Abstract
Intermittent sequential pneumatic compression (ISPC) can effectively promote cerebral perfusion and collateral blood supply in patients with stroke. However, the effects of ISPC on cerebral oscillations are still unclear. The tissue concentration of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin oscillations were measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy under resting and ISPC conditions in 27 right-handed adult patients with stroke. Five characteristic frequency signals (I, 0.6-2Hz; II, 0.145-0.6Hz; III, 0.052-0.145Hz; IV, 0.021-0.052Hz; and V, 0.0095-0.021Hz) were identified using the wavelet method. The wavelet amplitude (WA) and laterality index (LI) were calculated to describe the frequency-specific cortical activities. The ISPC state of patients with ischemic stroke showed significantly increased WA values of the ipsilesional motor cortex (MC) in the frequency intervals III (F37 = 8.017), IV (F37 = 6.347), and V (F37 = 5.538). There was no significant difference in the WA values in the ISPC state compared with the resting state in patients with hemorrhagic stroke. Also, the LI values of the prefrontal cortex and MC in patients decreased more obviously in the ISPC state than in the resting state despite no significant difference. The significantly increased WA values in the frequency intervals III, IV, and V in the MC of patients with ischemic stroke might be related to cortical activity in the MC in addition to increased cerebral perfusion. The decreased LI values in the prefrontal cortex and MC indicated that the ISPC may have had a positive effect on the functional rehabilitation of these regions. This study provides a method for assessing the effects of ISPC on cerebral oscillations, and the results benefit the optimization of ISPC parameters in personalized treatment for the functional recovery of patients with stroke.
Highlights
Intermittent sequential pneumatic compression (ISPC) can effectively promote blood flow and improve microcirculation
The wavelet amplitude (WA) values of the ipsilesional motor cortex (MC) in the frequency intervals III (F = 4.378, p = 0.041), IV (F = 4.281, p = 0.044), and V (F = 5.33, p = 0.025) and those of the contralesional MC in III (F = 10.122, p = 0.002), IV (F = 9.275, p = 0.004), and V (F = 8.373, p = 0.006) were significantly higher when the patients were under the ISPC state than when they were under the resting state
The laterality index (LI) value of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and MC of the patients decreased more obviously in the ISPC state compared with the resting state despite there was no significant difference
Summary
Intermittent sequential pneumatic compression (ISPC) can effectively promote blood flow and improve microcirculation. The increase in pressure gradient and blood flow velocity by ISPC has been suggested to be a possible mechanism to improve the microcirculation of patients. Intermittent sequential pneumatic compression (ISPC), as an effective physical therapy, can produce a type of circulating pressure that acts on the extremities and tissues of the hemiplegic side through the repeated inflation and deflation of an air bag in an ordered and regular manner. This process can promote the flow of blood and lymph and improve microcirculation [2]. Given the popularity of ISPC and its importance in stroke rehabilitation, understanding its effects on brain function is crucial
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