Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (6): 1248-1256.doi: 10.12307/2025.305

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Different exercise modalities promote functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury

Zhao Xiaoxuan1, Liu Shuaiyi1, Li Qi2, Xing Zheng2, Li Qingwen1, Chu Xiaolei2   

  1. 1College of Exercise & Health, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin 301617, China; 2Department of Rehabilitation, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300211, China
  • Received:2024-01-23 Accepted:2024-04-03 Online:2025-02-28 Published:2024-06-22
  • Contact: Li Qingwen, PhD, Professor, College of Exercise & Health, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin 301617, China
  • About author:Zhao Xiaoxuan, Master candidate, College of Exercise & Health, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin 301617, China
  • Supported by:
    the National Key Research and Development Program of China, No. 2023YFF1205200 (to XZ [project participant]); Tianjin Municipal Natural Science Foundation (General Program), Nos. 22JCYBJC00210 (to LQ) and 22JCYBJC00220 (to CXL) 

Abstract:
BACKGROUND:
Exercise as a form of active rehabilitation can improve the dysfunction caused by peripheral nerve injury, and different exercise modalities target different lesion sites and recovery mechanisms.
OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively analyze the application and mechanisms of different exercise modalities in functional recovery from peripheral nerve injury.
METHODS: A computerized search was conducted in PubMed and CNKI databases for relevant literature published before January 2024. The search terms used were “peripheral nerve injury, spinal cord, exercise, cerebral cortex, muscle atrophy, mirror therapy, blood flow restriction training” in both English and Chinese. Finally, 77 articles were included for review.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Peripheral nerve injury can cause systemic pathological changes such as skeletal muscle atrophy, corresponding spinal cord segmental lesions, and sensorimotor cortex remodeling. Aerobic exercise can improve dysfunction by enhancing the immune response, promoting glial cell polarization, and promoting the release of nerve growth factor. Blood flow restriction exercise can regulate the secretion of muscle growth factor, promote muscle growth and enhance muscle strength. Mirror movement has a good effect in activating the cerebral cortex and reducing cortical remodeling. Different exercise modalities have potential benefits in functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury; however, there are still some problems and challenges, such as the choice of exercise modalities, the control of exercise intensity and frequency, and the detailed analysis of mechanisms.

Key words: peripheral nerve injury, spinal cord, cerebral cortex, muscle atrophy, aerobic exercise, blood flow restriction, mirror therapy, mechanism

CLC Number: