Improving Upper Limb Spasticity in Patients with Stroke by Electroacupuncture Therapy: a Pre- and Post-Treatment Study.

Background: : Post-stroke upper limb spasticity (PS-ULS) causes a decline in the quality of life of patients by reducing their ability to perform normal daily activities. Objectives: : We performed pre- and post-treatment analyses of the changes in stroke patients with ULS following constant electroacupuncture therapy (EAT). Methods: : Thirty patients with PS-ULS underwent 12 sessions of EAT over 4 weeks. After performing acupuncture therapy at four acupoints on the affected arm (LI11, LI10, LI4, and TE5), electrostimulation (60 Hz) was performed for 20 min. The modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and the Fugl-Meyer assessment of the upper extremity (FMA-UE) were measured as the outcome variables. Results: : Following EAT, there was a significant decrease in the elbow MAS score (p < 0.001), a significant decrease in the wrist MAS score (p < 0.01), and a significant increase in the FMA-UE score (p < 0.001). Adverse events related to EAT were not reported. Conclusion: : EAT decreased upper limb spasticity and improved functional recovery at the elbow and wrist. Large-scale and rigorous clinical trials are needed to verify the efficacy of EAT.

Conversion Characteristics of Some Major Cannabinoids from Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Raw Materials by New Rapid Simultaneous Analysis Method.

This study was carried out to develop a high-performance liquid chromatography method for short-time analysis of the main cannabinoids in the inflorescence of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). We also performed decarboxylation of the raw material using our advanced analysis technique. In this study, the UV spectrum was considered to analyze each of the four common cannabinoids, solvents, and samples, where the uniform elution of acidic cannabinoids without peak tailing and acids was tested. Optimal results were obtained when readings were taken at a wavelength of 220 nm using water and methanol containing trifluoroacetic acid as mobile phases in a solvent gradient system. The established conditions were further validated by system suitability, linearity, precision, detection limit, and quantitation limit tests. The decarboxylation index (DT50) confirmed that Δ9-THCA decarboxylated faster than CBDA, and both maintained a linear relationship with time and temperature. In addition, the loss of cannabidiol was better prevented during the decarboxylation process in the natural state than in the extracted state.