Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of passive exercise on neural functional recovery after peripheral nerve crushed injury.MethodsThe effect of passive exercise on early peripheral nerve regeneration and recovery of motor function were observed with electrophysiological and histological indexes compared with that of the splinting group.ResultsThe nerve conduction of training group was faster than that in the splinting group,and the latency of compound muscle action potentials(CMAP)was shorter(P<0.05).The thickness of myelin sheath,average numbers of myelinated nerve fibera per area and diameter of regenerating axon in training group were larger than those in the splinting group(P<0.05).The wet weight of sural triceps of training group were bigger than that of the splinting group(P<0.01).ConclusionThe passive exercise can improve the early recovery of motor function and neural regeneration after peripheral nerve crushed injury.

Key words: peripheral nerve, crushed injury, physical therapy, electrophysiology, histology, neural regeneration, functional recovery