Electrical Stimulation Method Research Articles

Method of Electrical Muscle Stimulation to Improve Hand-eye Coordination Training in Gaming

Hand-eye coordination refers to the harmonization between visual information and hand movements. In this coordination, the information perceived by the eyes is used to guide the movements of the hands. In many games, hand-eye coordination is important for the player's experience. However, when players are faced with an unfamiliar activity, it can be a challenge to develop hand-eye coordination in a short period. This study proposes a method for hand-eye coordination training in gaming using Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS). By employing EMS, it is possible to enhance attention distribution during bilateral hand movements and improve hand-eye coordination, potentially enabling individuals to train hand coordination skills in a shorter period. To test the feasibility and effectiveness of our method, we first tested participants for attentional switching while wearing the EMS device to ensure that it did not negatively affect participants. Sixteen participants were then trained in hand-eye coordination with and without EMS, and the effects of the training were tested in a customized game and a real music game. The results showed that participants trained with EMS showed more significant improvements in scores and accuracy than those without EMS in both the custom game and the real game. We also conducted a retained effect experiment, which confirmed that participants retained the training effect one week after training. Thus, our study shows the possibility of using EMS as a new medium for training hand-eye coordination in games.

Secondary Sarcopenia in Patients with Locomotor Disorders: Prevalence, Diagnosis and Medical Rehabilitation. A Review

INTRODUCTION. The development of rehabilitation methods for patients with sarcopenia, a generalized age-associated loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, is important, since sarcopenia leads to pronounced weakness, functional and motor disorders and an increased risk of death in the elderly. AIM. To analyze the prevalence, features of pathogenesis, diagnosis of secondary sarcopenia, including against the background of motor disorders due to stroke, as well as methods of treatment and medical rehabilitation of such patients. MAIN CONTENT. Among the secondary forms, sarcopenia is of the greatest clinical importance against the background of the consequences of acute cerebrovascular accident (ACA), due to muscular atrophy associated with paralysis and immobility, spasticity, inflammation and denervation of muscles, malnutrition and intestinal absorption of protein and vitamin D. Recent studies show that the prevalence of sarcopenia in stroke patients in emergency hospitals is 8.5–33.8 %, according to other data — more than 42 %. Muscle weakness after a stroke contributes to a decrease in physical functions and the development of disability, and sarcopenia leads to adverse outcomes 90 days after a stroke. According to the meta-analysis, which included 7 cohort studies with a total sample of 1,774 patients who underwent ACA, 27.1 % of them had sarcopenia. Moreover, the presence of sarcopenia negatively affected the clinical and functional outcomes of ACA, as well as the results of medical rehabilitation (odds ratio: 2.42, 95 % confidence interval: 1.76–3.33, p 0.001). CONCLUSION. Despite the prevalence and relevance of this pathology, rehabilitation programs for patients with sarcopenia against the background of the consequences of ACA have not been developed. Isolated foreign publications demonstrate the effectiveness of certain methods of physical therapy and electrical stimulation, but the evidence base for their effectiveness is low.

Двигательные синкинезии у постинсультных больных и их реабилитационное значение. Обзор.

INTRODUCTION. Post-stroke patients often develop involuntary concomitant movements (synkinesis), which are closely related to the state of muscle tone and the nature of tendon reflexes on the side of hemiparesis. In Russia, according to the Marie-Foix classification, synkinesis is usually divided into global, imitation and coordination, and in the English-language literature terms such as “motor irradiation”, “motor overflow”, “mirror movements”, “abnormal coactivation” are used to designate them. etc. There are attempts to use these conjugal movements to restore the function of paretic limbs, but their rehabilitation value has not been sufficiently studied. AIM. Based on literature data, to study the features of pathological synkinesis in post-stroke patients, and to evaluate the possibility of their use to optimize rehabilitation methods (kinesitherapy). MATERIAL AND METHODS. The bibliographic search was performed in the scientific citation databases RSCI, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. The following keywords were used: "global synkinesis", "imitation synkinesis", "coordinator synkinesis", "mirror synkinesis", "motor irradiation", "abnormal coactivation", "PNF", "rehabilitation". The initial search for sources within the last 5 years did not reveal enough of them to compile a full-fledged review, for this reason, the analysis era was extended to 20 years. The main attention is paid to English-language controlled randomized trials and reviews. A total of 152 sources were analyzed, 72 of which met the specified criteria and were selected for compiling this analytical review. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. The conducted literature analysis convinces that the basis of the traditional classification of post-stroke synkinesis by Marie-Foix should be preserved, but some additions are needed. The following types of post-stroke synkinesis should be taken into account: global, respiratory-brachial, imitative, coordinative and abnormal. In addition to kinesitherapy using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, they can be used in the methods of functional electrical stimulation, bilateral training, mirror therapy, restrictive therapy according to Taub, etc. Coordinative and abnormal synkinesis are of the greatest rehabilitation value. In the residual period of stroke, persistent abnormal synkinesis can limit voluntary motor skills and require inactivation. In this case, orthopedic fixation, reflex-inhibitory positions, Perfetti therapy, the use of robotic simulators based on biofeedback and virtual reality techniques are recommended. Conclusion. The traditional Marie-Foy classification of post-stroke motor synkinesis has no alternatives but needs to be supplemented. It is advisable to distinguish the following synkinesis: global, respiratory-brachial, imitation, coordinator and anomalous global, respiratory-brachial, imitation, coordinator and anomalous. The most valuable material for kinesitherapy techniques is coordination and anomalous synkinesis. In the residual period of stroke, the remaining abnormal synkinesis limits voluntary motor activity and requires inactivation. KEYWORDS: global synkinesis, mirror synkinesis, motor irradiation, abnormal coactivation, PNF, rehabilitation

An efficient and practical electrode optimization method for transcranial electrical stimulation

Transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique with great potential. Electrode optimization methods based on simulation models of individual TES field could provide personalized stimulation parameters according to individual variations in head tissue structure, significantly enhancing the stimulation accuracy of TES. However, the existing electrode optimization methods suffer from prolonged computation times (typically exceeding 1 d) and limitations such as disregarding the restricted number of output channels from the stimulator, further impeding their clinical applicability. Hence, this paper proposes an efficient and practical electrode optimization method. The proposed method simultaneously optimizes both the intensity and focality of TES within the target brain area while constraining the number of electrodes used, and it achieves faster computational speed. Compared to commonly used electrode optimization methods, the proposed method significantly reduces computation time by 85.9% while maintaining optimization effectiveness. Moreover, our method considered the number of available channels for the stimulator to distribute the current across multiple electrodes, further improving the tolerability of TES. The electrode optimization method proposed in this paper has the characteristics of high efficiency and easy operation, potentially providing valuable supporting data and references for the implementation of individualized TES.

Accelerated Bone Healing via Electrical Stimulation.

Piezoelectric effect produces an electrical signal when stress is applied to the bone. When the integrity of the bone is destroyed, the biopotential within the defect site is reduced and several physiological responses are initiated to facilitate healing. During the healing of the bone defect, the bioelectric potential returns to normal levels. Treatment of fractures that exceed innate regenerative capacity or exhibit delayed healing requires surgical intervention for bone reconstruction. For bone defects that cannot heal on their own, exogenous electric fields are used to assist in treatment. This paper reviews the effects of exogenous electrical stimulation on bone healing, including osteogenesis, angiogenesis, reduction in inflammation and effects on the peripheral nervous system. This paper also reviews novel electrical stimulation methods, such as small power supplies and nanogenerators, that have emerged in recent years. Finally, the challenges and future trends of using electrical stimulation therapy for accelerating bone healing are discussed.

The Effect of In-Ear and Behind-Ear Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Autonomic Function: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Sham-Controlled Study.

Background/Objectives: Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (TaVNS) is a non-invasive method of electrical stimulation used to autonomic neuromodulation. Position and form of the electrodes are important for the effectiveness of autonomic modulation. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of TaVNS in-ear and behind-ear on autonomic variables. Methods: A total of 76 healthy participants (male: 40, female: 36) were randomized into four groups as in-ear TaVNS, behind-ear TaVNS, in-ear sham, and behind-ear sham. The TaVNS protocol included bilateral auricular stimulation for 20 min, 25 hertz frequency, a pulse width of 250 μs, and a suprathreshold current (0.13-50 mA). Heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured baseline and after stimulation. The parameters RMSSD (root mean square of consecutive differences between normal heartbeats), LF power (low-frequency), and HF power (high-frequency) were assessed in the HRV analysis. Results: HR decreased in the in-ear TaVNS after intervention (p < 0.05), but did not change in behind-ear TaVNS and sham groups compared to baseline (p > 0.05). SBP and DBP decreased and RMSSD increased in the in-ear and behind-ear TaVNS groups (p < 0.05), but did not change in sham groups compared to baseline (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in LF and HF power after TaVNS compared to baseline in all groups (p > 0.05). SBP was lower and RMSSD was higher in-ear TaVNS than behind-ear TaVNS after intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In-ear TaVNS appears to be more effective than behind-ear TaVNS in modulating SBP and RMSSD, but this needs to be studied in larger populations.

NEUROMUSCULAR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION EFFECT ON WRIST SPASTICITY AND FUNCTION IN POST-STROKE PATIENT WITH UPPER EXTREMITY RECOVERY EXERCISE

Background : Stroke is still a major health problem in the world and cause disability. Spasticity is one of the disability problems in stroke patients, which is more common in the wrist muscles. Recovery of spasticity is quite difficult and there is no definitive treatment that can speed up the recovery. Electrical stimulation is one of the rehabilitation intervensions that is believed to be able to recover spasticity based on neuroplasticity theory. There has been no consensus for the method of electrical stimulation that can give rise to optimal effects in stroke patients. New studies are still needed to determine effective therapeutic programs. Objective : The study aims to determine the effectiveness of the use of Wrist Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) against the recovery of spasticity and functional degrees of post-stroke patients who receive upper extremity recovery exercise (URE). Methods : The study used a randomized controlled trial. The study sample was stroke patients who are treated at dr. Saiful Anwar hospital policlinic. The study involved 30 post-stroke patients who were randomized into NMES combined with URE groups (15 patients) and URE groups (15 patients). Modified Asworth Scale and Fugl-Meyer Assesment of Upper Extremity total were measured before and after interventions. Modified Asworth Scale (MAS) is a scale than use for measure spasticity degree and have very good realibility. Fugl-Meyer Assesment Scaletha (FMA) is a scale for measure fungsionality of extremities which also have good realibility. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) device is BTL-5000 series. Results : NMES combined with URE can reduce the degree of spasticity and increase the functional degree of the wrist in post-stroke patients significantly (p&lt;0.05). URE can also significantly reduce the degree of spasticity and increase the functional degree of the wrist (p&lt;0.05). NMES compared to URE futher reduced the degree of spasticity and increased the functional degree of the wrist in post-stroke patients insignificantly (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion : The mean decrease in the degree of spasticity and increase in functional degree in the NMES group combined with URE measured by MAS scale showing that degree of spasticity with sig 0,101 &gt; alpha (0,05) is not significant, but the mean decrease MAS in the NMES with URE group is bigger than group URE alone. The mean decrease in the degree of spasticity and increase in functional degree in the NMES group combined with URE measured by FMA scale showing that degree of spasticity with sig 0,787 &gt; alpha (0,05) is also not significant, but the mean decrease FMA in the NMES with URE group is bigger than URE alone. This results mean that there is a significant score decrease in spasticity and increase of fungsionality degree before and after URE grop and there is not significant different score using NMES and URE group in MAS and FMA scale.

Promoting renal I/R injury repair by in-situ electric stimulation using biodegradable piezoelectric polylactide/vitamin B2 composite nanofibrous membrane

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury during renal transplantation remains a prevalent challenge. Recent studies proposed protective effects against renal I/R injury using electric fields during organ preservation stage. However, I/R process extends to the post reperfusion stage and traditional electrical stimulation methods face limitations, requiring power sources and electrodes. Hence, there is a need for implantable, biodegradable materials capable of continuously generating electrical stimulation to treat kidney I/R injury over an extended period. In this work, a polylactide/Vitamin B2 (PLLA/VB2) composite nanofibrous membrane was designed. The incorporation of VB2 into PLLA, coupled with electrospinning, significantly enhanced its piezoelectric performance and flexibility, thereby enabling optimal adherence and efficient in-situ electrical stimulation. Experimental results underscored that PLLA/VB2 nanofibrous membrane could mitigate tubular injury, facilitate cell regeneration, and alleviate interstitial fibrosis possibly by preserving mitochondrial structure and function. This innovative approach not only pioneers new strategies for addressing I/R related conditions but also offers potential treatments for a range of diseases linked to oxidative stress.

A method for noninvasive electrical stimulation of the diaphragm

A method for noninvasive electrical stimulation of the diaphragm

Advanced nerve regeneration enabled by neural conformal electronic stimulators enhancing mitochondrial transport

Addressing peripheral nerve defects remains a significant challenge in regenerative neurobiology. Autografts emerged as the gold-standard management, however, are hindered by limited availability and potential neuroma formation. Numerous recent studies report the potential of wireless electronic system for nerve defects repair. Unfortunately, few has met clinical needs for inadequate electrode precision, poor nerve entrapment and insufficient bioactivity of the matrix material. Herein, we present an advanced wireless electrical nerve stimulator, based on water-responsive self-curling silk membrane with excellent bioabsorbable and biocompatible properties. We constructed a unique bilayer structure with an oriented pre-stretched inner layer and a general silk membrane as outer layer. After wetting, the simultaneous contraction of inner layer and expansion of outer layer achieved controllable super-contraction from 2D flat surface to 3D structural reconfiguration. It enables shape-adaptive wrapping to cover around nerves, overcomes the technical obstacle of preparing electrodes on the inner wall of the conduit, and prevents electrode breakage caused by material expansion in water. The use of fork capacitor-like metal interface increases the contact points between the metal and the regenerating nerve, solving the challenge of inefficient and rough electrical stimulation methods in the past. Newly developed electronic stimulator is effective in restoring 10 mm rat sciatic nerve defects comparable to autologous grafts. The underlying mechanism involves that electric stimulation enhances anterograde mitochondrial transport to match energy demands. This newly introduced device thereby demonstrated the potential as a viable and efficacious alternative to autografts for enhancing peripheral nerve repair and functional recovery.

Biomimetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Promotes the Rat Hindlimb Motion Modulation in Stepping: An Experimental Analysis.

Peripheral nerve stimulation is an effective neuromodulation method in patients with lower extremity movement disorders caused by stroke, spinal cord injury, or other diseases. However, most current studies on rehabilitation using sciatic nerve stimulation focus solely on ankle motor regulation through stimulation of common peroneal and tibial nerves. Using the electrical nerve stimulation method, we here achieved muscle control via different sciatic nerve branches to facilitate the regulation of lower limb movements during stepping and standing. A map of relationships between muscles and nerve segments was established to artificially activate specific nerve fibers with the biomimetic stimulation waveform. Then, characteristic curves depicting the relationship between neural electrical stimulation intensity and joint control were established. Finally, by testing the selected stimulation parameters in anesthetized rats, we confirmed that single-cathode extraneural electrical stimulation could activate combined movements to promote lower limb movements. Thus, this method is effective and reliable for use in treatment for improving and rehabilitating lower limb motor dysfunction.

Results of functional electrical stimulation of leg muscles during walking in a patient in the early recovery period after a stroke

Acute cerebrovascular accident throughout the world remains the main cause of subsequent disability in persons who have suffered a stroke.&#x0D; One promising area is neuromuscular stimulation. Functional electrical stimulation is a subtype of neuromuscular stimulation in which stimulation promotes functional and goal-oriented movements in the individual.&#x0D; A course of functional electrical stimulation was administered while walking to a 74-year-old patient in the late recovery period of an ischemic stroke (the right middle cerebral artery). 14 procedures were performed lasting from 20 to 30 minutes. Before and after the functional electrical stimulation course, a clinical study and a study of the biomechanics of walking were conducted.&#x0D; The results obtained showed an improvement in clinical indicators, inconsistent changes in the time parameters of the step cycle, an increase in amplitudes in the hip and knee joints, as well as normalization of the function of the knee and ankle joints of the paretic side. Functional EMG research showed both an improvement in muscle activity and normalization of their activity profile, as well as processes of function restructuring that require further study.&#x0D; During functional electrical stimulation, there were no negative reactions from the patient or irritation of the skin at the locations of the electrodes.&#x0D; The method of functional electrical stimulation requires further study and reasonable application in this category of patients.

Tonic and phasic transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) both evoke rapid and transient pupil dilation

BackgroundTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS or taVNS) is a non-invasive method of electrical stimulation of the afferent pathway of the vagus nerve, suggested to drive changes in putative physiological markers of noradrenergic activity, including pupil dilation. ObjectiveHowever, it is unknown whether different taVNS modes can map onto the phasic and tonic modes of noradrenergic activity. The effects of taVNS on pupil dilation in humans are inconsistent, largely due to differences in stimulation protocols. Here, we attempted to address these issues. MethodsWe investigated pupil dilation under phasic (1 s) and tonic (30 s) taVNS, in a pre-registered, single-blind, sham-controlled, within-subject cross-over design, in the absence of a behavioural task. ResultsPhasic taVNS induced a rapid increase in pupil size over baseline, significantly greater than under sham stimulation, which rapidly declined after stimulation offset. Tonic taVNS induced a similarly rapid (and larger than sham) increase in pupil size over baseline, returning to baseline within 5 s, despite the ongoing stimulation. Thus, both active and sham tonic modes closely resembled the phasic effect. There were no differences in tonic baseline pupil size, and no sustained effects of stimulation on tonic baseline pupil size. ConclusionsThese results suggest that both phasic- and tonic-like taVNS under the standard stimulation parameters may modulate primarily the phasic mode of noradrenergic activity, as indexed by evoked pupil dilation, over and above somatosensory effects. This result sheds light on the temporal profile of phasic and tonic stimulation, with implications for their applicability in further research.

The effect of plaumetric exercises - and electrical stimulation in the development of the speed and velocity of the skill of striking volleyball

The research aims to develop a curriculum that includes physical exercises for the method of (plaumetric and electrical stimulation) suitable for the research sample. And knowledge of the impact of the curriculum in the overwhelming beating skill of the youth team players volleyball. The researcher used the experimental method. The 12 young players were selected by volleyball and were between the ages of 16-19 years. The following tests used the EMG test, - the precision test for the beating skill, - the speed test for the arms and legs, and after the results were processed statistically, the researcher found the following conclusions that the proposed method (electrical stimulation - In the development of muscle for the measurement of EMG (varicose, tricyclic) showed significant differences for the benefit of the post-test. The proposed training method (electro-stimulation - pliometrics) has an impact on the development of speed-specific power. The training technique (electro-stimulation - pliometrics) has an impact on the development of the skill of beating in the volleyball game. The most important recommendations: the need to adopt the proposed training method in the training of all players from different sports because it proved its effectiveness and importance in training. This method should be used immediately after the warm-up

In situ monolayer patch clamp of acutely stimulated human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes promotes consistent electrophysiological responses to SK channel inhibition

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) represent an in vitro model of cardiac function. Isolated iPSC-CMs, however, exhibit electrophysiological heterogeneity which hinders their utility in the study of certain cardiac currents. In the healthy adult heart, the current mediated by small conductance, calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels (ISK) is atrial-selective. Functional expression of ISK within atrial-like iPSC-CMs has not been explored thoroughly. The present study therefore aimed to investigate atrial-like iPSC-CMs as a model system for the study of ISK. iPSCs were differentiated using retinoic acid (RA) to produce iPSC-CMs which exhibited an atrial-like phenotype (RA-iPSC-CMs). Only 18% of isolated RA-iPSC-CMs responded to SK channel inhibition by UCL1684 and isolated iPSC-CMs exhibited substantial cell-to-cell electrophysiological heterogeneity. This variability was significantly reduced by patch clamp of RA-iPSC-CMs in situ as a monolayer (iPSC-ML). A novel method of electrical stimulation was developed to facilitate recording from iPSC-MLs via In situ Monolayer Patch clamp of Acutely Stimulated iPSC-CMs (IMPASC). Using IMPASC, > 95% of iPSC-MLs could be paced at a 1 Hz. In contrast to isolated RA-iPSC-CMs, 100% of RA-iPSC-MLs responded to UCL1684, with APD50 being prolonged by 16.0 ± 2.0 ms (p < 0.0001; n = 12). These data demonstrate that in conjunction with IMPASC, RA-iPSC-MLs represent an improved model for the study of ISK. IMPASC may be of wider value in the study of other ion channels that are inconsistently expressed in isolated iPSC-CMs and in pharmacological studies.

Efficacy of functional electrical stimulation of the lower extremities in stroke patients

Aim. To evaluate the efficacy of functional electrical stimulation of the lower extremities in stroke patients at different stages of motor rehabilitation.Materials and methods. The study involved 80 patients with motor disorders after stroke. The studied treatment methods included passive and passive-active functional electrical stimulation (FES) in combination with the THERATrainer Tigo and active FES (neuro-orthosis) WalkAide.Results. The analysis of motor status indicators, namely the Berg Balance Scale, 6-minute walk test, and dynamic walking index showed the maximum efficacy of active FES with biofeedback.Conclusion. When prescribing and selecting a method of electrical stimulation, preference in neurorehabilitation should be given to methods of passive-active and active functional stimulation.

Artificial Octopus-Limb-Like Adhesive Patches for Cupping-Driven Transdermal Delivery with Nanoscale Control of Stratum Corneum.

Drug delivery through complex skin is currently being studied using various innovative structural and material strategies due to the low delivery efficiency of the multilayered stratum corneum as a barrier function. Existing microneedle-based or electrical stimulation methods have made considerable advances, but they still have technical limitations to reduce skin discomfort and increase user convenience. This work introduces the design, operation mechanism, and performance of noninvasive transdermal patch with dual-layered suction chamber cluster (d-SCC) mimicking octopus-limb capable of wet adhesion with enhanced adhesion hysteresis and physical stimulation. The d-SCC facilitates cupping-driven drug delivery through the skin with only finger pressure. Our device enables nanoscale deformation control of stratum corneum of the engaged skin, allowing for efficient transport of diverse drugs through the stratum corneum without causing skin discomfort. Compared without the cupping effect of d-SCC, applying negative pressure to the porcine, human cadaver, and artificial skin for 30 min significantly improved the penetration depth of liquid-formulated subnanoscale medicines up to 44, 56, and 139%. After removing the cups, an additional acceleration in delivery to the skin was observed. The feasibility of d-SCC was demonstrated in an atopic dermatitis-induced model with thickened stratum corneum, contributing to the normalization of immune response.

Currents of Change: Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation

Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) is an electrode-mediated method of non-invasive electrical stimulation. Its ability to modulate vestibular neuronal activity through electrical currents makes it a coveted diagnostic and therapeutic tool for vestibular and neurodegenerative disorders. Although more robust clinical research is needed before wide-spread implementation, GVS shows promise as a safe, cost-effective, and accessible therapeutic tool for neurological rehabilitation.

A transcutaneous acupoint electrical simulation glove for relieving the mental fatigue of crane drivers in real building environment

In the field of construction, the lifting environment of precast parts is more complex, which leads to the driver’s fatigue. When the tower crane driver appears driving fatigue, it will appear slow operation response, hoisting precast parts appear abnormal swing, which will endanger the safety of on-site operators. Therefore, this study developed a kind of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation gloves. When the crane driver wears this kind of glove, the good contraction of the glove can make the stimulation electrode closely fit with the three points, so as to perform electrical stimulation on the Neìguān point (内关PC6), Láogóng point (劳宫PC8) and Hégŭ point (合谷L14) of the palm to relieve the driver’s driving fatigue. In this study, non-periodic transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (NPTAES) was used to stimulate human acupuncture points. This is different from the traditional periodic transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (PTAES) method for relieving mental fatigue. In addition, this study used hilbert marginal spectral entropy (HMSE) to calculate the heart rate variability (HRV) characteristics of the subjects, so as to detect and analyze the driving fatigue of the drivers. At the same time, the drivers’ blinking frequency and electroencephalogram (EEG) characteristics were analyzed comprehensively. The results show that: The NPTAES method used in this study is superior to the PTAES method in alleviating driving fatigue and greatly improves the efficiency of tower crane drivers. Compared to other methods, the HMSE method proposed in this study, when analyzing signals, stronger ability to characterize signal characteristics.

Peripheral nerves' function recovery by intratissual electric stimulation

To evaluate the time and quality of peripheral nerves' functions recovery after their suturing and conducting two different methods of electrical stimulation, namely intratissual and cutaneous, in projection of central neurons of damaged spinal nerves in the postoperative period. The basic technical parameters of the method of peripheral nerves' functions recovery in the postoperative period were ptacticed. Postoperative rehabilitation treatment was performed in 77 patients with traumatic peripheral nerves' injuries at the level of the forearm: in 42 with intratissual electrical stimulation, in 35 - using cutaneous one with similar characteristics of electrical current and concomitant pharmacological therapy. The follow-up duration was 2 years. A significant (in 4-6 times) reduction in time of treatment and a greater improvement in qualitative indicators when using intratissual electrical stimulation compared to the use of cutaneous stimulation were obtained. The effectiveness of the restorative therapy was dependent on the number of procedures, and a complete recovery of the damaged peripheral nerves' functions was observed after three courses of intratissual electrical stimulation. The time and degree of recovery of peripheral nerves' functions depends on the functional activity of their central neurons at the level of the spinal cord. The activation of these neurons by low-frequency electrical current allows to activate their trophic function. Thus, the cutaneous electrical stimulation does not cause the necessary level of irritation of the neurons due to the fact that the skin is a barrier to electrical current, which reduces its impact in 200-500 times. The intratissual electrical stimulation allows to solve the problem by supplying the needle-electrode much closer to the «target». The proposed method of intratissual electrical stimulation has shown its advantage over cutaneous electrical stimulation, significantly reducing the duration of the restorative treatment and increasing its qualitative indicators.