varies depending on the depressive symptom with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). @*Methods@#：We collected data about baseline Apnea-Hyponea Index (AHI), sleep and mood state and demographic information from 125 obstructive sleep apnea patients prior to the start of positive airway pressure treatment. The Apnea-Hyponea Index and daytime sleepiness were examined as indicators of efficacy of positive airway pressure and daily average usage time and the utilization rate (%) for more than 4 hours were calculated as indicators of compliance of positive airway pressure at the time of 1, 3 or 9 months after the start of positive airway pressure. Repeated-measures ANOVA and linear mixed model (LMM) with adjusting age, body mass index and baseline Insomnia severity index were used for revealing any significant differences between groups over time passed. @*Results@#：This difference was confirmed at 9 months after starting positive airway pressure, between the two groups and the usage rate for more than 4 hours in depressive group was lower than that in non-depression group (56.2% vs. 67.5%). @*Conclusions@#：We demonstrated that there would be a difference in the compliance of positive airway pressure among patients with obstructive sleep apnea according to depressive state. Therefore, we suggest evaluating depressive symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea before starting positive airway pressure, to increase the compliance of the positive airway pressure, which is essential to maintain the efficacy of the positive airway pressure.

Effects of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate-Platelet-rich Plasma Versus Hyaluronic Acid on Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective@#To compare the therapeutic efficacy of the bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC)- platelet-rich plasma (PRP) complex with hyaluronic acid in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Method: Thirty-four patients with knee osteoarthritis participated in this study. Seventeen patients in the study group underwent BMAC and PRP extraction followed by intra-articular injection of BMAC-PRP complex within affected knee. Seventeen patients in the control group underwent intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid. Knee injury, osteoarthritic outcome score (KOOS), and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaire were evaluated before, one month, three months, and six months after the injection. @*Results@#There were statistically significant temporal differences in total KOOS scores in both BMAC-PRP and HA groups. However, there were no significant group difference in the study period. In the Sports and Recreational Function Scale, there was statistically significant improvement in the BMAC-PRP group compared to the HA group at three months (p=0.041). There were no side effects or complications in both groups. @*Conclusion@#Intra-articular injection of BMAC-PRP showed better functional recovery in the OA at three months and this can be an alternative treatment in terms of functional recovery in the OA in addition to the decrease of pain.

Effects of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate-Platelet-rich Plasma Versus Hyaluronic Acid on Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective@#To compare the therapeutic efficacy of the bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC)- platelet-rich plasma (PRP) complex with hyaluronic acid in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Method: Thirty-four patients with knee osteoarthritis participated in this study. Seventeen patients in the study group underwent BMAC and PRP extraction followed by intra-articular injection of BMAC-PRP complex within affected knee. Seventeen patients in the control group underwent intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid. Knee injury, osteoarthritic outcome score (KOOS), and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaire were evaluated before, one month, three months, and six months after the injection. @*Results@#There were statistically significant temporal differences in total KOOS scores in both BMAC-PRP and HA groups. However, there were no significant group difference in the study period. In the Sports and Recreational Function Scale, there was statistically significant improvement in the BMAC-PRP group compared to the HA group at three months (p=0.041). There were no side effects or complications in both groups. @*Conclusion@#Intra-articular injection of BMAC-PRP showed better functional recovery in the OA at three months and this can be an alternative treatment in terms of functional recovery in the OA in addition to the decrease of pain.

Epidural Neuroplasty with Single Bolus Injection versus Continuous Infusion of Steroid in Patients with Spinal Stenosis

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of epidural adhesiolysis with a single bolus steroid injection (EAS) and continuous steroid infusion (EAC).METHOD: Thirty-one patients were allocated to the EAS group (10 patients) and EAC group (21 patients). EAS received single bolus of 10 mg of dexamethasone. EAC received a total of 96 mL dexamethasone solution (20.0 mg of dexamethasone) for 48 hrs. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was evaluated before, one month after the procedure. Three months after the procedure, the Patient’s Global Impression of Change (PGIC) was evaluated.RESULTS: Pre-treatment ODI was 38.3 ± 3.1 in EAS and 46.40 ± 4.0 in EAC. One month later, ODI was decreased to 35.60 ± 3.33, 43.08 ± 6.96 in each group (p=0.174). Three months later, 2 patients in the EAS (20.0%) and 8 patients in EAC (38.1%) showed ‘much improvement’ in PGIC, 5 patients in EAS (50.0%) and 6 patients in EAC (38.1%) showed ‘slight improvement’, 3 patients in EAS (30.0%) and 7 patients in EAC (33.3%) showed ‘no improvement’ (χ2=1.588, p=0.510).CONCLUSION: Epidural adhesiolysis with continuous infusion did not show any superiority than single bolus injection.

Anti-hyperglycemic effects and signaling mechanism of Perilla frutescens sprout extract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton var. (PF) sprout is a plant of the labiate family. We have previously reported the protective effects of PF sprout extract on cytokine-induced β-cell damage. However, the mechanism of action of the PF sprout extract in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has not been investigated. The present study was designed to study the effects of PF sprout extract and signaling mechanisms in the T2DM mice model using C57BL/KsJ-db/db (db/db) mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male db/db mice were orally administered PF sprout extract (100, 300, and 1,000 mg/kg of body weight) or rosiglitazone (RGZ, positive drug, 1 mg/kg of body weight) for 4 weeks. Signaling mechanisms were analyzed using liver tissues and HepG2 cells. RESULTS: The PF sprout extract (300 and 1,000 mg/kg) significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in db/db mice. PF sprout extract also significantly improved glucose intolerance and insulin sensitivity, decreased hepatic gluconeogenic protein expression, and ameliorated histological alterations of the pancreas and liver. Levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) protein expression also increased in the liver after treatment with the extract. In addition, an increase in the phosphorylation of AMPK and decrease in the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose 6-phosphatase proteins in HepG2 cells were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results sugges that PF sprout displays beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes via modulation of the AMPK pathway and inhibition of gluconeogenesis in the liver.

Parents' Perspectives and Clinical Effectiveness of Cranial-Molding Orthoses in Infants With Plagiocephaly

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effectiveness of and parents’ perspectives on cranial-molding orthotic treatment. METHODS: Medical charts were reviewed for 82 infants treated for plagiocephaly with cranial-molding orthoses in our clinic from April 2012 to July 2016 retrospectively. Infants who were clinically diagnosed with positional plagiocephaly and had a Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) of more than 3.5% were included. Pre- and post-treatment CVAI was obtained by three-dimensional head-surface laser scan. Parents’ perceptions of good outcome (satisfaction) were evaluated with the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS). The GAS score assessed how much the parent felt that his or her initial goal for correcting the skull asymmetry was achieved after the treatment. RESULTS: The compliance with cranial-molding orthoses was 90.2% (74 of 82 infants). There were 53 infants (65% of the 82 infants) who had adverse events with the cranial-molding orthoses during the study. Heat rash was found in 29 cases (35.4%) and was the most common adverse event. The mean GAS T-score was 51.9±10.2. A GAS T-score of 0 or more was identified for 71.6% of parents. The GAS T-score was significantly related to the age (p < 0.001), the initial CVAI, and the difference of CVAI during the treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Parents’ perception of good outcome was correlated with the anthropometric improvement in cranialmolding orthotic treatment in infants with plagiocephaly. A high percentage of parents felt that the treatment met their initial goals in spite of a high occurrence of adverse events.

A New Functional Scale and Ambulatory Functional Classification of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Scale Development and Preliminary Analyses of Reliability and Validity

OBJECTIVE: To develop a simplified functional scale and classification system to evaluate the functional abilities of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHODS: A Comprehensive Functional Scale for DMD (CFSD) was developed using the modified Delphi method. The accompanying Ambulatory Functional Classification System for DMD (AFCSD) was developed based on previously published classification systems. RESULTS: The CFSD consists of 21 items and 78 sub-items, assessing body structure and function, activities, and participation. Inter-rater intraclass correlation coefficient values were above 0.7 for 17 items. The overall limits of agreement between the two examiners ranged from -6.21 to 3.11. The Spearman correlation coefficient between the total score on the AFCSD and the Vignos Functional Scale was 0.833, and 0.714 between the total score of the AFCSD and the Brooke scale. Significant negative correlations existed between the total score for each functional level of the AFCSD and each functional grade of the Vignos and Brooke scales. The total scores of the CFSD varied significantly between the functional grades of the Vignos scale, and specific grades of the Brooke scale. For the AFCSD, total scores of the CFSD varied significantly between the functional levels. CONCLUSION: We have developed a new scale and the associated classification system, to assess the functional ability of children diagnosed with DMD. Preliminary evaluation of the psychometric properties of the functional scale and classification systems indicate sufficient reliability and concurrent validity.

Noise around the Knee

Noise in the knee joint is a common symptom that often leads to outpatient clinic visits. However, there have been no previous review articles regarding noise around the knee despite its high prevalence. We will review the noise characteristics according to sound nature and onset as well as factors for differentiation between physiological and pathological noises. In addition, we will describe causes of the physiological and pathological noises and management of noise in the knee. An appropriate review of the characteristics of noise, its pathophysiology, and factors for differentiation between physiological and pathological noises can facilitate patient guidance. It is important to differentiate between physiological noise and pathologic noise. In most cases, noise after surgery is simply the perception of noise that had been present previously due to emotional concerns. Minor problems associated with surgery, such as postoperative noise, can decrease patient satisfaction, especially among patients with high expectations. Following surgical principles and providing accurate information about physiological noise can decrease the risk of both pathological noise and patient dissatisfaction. In total knee arthroplasty, every attempt should be made to avoid patellar crepitus and clunk by using modern prostheses with proper patellofemoral conformity and by avoiding surgical errors.

Comparison of Therapeutic Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave in Calcific Versus Noncalcific Lateral Epicondylopathy

OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in lateral epicondylopathy with calcification, and compare it to the effect of ESWT in lateral epicondylopathy without calcification. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. Forty-three patients (19 with calcific and 24 with noncalcific lateral epicondylopathy in ultrasound imaging) were included. Clinical evaluations included the 100-point score, Nirschl Pain Phase scale before and after ESWT, and Roles and Maudsley (R&M) scores after ESWT. ESWT (2,000 impulses and 0.06-0.12 mJ/mm2) was performed once a week for 4 weeks. RESULTS: The 100-point score and Nirschl Pain Phase scale changed significantly over time (p<0.001), but there was no significant difference between groups (p=0.555). The R&M scores at 3 and 6 months after ESWT were not significantly different between groups. In the presence of a tendon tear, those in the calcific lateral epicondylopathy group showed poor improvement of 100-point scores compared to the noncalcific group (p=0.004). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the therapeutic effect of ESWT in calcific lateral epicondylopathy was not significantly different from that in noncalcific lateral epicondylopathy. When a tendon tear is present, patients with calcific lateral epicondylopathy might show poor prognosis after ESWT relative to patients with noncalcific lateral epicondylopathy.

Correction: Comparison of Therapeutic Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave in Calcific Versus Noncalcific Lateral Epicondylopathy

We found the funding acknowledgment in this article was omitted as published.

Correction: Comparison of Therapeutic Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave in Calcific Versus Noncalcific Lateral Epicondylopathy

We found the funding acknowledgment in this article was omitted as published.

Prediction of Ambulatory Status After Hip Fracture Surgery in Patients Over 60 Years Old

OBJECTIVE: To predict ambulatory capacity, 1 month after physical therapy following hip fracture surgery. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was carried out. Patients more than 60 years old, who underwent hip fracture surgery and received physical therapies, were selected (n=548). Age, gender, presence of cognitive dysfunction, combined medical diseases, combined fractures, previous history of hip surgery, prefracture ambulatory capacity, days from the fracture to surgery, type of fracture, type of surgery, presence of postoperative complications, days from the surgery to physical therapy, and total admission period, were collected. Prefracture ambulatory capacity and postoperative ambulatory capacity were classified into non-ambulatory status (NA), ambulation with assistive device (AA), and independent-ambulation without any assistive device (IA). Multiple-logistic regression analysis was performed for the prediction of postoperative ambulatory capacity. RESULTS: Age (odds ratio [OR]=0.94 for IA and 0.96 for IA or AA), gender (OR=1.64 for IA and 0.98 for IA or AA), prefracture ambulatory capacity (OR of IA=19.17 for IA; OR of IA=16.72 for IA or AA; OR of AA=1.26 for IA, OR of AA=9.46 for IA or AA), and combined medical disease (OR=2.02) were found to be the factors related to postoperative ambulatory capacity and the prediction model was set up using these four factors. CONCLUSION: Using this model, we can predict the ambulatory capacity following hip fracture surgery. Further prospective studies should be constructed to improve postoperative ambulatory capacity.

Altitude Stress During Participation of Medical Congress / 신경중재치료의학

Medical congresses often held in highlands. We reviewed several medical issues associated with altitude stress especially while physicians have participated medical congress held in high altitude. Altitude stress, also known as an acute mountain sickness (AMS), is caused by acute exposure to low oxygen level at high altitude which is defined as elevations at or above 1,200 m and AMS commonly occurs above 2,500 m. Altitude stress with various symptoms including insomnia can also be experienced in airplane. AMS and drunken state share many common features in symptoms, neurologic manifestations and even show multiple microbleeds in corpus callosum and white matter on MRI. Children are more susceptible to altitude stress than adults. Gradual ascent is the best method for the prevention of altitude stress. Adequate nutrition (mainly carbohydrates) and hydration are recommended. Consumption of alcohol can exacerbate the altitude-induced impairments in judgment and the visual senses and promote psychomotor dysfunction. For prevention or treatment of altitude stress, acetazolamide, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, dexamethasone and erythropoietin are helpful. Altitude stress can be experienced relatively often during participation of medical congress. It is necessary to remind the harmful effect of AMS because it can cause serious permanent organ damage even though the symptoms are negligible in most cases.

Combined Effect of Bilateral Ovariectomy and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection With Medial Meniscectomy on the Development of Osteoarthritis Model

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the combined effect of bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) and anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) with medial meniscectomy (MM) on the development of osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Twenty female 15-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Five rats in each group underwent bilateral OVX (OVX group), bilateral ACLT with MM (ACLT with MM group), bilateral OVX plus ACLT with MM (OVX plus ACLT with MM group), and sham surgery (SHAM group). All the rats were subjected to treadmill running for 4 weeks. The behavioral evaluation for induction of OA used the number of rears method, and this was conducted at 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-surgery. Bone mineral density (BMD) was calculated with micro-computerized tomography images and the modified Mankin's scoring was used for the histological changes. RESULTS: The number of rears in the OVX plus ACLT with MM group decreased gradually and more rapidly in the ACLT with MM group. Histologically, the OVX plus ACLT with MM group had a significantly higher modified Mankin's score than the OVX group (p=0.008) and the SHAM group (p=0.008). BMDs of the OVX plus ACLT with MM group were significantly lower than the SHAM group (p=0.002), and the ACLT with MM group (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: We found that bilateral OVX plus ACLT with MM induced definite OA change in terms of histology and BMD compared to bilateral OVX and ACLT with MM alone. Therefore, OVX and ACLT with MM was an appropriate degenerative OA rat model.

Prognostic Factors Predicting Early Recovery of Pre-fracture Functional Mobility in Elderly Patients With Hip Fracture

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic factors predicting the recovery of pre-fracture functional mobility, we evaluated this by the use of ambulatory assistive devices in short-term follow-up. METHODS: Five hundred and fifty-three elderly patients who had undergone hip fracture operations from January 2006 to June 2013 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Clinical characteristics and predicted factors affecting functional recovery, such as the delay of rehabilitation after the operation, were reviewed. The functional status of the gait was classified as either a bedridden state, wheelchair-bound state, walker gait, single cane gait, and self-gait without any ambulatory assistance device. When this functional grade in patients who recovered after the surgery was compared to before the surgery, this state was considered 'functional recovery'. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-two patients (34.7%) showed recovery of preoperative mobility in the first month after their operation. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified that the following four factors were significantly associated with a deterioration of functional recovery: old age (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92-0.97), delays in rehabilitation after operation (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89-0.98), the presence of cognitive dysfunction (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.18-0.71), and trochanteric fracturing (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.36-0.94). CONCLUSION: We found that old age, cognitive dysfunction, trochanteric fracture type, and delay of rehabilitation were associated with the deterioration of functional recovery after a hip fracture operation in the short-term. Therefore, early rehabilitation was required to acquire functional recovery after a hip fracture operation in the short-term.

Relationship between Weight, Body Mass Index and Bone Mineral Density of Lumbar Spine in Women

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify a relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine, and the weight and body mass index (BMI) in women. METHODS: The subjects were 1,143 females who visited the public health center. BMD (T-score), height and weight were measured and age, menopause, diabetes and hypertension, exercising status and smoking status were inquired by interview. RESULTS: Among the subjects, 362 (31.7%) were in the normal group and 781 (68.3%) were in the abnormal group. As the result of the logistic regression analysis with BMI (Model I), the odds ratio of getting into the abnormal BMD group as age increases by 1 year marked 1.044 (95% CI = 1.009-1.080). The odds ratio of getting into the abnormal BMD group due to menopause was 2.663 (1.516-4.679) and the odds ratio according to lack of walking exercise was 2.597 (1.878-3.591). The odds ratio with 1 kg/m2 of BMI increase was 0.909 (0.862-0.959). In the logistic regression analysis with weight (Model II), the odds ratio of getting into the abnormal BMD group as age increases by 1 year marked 1.044 (1.009-1.080). The odds ratio of getting into the abnormal bone density group due to menopause was 2.575 (1.472-4.507) and the odds ratio according to lack of walking exercise was 2.598 (1.881-3.587). The odds ratio with 1 kg of weight increase was 0.963 (0.942-0.984). The Akaike's information criterion (AIC) values of Model I and Model II were 1196.18 and 1197.14 respectively, indicating Model I has the better compatibility of regression analysis model. CONCLUSION: Weight, BMI and BMD had a positive correlation. However, the coefficient of correlation between weight and BMD was higher than the coefficient between BMI and BMD, which means low weight is much more likely to be related to osteoporosis with no other factor considered. On the other hand, under the condition considering age, height, menopause and walking exercise smoking status, low BMI is much more compatible as a risk factor for osteoporosis.

Spinal Cord Atrophy and Early Motor Recovery following Transverse Myelitis in Pediatric Patients

OBJECTIVE: To compare the motor recovery following transverse myelitis in pediatric patients with and without spinal cord atrophy. METHOD: From January 1995 through December 2009, twenty children (8 boys and 12 girls with an onset at 5.7+/-3.8 years) that were diagnosed with transverse myelitis at a Children's Hospital in Korea, and undertaken an initial and follow-up spine magnetic resonance image (MRI) were included. Medical records and spine MRI scans were reviewed retrospectively. An initial MRI was taken 5.1+/-8.7 days after the onset. The interval between an initial and follow-up MRIs was 33.4+/-23.0 days. The motor recovery differences between subjects with and without spinal cord atrophy on follow-up MRIs were determined. Motor recovery was defined as the elevation of one or more grades of manual muscle tests of the Medical Research Council. RESULTS: Eight patients had developed spinal cord atrophies and 12 patients had not. Of the 8 patients with spinal cord atrophy, 7 showed no motor improvement. Among the 12 patients without atrophy, 11 had motor improvement. Spinal cord atrophy on follow-up MRIs were related to the risk of no motor improvement (odds ratio=77.0, 95% confidence interval [4.114-1441.049], p-value=0.001). CONCLUSION: Children with transverse myelitis who had developed spinal cord atrophy on follow-up MRIs had poor motor recovery than those who had not. The appearance of spinal cord atrophy on follow-up MRI could be an indicator of poor prognosis in pediatric transverse myelitis.

Electrical Stimulation of the Suprahyoid Muscles in Brain-injured Patients with Dysphagia: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of repetitive electrical stimulation of the suprahyoid muscles in brain-injured patients with dysphagia. METHOD: Twenty-eight brain-injured patients who showed reduced laryngeal elevation and supraglottic penetration or subglottic aspiration during a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were selected. The patients received either conventional dysphagia management (CDM) or CDM with repetitive electrical stimulation of the suprahyoid muscles (ESSM) for 4 weeks. The videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) using the VFSS and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System (ASHA NOMS) swallowing scale (ASHA level) was used to determine swallowing function before and after treatment. RESULTS: VDS scores decreased from 29.8 to 17.9 in the ESSM group, and from 29.2 to 16.6 in the CDM group. However, there was no significant difference between the groups (p=0.796). Six patients (85.7%) in the ESSM group and 14 patients (66.7%) in the CDM group showed improvement according to the ASHA level with no significant difference between the ESSM and CDM groups (p=0.633). CONCLUSION: Although repetitive neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the suprahyoid muscles did not further improve the swallowing function of dysphagia patients with reduced laryngeal elevation, more patients in the ESSM group showed improvement in the ASHA level than those in the CDM group. Further studies with concurrent controls and a larger sample group are required to fully establish the effects of repetitive neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the suprahyoid muscles in dysphagia patients.

Functional and Histologic Changes After Repeated Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Rat Stroke Model

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is associated with enhancement or weakening of the NMDA receptor activity and change of the cortical blood flow. Therefore, repeated tDCS of the brain with cerebrovascular injury will induce the functional and histologic changes. Sixty-one Sprague-Dawley rats with cerebrovascular injury were used. Twenty rats died during the experimental course. The 41 rats that survived were allocated to the exercise group, the anodal stimulation group, the cathodal stimulation group, or the control group according to the initial motor function. Two-week treatment schedules started from 2 days postoperatively. Garcia, modified foot fault, and rota-rod performance scores were checked at 2, 9, and 16 days postoperatively. After the experiments, rats were sacrificed for the evaluation of histologic changes (changes of the white matter axon and infarct volume). The anodal stimulation and exercise groups showed improvement of Garcia's and modified foot fault scores at 16 days postoperatively. No significant change of the infarct volume happened after exercise and tDCS. Neuronal axons at the internal capsule of infarct hemispheres showed better preserved axons in the anodal stimulation group. From these results, repeated tDCS might have a neuroprotective effect on neuronal axons in rat stroke model.