Acupuncture Combined with Electromyographic Biofeedback Improves Limb Disturbance, Depression and Quality of Life of Stroke Patients

This study was designed to probe into the effects of acupuncture combined with electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback on limb dysfunction, depression and quality of life of stroke patients.Altogether 104 cerebral infarction patients who admitted to our hospital were selected as the research objects. According to different treatment schemes, 53 patients were divided into observation group (OG) (acupuncture combined with electromyographic biofeedback) and 50 were enrolled into control group (CG) (acupuncture alone). The treatment efficacy, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), clinical spasm index (CSI), Berg balance scale (BBS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), treatment compliance, depression and quality of life of the two groups were evaluated, and their adverse reactions during treatment were recorded and compared.The efficacy of the OG was obviously better than that of the CG (P<0.05). After treatment, NIHSS, CSI, BBS, FMA, TUG, treatment compliance, depression and quality of life of the two groups were dramatically improved (P<0.05), but the improvement degree of the OG was markedly better than that of the CG (P<0.05). There was no remarkable difference in adverse reactions between the two groups during treatment (P>0.05).EMG biofeedback combined with acupuncture has good efficacy on stroke, which can effectively improve limb dysfunction, relieve patients’ negative emotions and improve their quality of life. It is safe and worthy of clinical promotion.

Repurposing an EMG Biofeedback Device for Gait Rehabilitation: Development, Validity and Reliability

Gait impairment often limits physical activity and negatively impacts quality of life. EMG-Biofeedback (EMG-BFB), one of the more effective interventions for improving gait impairment, has been limited to laboratory use due to system costs and technical requirements, and has therefore not been tested on a larger scale. In our research, we aimed to develop and validate a cost-effective, commercially available EMG-BFB device for home- and community-based use. We began by repurposing mTrigger® (TJM Electronics, Warminster, PA, USA), a cost-effective, portable EMG-BFB device, for gait application. This included developing features in the cellphone app such as step feedback, success rate, muscle activity calibration, and cloud integration. Next, we tested the validity and reliability of the mTrigger device in healthy adults by comparing it to a laboratory-grade EMG system. While wearing both devices, 32 adults walked overground and on a treadmill at four speeds (0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 m/s). Statistical analysis revealed good to excellent test–retest reliability (r > 0.89) and good to excellent agreement in the detection of steps (ICC > 0.85) at all speeds between two systems for treadmill walking. Our results indicated that mTrigger compared favorably to a laboratory-grade EMG system in the ability to assess muscular activity and to provide biofeedback during walking in healthy adults.

Effects of Electromyographic Biofeedback Therapy Combined with Comprehensive Rehabilitation Training on Lower Limb Motor Function in Patients with Stroke Recovery

This article explores the effects of myoelectric biofeedback therapy association with rehabilitation training on LLMF in patients with stroke and hemiplegia. Sixty patients with stroke and hemiplegia were separated into the control group and the treatment group. The two groups were disposed neuromedicine drugs and rehabilitation training, while the treatment group also increased the training of the affected side's lower limb electromyography. The same therapist evaluated Fugl-Meyer score (FMA), M-B index (MBI), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), score before and 4 weeks after treatment, and performed statistical analysis. The results showed that the FMA scores, balance ability scores, daily living ability scores, and active range scores of the wrist and stepping joints of the upper and lower limbs after several weeks of treatment in the two groups were better than those in the group before treatment. The scores of the EMG biofeedback treatment group at several weeks were better than the control group of the same period, the difference was statistically significant. EMG Biofeedback Therapy Combined with Comprehensive Rehabilitation Training can effectively improve upper and lower extremity movement, balance function, daily life ability, dorsiflexion of the wrist and dorsiflexion of the step joints after stroke, and the effect is better than that of conventional rehabilitation therapy.

EFFECTIVENESS OF SHORT ARC AND ISOMETRIC QUADRICEPS EXERCISES ON PAIN, MUSCLE ACTIVITY AND HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH ANTERIOR KNEE PAIN

ABSTRACT AIMS & OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the effects of Short-Arc and Isometric Quadriceps exercises on Quadriceps strength and health related quality of life among Anterior Knee pain patients by using EMG biofeedback. METHODOLOGY Total 80 participants were recruited and randomly distributed in two groups; A and B. Individuals in group A performed isometric quadriceps exercise while group B participants performed short-arc exercise for 1st, 6th and 8th week along with a home exercise programme. Pre and post treatment assessment was performed using EMG Biofeedback, VAS, and KUJALA scoring questionnaire. Statistically, data was analysed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS After 8 weeks, EMG Biofeedback revealed the higher effectiveness short-arc exercises with value 88.20mv ± 6.64 comparing isometric quadriceps exercises. Moreover, Wilcoxon rank test revealed statistically significant improvement in VAS score with p-value <0.05. Furthermore, KUJALA score also advocated the effectiveness of short-arc exercises with statistically significant values (p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION The study concluded the effectiveness of Short-arc quadriceps exercises comparing to static-quadriceps exercises in improving muscles strength, pain and health related quality of life after 8 weeks of intervention.

Development of Reading Abilities in Children with ADHD Following fNIRS-Neurofeedback or EMG-Biofeedback

Children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show deficient reading skills, which, like ADHD symptoms, are associated with limitations in neurocognitive abilities. Neurofeedback (NF) aims to improve the latter, to alleviate ADHD symptoms, and to promote school and reading performances. Whether frontal lobe-NF based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and electromyogram (EMG)-biofeedback (BF), however, improve reading abilities of children with ADHD and whether these changes are associated with changes in neurocognitive abilities, has not yet been clarified. It was also unclear whether embedding trainings in virtual reality (VR) could increase their effectiveness. These questions were examined using data of 35 children with ADHD (6–11 years) who participated in 15 sessions of fNIRS-NF in VR, fNIRS-NF in 2D, or EMG-BF in VR. On average, children's reading performance improved in all training groups. Stronger improvements were found after VR trainings. Improvements in reading natural words were, on a trend level, accompanied by decreasing attention, while improvements in reading pseudowords were accompanied by improved sustained attention and response inhibition. The results suggest that fNIRS-NF and EMG-BF effectively improve reading abilities of children with ADHD, especially when training in VR.