神经肌肉电刺激对卒中后吞咽障碍治疗作用的研究

目的 应用视频透视吞咽检查（video fluoroscopy swallowing study,VFSS）方法从吞咽运动学变化方 面研究神经肌肉电刺激（neuromuscular electrical stimulation,NMES）对卒中患者吞咽障碍的治疗作用。 方法 将卒中后吞咽障碍患者随机分为研究组和对照组,研究组给予NMES治疗,对照组给予假 刺激,治疗均为每次20 mi n,5次/周,持续4周。同时所有患者均进行吞咽常规训练。治疗前后均行 VFSS,获取3 ml液态钡食、10 ml液态钡食、半固体钡食及固体钡食4种食团吞咽的Rosenbek渗透-误吸 量表（penetration-aspiration scale,PAS）评分、咽传递时间（pharyngeal transit time,PTT）、咽延迟时间 （pharyngeal delayed time,PDT）、舌骨向前最大幅度、舌骨向上运动最大幅度、喉向前最大幅度及喉向 上运动最大幅度。对比两组治疗前后PAS量表评分及上述吞咽运动学参数的变化。 结果 研究共纳入43例患者,其中研究组23例,对照组20例。治疗后,两组患者4种食团吞咽时PAS评 分均较治疗前下降,PTT、PDT较治疗前缩短（均P＜0.05）。治疗前和治疗后,研究组在各食团吞咽时 PAS评分及PTT、PDT较对照组差异均无显著性。治疗前,两组间舌骨向前、向上运动,喉向前、向上运 动的最大幅度差异均无显著性;治疗后,研究组食团吞咽时舌骨向上运动、喉向上运动的最大幅度 均较对照组显著增大（均P＜0.05）,但两组舌骨向前、喉向前运动差异无显著性。 结论 NMES和常规吞咽康复训练均可改善卒中患者的吞咽功能。NMES更能提高喉-舌骨复合体的向 上运动。     

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Versus Transcutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Post Stroke Dysphagia: A Clinical Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of high-frequency repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied contralesionally versus transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (TNES) in acute post-stroke dysphagic patients.Materials and methodsA randomized, parallel, comparative, controlled trial was conducted on patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to our department. Fifteen patients received rTMS, 15 patients received TNES, and 15 patients were recruited as a control group. Between the second and tenth days after a stroke, patients were enrolled. The study and follow-up periods were completed by all patients.ResultsAmong the screened patients, 45 (31.47%) right-handed patients were diagnosed with post-stroke dysphagia with a mean age of 60.53 ± 8.23 years. Immediately after intervention both rTMS and TNES groups significantly improve the swallowing disturbance questionnaire (SDQ) and penetration aspiration scale (PAS), compared to the control (p < 0.001 and p = 0.027), respectively. rTMS was more effective than TNES in reducing SDQ and PAS (p < 0.05). rTMS and TNES improved the Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale (YPRSRS) significantly (p = 0.002); however, their efficacy was comparable (p > 0.05). A significant (p < 0.001) strong negative correlation was observed between the grade of weakness and all scores.ConclusionOur findings showed that high-frequency rTMS and TNES effectively improved the clinical condition of acute post-stroke dysphagic patients in terms of swallowing disturbance assessed by SDQ, pharyngeal residue assessed by YPRSRS, and the severity of penetration and aspiration events evaluated by PAS, compared to the controls. The outcomes of high-frequency rTMS were more favorable than those of TNES in terms of SDQ and PAS.     

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Reduces Leg Cramps in Patients With Lumbar Degenerative Disorders: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

ObjectivesLumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and lumbar disc herniation (LDH) are often accompanied by frequently occurring leg cramps severely affecting patients’ life and sleep quality. Recent evidence suggests that neuromuscular electric stimulation (NMES) of cramp-prone muscles may prevent cramps in lumbar disorders.Materials and MethodsThirty-two men and women (63 ± 9 years) with LSS and/or LDH suffering from cramps were randomly allocated to four different groups. Unilateral stimulation of the gastrocnemius was applied twice a week over four weeks (3 × 6 × 5 sec stimulation trains at 30 Hz above the individual cramp threshold frequency [CTF]). Three groups received either 85%, 55%, or 25% of their maximum tolerated stimulation intensity, whereas one group only received pseudo-stimulation.ResultsThe number of reported leg cramps decreased in the 25% (25 ± 14 to 7 ± 4; p = 0.002), 55% (24 ± 10 to 10 ± 11; p = 0.014) and 85%NMES (23 ± 17 to 1 ± 1; p < 0.001) group, whereas it remained unchanged after pseudo-stimulation (20 ± 32 to 19 ± 33; p > 0.999). In the 25% and 85%NMES group, this improvement was accompanied by an increased CTF (p < 0.001).ConclusionRegularly applied NMES of the calf muscles reduces leg cramps in patients with LSS/LDH even at low stimulation intensity.     

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in Combination with Electrical Stimulation: Combined Treatment in Comparison to Each Treatment Alone

The objective of the study was a quantitative examination of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) exercise in simultaneous combination with FES of lower extremity muscles in comparison to voluntary movement, training with PNF alone, or training with FES alone. Two subjects were monitored during a one‐month rehabilitation period. The PNF pattern included flexion, adduction, and external rotation of the hip, knee flexion, and dorsiflexion with inversion of the ankle, a pattern similar to the swing phase of walking. Quantitative measurements were conducted by using goniometers on the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Major changes were found in the hip angle. Improvements in goniograms were greatest during the first week, smaller during the second week, and showed only a slight positive trend in the last two weeks. The measurements made two months after the start of training showed somewhat lower values in comparison to previous sessions.     

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Methodology and Applications

Low-intensity transcranial current stimulation is a rapidly growing field of research. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is the dominant paradigm of this new field, with transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) just emerging. Anodal stimulation with tDCS has excitatory effects on the underlying cortex, whereas cathodal stimulation has inhibitory effects. Because both electrodes have significant brain effects when placed at cephalic areas, the term “reference” electrode should be avoided. Most studies have applied tDCS to the motor cortex, the prefrontal cortex, and the occipital cortex. Applications of tDCS include modulation of electrophysiological and hemodynamic brain activity, symptom reduction in neurological and psychiatric pathology, and cognitive improvement in healthy volunteers or clinical populations. There is evidence of motor improvement in patients with stroke, pain reduction in fibromyalgia, improved mood in patients with unipolar or bipolar depression, and reduced craving. Healthy volunteers are shown to improve their verbal fluency, working memory, and implicit learning. Moreover, there are interactions of tDCS with various pharmacological substances. There are no significant side effects, apart from minor skin lesions when tap water is used instead of saline solution in the sponge electrodes. Further research is required to reveal the potential of tACS.     

Mechanisms of Electrical Stimulation with Neural Prostheses

Individual electric and geometric characteristics of neural substructures can have surprising effects on artificially controlled neural signaling. A rule of thumb approved for the stimulation of long peripheral axons may not hold when the central nervous system is involved. This is demonstrated here with a comparison of results from the electrically stimulated cochlea, retina, and spinal cord. A generalized form of the activating function together with accurate modeling of the neural membrane dynamics are the tools to analyze the excitation mechanisms initiated by neural prostheses. Analysis is sometimes possible with a linear theory, in other cases, simulation of internal calcium concentration or ion channel current fluctuations is needed to see irregularities in spike trains. Spike initiation site can easily change within a single target neuron under constant stimulation conditions of a cochlear implant. Poor myelinization in the soma region of the human cochlear neurons causes firing characteristics different from any animal data. Retinal ganglion cells also generate propagating spikes within the dendritic tree. Bipolar cells in the retina are expected to respond with neurotransmitter release before a spike is generated in the ganglion cell, even when they are far away from the electrode. Epidural stimulation of the lumbar spinal cord predominantly stimulates large sensory axons in the dorsal roots which induce muscle reflex responses. Analysis with the generalized activating function, computer simulations of the nonlinear neural membrane behavior together with experimental and clinical data analysis enlighten our understanding of artificial firing patterns influenced by neural prostheses.     

电磁刺激疗法预防卒中吞咽障碍吸入性肺炎的研究进展

卒中后吞咽障碍患者免疫力下降,频繁误吸易引起吸入性肺炎,预防吸入性肺炎是卒中吞咽康复的重要原则。电、磁刺激疗法作为卒中后吞咽障碍的新兴治疗手段,通过将电刺激或磁刺激作用于外周肌群、大脑皮层与周围神经,在卒中吞咽障碍的肺炎预防中发挥了重要作用。具体技术主要包括神经肌肉电刺激、咽腔电刺激、重复外周磁刺激、重复经颅磁刺激、经颅直流电刺激与迷走神经刺激。电、磁疗法对肌肉激活与神经元调控具有积极作用,可增加大脑皮层兴奋性,改善吞咽运动不充分、不协调等问题,从而减少误吸发生,达到预防肺炎的目的。     

Treating Post-traumatic Stress Disorder with Neuromodulation Therapies: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation,Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation,and Deep Brain Stimulation

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and debilitating illness. While standard treatment with pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy may be effective, approximately 20 to 30% of patients remain symptomatic. These individuals experience depression, anxiety, and elevated rates of suicide. For treatment-resistant patients, there is a growing interest in the use of neuromodulation therapies, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS). We conducted a systematic review on the use of neuromodulation strategies for PTSD and pooled 13 randomized clinical trials (RCTs), 11 case series, and 6 case reports for analysis. Overall, most studies reported favorable outcomes in alleviating both PTSD and depressive symptoms. Although several RCTs described significant differences when active and sham stimulations were compared, others found marginal or nonsignificant differences between groups. Also positive were studies comparing PTSD symptoms before and after treatment. The side effect profile with all 3 modalities was found to be low, with mostly mild adverse events being reported. Despite these encouraging data, several aspects remain unknown. Given that PTSD is a highly heterogeneous condition that can be accompanied by distinct psychiatric diagnoses, defining a unique treatment for this patient population can be quite challenging. There has also been considerable variation across trials regarding stimulation parameters, symptomatic response, and the role of adjunctive psychotherapy. Future studies are needed to address these issues.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13311-020-00871-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.Key Words: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), neuromodulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), deep brain stimulation (DBS)     

Increased Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation After Effects During Concurrent Peripheral Electrical Nerve Stimulation

In this study we tested the hypothesis whether a lasting change in the excitability of cortical output circuits can be obtained in healthy humans by combining a peripheral nerve stimulation during a concomitant depolarization and/or hyperpolarization of motor cortex. To reach this aim we combined two different neurophysiological techniques each of them able to induce a lasting increase of cortical excitability by them self: namely median nerve repetitive electrical stimulation (rEPNS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Ten normal young volunteers were enrolled in the present study. All subjects underwent five different protocols of stimulation: (1, 2) tDCS alone (anodal or cathodal); (3) Sham tDCS plus rEPNS; (4, 5) anodal or cathodal tDCS plus rEPNS. The baseline MEP amplitude from abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscle, the FCR H-reflex were compared with that obtained immediately after and 10, 20, 30, 60 min after the stimulation protocol. Anodal tDCS alone induced a significant transient increase of MEP amplitude immediately after the end of stimulation while anodal tDCS + rEPNS determined MEP changes which persisted for up 60 min. Cathodal tDCS alone induced a significant reduction of MEP amplitude immediately after the end of stimulation while cathodal tDCS + rEPNS prolonged the effects for up to 60 min. Sham tDCS + rEPNS did not induce significant changes in corticospinal excitability. Anodal or cathodal tDCS + rEPNS and sham tDCS + rEPNS caused a lasting facilitation of H-reflex. These findings suggest that by providing afferent input to the motor cortex while its excitability level is increased or decreased by tDCS may be a highly effective means for inducing an enduring bi-directional plasticity. The mechanism of this protocol may be complex, involving either cortical and spinal after effects.