The Hua-Shan rehabilitation program after contralateral seventh cervical nerve transfer for spastic arm paralysis

Abstract

Purpose

To propose the novel Hua-Shan rehabilitation program for patients undergoing the contralateral seventh cervical nerve transfer, and explore the influence of different rehabilitation on the postoperative recovery.

Materials and methods

The Hua-Shan program was established in consideration of the three elements: the nerve regeneration, brain plasticity and group therapy. Its effect was evaluated by comparing the postoperative recovery of the hemorrhagic stroke survivors among the following three groups: Group A-standard Hua-Shan program after surgery; Group B-standard traditional program after surgery; Group C-no standard rehabilitation after surgery.

Results

Significantly better functions after surgery were detected in all the groups, while the absence of standard rehabilitation massively offset the benefits of the surgery. Furthermore, the Hua-Shan program showed advantage over the traditional rehabilitation, which may largely be attributed to its improvements for the fine action of wrist&finger.

Conclusions

The Hua-Shan program provided the opportunity to maximize the benefits of contralateral seventh cervical nerve transfer.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

1. Standard rehabilitation plays key roles in the recovery process for patients undergoing contralateral seventh cervical nerve transfer.

2. The Hua-Shan program targeting nerve regeneration, brain plasticity and group therapy further improved the benefits of patients undergoing contralateral seventh cervical nerve transfer.

Keywords:

• Stroke
• nerve regeneration
• neuroplasticity
• group therapy
• nerve transfer

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This article was partly supported by the Distinguished Young Scientists [81525009], Key Program of National Science Foundation of China [81830063], Priority among Priorities of Shanghai Municipal Clinical Medicine Center [2017ZZ01006], National Key R&D Program of China [2017YFC0840100 and 2017YFC0840106], Technology Innovation Program of Shanghai Science and Technology Committee [18411950100].