title: The potential synergism by combining external counterpulsation with intermittent theta burst stimulation in post-stroke motor function recovery.
abstract: Upper limb weakness and incoordination is a common disability following ischemic stroke. Previous studies have showed that the single application of external counterpulsation (ECP) and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) can effectively enhance the cortical motor excitability and facilitate recovery. However, it remains uncertain if sequential application of these therapies would further augment the recovery. We hypothesize a synergistic effect of ECP followed by iTBS to upper limb function may happen through improvements in both cerebral perfusion and neuron excitability.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Weijia
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Suk-Yin Stephanie
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Au-Yeung
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong; Division of Neurology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Thomas Wai Hong
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong; Division of Neurology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Howan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong; Division of Neurology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong. Electronic address: ks-wong@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Lawrence Ka Sing
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D015908:Counterpulsation / Q000379:methods*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000473:pathology; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D009048:Motor Skills; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D013826:Theta Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
keywords: External counterpulsation; Hand function recovery; Intermittent theta burst stimulation; Ischemic stroke