Unlike the well-examined cardiovascular changes during movement stimuli, changes of cerebral hemodynamics and cerebral metabolism in physical exercises have, as yet, rarely been studied. Our objective was to investigate whether there are changes in cerebral hemodynamics and cerebral metabolism caused by active and passive movement stimuli. Response to repetitive active and passive movement stimuli was studied in 14 volunteers (8 females, 6 males; mean age, 35.2+/-8 yr). Each volunteer was subjected to four measurement series while performing a defined active and passive exercise program of the right upper or right lower limb. Measurement series were designed according to Aaslid's "evoked flow test"; exercises were performed for 20 s, followed by a rest of 20 s. This sequence was repeated 10 times in each series. As a measure of cerebral hemodynamics mean and peak blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery were recorded by transcranial Doppler sonography (Multidop-X-DWL). In addition, cerebral metabolism was quantified in a subsample by means of oxygenic cytochrome aa3 (respiratory chain enzyme), cerebral oxygen saturation using near infrared spectroscopy (Critikon). As well, noninvasive blood pressure (Penaz method) and expiratory pCO2 were measured. Compared with resting measures, an increase in mean cerebral blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery of 3.8% (P = 0.003, paired t test) was observed after active exercises of the right lower limb and 3.5% after active exercises of the right upper limb. Respective changes were 3.4% (P = 0.004) for passive exercises of the lower limb and 4.6% (P = 0.007) for passive exercises of the right upper limb. Peak cerebral blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery showed an even more pronounced increase during passive and active exercises in all cases, with values of between 12.2% (P < 0.001) and 13.6% (P < 0.001). Significant increases (1.5-3%) of cytochrome aa3 and cerebral oxygen saturation were observed during active and passive exercises. These studies show that active as well as passive exercises are followed by an increase of cerebral blood flow velocity. We attribute the increase of cerebral hemodynamic and cerebral metabolism to cerebral activation and autoregulative mechanisms.
The purpose of the study contained herein was to investigate the effects of old traditional physiotherapeutic treatments on cerebral autoregulation. Treatment consisted of complete body immersion in cold or warm water baths. Fifteen volunteers were investigated by means of transcranial Doppler sonography and a servo-controlled noninvasive device for blood pressure measuring. One group of 8 volunteers (mean age, 27.2+/-3.5 yr; gender, 3 females/5 males) was subjected to cold baths of 22 degrees C for 20 min Another group of 7 volunteers (mean age, 52.1+/-8.5 yr; gender, 4 females/3 males) took hyperthermic baths at rising water temperatures from 36 degrees to 42 degrees C, increased by 1 degree C every 5 min. Each volunteer in both groups underwent autoregulation tests two to four times before, during, and after the thermic bath. Dynamic autoregulation was measured by the response of cerebral blood flow velocity to a transient decrease of the mean arterial blood pressure, induced by rapid deflation of thigh cuffs. The autoregulation index, i.e., a measure of the speed of change of cerebral autoregulation, was used to quantify the response. Further parameters were core temperature, blood pressure (mm Hg) and CO2et. During hypothermic baths, core temperature decreased by 0.3 degrees C (P = 0.001), measured between preliminary phase and the end of the bath; the autoregulation index decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 5.3 before the bath to 4.25 during the bath. During hyperthermic baths, the autoregulation index increased from 6.0 to 7.5 and 8.9 (P < 0.001), with an increase of core temperature of 0.4 degrees C. The main cerebral autoregulation system is dependent on changes of core temperature, provoked by hypothermic or hyperthermic whole-body thermostimulus. Application of hyperthermic baths increased the autoregulation index, and hypothermic baths decreased the autoregulation index. Further studies are needed to prove the positive effects of thermo-stimulating water applications on cerebral hemodynamics in patients with cerebral diseases.
Pilot Study on Mustard Footbaths Especially Considering Cerebral Blood Flow VelocityIntroduction: Mustard, especially Sinapis nigra, has been known as medicinal plant since former times and was considered as ‘sucking out’ and ‘brain purifying’. Later Hufeland used mustard seeds chiefly for external applications in form of baths, plasters, and compresses H. Krauss described the use of Sinapis nigra for asthmatical troubles and different forms of cephalgia. Objective: The pilot study presented here starts from the hypothesis that footbaths with Sinapis nigra cause changes in cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV). Methods: We measured CBFV in the Arteria cerebri media by means of transcranial Doppler sonography, furthermore arterial blood pressure (ABP), carbon dioxide expiratory concentration (CO2ex), respiratory frequency, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), digital pulse, and body temperature. The verum group and the comparative group consisted of 5 healthy probands each (3 male, 2 female, mean age 27.5 years). Results: The application of footbaths with black mustard showed a significant reduction of CBFV (5.5–8%) in comparison to pure-water foot baths. Till now this change of CBFV cannot be explained, as neither ABP nor CO2ex changed. Conclusion: There initial examinations can give an indication of the mode of action of footbaths with Sinapis nigra, in accordance with the experience of physicians and patients using this form of application for chronical cephalgias. Further studies with a larger number of patients and probands will give more information on the observed physiological changes.
Changes of Cognitive Brain Functions in the Elderly by Kneipp Therapy Introduction: Pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment of brain syndrome is multifarious. Until now, plain external applications of physical stimuli, as used daily in geriatric care, were not explored regarding their influence on cognitive brain function.The aim of this randomized cross-over study was to examine the influence of dermatoreceptive stimuli on cognitive brain function of healty geriatric volunteers. Methods: 24 healthy volunteers (23 women, 1 man) were randomized into 2 groups (cross-over design). Group A (mean age ± SD: 68.8 ± 6.2 years) was treated according to the following regime: at first a 10–12 °C cold stimulus for 10 s (a so-called Kneipp face shower) and afterwards a cold wet pack of 10–12 °C at the neck for 1 min. Group B (age 69.8 ± 5.3 years) was subjected to an identical procedure but with warm thermoindifferent temperatures of 34–36 °C. After 1 week the two groups were interchanged. The parameters of interest were the critical flicker frequency (CFF) and the latencies of the event-related P300 potentials of the visually evoked potentials (VEP), which can be considered the electroencephalographic substrate of the cognitive functional ability. The CFFs and the P300 latencies and amplitudes were measured directly before and 10 min after the application of the above-mentioned stimuli. Furthermore, the CFFs were recorded a second and third time 30 and 60 min later. Results: Following application of cold-water stimuli, the CFF increased from (mean ± SE) 32.55 ± 0.44 s-1 to 33.06 ± 0.44 s-1 (p = 0.003) 10 min after the stimulus. 30 min later the CFF was still elevated at 32.95 ± 0.47 s-1 (p = 0.043). The P300 latencies decreased by 4.8% (p < 0.001) after cold-water application from 266.5 ± 5.28 to 253.7 ± 4.22 ms. After warm stimuli they increased from 258.69 ± 3.71 to 266.17 ± 5.03 ms (p = 0.01). The P300 amplitudes were elevated by 5% only with the cold stimuli (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Cold water applied locally to face and neck region is able to provoke significant improvements of cognitive abilities.
: The pilot study of the special Health Care Apartment for homeless people in Hannover closes a gap in the provision of medical care which exists in many major cities. Moreover, hospital admissions for homeless people can be prevented and their social reintegration promoted.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.