Changes in structural integrity are correlated with motor and functional recovery after post-stroke rehabilitation
Journal
Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience
Journal Volume
33
Journal Issue
6
Pages
835-844
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Abstract
Purpose: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies indicate the structural integrity of the ipsilesional corticospinal tract (CST) and the transcallosal motor tract, which are closely linked to stroke recovery. However, the individual contribution of these 2 fibers on different levels of outcomes remains unclear. Here, we used DTI tractography to investigate whether structural changes of the ipsilesional CST and the transcallosal motor tracts associate with motor and functional recovery after stroke rehabilitation. Methods: Ten participants with post-Acute stroke underwent the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), theWolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and DTI before and after bilateral robotic training. Results: All participants had marked improvements in motor performance, functional use of the affected arm, and independence in daily activities. Increased fractional anisotropy (FA) in the ipsilesional CST and the transcallosal motor tracts was noted from pre-treatment to the end of treatment. Participants with higher pre-to-post differences in FA values of the transcallosal motor tracts had greater gains in the WMFT and the FIM scores. A greater improvement on the FMA was coupled with increased FA changes along the ipsilesional CST. Conclusions: These findings suggest 2 different structural indicators for post-stroke recovery separately at the impairment-based and function-based levels. ? 2015 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.
Subjects
corticospinal tract; Diffusion tensor imaging; motor recovery; rehabilitation; stroke; transcallosal motor tracts
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; Article; brain region; cerebrovascular accident; clinical article; computer assisted tomography; convalescence; daily life activity; diffusion tensor imaging; female; fractional anisotropy; Fugl Meyer assessment; Functional Independence Measure; functional status; human; knowledge; left hemisphere; male; middle aged; motor dysfunction; motor function test; motor performance; nerve cell plasticity; priority journal; pyramidal tract; right hemisphere; transcallosal motor tract; Wolf motor function test; anisotropy; arm; brain; convalescence; devices; diffusion tensor imaging; manipulative medicine; motor activity; nerve tract; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; pathology; pathophysiology; physiology; procedures; robotics; severity of illness index; Stroke; treatment outcome; Activities of Daily Living; Adult; Anisotropy; Arm; Brain; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Activity; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Neural Pathways; Recovery of Function; Robotics; Severity of Illness Index; Stroke; Treatment Outcome
Publisher
IOS Press
Type
journal article