Carrying forward the past and ushering in the future, we never stop innovating!

2024 Annual In-House Research Projects and New Technologies Completion Ceremony and

2025 Annual Symposium on the Initiation of New Research Topics and Emerging Technologies

Held successfully

The unknown vastness of life is boundless,

The pursuit of health is endless.

Scientific research and innovation serve as the key engine driving high-quality hospital development and a vital lever for enhancing hospitals’ core competitiveness. This summer, the annual report meeting on new technologies and projects was successfully held at the Qinhuai Campus of Nanjing Zijin Hospital. Hospital leaders, project team members, and staff from other departments attended the event. Zhou Suming, Director of the Critical Care Medicine Center and the Geriatric ICU at Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital, attended as a specially invited expert to provide guidance. The conference was chaired by Wang Yifang, Vice President of Nanjing Zijin Hospital.

The event commenced with final reports on the 2024 in‑house research projects and new technologies and initiatives, providing a comprehensive overview of the research findings and practical outcomes achieved over the past year. This was followed by opening presentations for the 2025 in‑house research projects and new technology and initiative proposals.

2024: Deeply Cultivating and Rigorously Researching, Achieving Far-Reaching Success Step by Step

What are the impacts and clinical significance of pituitary‑related hormone levels on the behavioral functioning and prognosis of patients with chronic disorders of consciousness? Does the combined use of Qingfei Paidu Decoction and antibiotics confer any unique therapeutic benefits in critically ill neurological patients with concurrent pulmonary infections? Can modified Taiji exercises serve as an innovative rehabilitation approach for patients with brain injury? Over the course of one year, our hospital successfully completed several key research projects, focusing on critical issues in the fields of neurorehabilitation and critical care.

Tai Chi Practices Revitalize Rehabilitation Strength

Tai Chi, with its distinctive slow, fluid movements, is widely recognized for enhancing balance, flexibility, and coordination. To scientifically assess its suitability and rehabilitative efficacy in patients with brain injury, our hospital’s Rehabilitation Therapy Center conducted a study evaluating the therapeutic effects of a modified Tai Chi regimen comprising seven core postures, including the Starting Posture and Cloud Hands. The study employed a rigorously designed controlled trial, using five primary outcome measures to evaluate treatment effectiveness. Data analysis revealed that the experimental group, which underwent the modified Tai Chi program, demonstrated significantly superior improvements across multiple key functional domains compared to the control group receiving standard rehabilitation alone.

“Observation of the Therapeutic Effects of an Improved Taiji Exercise Protocol on Motor Function in Patients with Brain Injury, Based on the ICF Framework” — Chen Xinyi

This study not only offers a safe, effective, and easily scalable new approach to active rehabilitation for patients with brain injuries—including stroke and traumatic brain injury—but also provides tangible new hope for functional recovery.

In 2024, our hospital continued to advance medical technology innovation, successfully introducing and implementing six new techniques and projects of significant clinical value, spanning areas such as neuroelectrophysiological diagnostics, swallowing function assessment, nutritional support, and neurological rehabilitation.

From electromyography, which assesses neural function, to the “electronic eye” of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), used to diagnose dysphagia; from continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), which safeguards the lives of critically ill patients, to intermittent oral‑esophageal feeding (IOE technique), which helps patients with dysphagia once again savor their meals—each of these cutting-edge technologies embodies our hospital’s unwavering commitment to excellence and patient care.

Say goodbye to the feeding tube—there are clever ways to enjoy comfortable eating!

As an important intervention for improving nutritional intake and enhancing the quality of life of patients with dysphagia, IOE technology has been pioneered at our Jiangning Campus and has yielded promising results. Nurse Supervisor Ning Zhifeng from the Jiangning Campus shared her insights into the practical application of IOE technology and the valuable lessons learned. She explained how this technique safely and effectively helps patients with dysphagia overcome the discomfort of long-term nasogastric tube placement, restore the dignity and confidence associated with oral feeding, and significantly improve both patient comfort and motivation for recovery.

IOE Technology (Intermittent Oral-to-Esophagus Tube Feeding for Enteral Nutrition) — Ning Zhifeng

In‑cabin EEG monitoring aids in understanding the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on awakening.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), as an important treatment for brain‑injury disorders—particularly in patients with disorders of consciousness—has long lacked direct, objective measures of neural activity to precisely assess its mechanisms and efficacy, despite being supported by clinical observations. Over the past year, our hospital has achieved a technological breakthrough in continuous, dynamic electroencephalographic monitoring within hyperbaric chambers, providing more robust, objective evidence for evaluating the therapeutic effects of HBOT.

Wang Xia, Director of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center at our hospital, shared with us the findings of an observational study on the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on electroencephalograms (EEGs) in patients with disorders of consciousness. By analyzing EEG changes before and after treatment, the study explored the underlying neural mechanisms through which hyperbaric oxygen promotes recovery of consciousness. This research marks a further refinement of our hospital’s EEG‑based assessment system and provides robust scientific evidence for developing personalized protocols to facilitate arousal.

The Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Electroencephalograms in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness — Wang Xia

2025: Innovate with Determination, Unite to Move Forward

Following the successful completion of the 2024 research projects, our institute has officially launched the reporting process for the 2025 research topics and new projects. A total of 13 forward-looking research projects and 7 new technologies and initiatives have been solicited across the institute.

The scope of the submissions is both broad and in-depth: ranging from enhancing the quality of care for patients with dysphagia to overcoming barriers in awakening patients with disorders of consciousness; from investigating the modern therapeutic efficacy of traditional medical practices—such as umbilical acupuncture and five‑tone therapy—to harnessing cutting‑edge technologies like spinal cord stimulation and near‑infrared brain functional imaging; and from introducing rope‑band therapy to promoting Italian fascial manipulation. These diverse, innovative rehabilitation interventions continually expand treatment pathways, benefiting an ever‑growing number of patients.

Investigating the Neural Mechanisms of Dysphagia: Regional Brain Differences, Cognitive Correlates, and Novel Assessment Techniques

Swallowing dysfunction is a common core symptom among elderly patients with various neurological disorders, particularly stroke, and it often co-occurs with neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the underlying neural mechanisms is crucial for optimizing diagnosis and treatment. Traditionally, assessment of brain functions related to swallowing has relied primarily on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). However, these techniques require participants to undergo scanning in highly constrained positions—such as supine—which severely compromises the natural simulation of swallowing and thereby reduces the ecological validity and accuracy of data collection. At our hospital’s Rehabilitation Therapy Center, therapist Zhu Chenrui has proposed employing functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to investigate in greater depth the patterns of brain activation during swallowing and their relationship to swallowing function, with particular attention to changes in brain activity when a dual-task paradigm is introduced.

“A Study on Cerebral Cortical Hemodynamic Reactivity to Cognitive–Swallowing Interactions in Dual-Task Mode” by Zhu Chenrui

Exploring New Pathways for Consciousness Recovery: Spinal Cord Electrical Stimulation Combined with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy

Patients with chronic disorders of consciousness remain in a profoundly reduced level of awareness for extended periods, imposing a substantial burden on their families and society. Promoting arousal in these patients has long been a major challenge in the field of neurorehabilitation. At present, single‑modality arousal interventions yield limited efficacy and are constrained by inherent limitations.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) involves implanting electrodes to stimulate the upper cervical spinal cord, with the aim of modulating the ascending reticular activating system and brainstem functions; theoretically, it can “wake up” the brain’s baseline level of arousal. In contrast, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation technique that uses magnetic pulses at specific frequencies to target brain regions, thereby regulating neuronal activity, enhancing synaptic plasticity, and improving the processing of conscious content.

Gao Jirong, Director of the Awakening Center at the Qinhuai Campus, has innovatively proposed combining the two approaches to achieve synergistic effects between “stimulation‑induced awakening” (SCS) and “neural network reorganization” (TMS), with the aim of overcoming the limitations of single‑modality therapies.

“The Wake-Promoting Effects of Spinal Cord Electrical Stimulation Combined with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Patients with Chronic Disorders of Consciousness” by Gao Jirong

Free-Access Drinking Training: A Dual-Effect Practice for Ensuring Safety and Promoting Rehabilitation in Swallowing Disorder Care

Nursing care for patients with dysphagia is a critical component of the clinical care continuum, with its core focus on simultaneously ensuring patient safety and effectively promoting functional recovery. Guided by this principle, free‑water drinking training—by enabling patients to actively engage the relevant oropharyngeal muscle groups during actual fluid intake—can significantly improve swallowing function. Wang Ying, a nurse in the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Jiangning Hospital, shared the safety and clinical utility of this approach: it not only markedly reduces the risk of aspiration pneumonia and helps increase fluid intake but also enhances the patient’s eating experience, fostering greater independence and improving overall quality of life.

Free-Access Drinking Training – Wang Ying

Real-time transcutaneous oxygen tension monitoring: empowering precise oxygenation management and paving the way for personalized hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy.

To further refine oxygen‑saturation monitoring during hyperbaric oxygen therapy for patients with disorders of consciousness and to establish a more objective system for assessing treatment efficacy and predicting prognosis, Dr. Zhang Guixia of our hospital’s Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center has proposed and spearheaded the “Application Study of Real-Time Transcutaneous Partial Pressure of Oxygen Monitoring in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Patients with Disorders of Consciousness.”

Transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO₂) monitoring is a noninvasive technique that leverages the differential absorption of specific wavelengths of light by oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin. By placing a sensor on the patient’s skin, it can provide real-time measurements of tissue oxygen partial pressure during hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This study aims to use this technology to conduct an in-depth analysis of the quantitative relationship between oxygen tension data and patients’ clinical outcomes, thereby helping to optimize individualized HBO treatment protocols and enhance both arousal promotion and neurological functional recovery.

Application of Real-Time Transcutaneous Oxygen Partial Pressure Monitoring in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Patients with Disorders of Consciousness — Zhang Guixia

Italian Fascial Manipulation: An Innovative Pain-Management Approach to Tackle the Challenges of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain significantly impacts the quality of life and medical burden of both inpatient and outpatient populations. At our hospital’s Rehabilitation Center, therapist Chen Xinyi began by analyzing the common underlying causes of chronic pain. Building on this foundation, she proposed introducing an internationally cutting-edge Italian myofascial manipulation technique, designed to offer patients a non‑pharmacological, tissue‑physiology–based approach to precise pain relief. The core of this method lies in applying targeted, deep gliding maneuvers at specific myofascial key points—known as “central coordination points” (CC points). Therapist Chen Xinyi emphasized that the principles and execution of this technique share profound parallels with the Twelve Regular Meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This connection not only facilitates local adaptation and acceptance but also fosters an organic integration of TCM and Western pain‑management philosophies and practices, providing patients with richer, culturally resonant treatment options.

Italian Fascial Manipulation (FM) – Jing Peng / Chen Xinyi

Leading experts provided precise feedback and guidance on the various research topics and new‑technology projects, focusing on the rigor of experimental design, the feasibility of sample collection, the value of technological innovation, and compliance with ethical standards. They offered invaluable recommendations for optimization, thereby charting a clear course for the high‑quality implementation of these projects.

Dedicated to frontline clinical practice,

It is the source from which we uncover real-world problems and gain insight into the essence of disease.

Committed to the well-being of patients,

This, in turn, drives us to transform these issues into the starting point of our research.

By continuously bridging cutting-edge technologies with clinical practice,

We are committed to delivering higher-quality medical care to our patients,

Passing on the hope of life.