This study investigated the effects of electrical stimulus on bone properties in rats with sciatic denervation. Forty-eight Wistar rats aged 8 week-old were used and divided into 4 groups, randomly. One group was sham-operated (SHAM) as a control, and the sciatic nerves of the lateral hind limbs were cut in the remaining 3 groups (DN). Two groups of DN rats received electrical stimulus at both hind limbs to induce planter flexion for 15 min, 2 sets/day, 5 days/week, at 15 or 60 Hz. The rats in each group were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the operation. All tibias were measured by three-pointed bending test, and bone mechanical strength was calculated. Also, the dry bone weight and ash content of the bones were measured. A reduction of all bone properties in DN was shown from a week after operation onwards and that in DN+15 Hz from two weeks after operation onwards. Bone properties in DN+60 Hz were decreased in order of maximum load, ash content, mechanical strength, and dry bone weight from two weeks after operation onwards. These results suggest that electrical stimulus can delay the progression of bone atrophy, and that high frequency stimulation (60 Hz) is more effective than low frequency stimulation (15 Hz) in this regard.

View full abstract

A Key Note Lecture on Rehabilitation Practices for Patients with Higher Brain Dysfunction…Tetsumi HONDA 781

A Case of Traumatic Brain Injury with Emotional Incontinence, Dependence and Regression…Michihiko YAMASATO 784

A Rehabilitation Team Approach to Social and Behavioral Disabilities in a Patient with Higher Brain Dysfunctions…Yuko URAKAMI 789

A Patient with Higher Brain Dysfunction showing Pseudoseizure…Tetsuya OKAZAKI, Junichiro SHIRAISHI, Kenichiro MAKINO, Kenji HACHISUKA, Yasutoshi IWAI 793

A Case Report : A Patient with Chronic Stage Traumatic Brain Injury visiting Higher Brain Dysfunction Consulting Guidance…Hiroyoshi HARA 796

Traumatic Brain Injury in one Monozygotic Twin resulting in disparate Neurophysiological and Imaging Findings : A Case Report…Masaru OGA, Katsunobu YOSHINAGA 800

View full abstract