Muscle MRI features of the lower extremities in patients with limb girdle muscular dystrophy type R1 / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the muscle MRI features of the lower extremities and correlations between MRI fatty degeneration total scores and other clinical features in limb girdle muscular dystrophy type R1 (LGMDR1) patients.Methods:Clinical data of 8 patients with LGMDR1 diagnosed by genetic examination in Department of Neurology, He'nan Provincial People's Hospital&People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2016 to November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Disease severity was evaluated by Gardner-Medwin and Walton (GM-W) scale. Pathological staining results of the lower limb muscles were observed; the fatty infiltration and edema of the muscles were observed by MRI T1WI and short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences. Lower limb muscles were scored using Mercuri's scale. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlations of MRI fatty degeneration total scores of the lower extremities with age, age of onset, disease duration, GM-W scale scores and creatinine kinase (CK) level.Results:Of the 8 patients with LGMDR1, 7 had decreased muscle strength in the proximal lower extremity, including 4 with decreased muscle strength in the distal lower extremity at the same time. Muscular dystrophy-like pathological changes of skeletal muscles were noted. All 8 LGMDR1 patients showed different degrees of fatty infiltration in the lower extremities: at the thigh level, the adductor magnus, biceps femoris long head, semimembranes, semitendinosus and adductor longus were the most severely fatty degeneration muscles (mean scores>4), with relatively sparing of the sartorius and rectus femoris; regarding the calves, gastrocnemius medial head was the mostly involved, followed by soleus, with relative sparing of the tibialis posterior and anterior compartment. Edema-like changes (mild) were observed in 7 patients; the muscles that most frequently and relatively severely displayed edema-like changes were the gastrocnemius lateral head and quadriceps. The fatty degeneration total scores of the lower extremities were positively correlated with GM-W scale scores ( r=0.872, P=0.005) and negatively correlated with CK level ( r=-0.929, P=0.001), but not significantly correlated with age, age of onset or disease duration ( r=0.635, P=0.091; r=0.571, P=0.139; r=0.551, P=0.157). Conclusion:The lower limb muscles with severe fatty infiltration are less prone to show edema-like changes; fatty degeneration can be used to evaluate LGMDR1 progress; involvement pattern of muscle MRI of the lower extremities is helpful in diagnosing and differentially diagnosing LGMDR1.

Efficacy of Exercise on Fall in Old Adults: A Network Meta-analysis / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of exercise on preventing falls in the elderly. Methods:Literatures of randomized controlled trials about exercises for prevention of falls in the elderly were retrieved from Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library and CNKI from 1980 to July, 2020. The qualities were evaluated with Review Manager 5.3, and the data were analyzed with R-Studio and Addis 1.16.6. Results:A total of 172 randomized controlled trials were finally included, with nine kinds of exercise intervention. The cognition and movement multitask training was the most effective to decrease fall rate (OR = 0.26, 95%CI 0.14 to 0.49, P < 0.05). The combined physical and whole body vibration training was the most effective to improve the score of Berg Balance Scale (d = 6.3, 95%CI 3.5 to 9.2, P < 0.05) and the time of Timed 'Up & Go' Test (d = -4.5, 95%CI -6.8 to -2.1, P < 0.05). The blood flow restriction training was the most effective to increase the lower limb muscle strength (d = 12, 95%CI 7.4 to 16, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The cognition and movement multitask training is the first recommended exercise to prevent falls in the elderly, followed by Taiji Quan and multimodal training. Gait practice or resistance training are the least effective. A variety of new intervention methods (blood flow restriction training, combined physical and whole body vibration training, Wit Fit training, etc.) may improve the physical function of the elderly, and need further researches.

Effect of early acupoint electrical stimulation on lower limb muscle strength in patients with septic shock / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of early acupoint electrical stimulation on the decline of lower limbs muscle strength in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) caused by septic shock.@*METHODS@#A total of 58 patients with ICU-AW caused by septic shock were randomly divided into an observation group (28 cases, 1 case dropped off ) and a control group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off ). Patients in both groups received routine basic treatment. In the observation group, acupoint electric stimulation therapy was added at Huantiao (GB 30), Futu (ST 32), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Taichong (LR 3). Unilateral point with electrodes were applied, the SDZ-Ⅱ electronic instrument (discontinuous wave, frequency in 2 Hz, strength in 5 mA) was connected and changed to the other side after 30 min of unilateral treatment.The treatment was given 2 times daily, continued for 7 d or until the medical research council (MRC) score being 54 points or more. The changes of lower limb muscle strength MRC score, modified Rankin scale (MRS) score, bilateral quadriceps thickness and gastrocnemius pinnate angle of both groups were observed before treatment and on discharge. The time of admission to ICU, time of hospitalization, mortality during hospitalization, and mortality 28 d after discharge were compared between the two groups. The MRS scores of the two groups were followed up 28 d after discharge.@*RESULTS@#The MRC scores of lower limb muscle strength in the two groups on discharge were higher than those before treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#Early acupoint electrical stimulation can improve the lower extremity muscle decline in patients with ICU-AW caused by septic shock.

Associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 level and skeletal muscle mass and lower limb muscle strength in Japanese middle-aged subjects

OBJECTIVES: One of the important risk factors of falling is decreased muscle mass and muscle strength. Recently, there has been an increasing concern on the role of vitamin D in muscle strength and physical activity. Aim of our study is to examine the relationships between vitamin D status and muscle mass and muscle strength in middle-aged healthy adults. METHODS: Subjects were 40 healthy volunteers aged 42.0 ± 10.6 years old. Evaluation was made for serum vitamin D₃ metabolites including 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25(OH)D₃] and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [24,25(OH)₂D₃] concentrations, lower limb muscle strength, and dietary intake by food frequency questionnaire. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and appendicular skeletal mass index (ASMI) was calculated as skeletal muscle mass/squared height. RESULTS: 70% of the subjects had vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency (serum total 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL), and female subjects had significantly lower serum total 25(OH)D level compared with males. Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency group had significantly higher body fat, lower SMI and muscle strength, probably reflecting higher percentage of female subjects. Serum vitamin D₃ metabolites levels were significantly correlated with whole and site-specific ASMI, and lower limb muscle strength, except for the correlation between serum 24,25(OH)₂D₃ concentration and lower limb muscle strength. In addition, serum 25(OH)D₃ level was a positive significant predictor for both ASMI and lower limb muscle strength, while serum 24,25(OH)₂D₃ level was not their significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Serum 25(OH)D₃ level was significantly correlated with both skeletal muscle mass and lower limb muscle strength.

Effects of static acceleration training with a whole-body vibration machine in community-dwelling older adults / 体力科学

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 9 weeks of resistance training, with and without static acceleration training (AT), on participants' lower-limb muscle strength, power, and physical function. Healthy participants (19 men and 28 women), aged 65-75 years, were assigned to a static AT group (AT, n = 31) or a non-AT control group (C, n = 16). The AT group and the C group trained three times/week for 9 weeks. The AT group performed unloaded static AT and low-intensity aerobic activity. The C group performed dynamic weight-bearing resistance training without whole-body vibration and the same aerobic activity as the AT group. We collected and analyzed data from 45 participants (AT = 30, C = 15) who completed pre- and post-tests. There was no significant Group × Time interaction on any measurements of lower-limb muscle strength, power, or physical function. Significant time effects were observed in the following tests:isokinetic knee extensor and flexor peak torque, 5-time sit-to-stand, usual gait speed, timed up and go, standing time from a long sitting position, and sit and reach. All of these 7 variables showed positive changes. These results suggest that static AT is a suitable training method having approximately the same efficiency as conventional, weight-bearing, dynamic resistance training for improving lower-limb muscle strength and power, mobility, and flexibility in community-dwelling Japanese older adults.