Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of electromyographic biofeedback combined with earlier rehabilitation on serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its clinical efficacy for patients with cerebral infarction. Methods 90 patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomly divided into control group (n=30), rehabilitation group (n=30) and combination group (n=30). All the groups received basic medication, and the rehabilitation group combined with earlier rehabilitation, the combination group with electromyographic biofeedback and earlier rehabilitation. All patients were evaluated with Clinical Neurologic Functional Default Scoring (CNFDS) and the modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and 2 weeks after treatment. Their serum levels of MMP-9 were detected as well. Results The scores of CNFDS and MBI improved after treatment in all the groups (P<0.001), especially in the combination group (P<0.01). The levels of MMP-9 decreased more in combination group than in the rehabilitation group and the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion Electromyographic biofeedback combined with earlier rehabilitation can facilitate the recovery neural function, which may associated with the decrease of MMP-9.

Key words: cerebral infarction, electromyogmphic biofeedback, earlier rehabilitation, matrix metalloproteinase-9