Delta-alpha ratio correlates with level of recovery after neurorehabilitation in patients with acquired brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between three QEEG global indexes and their association with functional outcome after neurorehabilitation in non-acute acquired brain injury (ABI) patients (traumatic brain injury and stroke).


METHODS
Twenty-one adult ABI patients in post-acute phase were studied. Delta-alpha ratio (DAR), Power Ratio Index (PRI) and Mean Brain Symmetry Index (mBSI) were calculated from resting-state EEG taken at admission. These indexes and other clinical variables were correlated with functional recovery achieved after six months of neurorehabilitation.


RESULTS
DAR showed the highest strength of association with the functional outcome measure (rho=-0.65, P=0.002). The other QEEG indexes and clinical variables showed modest non-significant correlations. A posteriori group analysis showed higher DAR in patients with poor recovery as compared to good recovery patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional recovery after neurorehabilitation appears to be associated with a number of clinical and neurophysiological variables. Among the latter, the ratio between delta and alpha may play a significant role in predicting and monitoring functional rehabilitation outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Neurophysiological assessment of ABI patients may be an important tool in monitoring and predicting outcomes after neurorehabilitation.
Leon-Carrion
Jose
J
Human Neuropsychology Laboratory, School of Psychology, Department of Experimental Psychology, C/Camilo José Cela s/n, University of Seville, Seville-41018, Andalucia, Spain. leoncarrion@us.es
Martin-Rodriguez
Juan Francisco
JF
Damas-Lopez
Jesus
J
Barroso y Martin
Juan Manuel
JM
Dominguez-Morales
Maria Rosario
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000513:Alpha Rhythm; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003700:Delta Rhythm; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D055815:Young Adult