Recovery of post stroke proximal arm function, driven by complex neuroplastic bilateral brain activation patterns and predicted by baseline motor dysfunction severity.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Neuroplastic changes that drive recovery of shoulder/elbow function after stroke have been poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between neuroplastic brain changes related to shoulder/elbow movement control in response to treatment and recovery of arm motor function in chronic stroke survivors.

Methods

Twenty-three chronic stroke survivors were treated with 12 weeks of arm rehabilitation. Outcome measures included functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) for the shoulder/elbow components of reach and a skilled motor function test (Arm Motor Abilities Test, AMAT), collected before and after treatment.

Results

We observed two patterns of neuroplastic changes that were associated with gains in motor function: decrea

SUBMITTER: Pundik S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4510426 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature