Neurorehabilitation and neural repair
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Neurorehabil Neural Repair · Feb 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialImprovement after constraint-induced movement therapy: recovery of normal motor control or task-specific compensation?
Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has proven effective in increasing functional use of the affected arm in patients with chronic stroke. The mechanism of CIMT is not well understood. ⋯ Functional improvement in the affected arm after CIMT in patients with chronic stroke appears to be mediated through compensatory strategies rather than a decrease in impairment or return to more normal motor control. We suggest that future large-scale studies of new interventions for neurorehabilitation track performance using kinematic analyses as well as clinical scales.
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Neurorehabil Neural Repair · Feb 2013
Longitudinal evaluation of resting-state FMRI after acute stroke with hemiparesis.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of motor impairment after stroke strongly depends on patient effort and capacity to make a movement. Hence fMRI has had limited use in clinical management. Alternatively, resting-state fMRI (ie, with no task) can elucidate the brain's functional connections by determining temporal synchrony between brain regions. ⋯ Resting-state fMRI within hours of ischemic stroke can demonstrate the impact of stroke on functional connections throughout the brain. This tool has the potential to help select appropriate stroke therapies in an acute imaging setting and to monitor the efficacy of rehabilitation.