Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the regional cerebral blood flow of subjects with stroke : a preliminary study

Abstract

目的: 观察单次经皮电神经刺激(TENS)对脑卒中患者脑局部血流量的影响。 方法: 4例初发脑卒中患者(男、女各2人,55—73岁,发病42—131天)随机分为治疗组和对照组。2组对象分别接受2次脑局部血流量(rCBF)的检测,2次检测间隔60min,治疗组在2次检测之间接受60min的TENS治疗。用不对称指数和变化率分析治疗前后患侧病灶及其周边半暗带区以及病灶对应的健侧脑组织及其周边区域(镜像部位)rCBF的变化。 结果: 单次TENS治疗后,治疗组不对称指数增加,患侧和健侧rCBF变化率增加,虽然与对照组相比统计学上无显著性差异,但治疗组的变化较对照组明显。 结论: 单次TENS治疗可以改善脑卒中患者患侧和健侧半球的rCBF,推测对脑卒中患者的功能改善具有积极的促进作用。 Objective: To investigate the effects of one session(60min) of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) in stroke patients. Method: Four subjects with first-ever stroke were recruited.They were 2 males and 2 females,55-73years old and 42-141 days post-stroke onset.After signing the consent form,they were randomly assigned into treatment and control groups.All subjects were examined for rCBF using single positron emission computerized tomorgraphy(SPECT) on two sessions within one day with an interval of 60min.Subjects in the treatment group received TENS treatment for 60min between the two sessions of SPECT examinations.Asymmetry index and the percentage changes of SEPCT from the two sessions were analyzed, including the affected site and its surrounding area on the affected hemisphere,as well as the contralateral normal site and its surrounding area on the unaffected hemisphere. Result: No statistically significant differences in the changes of SPECT between the two groups were found at either session.However,subjects receiving 60min of TENS treatment showed an increasing tendency for rCBF,in terms of asymmetry index and the percentage changes of both hemispheres. Conclusion: Sixty minutes of TENS treatment tended to improve rCBF in both the affected and unaffected hemispheres of subjects with first ever stroke.