Neurorehabilitation and neural repair
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Neurorehabil Neural Repair · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialLow-frequency repetitive TMS plus anodal transcranial DCS prevents transient decline in bimanual movement induced by contralesional inhibitory rTMS after stroke.
Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the unaffected motor cortex may improve motor function of the paretic hand after stroke. However, low-frequency rTMS might adversely affect bimanual movement by decreasing transcallosal function. ⋯ Inhibitory rTMS over the unaffected hemisphere transiently caused deterioration of bimanual movements for the current task in stroke patients. This short-term decline was prevented by combined administration of low-frequency rTMS over the unaffected hemisphere and anodal tDCS over the affected hemisphere. These responses to bihemispheric stimulation suggest possible caution and opportunities for the rehabilitation of hand function after stroke.
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Neurorehabil Neural Repair · Oct 2012
Anticipatory planning of functional reach-to-grasp: a pilot study.
Intensive task-oriented training such as constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is thought to engage motor learning and decision-making processes, including anticipatory action planning. ⋯ Together, a faster movement time and greater frequency of optimal hand posture selection in the more difficult task condition highlights a set of novel findings. These results provide evidence for training-induced improvements in upper-extremity function that support neurobehavioral recovery more than compensation. Although these findings are preliminary in view of the small sample size, the authors suggest that they may be useful to design and power larger-scale studies to further the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms induced by task-oriented training interventions in neurorehabilitation.