Effect of unilateral bridging activities on regional cerebral blood flow and the recovery of the affected limb function of cerebral infarction in the early stage post stroke

Objective To study the effectiveness of rCBF in the unilateral bridging activities vs.passive movement of the affected lower limb,and further to analysize the relationship of the changes of rC BF and the recovery of the motor function and the ability of daily living.Method32inpatients with acute cerebral in farction were assigned into two grou ps:the unilateral bridging exercis e(n=17)and the passive movement (n=15).The SPECT was applied to all patient s to identity the rCBF and the FMA and B I were assessed before and after treatment.Result The patients' rCBF was improved after these two kin ds of exercises(P0.01).Positive correlation was found between the rCBF increase and t he changes of the FMA assessment and B I scores(r =0.657,0.689respectively).Conclusion The unilateral bridging exercise is superior to the passive movement in impr oving the rCBF of patients with the ce rebral infarction.The in-creasing of rCBF was also contribute d to the improvement of the motor function and ability of daily living.