Use of aerobic treadmill exercises on nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Acta Cir Bras, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/acb370804 · Published: August 1, 2022

Neurology Rehabilitation Research Methodology & Design

Simple Explanation

This study aimed to determine if aerobic treadmill exercise can improve nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury and repair in rats. Rats were divided into groups that received a nerve graft with or without an exercise protocol. The exercise protocol involved a progressive increase in time and intensity on a treadmill over six weeks. Functional, morphometric, and morphologic analyses were performed to assess nerve regeneration. The study concluded that the aerobic treadmill exercise protocol did not significantly modify nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury and repair with a nerve graft in the rat model used.

Study Duration

6 weeks

Participants

30 isogenic male rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Functional analysis (SFI) did not show a statistical difference between the group grafted with (–50.94) and without exercise (-65.79) after 90 days.
2
The motoneurons count (Spinal cord histology) also showed no diference between these groups (834.5 × 833 respectively).
3
Morphometric study showed a greater density (53.62) and larger fibers (7.762) in GRAFT group.

Research Summary

This study investigated the impact of aerobic treadmill exercises on nerve regeneration following sciatic nerve injury and repair with a nerve graft in rats. The rats were divided into four groups: SHAM, SHAM with exercise, GRAFT, and GRAFT with exercise. The exercise protocol involved a six-week aerobic treadmill program with progressive increases in time and intensity. Functional analysis, morphometric and morphologic analysis, and spinal cord motor neuron counts were used to evaluate the results. The study concluded that the aerobic treadmill exercise protocol did not modify nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury and repair with a nerve graft, suggesting further research is needed to improve functional outcomes after peripheral nerve graft.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

The study suggests that aerobic treadmill exercises alone may not be sufficient to improve nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury and repair, indicating the need for more effective rehabilitation strategies.

Further Research

Further studies are necessary to explore different types of exercises, frequencies, intensities, and timing of interventions to enhance nerve regeneration and functional outcomes after neurorraphy peripheral nerve graft.

Clinical Translation

The findings emphasize the complexity of nerve regeneration and the importance of translating experimental findings to clinical applications to improve patient outcomes following nerve injuries.

Study Limitations

1
The experimental model shows that this protocol of aerobic treadmill exercises did not modify nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury and repair with nerve graft.
2
It is difficult to compare directly the results of this study with those published in the literature since the surgical technique (size of the graft), the beginning of the protocol time, intensity, frequency and methods of measurement, in most cases, are different.
3
During the study, four rats died. Of the 26 remaining animals, 5 were in group I, 5 in group II, 7 in group III and 9 in group IV.

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