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Background: Neural connectivity in brain has been known as indicators for neural function and recovery of brain. Although previous studies reported that neural connectivity predicted the recovery o...

Backgrounds: Neural biomarkers to predict motor recovery have been used in the field of rehabilitation. Functional connectivity (FC) among the brain regions recorded by functional magnetic resonance imaging systems have been reported, but convenient method to estimate FC for clinical situation has not been established.Objectives: This observational study investigated the relationship between neural functional connectivity obtained by electroencephalography (EEG) and the upper limb function in patients during recovery stage after stroke.Methods: Twenty-four patients in the recovery stage between 4 and 8 weeks after the onset of stroke (mean age: 62 ± 12 (SD)) were enrolled. The EEG signals were obtained by five electrodes placed on the motor-related areas (C3, C4, FC3, FC4, and FCz in the International 10-20 system) for 60 sec at rest and during finger movement on the affected side, and amplitude envelope correlations as measures of FC among the areas were calculated. Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) was used to assess upper limb motor function.Results: The FMA scores evaluated at 4W (33 ± 24 (SD)) were improved by 8W (42 ± 23) (p < .001). The FCs in α and β bands calculated between the electrodes in the ipsi-lesional hemisphere were correlated negatively with the FMA score at 4W after stroke. The FCs obtained at 4W could be used to predict the FMA score at 8W after stroke.Conclusions: The FCs recorded at rest, as well as during the finger motor task, by the five electrodes placed on motor-related areas could be used to predict the motor function and recovery of the upper limb affected by stroke. The results indicate the possibility of using FCs recorded by conventional EEG with electrodes as biomarkers to predict motor recovery after stroke.

Purpose This study aimed to describe recovery of dysphagia after stroke. We determined the proportion of stroke survivors with dysphagia on admission, discharge, and 6 months after stroke. Additionally, the factors affecting oral feeding 6 months after stroke were explored. Methods A total of 427 acute stroke patients were recruited prospectively. Presence of dysphagia was evaluated on admission, weekly until recovery was achieved, and at discharge. We compared stroke survivors with dysphagia who had complete recovery, who had dysphagia but achieved oral feeding, and who required tube feeding. Patient-reported eating ability was evaluated at 6 months. Patients who achieved oral feeding by 6 months were compared to those who had persistent tube feeding need. Results Fifty-five percent of stroke survivors had dysphagia on initial evaluation (3.1 ± 1.4 days after admission) and 37% at discharge (21.1 ± 12.4 days). At 6 months, 5% of patients required tube feeding. Among those who had dysphagia at initial evaluation, 32% had resolution of dysphagia within two weeks, 44% had dysphagia but started oral feeding before discharge, and 23% required alternative means of alimentation (nasogastric tube feeding, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, parental nutrition) throughout hospitalization. At 6 months, 90% of stroke survivors who achieved oral feeding by discharge continued with oral feeding. Patients who achieved oral feeding after discharge had less cognitive impairments on admission and a higher speech therapist intervention rate after discharge. Conclusions More than half of stroke survivors had dysphagia but the vast majority were able to return to oral feeding by 6 months. Cognitive function and dysphagia rehabilitation interventions were associated with return to oral feeding after hospital discharge.