Changes in F wave of electromyogram in the patients with acute spinal cord injury after hyperbaric oxygen

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of HBO therapy on the changes in F wave of electromyogram(EMG) in patients with spinal cord injury. Methods Seventy-nine cases of acute spinal cord injury were divided into the control group (conventional treatment) (38 cases) and the treatment group (conventional treatment + HBO therapy) (41 cases) in accordance with different treatment methods. The control group was treated simply with hormones, dehydrating agents and nerve trophic agents, while the HBO group was given HBO therapy in addition to conventional treatment. Changes in F wave extraction and dispersion rates in the lower limbs of the two groups were detected both before therapy and 10 and 30 days respectively after therapy. Total effective rates 30 days after therapy were evaluated for the 2 groups. Results As compared with those before treatment, the F wave extraction rates of the lower limbs in the patients of both groups were all increased 10 and 30 days after treatment, while dispersion rates were decreased, with statistical significance(P< 0.05 or P< 0.01). As compared with those rates of the control group at the same time points, F wave extraction rates for the HBO group at day 10 and day 30 were obviously higher, while dispersion rates were lower, also with statistical significance(P< 0.05 or P< 0.01). After 30 days of treatment, total effective rate for the HBO group was 85.7%, which was obviously higher than that of the control (70.0%), with statistical significance(P<0.05). Conclusions HBO therapy could induce changes in F wave and hasten recovery of the patients with acute spinal cord injury. Key words: Hyperbaric oxygen; Spinal cord injury; F wave