Abstract
Background. Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) have been recently proposed as a new tool to induce functional recovery in stroke patients.
Objective.
Here we evaluated long-term effects of BMI training and physiotherapy
in motor function of severely paralyzed chronic stroke patients 6 months
after intervention.
Methods. A total of 30 chronic stroke
patients with severe hand paresis from our previous study were invited,
and 28 underwent follow-up assessments. BMI training included voluntary
desynchronization of ipsilesional EEG-sensorimotor rhythms triggering
paretic upper-limb movements via robotic orthoses (experimental group, n
= 16) or random orthoses movements (sham group, n = 12). Both groups
received identical physiotherapy following BMI sessions and a home-based
training program after intervention. Upper-limb motor assessment
scores, electromyography (EMG), and functional magnetic resonance
imaging (fMRI) were assessed before (Pre), immediately after (Post1),
and 6 months after intervention (Post2).
Results. The
experimental group presented with upper-limb Fugl-Meyer assessment
(cFMA) scores significantly higher in Post2 (13.44 ± 1.96) as compared
with the Pre session (11.16 ± 1.73; P = .015) and no significant
changes between Post1 and Post2 sessions. The Sham group showed no
significant changes on cFMA scores. Ashworth scores and EMG activity in
both groups increased from Post1 to Post2. Moreover, fMRI-BOLD
laterality index showed no significant difference from Pre or Post1 to
Post2 sessions.
Conclusions. BMI-based rehabilitation promotes
long-lasting improvements in motor function of chronic stroke patients
with severe paresis and represents a promising strategy in severe stroke
neurorehabilitation.
No comments:
Post a Comment