The effects of neuromuscular facilitation techniques on osteoporosis of hemiplegia limbs and serum leptin level in patients or rats with cerebral infarction.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: This study was to investigate the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques (NFT) on osteoporosis and serum leptin level in cerebral infarction patients or rats.

RESEARCH DESIGN: Forty cerebral infarction rats were randomly grouped into control, sham operation, conventional treatment (CT) group and CT+NFT group. Fifty-two stroke patients with hemiplegia were included in this study.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The bone mineral densities (BMD) of proximal hemiplegia limbs and serum ALP, BALP, BGP, IL-6 and leptin levels were detected using commercial kits.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: In cerebral infarction rats, the BMD, BGP, BALP, ALP and leptin concentrations in the CT+NFT group was higher compared with the control and CT group, while serum IL-6 level was more reduced by CT+NFT than control and CT. In cerebral infarction patients, both CT and CT+NFT increased the BMD, ALP, BGP and leptin levels. In addition, compared with CT, the BMD, ALP, BGP and leptin levels were markedly increased by CT+NFT. C Conclusion: NFC elevated the BMD of hemiplegia limbs, serum ALP, BGP, IL-6 and leptin levels and, thus, alleviated osteoporosis in rats and patients with cerebral infarction.