Improvement of Walking Analysis using the Sciatic Function Index for Sciatic Nerve Function in Injured Rat Model Treated with Low-Intensity Aerobics

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sciatica is a disease of the peripheral nerves. Sciatica indicates that there is damage to the peripheral nerves in the sciatic nerves. Factors that can affect this disease include gender, posture, parity, age, genetic factors, and occupation. Some of the pathophysiological conditions of sciatica include the pathology of the intervertebral disc, dorsal root, and sciatic nerve itself. The results of standard therapy with surgery have not been effective and very expensive. Therefore, research on therapy in sciatica cases still needs to be done and evaluated. Physical exercise treatment (aerobic] is necessary for this therapy in sciatica cases due to promote the function of peripheral nerves. AIM: This study aimed to determine the effect of aerobic exercise treatment on peripheral nerve injury and its relationship to walking function during injury-induced peripheral nerve regeneration. METHODS: This study was an experimental study with a post-test. he study sample consisted of Male Sprague-Dawley rats with an age of about 2-3 months divided into three groups. Control group was conducted by surgery without clamping/injuring the peripheral nerves. The treatment for second group (P1) was clamping/injury of peripheral nerve and given the treatment of physical exercise with aerobics. The treatment for third group (P2) was clamping/injury of peripheral nerve and not given the treatment of physical exercise with aerobics. The intensity of giving physical exercise treatment with aerobic that is carried out is for 42 days. Nerve functional evaluation was carried out using the sciatic function index (SFI) method. Histological staining for sciatic was used hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry with Growth Associated Protein 43 (GAP43) [Bioss, bs-0154R] and S100 antibody [ab52642]. This research was approved by Animal Ethics Committee of University of Indonesia protocol (No.19-07-0852). RESULTS: There was a significant change between the 7th and 14th days (p<0.001; paired t-test) in the P1 treatment. Improvement in nerve function was found on the 14th day after being given aerobic treatment. This is indicated by the data average change in SFI scores on days 7 and 4 was from -144 to 34. This data is also supported by footprint changes for injured hindfoot data. CONCLUSION: Low intensity aerobics treatment improve the walking function and nerve function in sciatic nerve injury on day 14. This is due to the effect of physical exercise on the injured sciatic nerve.