Effects of virtual reality-based robot therapy combined with task-oriented therapy on upper limb function and cerebral cortex activation in patients with stroke.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of virtual reality (VR)-based robot therapy combined with task-oriented therapy on cerebral cortex activation and upper limb function in patients with stroke.

Methods: This study included 46 patients with hemiplegia within 1 year of stroke onset. Patients were divided into an experimental group (n = 23) and a control group (n = 23) using a computer randomization program.

Effect of 3-Dimensional Robotic Therapy Combined with Electromyography-Triggered Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Upper Limb Function and Cerebral Cortex Activation in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

(1) Background: This study investigated the effect of 3-dimensional robotic therapy (RT) combined with electromyography-triggered neuromuscular electrical stimulation (RT-ENMES) on stroke patients' upper-limb function and cerebral cortex activation. (2) Methods: Sixty-one stroke patients were assigned randomly to one of three groups. The stroke patients were in the subacute stage between 2 and 6 months after onset.

The Effect of Kinesio Taping Combined with Virtual-Reality-Based Upper Extremity Training on Upper Extremity Function and Self-Esteem in Stroke Patients.

(1) Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of virtual-reality-based hand motion training (VRT) in parallel with the Kinesio Taping (KT) technique on upper extremity function in stroke patients and to present a more effective therapeutic basis for virtual reality training intervention. (2) Methods: First, 43 stroke patients were randomly assigned to two groups: 21 experimental subjects and 22 controls. The experimental group performed Kinesio Taping (KT) on the dorsal part of the hand along with virtual-reality-based hand motion training, and the control group performed only virtual-reality-based hand motion training.

Kinesiology taping and ankle foot orthosis equivalent therapeutic effects on gait function in stroke patients with foot drop: A preliminary study.

An ankle foot orthosis (AFO) is a standard type of orthosis applied to immediately treat foot drop symptoms. Kinesiology taping (KT) is a therapeutic method used in patients with neurological diseases, such as stroke, as well as in patients after orthopedic and sports injuries. This study aimed to compare outcomes of AFO treatment with those of KT to investigate the effect on gait ability in patients with foot drop after stroke.

The Effect of Action Observation Combined with Motor Imagery Training on Upper Extremity Function and Corticospinal Excitability in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of motor imagery (MI) intervention with action observation (AO) on upper extremity function and corticospinal activation in stroke patients. MI and AO are two forms of motion simulation that activate the motor system without physical activity. There are many studies that show the effect of AO and MI alone, but there are few studies in parallel.

Effect of Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation for Dysphagia Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review.

Recently, a therapeutic method to stimulate the suprahyoid muscle using peripheral magnetic stimulation for dysphagia rehabilitation has been reported. However, clinical evidence, application protocol, and intervention method remain unclear. Therefore, a systematic review of the published literature is needed.

Effects of Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Training Combined with Locomotor Activity on Cognitive Function and Gait Ability in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of semi-immersive virtual reality-based cognitive training (VRCT) combined with locomotor activity on cognitive function, balance, and gait ability in older adults. Eighteen community-dwelling older adults participated in this study. Subjects who met the selection criteria were assigned to an experimental group ( = 9) and a control group ( = 9).

Effect of Dysphagia Rehabilitation Using Kinesiology Taping on Oropharyngeal Muscle Hypertrophy in Post-Stroke Patients: A Double Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: It has recently been shown that suprahyoid muscle exercise using kinesiology taping (KT) increases the activation of the suprahyoid muscle in healthy adults, suggesting a potential therapeutic clinical exercise for dysphagia rehabilitation. This study investigated the effect of dysphagia rehabilitation using KT in stroke patients with dysphagia.

Methods: Thirty subjects in South Korea were enrolled in this prospective placebo-controlled double-blind study.

Tongue strengthening exercise is effective in improving the oropharyngeal muscles associated with swallowing in community-dwelling older adults in South Korea: A randomized trial.

Background: Tongue strengthening exercise (TSE) is a remedial method for the training of swallowing-related muscles in the oropharyngeal phase. However, clinical evidence of its effectiveness is insufficient.

Methods: To investigate the effect of TSE on the oropharyngeal muscles associated with swallowing in older adults, in this study, 40 elder adults living in the community were recruited and assigned to 2 groups.

Game-based hand resistance exercise versus traditional manual hand exercises for improving hand strength, motor function, and compliance in stroke patients: A multi-center randomized controlled study.

Background: Game-based exercise is effective for improving strength and motor function in stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation, and it creates fun and motivation for exercise.

Objective: We investigated the effect of game-based exercise on hand strength, motor function, and compliance in stroke patients.

Methods: Fifty stroke patients were randomly divided into experimental and control groups.

Effects of lingual strength training on oropharyngeal muscles in South Korean adults.

Background: Lingual strength training (LST) has been reported to positively affect the activation of submental muscles, as well as to increase lingual muscle strength. However, there is little evidence to support its effectiveness.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of LST on the strength and thickness of oropharyngeal muscles in healthy adults.

Effect of electrical stimulation on aspiration in children with cerebral palsy and dysphagia.

[Purpose] This study aims to investigate the effect of electrical stimulation on aspiration in children with cerebral palsy and dysphagia. [Participants and Methods] Five children with cerebral palsy and dysphagia were recruited. Electrical stimulation was applied to the submental region targeting submental muscles.

Decellularized sciatic nerve matrix as a biodegradable conduit for peripheral nerve regeneration.

The use of autologous nerve grafts remains the gold standard for treating nerve defects, but current nerve repair techniques are limited by donor tissue availability and morbidity associated with tissue loss. Recently, the use of conduits in nerve injury repair, made possible by tissue engineering, has shown therapeutic potential. We manufactured a biodegradable, collagen-based nerve conduit containing decellularized sciatic nerve matrix and compared this with a silicone conduit for peripheral nerve regeneration using a rat model.

The effects of tongue stretching exercise on tongue length in healthy adults: a preliminary study.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tongue stretching exercise on the tongue length of healthy adults. [Subjects and Methods] This study recruited 6 healthy adults. They were treated for 4 weeks with tongue stretching.

Effects of mental practice combined with electromyogram-triggered electrical stimulation for upper extremity function in stroke patients.

[Purpose] To investigate the effect of mental practice combined with electromyogram-triggered electrical stimulation (MP-EMG ES) on the upper extremity of stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Participants were randomly assigned to experimental group or control group. The experimental group received MP-EMG ES plus conventional rehabilitation therapy for 5 days per week for 4 weeks.

Effects of Shaker exercise in stroke survivors with oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Background: Dysphagia after stroke can cause a variety of complications, especially aspiration pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, rehabilitation methods to reduce aspiration in patients with dysphagia are important.

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Shaker exercise on aspiration and oral diet level in stroke survivors with dysphagia.

Transdermal Nicotine Patch Effects on EEG Power Spectra and Heart Rate Variability During Sleep of Healthy Male Adults.

Objective: The effect of transdermal nicotine patch on sleep physiology is not well established. The current study aimed to examine the influence of nicotine patch on homeostatic sleep propensity and autonomic nervous system.

Methods: We studied 16 non-smoking young healthy volunteers with nocturnal polysomnography in a double blind crossover design between sleep with and without nicotine patch.

Effects of electrical stimulation combined with dysphagia therapy in elderly individual with oropharyngeal dysphagia: a case study.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of dysphagia therapy in an old man with difficulty swallowing in the oral and pharyngeal phases. [Subjects and Methods] The subject was a 72-year-old man with no history of neurological disorders. He was admitted to local hospital because of the complaint of swallowing difficulty.

Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on facial muscle strength and oral function in stroke patients with facial palsy.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on facial muscle strength and oral function in stroke patients with facial palsy. [Subjects and Methods] Nine subjects received the electrical stimulation and traditional dysphagia therapy. Electrical stimulation was applied to stimulate each subject's facial muscles 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks.

Effects of combining mental practice with electromyogram-triggered electrical stimulation for stroke patients with unilateral neglect.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mental practice combined with electromyogram-triggered electrical stimulation on neglect and activities of daily living in stroke patients with unilateral neglect. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-three stroke patients with unilateral neglect were recruited from a local university hospital, and were divided into two groups. The experimental group received an intervention consisting of mental practice combined with electromyogram-triggered electrical stimulation on the neglected side, while the control group received cyclic electrical stimulation at the same site.

Characterization and antimicrobial property of poly(acrylic acid) nanogel containing silver particle prepared by electron beam.

In this study, we developed a one step process to synthesize nanogel containing silver nanoparticles involving electron beam irradiation. Water-soluble silver nitrate powder is dissolved in the distilled water and then poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) and hexane are put into this silver nitrate solution. These samples are irradiated by an electron beam to make the PAAc nanogels containing silver nanoparticles (Ag/PAAc nanogels).

Rehmannia glutinosa ameliorates the progressive renal failure induced by 5/6 nephrectomy.

Aim Of The Study: Rehmannia glutinosa, the steamed root of the Scrophulariaceae family, has been widely used in Asian countries for the treatment of renal diseases. In this study, we evaluated the renoprotective effect of aqueous extract of Rehmannia glutinosa in progressive renal failure.

Materials And Methods: The effects of Rehmannia glutinosa on renal function, 24-h proteinuria, and the expression of angiotensin II, angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor, TGF-beta1, and type IV collagen in renal cortex were analyzed in progressive renal failure rats induced by 5/6 nephrectomy.

Sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnea: a harbinger of impaired cardiac function?

Study Objectives: Daytime sleepiness is a common clinical presentation in both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between degree of subjective daytime sleepiness and cardiac performance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Design: Observational study.

Association of HLA-DR and -DQ genes with narcolepsy in Koreans: comparison with two control groups, randomly selected subjects and DRB1*1501-DQB1*0602--positive subjects.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles with narcolepsy-cataplexy susceptibility in Koreans. The distribution of HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles and presence or absence of DRB3/4/5 alleles were examined in 60 narcoleptic patients with clear-cut cataplexy, and the results were compared with two groups of healthy controls: 200 randomly selected controls and 144 DRB1*1501-DQB1*0602 positive controls. All of the narcoleptic patients were DRB1*1501 and DQB1*0602 positive, and their frequencies were significantly higher in patients than in random controls (100% vs 17.