Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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Acupuncture is widely applied for treatment of various neurological disorders. This manuscript will review the preclinical evidence of acupuncture in mediating neural plasticity, the mechanisms involved. ⋯ The cumulative evidences demonstrated that acupuncture could induce neural plasticity in rodents exposed to cerebral ischemia. Neural plasticity mediated by acupuncture in other neural disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression, were also investigated and there is evidence of positive role of acupuncture induced plasticity in these disorders as well. Mediation of neural plasticity by acupuncture is likely associated with its modulation on NTs and neurotransmitters. The exact mechanisms underlying acupuncture's effects on neural plasticity remain to be elucidated. Neural plasticity may be the potential bridge between acupuncture and the treatment of various neurological diseases.
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Primary data reported in scientific publications provide guidance for improving patient care, expanding indications, identifying research gaps, educating patients, justifying reimbursement, and gaining regulatory approval. Finding and analyzing pertinent publications among the huge volume noted in databases such as PUBMED, however, costs time and effort. This situation demands innovative ways to locate citations of (and the possibility of abstracting data from) papers reporting primary findings. ⋯ Most WIKISTIM entries are limited to citation information and links to published abstracts. As the number of completed datasheets and of stimulation target sections increase, the value of WIKISTIM will increase.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Cramp Training Induces a Long-Lasting Increase of the Cramp Threshold Frequency in Healthy Subjects.
A low cramp threshold frequency (CTF) is associated with an increased cramp susceptibility. Recent data indicate that the CTF can be substantially increased by a cramp training consisting of electrically induced muscle cramps (EIMCs). This study investigated if four cramp training sessions induce sustained effects on the CTF. ⋯ The applied cramp training induced a long-term CTF increase of 14 days.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on the Frequency of Skeletal Muscle Cramps: A Prospective Controlled Clinical Trial.
We investigated if neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of calf muscles prevents spontaneous calf cramps. ⋯ The applied stimulation protocol seems to provide an effective prevention strategy in individuals affected by regular calf cramps.
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Cervical cord stimulation is used in the treatment of chronic (neuropathic) pain syndromes refractory to conservative treatments. Several authors describe different techniques for the placement of cervical electrodes. Electrodes can be placed retrogade [Correction added on 03 April 2018 after first online publication: the word "plased" has been changed to "placed".]. In this article, we describe a refinement on how to dissect the dorsal meningo-vertebral ligaments to decrease the risk of complications. ⋯ We describe an additional surgical detail for the known procedure for retrograde placement of high cervical plate electrodes. This surgical detail might result in a lower risk of complications. We present a case series of 28 patients to support this hypothesis.