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The peripheral sensory system is critical to regulating motor plasticity and motor recovery. Peripheral electrical stimulation (ES) can generate constant and adequate sensory input to influence the excitability of the motor cortex. The aim of this proof of concept study was to assess whether ES prior to each hand function training session for eight weeks can better improve neuromuscular control and hand function in chronic stroke individuals and change electroencephalography-electromyography (EEG-EMG) coherence, as compared to the control (sham ES). We recruited twelve subjects and randomly assigned them into ES and control groups. Both groups received 20-minute hand function training twice a week, and the ES group received 40-minute ES on the median nerve of the affected side before each training session. The control group received sham ES. EEG, EMG and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) were collected at four different time points. The corticomuscular coherence (CMC) in the ES group at fourth weeks was significantly higher (p = 0.004) as compared to the control group. The notable increment of FMA at eight weeks and follow-up was found only in the ES group. The eight-week rehabilitation program that implemented peripheral ES sessions prior to function training has a potential to improve neuromuscular control and hand function in chronic stroke individuals.

Background: Electrical stimulation (ES) in the periphery can induce brain plasticity and has been used clinically to promote motor recovery in patients with central nervous system lesion. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) are readily applicable in clinical settings and can detect real-time functional connectivity between motor cortex and muscles with EEG-EMG (corticomuscular) coherence., Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether EEG-EMG coherence can detect changes in corticomuscular control induced by peripheral ES., Methods: Fifteen healthy young adults and 15 stroke survivors received 40-min electrical stimulation session on median nerve. The stimulation (1-ms rectangular pulse, 100 Hz) was delivered with a 20-s on-20-s off cycle, and the intensity was set at the subjects' highest tolerable level without muscle contraction or pain. Both before and after the stimulation session, subjects performed a 20-s steady-hold thumb flexion at 50% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) while EEG and EMG were collected., Results: Our results demonstrated that after ES, EEG-EMG coherence in gamma band increased significantly for 22.1 and 48.6% in healthy adults and stroke survivors, respectively. In addition, after ES, force steadiness was also improved in both groups, as indicated by the decrease in force fluctuation during steady-hold contraction (-1.7% MVC and -3.9%MVC for healthy and stroke individuals, respectively)., Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that EEG-EMG coherence can detect ES-induced changes in the neuromuscular system. Also, because gamma coherence is linked to afferent inputs encoding, improvement in motor performance is likely related to ES-elicited strong sensory input and enhanced sensorimotor integration.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of kinematic variables with quality of trunk control in poststroke patients., Methods: This cross-sectional study included stroke subjects with mild to moderate motor deficit corresponding to Brunnstrom stages 3-4. Trunk functional performance was measured using bed mobility monitor system. All tasks were repeated ten times for both directions in each subject. Outcome measurements included the movement time and displacement of center of pressure (CoP) from supine to side lying and returning., Results: The results revealed that a significant longer turning time was observed when turning from the paretic side toward the nonparetic side compared to the other direction, with an estimated mean difference of 0.427 sec (P = 0.005). We found a significant difference in the time of rolling back to supine position between two directions. The displacement of CoP in rolling back from side lying on the nonparetic side was smaller than that from the paretic side with an estimated mean difference of -0.797 cm (P = 0.023)., Conclusions: The impaired trunk mobility was associated with increased movement time and decreased displacement of CoP in poststroke patients. Trunk rolling performance has potential in assessment of stroke patients.

Objective: We investigated the effects of a computer-generated interactive visual feedback training program on the recovery from pusher syndrome in stroke patients., Design: Assessor-blinded, pilot randomized controlled study., Participants: A total of 12 stroke patients with pusher syndrome were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (N = 7, computer-generated interactive visual feedback training) or control group (N = 5, mirror visual feedback training)., Main Outcome Measures: The scale for contraversive pushing for severity of pusher syndrome, the Berg Balance Scale for balance performance, and the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale for motor control were the outcome measures. Patients were assessed pre- and posttraining., Results: A comparison of pre- and posttraining assessment results revealed that both training programs led to the following significant changes: decreased severity of pusher syndrome scores (decreases of 4.0 ± 1.1 and 1.4 ± 1.0 in the experimental and control groups, respectively); improved balance scores (increases of 14.7 ± 4.3 and 7.2 ± 1.6 in the experimental and control groups, respectively); and higher scores for lower extremity motor control (increases of 8.4 ± 2.2 and 5.6 ± 3.3 in the experimental and control groups, respectively). Furthermore, the computer-generated interactive visual feedback training program produced significantly better outcomes in the improvement of pusher syndrome (p < 0.01) and balance (p < 0.05) compared with the mirror visual feedback training program., Conclusions: Although both training programs were beneficial, the computer-generated interactive visual feedback training program more effectively aided recovery from pusher syndrome compared with mirror visual feedback training., (© The Author(s) 2014.)

Objective: To explore the population-level utilization and factors associated with the use of inpatient stroke rehabilitation services under a single-payer government-based National Health Insurance (NHI) program in Taiwan., Study Design: Retrospective cohort study based on claims data., Methods: Inpatients with stroke were sampled from a nationally representative cohort of 200,000 NHI program enrollees. Multiple inpatient claims for individuals were merged to create a patient-level file; the first-ever admission was considered the index stroke. Proxy indicators to represent stroke severity, comorbidity, and complications were constructed. Predisposing, need, and enabling characteristics associated with rehabilitation use were explored., Results: Among 2639 identified patients with stroke from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2002, the overall inpatient rehabilitation utilization was 34.0% (33.0% for physical therapy, 19.6% for occupational therapy, and 5.3% for speech therapy). Stroke type and stroke severity were immediate causes of rehabilitation use. Except in neurology wards, rehabilitation use was unaffected by physician or facility characteristics. Among 898 patients receiving rehabilitation services, the median number of treatment sessions was 8 (interquartile range, 4-19), and the total rehabilitation costs were US $114.00 (interquartile range, $47.80-$258.30), with a mean (SD) length of stay of 22.2 (21.8) days., Conclusions: In a setting in which ability to pay is neutralized, inpatient stroke rehabilitation service in this universal NHI program was equitable but inadequate relative to use elsewhere or estimated need. Less severe case mix and financial or human resources constraints might partially account for the low utilization. Further studies measuring stroke severity and functional status are needed to clarify the actual utilization, requirements, and cost-effectiveness of inpatient stroke rehabilitation services.