Changing the sensory threshold of elderly people through low-frequency, high-voltage acupoint electrical stimulation

It is widely known that acupoint of electrotherapy decreases the threshold of pain and release of catecholamine by mechanical and chemical stimulation. However, there have been no studies to find the change in the sensory threshold and time-dependent stimulus generated by acupoint electrical stimulation (AES) on the different body regions. The present study was conducted to examine the differences in sensory threshold between elderly and youthful subjects, as well as the sensory threshold by electrical stimulation in the lower back, shoulder, and knee joint regions in the elderly. The sensory threshold was increased in subjects over age 60 compared with 20 year olds. In relation to age, the sensory threshold was increased in the 60 s, 70 s, and 80 s, respectively, compared with during the 20 s. The sensory threshold was significantly increased in the lower back region compared with the shoulder and knee joint regions. The result of the analysis of the sensory threshold in response to the application of electrical stimulation revealed a time-dependent response, with the sensory threshold little changed. However, the change in the sensory threshold was significantly associated with time, increasing after AES from 10 and 15 min compared with 0 min for all ages. It was most pronounced in both the shoulder and knee joint region. Therefore, these results at least partially suggest that the change in sensory threshold is associated with age, and suggest the need to develop specialized physiotherapy to enable seniors to lead healthy lives.     

Change in the interferential current therapy — induced sensory threshold on the bodies of elderly people

It is widely known that interferential current therapy (ICT) decreases the noxious effects of stimulation-induced pain without skin resistance. However, no studies have investigated the change in sensory threshold and time-dependent stimulus by applying ICT on regions of the body. The objective of the present study is to examine the difference in sensory threshold when electrical stimulation is applied to the low back, shoulder, and knee joint regions in elderly people. The results showed that the sensory threshold was significantly decreased in the shoulder compared with the low back and knee joint regions. The sensory threshold tended to increase in the older age group. The change in sensory threshold was significantly time-dependent, increasing after stimulation for 5, 10, and 15 min compared with 0 min in all ages. Furthermore, in response to the application of ICT, the sensory threshold revealed a time-dependent response; the sensory threshold tended to increase with age, particularly in the lower back and knee joint regions. Therefore, these results at least partially suggest that the change in sensory threshold is associated with age. Awareness of this change in sensory threshold is necessary in the development of specialized physical therapy for the healthy rehabilitation of senile patients.     

加巴喷丁联合经皮神经电刺激治疗带状疱疹后遗神经痛临床观察

目的 观察加巴喷丁联合经皮神经电刺激治疗带状疱疹后遗神经痛的疗效.方法 40例带状疱疹后遗神经痛患者,随机分成两组,A组(n=20)给予口服加巴喷丁治疗;B组(n=20)服用与A组相同剂量加巴喷丁,同时在其患处给予每日1次经皮神经电刺激治疗,分别观察两组患者治疗前以及治疗后3d,5d,7d,14d,28d的疼痛程度变化,以视觉模拟评分(VAS)评定治疗效果.结果 治疗后两组患者VAS评分均明显下降(P＜0.05),且B组VAS评分明显低于A组(P＜0.05).结论 加巴喷丁联合经皮神经电刺激是治疗带状疱疹后遗神经痛的一种有效方法.     

Etofenamate and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation treatment of painful spinal syndromes

Thirty patients suffering from painful syndromes of the spine were admitted to a randomized controlled clinical trial. They were divided into two groups and treated either with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), one application every other day, for 20 days or with TENS and an ointment containing etofenamate 10% gel, 3-5 cm daily on the day of TENS therapy, and the same dose twice daily on the other days. The associated therapy achieved, when compared with TENS alone, a statistically significant better outcome. Furthermore a marked improvement of symptoms was observed in a shorter period of time. Therapy was well tolerated and in only four cases mild, self-limiting, skin reactions were observed. On the basis of these results the use of etofenamate and TENS could represent a viable alternative to systemic nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug therapy.     

不同刺激频率与时间经穴经皮神经电刺激对电流感觉阈值的影响

目的 分析不同频率与时间的经穴经皮神经电刺激对电流感觉阈值(CPT)的影响。 方法 通过测量颏孔区和手臂区的电流感觉阈值评价经穴经皮神经电刺激的效用。对30名健康受试者的合谷穴分次给予不同刺激时间和刺激频率的经皮神经电刺激,并测量同侧颏孔区和手臂区的电流感觉阈值。结果 颏孔区电流感觉阈值升高。低频电刺激对慢痛有明显抑制作用,高频电刺激对快痛和慢痛均有抑制作用。经皮神经电刺激的刺激频率比刺激时间对疼痛的抑制作用的影响更明显。结论 经穴经皮神经电刺激确实可以影响特定反应区的感觉阈值,且治疗频率的选择比单纯延长治疗时间更为重要。     

综合康复训练联合经皮神经电刺激疗法对脑卒中偏瘫后患者肩痛的疗效观察

目的 观察综合康复训练联合经皮神经电刺激疗法对脑卒中偏瘫后患者肩痛的临床疗效.方法 将80例脑卒中偏瘫后肩痛患者随机分为对照组和治疗组,各40例.对照组行综合康复训练,治疗组联合经皮神经电刺激疗法.2组患者均在治疗前和治疗2个疗程后,分别采用目测类比评分法(VAS)和FMA对肩部疼痛程度以及上肢运动功能进行评定.结果 2组治疗后疼痛缓解程度以及上肢功能改善情况与治疗前比较,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05),且治疗组临床疗效优于对照组,且FMA评分差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 综合康复训练联合经皮神经电刺激疗法可以明显改善脑卒中偏瘫患者的肩部疼痛及上肢运动功能.     

Comparison study on the daily performance capability and body fat percentage for a healthy life among elderly people using a senior welfare center

The prevalence of chronic diseases in Korea has been rising with obesity as the result of increasing elderly population. Secondary problems such as hypertension, diabetes, and degenerative arthritis caused by obesity affect activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) among elderly people. However, the performance level of ADLs/IADLs and obesity rates according to age have scarcely been investigated. Therefore, we focused on the performance level of ADLs and IADLs among the elderly for investigating disabilities, obesity, and their correlation to age. The subjects were divided into three groups on 80 elderly men and 143 women registered at a senior welfare center (SWC) in I-Cheon according to their age (in their 60s, 70s, and 80s). Their disabilities and body fat percentages were measured and then compared to data from young adults who were in their 20s to discover changes according to age. In this results, 90% of the elderly possessed chronic diseases when their performance levels of ADLs and IADLs were lowered. Those in their 70s, the group that used the senior welfare facilities the most, showed the lowest levels of decline in ADLs and IADLs among participants aged 60–80. In terms of obesity, the elderly possessed a higher degree of overall body fat and a higher ratio of body fat to lean body mass. There were no significant differences in skinfold thickness according to age group. Our results suggest that social education for exercise programs and the use of physical therapy facilities should be encouraged to promote a healthy lifestyle among the elderly people.     

Effects of rapid tryptophan depletion on salivary cortisol in older people recovered from depression, and the healthy elderly

Reduced serotonin (5-HT) function and abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are thought to play a role in the aetiology of major depression. We sought to examine this issue in the elderly by assessing the effects of lowering brain 5-HT on salivary and plasma cortisol in elderly patients who had recovered from at least one episode of major depression and in a healthy, age matched comparison group. A double-blind, cross-over design involving administration of two nutritionally balanced amino acid mixtures (with or without tryptophan) was used. Salivary cortisol was measured at intervals before and after the drink. There was no effect of acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) on salivary cortisol (ATD by time; F=0.97, df=7,210, p=0.454) but a significant interaction between group and time (F=3.91, df=7,210, p=0.010). Healthy subjects showed a marked increase in cortisol levels 2-3 hours into the procedure regardless of drink composition while recovered depressed subjects did not. In elderly patients who had recovered from depression there was no evidence of greater vulnerability of hypothalamic 5-HT pathways to 5-HT depletion. However, they demonstrated reduced reactivity of the HPA axis compared to healthy subjects.     

健康体检人群中脑血流图异常者的临床特征分析

目的在健康体检人群中观察81例脑血流图异常者的临床特征,为更好地预防和治疗相关疾病提供依据。方法以健康体检中脑血流图异常者为实验组,以配对原则设立对照组,采用REG-IG型血流图自动分析诊断仪分析脑血流异常的体检者,分析不同形式的脑血流异常者中男女所占比例,并统计分析其患高血压、脂肪肝、超重的差异。结果 81例脑血流图异常者中,双侧颈内动脉系统供血不足、脑血管搏动性供血不足的情况以男性较多,脑血管弹性减退方面男女比例大致相当;脑血流图异常者患高血压、脂肪肝、超重的比例较高。结论脑血流异常可能与高血压、脂肪肝、超重等有关,对高血压、脂肪肝、体重的控制可能改善脑血流。     

老年综合征对居家养老老年人生活满意度的影响

目的：了解上海市浦东新区居家养老的老年人其老年综合征罹患情况和生活满意度,并分析其相关性。方法：采用整群抽样方法,对新场社区≥65岁的238名老年人进行老年综合评估及生活满意度量表调查。结果：238名老年人平均年龄（73.6±8.2）岁,罹患疾病2~10种,平均罹患老年综合征数量（4.6±2.6）种,生活满意度与老年综合征密切相关。结论：老年综合征广泛存在于居家养老的老年人中,是影响老年人生活满意度的首要因素。     

中国健康老年人标准

重要脏器的增龄性改变未导致功能异常；一无重大疾病；相关高危因素控制在与其年龄相适应的达标范围内；具有一定的抗病能力。认知功能基本正常；能适应环境；处事乐观积极；自我满意或自我评价好。     

2428例老年体检人群尿酸水平检测结果分析

目的 探究老年体检人群尿酸水平以及与其他临床相关疾病的关系.方法 选取我院2012年1月至2013年7月间来我院体检中心进行体检的老年人2428例,检测血压、血糖、血脂、冠心病以及尿酸血症等,并进行统计学分析.结果 随着年龄的增加,高尿酸血症的发病率也随之升高;而高尿酸血症患者并发高血压、高血糖、高血脂、冠心病等临床疾病的发生率显著高于尿酸正常组,组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论 老年人群中高尿酸血症的发病率较高,并与高血压等相关临床疾病相关,高尿酸血症的筛查有着重要的意义,值得在临床应用中加以推广.     

Mechanisms of electrical field stimulation-induced vasodilatation in the guinea-pig basilar artery: the role of endothelium

1 The role of endothelium in neuronal vasodilatation elicited by electrical field stimulation (EFS) was investigated in preparations of the isolated guinea-pig basilar artery in which the tone was raised with prostaglandin F₂α. 2 In preparations with intact endothelium, EFS produced frequency-dependent dilatations which were not affected by guanethidine but were slightly yet significantly reduced by atropine (1 μm ), and were blocked by tetrodotoxin (1 μM ) and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l -NAME (10 μm ). 3 Dilatations were elicited by acetylcholine (3 μm ); these were blocked by l -NAME and atropine (1 μm ). 4 Dilatations were elicited by nicotine (100 μm ); these were blocked by l -NAME and hexamethonium (100 μm ). 5 Dilatation elicited by sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 3 μm ) was not affected by l -NAME. 6 The inhibitory effects of l -NAME were partially prevented by l -arginine (1 mm ). 7 Removal of the endothelium resulted in a significant reduction of dilatations elicited by EFS, elimination of the dilator action of acetylcholine, but enhancement of that to SNP. 8 The results suggest that EFS-induced vasodilatation is mediated in part by the nitrergic transmitter and in part by endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF) activated by acetylcholine released from cholinergic nerves.     

The effect of fluoxetine on electrical field stimulation-induced responses in the isolated rat small intestine

The effects of fluoxetine, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, were studied in the isolated rat small intestine. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) triggered relaxant and/or contractile responses that were sensitive to tetrodotoxin and fluoxetine at 1.0-10.0 μM. In 0.1 mM hexamethonium-treated tissues, fluoxetine (1.0 μM) induced a relaxant response at 10.0 Hz, while it decreased the attenuation of the contractile responses to EFS. In PCPA pretreated rat jejunum and ileum, 1.0 μM of fluoxetine induced a greater relaxation response to EFS and significantly attenuated the contractile responses to EFS (10.0 Hz) in the duodenum. In a separate experiment, the application of reboxetine (1.0-10.0 μM), a noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor, reduced the contraction and increased the relaxation responses to EFS at 10.0 Hz in most regions. In the presence of hexamethonium (0.1 mM) the application of 10.0 μM reboxetine reduced contractile responses to ESF while enhancing the relaxant responses to EFS at 10.0 Hz. The data suggest that the effects of fluoxetine appear to be related to the selected region of the intestine and may contribute to a better understanding of the serotonergic and cholinergic transmitter mechanisms involved in ileal activity and the gastrointestinal discomfort associated with the clinical use of fluoxetine.     

Different effects of norepinephrine and serotonin on the electrical toe stimulation-induced reflexes in the rat spinal cord

1. Electrical toe stimulation was shown to elicit reflex potentials in the ipsilateral common peroneal nerve in the rat. 2. This reflex consisted of the spinal reflex and the spino-bulbo-spinal reflex (SBS reflex). 3. Administration of norepinephrine into the subarachnoid space enhanced the spinal reflex but depressed the SBS reflex. On the other hand, serotonin enhanced both reflexes. 4. These different effects of norepinephrine and serotonin suggest different control of nociceptive reactions by these biogenic amines.     

3269例老年健康体检血常规检查结果分析

目的分析3269例老年健康体检血常规检查结果。方法选取3269例老年健康体检者的血液样本进行检查,女性组1675例,男性组1594例,然后对他们的血液检测结果进行对比分析。结果老年健康体检血常规检测结果表明,两组体检者检查的4个参数呈减低分布,其中女性组所检查出的白细胞（WBC）、血红蛋白（Hb）红细胞减少率显著高于男性组（P〈0．05）,而两组血小板减少率无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。结论老年健康体检,血常规检查是必不可少的项目,血常规检查是检查出贫血、血细胞减少,红细胞和血血红蛋白增多的简便、有效而又快速的方式,它为提前预防和临床治疗提供了早期的资料,安全可靠,值得临床继续研究探讨。