The effects of curcumin-piperine supplementation on inflammatory, oxidative stress and metabolic indices in patients with ischemic stroke in the rehabilitation phase: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading cause of death worldwide, which is associated with a heavy economic and social burden. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation with curcumin-piperine combination in patients with ischemic stroke in the rehabilitation stage. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 66 patients with stroke were randomized into two groups receiving curcumin-piperine tablets (500 mg curcumin + 5 mg piperine) and matched placebo tablets for 12 weeks. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), thrombosis, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid profile, anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and quality of life were assessed before and after the intervention. Statistical data analysis was done using SPSS22 software. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients with a mean age of 59.80 ± 4.25 years completed the trial. Based on ANCOVA test, adjusted for baseline values, curcumin-piperine supplementation for 12 weeks resulted in significant reductions in serum levels of hs-CRP (p = 0.026), total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.009), triglycerides (TG) (p = 0.001), CIMT (p = 0.002), weight (P = 0.001), waist circumference (p = 0.024), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), and a significant increase in TAC (p < 0.001) in comparison to the placebo. Pain score significantly increased in both groups; however, its increase was significantly higher in the placebo group compared with the intervention group (p = 0.007). No significant changes were observed between the two groups in terms of serum fibrinogen, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and quality of life indices. CONCLUSION: Curcumin-piperine supplementation had beneficial effects on CIMT, serum hs-CRP, TC, TG, TAC, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with ischemic stroke in the rehabilitation stage.

Effects of health qigong exercise on upper extremity muscle activity, balance function, and quality of life in stroke patients.

Introduction: This study explored the effects of Qigong exercises on upper extremity muscle activity, balance function, and quality of life in stroke patients. Methods: A total of 30 stroke patients were randomly allocated to either control group or Qigong group. In the Qigong group, participants completed an intervention of Qigong Baduanjin over 8 weeks. Data on the electromyographic activities of the biceps brachii muscle, triceps brachii muscle, and muscle coordination were obtained using surface electromyography and the co-contraction ratio (CCR). Data on balance were obtained using the PK254P balance function detection system. Quality of life was measured using the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale. Results: The results for the Qigong group showed a significant difference in CCR of the triceps brachii muscle (p < 0.01). Concerning balance (assessed using the open-eye test), there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in Y-axis trajectory deviations and the Y-axis speed in the Qigong group. In the closed-eye test, the peripheral area of the Qigong group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Significant differences were also observed in physical health (p < 0.05), psychological health (p < 0.01), environment (p < 0.01), and the total scores for quality of life (p < 0.01) in the Qigong group. Discussion: We conclude that Qigong exercises improve the quality of life in stroke patients and have positive effects on the coordination of limb extremities and balance function.

Scalp acupuncture and computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation for stroke: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Objective: To assess the clinical effectiveness of scalp acupuncture and computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation in the treatment of cognitive impairment in stroke patients. Methods: The literatures published before August 2021 in the following databases were included: PubMed, Chinese Biomedical Database, Wanfang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Database of Chinese sci-tech periodicals (VIP), EBSCO Information Services, MEDLINE and Web of Science. Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Primary outcomes were the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Our secondary outcome was Modified Barthel Index Score (MBI). The quality of all included trials was evaluated according to the Cochrane Collaboration. This protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42016048528). Results: Sixteen articles were selected including 1333 patients. The result of the meta analysis showed that the combination of scalp acupuncture and computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation had a significant improvement in the cognitive impairments. The analysis of LOTCA showed the improvement on the LOTCA (p < 0.0001, n = 410, I2 = 86%, mean difference 8.31). The meta-analysis of the MOCA showed a weighted mean difference of 3.76 and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 2.90-4.62 (p < 0.0001, n = 301). Besides, it was showed that the combination therapy played an important role in the improvement of the score of MBI with a weighted mean difference of 9.30 and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 5.87-12.672 (p < 0.0001, n = 278). Conclusions: Scalp acupuncture and computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation appears to be effective for stroke patients with respect to certain outcomes. However, the evidence thus far is inconclusive. Further high-quality RCTs following standardized guidelines with a low risk of bias are needed to confirm the effectiveness of acupuncture for postpartum depression.

Estimation Error Consisting of Motor Imagery and Motor Execution in Patients with Stroke.

Previous studies demonstrate that the difference between motor imagery and actual tasks (estimation error) is related to cognitive and physical functions and that a large estimation error (LE) is related to motor imagery ability, including cognitive and physical functions in healthy subjects. The purpose of this study investigated whether estimation error is related to physical and cognitive function in patients with stroke. The study included 60 patients with stroke. The Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) was employed to assess estimation error. First, the imagined TUGT (iTUGT) was performed; thereafter, the actual TUGT was performed. The estimation error was calculated by subtracting TUGT from iTUGT, with conversion to the absolute value. The patients were classified into the small estimation error (SE) and LE groups, with comparisons of various clinical scores (Mini-Mental State Examination, Berg Balance Scale, 10-m walking speed, Brunnstrom Recovery Stage, and Functional Independence Measure). As a result, the estimation error was significantly larger in the LE group than in the SE group. Cognitive function and balance ability were significantly lower in the LE group than in the SE group. In conclusion, the estimation error was related to physical and cognitive functions in patients with stroke.

Relationship between the vividness of motor imagery and physical function in patients with subacute hemiplegic stroke: a cross-sectional preliminary study.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to clarify whether the vividness of motor imagery is related to lower limb function and walking ability in patients with hemiplegic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional preliminary study. The subjects were 15 patients with hemiplegic stroke. The vividness of motor imagery was assessed using the kinesthetic and visual imagery questionnaire. The kinesthetic imagery (KI) involves the sensation of one's own movement, whereas the visual imagery (VI) involves the imagination of a third-person performing the self-movement. Their physical functions were assessed using the Brunnstrom recovery stage, stroke impairment assessment set, 10-m maximum walking speed test, and functional independence measure. KI and VI were compared using the t test. Correlation analysis was performed between KI or VI and various variables as well as between the motor imagery gap (difference between KI and VI) and various variables. RESULTS: KI was significantly lower than VI (p < .01). KI was correlated not only with lower limb function (r = 0.68) but also with walking speed (r = -0.64). The motor imagery gap was correlated with hip joint function (r = -0.53). CONCLUSIONS: KI and motor imagery gap were associated with lower limb function and walking ability.

Instrumental music therapy reduced depression levels in stroke patients.

Background: Stroke is the fifth cause of death and disability, leading also to depression. However, depression in stroke patients is hardly handled optimally. The purpose of this study therefore is to determine the effectiveness of instrumental music therapy in reducing depressive symptoms in stroke patients. Design and methods: It used a quasi-experiment pre-post design with a simple random sampling with 59 respondents. The respondents were divided into 3 groups as follows; group A (standard treatment), group B (instrumental music therapy), and group C (combined treatment). Results: The results show that the combined treatment provided the most significant influence on reducing the level of depression (P=0.001) with a contribution of 68.6% compared to the group A which was given standard treatment (P=0.001) with a contribution of 61.7%. Instrumental music therapy had no effect (P=0.986), though it contributed most among the three interventions, specifically 82.6%. Conclusions: The study recommended further improvement to include music as treatment options for reducing depression among stroke patients.

Recumbent cycling with integrated volitional control electrical stimulation improves gait speed during the recovery stage in stroke patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of recumbent cycling with integrated volitional control electrical stimulation (IVES) on gait ability in stroke patients. Six stroke patients (all male; average age, 55.7±8.3 years) participated. Recumbent cycling (R-cycling) was performed with and without IVES in the power assist (IVES-P) mode. The targeted muscle for electrostimulation was the tibialis anterior. Patients performed 10 min of IVES-P mode plus R-cycling (program A) or R-cycling alone (program B), once per day, 5 times per week. Patients completed two sets of each program, alternating between programs each week. Gait speed and the number of steps numbers on a 10-m walking test was assessed before and after each interventional session. Program A improved gait speed, but not the number of steps, to a greater extent than that in program B. Specifically, the combined intervention significantly improved gait speed in the first set, but not the second set of the intervention. R-cycling with IVES-P mode improved gait speed during the recovery stage in stroke patients to a greater extent than that achieved with R-cycling alone. Thus, this combined therapy has potential as a standardized treatment in the field of rehabilitation medicine.

[Treatment of Stroke Patients with Shoulder-wrist Syndrome by Acupoint Catgut Embedding and Surface Electromyogram Biofeedback Therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effectiveness of acupoint catgut embedding and surface electromyogram biofeedback therapy (sEMGBF) in the treatment of stroke patients complicated with shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS). METHODS: A total of 90 stroke patients with SHS were randomly divided into acupoint catgut embedment (ACE), sEMGBF and ACE+sEMGBF (combined treatment) groups (n=30 cases/group). The catgut embedment was performed at Jianliao (LI 14), Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5) on the affected side, once every 3 weeks, twice altogether. The electromyographic biofeedback therapy (30-50 Hz, pulse duration 200 µs, 6 s-on and 10 s-off, appropriate strength) was applied to the skin area co-vering the deltoid muscle, flexor muscle of wrist and wrist extensor for 20 min, once per day, 5 times/week, for 6 weeks. The total effective rate was assessed by using Liao's and Zhu's methods (1996), the pain severity assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS), and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA, 66-points) scale and the patients' activities of daily living function (ADL, 100-points) were also scored. RESULTS: Before treatment, the VAS, FMA and ADL points of the three groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). After the treatment, the total effective rate (93.33%), FMA and ADL scores of the combined treatment group were significantly higher than those of the ACE and sEMGBF groups (P<0.05), while the VAS score of the combined treatment group was significantly lower than those of the ACE and sEMGBF groups (P<0.05). The total effective rates, FMA and ADL scores of the ACE and sEMGBF groups were comparable (P>0.05). The VAS score of the ACE group was markedly lower than that of the sEMGBF group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combined administration of ACE and sEMGBF has a better therapeutic effect for stroke patients complicated with SHS relevant to simple ACE and simple sEMGBF therapy in improving the upper limb function, relieving pain, and enhancing the daily life quality.

Effect of olfactory stimulation with essential oils on cardiovascular reactivity during the moving beans task in stroke patients with anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of olfactory stimulation with essential oils on cardiovascular reactivity during the "moving beans" rehabilitation task in stroke patients with anxiety. METHODS: Twenty-eight stroke patients participated in this study. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and after finger movement tasks (e.g., moving beans and the Purdue pegboard test). Olfactory stimulation with lavender oil, grapefruit oil, and distilled water were conducted during finger tasks. Anxiety was assessed using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)-Y2 before the finger movement tasks. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in blood pressure or heart rate activity in both finger movement tasks when stimulation of lavender oil, grapefruit oil, and distilled water was applied. However, the change values of Δ diastolic blood pressure (DBP) associated with the moving beans task indicated a significant interaction between olfactory stimulations and the groups of STAI-Y2 scores (high vs low) (p=0.03), without main effects in the olfactory stimulations and the groups of STAI-Y2 scores. CONCLUSION: Olfactory stimulation with lavender and grapefruit oil may repress the exaggerated DBP response during the moving beans task in stroke patients with higher levels of trait anxiety symptoms.

Effects of Individualized Enteral Nutritional Support on Nutritional Status and Complications in Severe Stroke Patients / 中国药师

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of individualized enteral nutritional (EN) support in severe stroke patients.Methods: Totally 120 severe stroke patients with nutritional risk were divided into two groups according to single or double admission number.The 60 patients in the intervention group received an individualized EN with different formula and concentrations according to the clinical status,and supplemented trace elements as occasion required.In the routine group, the patients received EN with standard formula.The energy supply was 83-125 kJ· kg-1·d-1 in both groups.Blood albumin(Alb), pre-albumin(PA), hemoglobin(Hb) and vitamin C(VC) were examined before and after the 21-day nutritional support.The lung infection and gastrointestinal (GI) complications were observed, and the hospital stay and cost were recorded as well.Results: After 21 day''s nutrition support, the serum levels of Alb, PA and VC in the intervention group were not statisticly significant than before (P＞0.05), and the serum levels of Alb, PA and VC were significantly higher than those in the routine group(P＜0.05).The incidence of complications in the in the intervention group was lower than that in the routine group (P＜0.05), and the length of hospital stay and hospitalization was shorter than that in the routine group (P＜0.05).Conclusion: Individualized enteral nutritional support can significantly improve nutritional status, reduce inflammation reactions and GI complications in severe stroke patients, which is worthy of clinical use.

Effects of professional rehabilitation training on the recovery of neurological function in young stroke patients.

Young stroke patients have a strong desire to return to the society, but few studies have been conducted on their rehabilitation training items, intensity, and prognosis. We analyzed clinical data of young and middle-aged/older stroke patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Capital Medical University, China from February 2014 to May 2015. Results demonstrated that hemorrhagic stroke (59.6%) was the primary stroke type found in the young group, while ischemic stroke (60.0%) was the main type detected in the middle-aged/older group. Compared with older stroke patients, education level and incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia were higher in younger stroke patients, whereas, incidences of hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease were lower. The average length of hospital stay was longer in the young group than in the middle-aged/older group. The main risk factors observed in the young stroke patients were hypertension, drinking, smoking, hyperlipidemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, diabetes, previous history of stroke, and heart disease. The most accepted rehabilitation program consisted of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion. Average rehabilitation training time was 2.5 hours/day. Barthel Index and modified Rankin Scale scores were increased at discharge. Six months after discharge, the degree of occupational and economic satisfaction declined, and there were no changes in family life satisfaction. The degrees of other life satisfaction (such as friendship) improved. The degree of disability and functional status improved significantly in young stroke patients after professional rehabilitation, but the number of patients who returned to society within 6 months after stroke was still small.

Effect of Two Acupuncture Methods on Three-dimensional Gait Time-space Parameters and Surface Electromyography of Post-stroke Patients with Flaccid Paralysis / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To compare the effect of electro-acupuncture(EA) and warm-needle moxibustion(WNM) on the foot three-dimensional gait time-space parameters and surface electromyography of post-stroke patients with flaccid paralysis. Methods A total of 61 patients were randomly divided into EA group (N=30) and WNM group(N=31). Both groups were given post-stroke conventional treatment, and additionally EA group received EA while WNM group was given WNM. Before treatment and after 2 treatment courses, we detected the foot three-dimensional gait time-space parameters of pace race, stance phase, swing phase, bilateral stance phase, and step length, and surface electromyography parameters of root mean square(RMS), integrated electromyogram (iEMG) and co-contraction ratio(CR) of tibialis anterior muscle and gastrocnemius at the state of maximal isometric voluntary contraction(MIVC). Results(1) After treatment, the foot three-dimensional gait time-space parameters of the two groups were improved in various degrees (P<0.05 or P<0.01 compared with those before treatment) , and the improvement of EA group was superior to that of WNM group (P < 0.05). (2) After treatment, the RMS and iEMG of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscle as well as CR of dorsal extensor at MIVC state were improved in various degrees (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 compared with those before treatment) , and the improvement of EA group was superior to that of WNM group(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusion WNM exerts better effect on improving the parameters of three-dimensional gait time-space parameters and surface electromyography of post-stroke patients with flaccid paralysis than EA.

NMES with rTMS for moderate to severe dysfunction after stroke.

BACKGROUND: Motor dysfunction after stroke might be improved by neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with moderate and severe motor dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: This preliminary study tested the effect of this treatment combination. METHODS: Fifteen patients (60.5 ± 10.3 years old) participated in the study. All patients had been affected by cerebral artery infarction or hemorrhage and had moderate or severe motor dysfunction in their affected hand. The patients received NMES at paretic wrist extensor muscles combined with rTMS over the unaffected M1 hemisphere twice a day, six days/week over two weeks. All participants underwent the following battery of tests to evaluate the motor function of the affected hand: Upper limb Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UFMA), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), and Box and Block Test (BBT). RESULTS: UFMA, WMFT, and BBT scores improved significantly after the study. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that NMES combined with rTMS could be useful for recovery of moderate and severe motor function after stroke.

Study of Recognition and Necessity of Oriental Medicinal Menu, and Development of Oriental Therapeutic Menu for Stroke Patients

The purpose of this study was to develop the oriental therapeutic menu(Yak-sun) through the recognition and necessity of oriental medicine diet in stroke patients admitted to K Oriental Medical Hospital. From May to July 2007, the 73 stroke patients were surveyed for the recognition and necessity of oriental therapeutic menu. The oriental therapeutic menu was developed on the basis of literature of oriental medicine books and research papers. The developed two week cycle of menus were then reviewed by the experts and specialists. The sensory evaluation and nutritional analysis of the menu were followed. The stroke patients who participated in the survey did not know about the oriental medical diet, however, 61.6% of the patients had interest. Most of the patients expected the efficacy of oriental therapeutic diets. Total of forty three medical herbs and ten herb-combined prescriptions were used in the menu. The daily average calorie of developed menu was 2,031 +/- 57.6 kcal and the most of nutrients met Dietary Reference Intakes for Korean(KDRIs). The caloric ratios of carbohydrates, protein, and lipid were 61.3%, 18.7%, 20.0%, respectively. The average values of cholesterol(194 +/- 57.5 mg/day), sodium(3,078 +/- 678.5 mg/day), calcium(1,099 +/- 140.1 mg/day), and dietary fiber(33 +/- 7.0 g/day) were met Korean dietary guide line for stroke patients. Oriental therapeutic diet might be unfamiliar to the hospital patients even though they had interest in and favorable thought about it. Implements of oriental therapeutic diet to the hospital patients might be useful to improve the quality of service in the hospitals.

The Effects of Foot Reflexology on ADL and Fatigue in Stroke Patients / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to examine the effects of foot reflexology on ADL and fatigue in stroke patients. METHOD: The subjects were 31 stroke patients hospitalized in the Oriental Medicine Hospital of D University from June to November, 2002. Foot reflexology was applied to the experimental group twice a week for 6 weeks, 40 minutes each. For the data analysis, chi2-test was conducted to verify the homogeneity of general characteristics and clinical characteristics, and t-test was done to verify the homogeneity of ADL and fatigue. To examine the relative efficacy of the intervention, ANOVA and ANCOVA were conducted. RESULTS: After foot reflexology, the subjects in the experimental group showed significant improvement in ADL. They also had less physical, psychological, and neurosensory fatigue, which are three areas of fatigue. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that foot reflexology is an effective intervention that helps the body work efficiently, eases stress and strain, and enhances the homeostasis of the body through stimulating the reflex zone of internal organs in the body. Therefore, it is necessary to develop foot reflexology as an unique nursing intervention.

Study on Altered Food Preference and Food Frequency in Stroke Patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary habits and altered food preferences of stroke patients. One hundred and forty-six outpatients, who had experienced their first-ever stroke and were admitted to Asan Medical Center between July and December 2000, were studied. Using interviews, we assessed the altered food preferences, food consumption frequency, and other factors influencing the food preferences and food consumption frequency of the subjects. These results were analyzed with 2 t-tests, and multiple regression analysis, using the SPSS package program. Preferences for pork, red fish, coffee, bread and stews were higher in male stroke patients than in females. The frequency of consumption of beef, pork, white fish, red fish, egg, garlic, onion, coffee, instant noodles, bread, and culinary vegetables increased in the male stroke patients more than in the females. Food preferences were influenced by income, risk factors, subjective tastes and location of brain ischemic lesions. Food consumption frequency was affected by food preference, income, drugs, alcohol, marital status, sex, and dysgeusia. As a result of multiple regression analysis, the frequency of consumption of white fish, red fish, eggs, soy milk, milk, garlic, onions, coffee, noodles, bread, bean-paste stew, kimchi, culinary vegetables, and greasy foods were the most affected by each food preference. Our results suggest that food consumption frequency may vary with food preference, income, drugs, alcohol, marital status, sex, and dysgeusia, and nutrition education should be formulated to prevent stroke recurrence based on the food preferences, subjective tastes, and risk factors of individual stroke patients.