Through Diffusion Tensor Imaging To Study The Mechanism Of Relieving Post-stroke Muscle Spasm By Acupuncture Combining With Rehabilitation

Objective:Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to analysis patients with limb spasm after stroke through acupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy, observe the white matter fiber tracts’ anisotropic characteristics and the recovery of damage corticospinal tract, and study the mechanism of how acupuncture combined with rehabilitation can ease limb spasm after sroke.Methods:Thirty-two patients with muscle spasm after stroke were randomly divided into two groups, the group with acupuncture combining physical therapy and the group with simple physical therapy as a contrast, and did DTI scan respectively before and after treatment. By DTI scan, characteristics of the fiber tracts across the lesions were acquired, original images obtained by DTI were input to workstation, through Functool software to obtain FA and MD image. Using Functool software, we placed the ROI in obtained the FA and MD image to acquire the FA and the MD value.Result:1. In Each group patients before taking therapy, FA value of infarcts area were lower than that of the corresponding normal area (P<0.05); after the treatment of 4 weeks, FA values of infarction side were significantly increased than before treatment (P<0.05).2. In Each group patients before taking therapy, MD value of infarcts area were lower than that of the corresponding normal area (P<0.05); after the treatment of 4 weeks, MD values of infarction side were significantly increased than before treatment (P<0.05).3. Changes of FA and MD on infarcts area in the experimental group and the control group had differences, but without statistical significance.4. FA values change of two groups on bilateral corticospinal tract area had differences, but without statistical significance.Conclusion:1. By diffusion tensor imaging, measuring FA and MD values before and after treatment in lesion area,it intuitively showed that acupuncture and rehabilitation therapy could improve FA and MD values of cerebral infarction lesions, through repairing cerebral white matter fiber tracts in the infarction area to improve the limb spasticity after stroke.2. By DTI, it was intuitively found that the corticospinal tract injury was closely related to the movement function in patients whom cerebral infarction was damaged, acupuncture and rehabilitation therapy could make FA value have good changes in the lateral damaged corticospinal tract.