Cortical reorganization induced by body weight-supported treadmill training in patients with hemiparesis of different stroke durations.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate corticomotor changes induced by body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) in patients with short or long poststroke duration.


METHODS
Single-blinded and randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Neurologic physical therapy research laboratory.


METHODS
Hemiparesis patients (N=18) whose motor-evoked potentials could be induced participated in this study. Subjects in each hemiparesis postonset of short (<6 mo) or long (>12 mo) duration group were randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group.


METHODS
Subjects in the experimental groups participated in BWSTT for 4 weeks. Those in the control groups received the general exercise program.


METHODS
The primary outcomes were motor threshold and map size of the abductor hallucis muscle in the ipsilesional hemisphere. The secondary outcome was Fugl-Meyer Assessment. Outcome measures were blindly assessed before and after completing the 4 weeks of training.


RESULTS
The 4-week BWSTT resulted in a decrease of motor threshold and an increase of map size in subjects with hemiparesis of short duration, whereas only the expansion of the map size was noted in subjects with hemiparesis of long duration. Improvement of motor control occurred in subjects with hemiparesis of both short and long duration after BWSTT.


CONCLUSIONS
The BWSTT results in similar improvement in motor control but different patterns of treatment-induced cortical reorganization in subjects with different poststroke durations.
Yang
Yea-Ru
YR
Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen
I-Hsuan
IH
Liao
Kwong-Kum
KK
Huang
Chia-Chi
CC
Wang
Ray-Yau
RY
D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004569:Electroencephalography; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; D016138:Walking; D016474:Weight-Bearing