Changing stroke rehab and research worldwide now.Time is Brain! trillions and trillions of neurons that DIE each day because there are NO effective hyperacute therapies besides tPA(only 12% effective). I have 523 posts on hyperacute therapy, enough for researchers to spend decades proving them out. These are my personal ideas and blog on stroke rehabilitation and stroke research. Do not attempt any of these without checking with your medical provider. Unless you join me in agitating, when you need these therapies they won't be there.

What this blog is for:

My blog is not to help survivors recover, it is to have the 10 million yearly stroke survivors light fires underneath their doctors, stroke hospitals and stroke researchers to get stroke solved. 100% recovery. The stroke medical world is completely failing at that goal, they don't even have it as a goal. Shortly after getting out of the hospital and getting NO information on the process or protocols of stroke rehabilitation and recovery I started searching on the internet and found that no other survivor received useful information. This is an attempt to cover all stroke rehabilitation information that should be readily available to survivors so they can talk with informed knowledge to their medical staff. It lays out what needs to be done to get stroke survivors closer to 100% recovery. It's quite disgusting that this information is not available from every stroke association and doctors group.

Showing posts with label priming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label priming. Show all posts

Friday, July 31, 2020

Mirror Symmetric Bimanual Movement Priming Can Increase Corticomotor Excitability and Enhance Motor Learning

'Can increase' IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.  Do the fucking research that tells us yes/no whether it works or not. This laziness needs to stop. And in 8 years there was no followup to come up with a protocol or declare it worthless.  And measuring excitability or priming or motor evoked potentials does nothing for survivors, you measure functional movements which survivors actually care about. Think for once what survivors want.

Mirror Symmetric Bimanual Movement Priming Can Increase Corticomotor Excitability and Enhance Motor Learning

2012, PLoS ONE


Mirror Symmetric Bimanual Movement Priming Can Increase Corticomotor Excitability and Enhance MotorLearning
Winston D. Byblow 1,4*,
 Cathy M. Stinear3,4, 
Marie-Claire Smith 1,3, 
Lotte Bjerre 2, 
Brian K. Flaskager 2,
Alana B. McCambridge 1
1 Movement Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Sport & Exercise Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand,
 2 Center for Sensory-MotorInteraction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark,
 3 Neurology Research Group, Department of Medicine, TheUniversity of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand,
 4 Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract

Repetitive mirror symmetric bilateral upper limb may be a suitable priming technique for upper limb rehabilitation after stroke. Here we demonstrate neurophysiological and behavioural after-effects in healthy participants after priming with 20 minutes of repetitive active-passive bimanual wrist flexion and extension in a mirror symmetric pattern with respect to the body midline (MIR) compared to an control priming condition with alternating flexion-extension (ALT). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) indicated that corticomotor excitability (CME) of the passive hemisphere remained elevated compared to baseline for at least 30 minutes after MIR but not ALT, evidenced by an increase in the size of motor evoked potentials in ECR and FCR. Short and long-latency intracortical inhibition (SICI, LICI), short afferent inhibition (SAI) and
interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) were also examined using pairs of stimuli. LICI differed between patterns, with less LICI after MIR compared with ALT, and an effect of pattern on IHI, with reduced IHI in passive FCR 15 minutes after MIR compared with ALT and baseline. There was no effect of pattern on SAI or FCR H-reflex. Similarly, SICI remained unchanged after20 minutes of MIR. We then had participants complete a timed manual dexterity motor learning task with the passive handduring, immediately after, and 24 hours after MIR or control priming. The rate of task completion was faster with MIR priming compared to control conditions. Finally, ECR and FCR MEPs were examined within a pre-movement facilitation paradigm of wrist extension before and after MIR. ECR, but not FCR, MEPs were consistently facilitated before and after MIR,demonstrating no degradation of selective muscle activation. In summary, mirror symmetric active-passive bimanual movement increases CME and can enhance motor learning without degradation of muscle selectivity. These findings rationalise the use of mirror symmetric bimanual movement as a priming modality in post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation.
Citation:
 Byblow WD, Stinear CM, Smith M-C, Bjerre L, Flaskager BK, et al. (2012) Mirror Symmetric Bimanual Movement Priming Can Increase Corticomotor Excitability and Enhance Motor Learning. PLoS ONE 7(3): e33882. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0033882
Editor:
 Alessio Avenanti, University of Bologna, Italy
Received
 June 6, 2011;
 Accepted
 February 23, 2012;
 Published
 March 22, 2012

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

The Effect of Priming on Outcomes of Task-Oriented Training for the Upper Extremity in Chronic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

All this earlier research and we still don't know what the fuck we are doing with priming? Can be a promising intervention strategy is woefully useless.  The objective should be to come up with EXACT STROKE PROTOCOLS not wishy-washy shit like; 'can', 'maybe', 'could', 'further research','improve' etc.

The Effect of Priming on Outcomes of Task-Oriented Training for the Upper Extremity in Chronic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

First Published May 26, 2020 Review Article Find in PubMed



Background.
Priming results in a type of implicit memory that prepares the brain for a more plastic response, thereby changing behavior. New evidence in neurorehabilitation points to the use of priming interventions to optimize functional gains of the upper extremity in poststroke individuals.  
Objective.
To determine the effects of priming on task-oriented training on upper extremity outcomes (body function and activity) in chronic stroke.  
Methods.
The PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, EMBASE, and PEDro databases were searched in October 2019. Outcome data were pooled into categories of measures considering the International Classification Functional (ICF) classifications of body function and activity. Means and standard deviations for each group were used to determine group effect sizes by calculating mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals via a fixed effects model. Heterogeneity among the included studies for each factor evaluated was measured using the I2 statistic.  
Results.
Thirty-six studies with 814 patients undergoing various types of task-oriented training were included in the analysis. Of these studies, 17 were associated with stimulation priming, 12 with sensory priming, 4 with movement priming, and 3 with action observation priming. Stimulation priming showed moderate-quality evidence of body function. Only the Wolf Motor Function Test (time) in the activity domain showed low-quality evidence. However, gains in motor function and in use of extremity members were measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UE-FMA). Regarding sensory priming, we found moderate-quality evidence and effect size for UE-FMA, corresponding to the body function domain (MD 4.77, 95% CI 3.25-6.29, Z = 6.15, P < .0001), and for the Action Research Arm Test, corresponding to the activity domain (MD 7.47, 95% CI 4.52-10.42, Z = 4.96, P < .0001). Despite the low-quality evidence, we found an effect size (MD 8.64, 95% CI 10.85-16.43, Z = 2.17, P = .003) in movement priming. Evidence for action observation priming was inconclusive.  

Conclusion.
Combining priming and task-oriented training for the upper extremities of chronic stroke patients can be a promising intervention strategy. Studies that identify which priming techniques combined with task-oriented training for upper extremity function in chronic stroke yield effective outcomes in each ICF domain are needed and may be beneficial for the recovery of upper extremities poststroke.

Monday, June 1, 2020

The Effect of Priming on Outcomes of Task-Oriented Training for the Upper Extremity in Chronic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

You can try to understand what the hell priming is by looking at these 602 thousand results on a Google search. I'm not doing it.

priming in stroke rehabilitation

The latest here:

The Effect of Priming on Outcomes of Task-Oriented Training for the Upper Extremity in Chronic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

First Published May 26, 2020 Review Article







Background. 
Priming results in a type of implicit memory that prepares the brain for a more plastic response, thereby changing behavior. New evidence in neurorehabilitation points to the use of priming interventions to optimize functional gains of the upper extremity in poststroke individuals. Objective. To determine the effects of priming on task-oriented training on upper extremity outcomes (body function and activity) in chronic stroke.  
Methods.
The PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, EMBASE, and PEDro databases were searched in October 2019. Outcome data were pooled into categories of measures considering the International Classification Functional (ICF) classifications of body function and activity. Means and standard deviations for each group were used to determine group effect sizes by calculating mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals via a fixed effects model. Heterogeneity among the included studies for each factor evaluated was measured using the I2 statistic.  
Results. 
Thirty-six studies with 814 patients undergoing various types of task-oriented training were included in the analysis. Of these studies, 17 were associated with stimulation priming, 12 with sensory priming, 4 with movement priming, and 3 with action observation priming. Stimulation priming showed moderate-quality evidence of body function. Only the Wolf Motor Function Test (time) in the activity domain showed low-quality evidence. However, gains in motor function and in use of extremity members were measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UE-FMA). Regarding sensory priming, we found moderate-quality evidence and effect size for UE-FMA, corresponding to the body function domain (MD 4.77, 95% CI 3.25-6.29, Z = 6.15, P < .0001), and for the Action Research Arm Test, corresponding to the activity domain (MD 7.47, 95% CI 4.52-10.42, Z = 4.96, P < .0001). Despite the low-quality evidence, we found an effect size (MD 8.64, 95% CI 10.85-16.43, Z = 2.17, P = .003) in movement priming. Evidence for action observation priming was inconclusive. Conclusion.
 Combining priming and task-oriented training for the upper extremities of chronic stroke patients can be a promising intervention strategy. Studies that identify which priming techniques combined with task-oriented training for upper extremity function in chronic stroke yield effective outcomes in each ICF domain are needed and may be beneficial for the recovery of upper extremities poststroke.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Priming sensorimotor cortex to enhance task-specific training after subcortical stroke

Useless, just investigation and 'may', NOT CREATION OF PROTOCOLS. 

Priming sensorimotor cortex to enhance task-specific training after subcortical stroke

Suzanne J. Ackerleya,c, Cathy M. Stinearb,c, P. Alan Barberc,d, Winston D. Byblowa,c,⇑ aMovement Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Sport and Exercise Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand bClinical Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand cCentre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand dNeurology Department, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand

Article history: Accepted 23 November 2013 Available online xxxx
Keywords: Sensorimotor integration Short latency afferent inhibition Stroke rehabilitation Theta burst stimulation Transcranial magnetic stimulation
highlights
The effects of Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS)-primed dexterity training on sensorimotor integration, corticomotor excitability, sensation and grip-lift kinetics were examined in chronic subcortical stroke patients. Intermittent TBS (iTBS) of ipsilesional primary motor cortex(M1) modulated corticomotor excitability and increased M1 receptiveness to sensory input. Priming ipsilesional M1 with iTBS prior to upper limb therapy may facilitate sensorimotor integration and serve as a useful adjunct to improve the quality of sensorimotor training during rehabilitation after subcortical stroke.

abstract

Objective: 
This double-blind sham-controlled crossover study investigated the interactions between primary sensory and motor cortex after stroke and their response to Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS). 
Methods: 
Thirteen chronic subcortical stroke patients with upper limb impairment performed standardised dexterity training primed with ipsilesional M1 intermittent TBS (iTBSiM1), contralesional M1 continuous TBS (cTBScM1) or sham TBS. The effects on sensorimotor integration, corticomotor excitability, sensation and grip-lift kinetics were examined. 
Results: 
After iTBSiM1,improvements in paretic grip-lift performance were accompanied by animmediate facilitation of ipsilesional M1 excitability and a subsequent increase in ipsilesional short latency afferent inhibition (SAI) during training. Precision grip-lift performance improved after cTBScM1 and training, alongside increased ipsilesional M1 excitability with no effect on ipsilesional SAI. There were no effects on sensory performance. 
Conclusion: 
Primary motor cortex iTBS not only modulates M1 corticospinal excitability but also increases M1 receptiveness to sensory input. 
Significance: 
Priming with iTBSiM1 may enhance ipsilesional sensorimotor integration and facilitate better quality sensorimotor training after subcortical stroke. 2013 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. on behalf of International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Priming the Brain to Capitalize on Metaplasticity in Stroke Rehabilitation

You can have your doctor get this to see if it is useful. Assuming that your doctor does more than write E.T.(Evaluate and Treat) prescriptions 

Priming the Brain to Capitalize on Metaplasticity in Stroke Rehabilitation

 Jessica M. Cassidy, Bernadette T. Gillick, James R. Carey J.M. Cassidy,

PT, DPT, Doctoral Candidate , DPT Program in Physical Therapy and Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Science, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 388, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (USA). Address all correspondence to Ms Cassidy at: krea0014@umn.edu. B.T. Gillick,

PT, PhD, Program in Physical Therapy and Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Science, University of Minnesota.

J.R. Carey,

PT, PhD, Program in Physical Therapy and Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Science, University of Minnesota. [Cassidy JM, Gillick BT, Carey JR. Priming the brain to capitalize on metaplasticity in stroke rehabilitation.
 Phys Ther
. 2014;94:xxxÐxxx.]


2 © 2013 American Physical Therapy Association Published Ahead of Print: XXX Accepted: August 2, 2013 Submitted: January 27, 2013

 Abstract

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is emerging as a potentially valuable intervention to augment the effects of behavioral therapy for stroke. When used in conjunction with other therapies, rTMS embraces the concept of metaplasticity. Due to homeostatic mechanisms inherent to metaplasticity, interventions known in isolation to enhance excitability can interact when applied successively under certain timing conditions and produce enhanced or opposite effects. It will be shown that similar to Òmuscular wisdomÓ, with its self-protective mechanisms, there also appears to be synaptic wisdom in neural networks with homeostatic processes that prevent over- and under-excitability. These processes hold implications for both enhancing and suppressing the desired effects from behavioral therapy. The purpose of this paper is to relate the concept of metaplasticity, as derived from studies in healthy humans, to stroke rehabilitation and consider how it can be leveraged to maximize stroke outcomes.

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Priming sensorimotor cortex to enhance task-specific training after subcortical stroke

Useless. 'May' is not good enough.  Obviously no stroke protocol was written up and distributed worldwide.  So wasted research.

Priming sensorimotor cortex to enhance task-specific training after subcortical stroke

 Suzanne J. Ackerley a,c, 

Cathy M. Stinear b,c, 

P. Alan Barber c,d, 

Winston D. Byblow a,c,
⇑
a Movement Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Sport and Exercise Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
b Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
c Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
d Neurology Department, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
a r t i c l e i n f o
 Article history:
Accepted 23 November 2013Available online xxxx
Keywords:
Sensorimotor integration Short latency afferent inhibition Stroke rehabilitation Theta burst stimulation Transcranial magnetic stimulation
highlights

 The effects of Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS)-primed dexterity training on sensorimotor integration,corticomotor excitability, sensation and grip-lift kinetics were examined in chronic subcortical stroke patients.

 Intermittent TBS(iTBS) of ipsilesional primary motor cortex(M1) modulated corticomotor excitability and increased M1 receptiveness to sensory input.

 Priming ipsilesional M1withiTBS prior to upper limb therapy may facilitate sensorimotor integration and serve as a useful adjunct to improve the quality of sensorimotor training during rehabilitation after subcortical stroke.

Abstract

Objective:
 This double-blind sham-controlled crossover study investigated the interactions between primary sensory and motor cortex after stroke and their response to Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS).
Methods:
 Thirteen chronic subcortical stroke patients with upper limb impairment performed standardised dexterity training primed with ipsilesional M1 intermittent TBS (iTBS
iM1),  contralesional M1 continuous TBS (cTBS
cM1
) or sham TBS. The effects on sensorimotor integration, corticomotor excitability,sensation and grip-lift kinetics were examined.
Results:
 AfteriTBSiM1, improvements in paretic grip-lift performance were accompanied by an immediate facilitation of ipsilesional M1 excitability and a subsequent increase in ipsilesional short latency afferent inhibition (SAI) during training. Precision grip-lift performance improved after cTBS
cM1
 and training,alongside increased ipsilesional M1 excitability with no effect on ipsilesional SAI. There were no effectson sensory performance.
Conclusion:
 Primary motor cortex iTBS not only modulates M1 corticospinal excitability but also increases M1 receptiveness to sensory input.
Significance:
 Priming with iTBSiM1
may enhance ipsilesional sensorimotor integration and facilitate better quality sensorimotor training after subcortical stroke.

 2013 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. on behalf of International Federation of ClinicalNeurophysiology.
 

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Bilateral Priming Accelerates Recovery of Upper Limb Function After Stroke

My conclusion is that these people need re-education in stroke. Plateau is not a medical term, it is an insurance term used to discontinue paying for therapy because improvement is so slow.  Ph.Ds are supposed to know more than stroke-addled survivors like myself. If any stroke medical professional mentioned plateau to me, I would call the hospital president and demand they be fired.  We have to clean out all the dead wood in stroke because they are not self policing themselves. You will have to guess what the PRIMED group did since no protocol is referenced.

Bilateral Priming Accelerates Recovery of Upper Limb Function After Stroke 

Cathy M. Stinear, PhD; Matthew A. Petoe, PhD; Samir Anwar, FAFRM (RACP);  Peter Alan Barber, FRACP; Winston D. Byblow, PhD
Background and Purpose—The ability to live independently after stroke depends on the recovery of upper limb function. We hypothesized that bilateral priming with active–passive movements before upper limb physiotherapy would promote rebalancing of corticomotor excitability and would accelerate upper limb recovery at the subacute stage.
Methods—A single-center randomized controlled trial of bilateral priming was conducted with 57 patients randomized at the subacute stage after first-ever ischemic stroke. The PRIMED group made device-assisted mirror symmetrical bimanual movements before upper limb physiotherapy, every weekday for 4 weeks. The CONTROL group was given intermittent cutaneous electric stimulation of the paretic forearm before physiotherapy. Assessments were made at baseline, 6, 12, and 26 weeks. The primary end point was the proportion of patients who reached their plateau for upper limb function at 12 weeks, measured with the Action Research Arm Test.
Results—Odds ratios indicated that PRIMED participants were 3× more likely than controls to reach their recovery plateau by 12 weeks. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses showed a greater proportion of PRIMED participants achieved their plateau by 12 weeks (intention to treat, χ2=4.25; P=0.039 and per protocol, χ2=3.99; P=0.046). ANOVA of perprotocol data showed PRIMED participants had greater rebalancing of corticomotor excitability than controls at 12 and 26 weeks and interhemispheric inhibition at 26 weeks (all P<0.05).
Conclusions—Bilateral priming accelerated recovery of upper limb function in the initial weeks after stroke. Clinical Trial Registration—URL: http://www.anzctr.org.au. Unique identifier: ANZCTR1260900046822. 

 (Stroke. 2014;45:205-210.)

Priming the motor system enhances the effects of upper limb therapy in chronic stroke

'Speculation' is useless for stroke survivors

Priming the motor system enhances the effects of upper limb therapy in chronic stroke

 
Priming the motor system enhances the effectsof upper limb therapy in chronic stroke Cathy M. Stinear, 1 P. Alan Barber,2James P Coon,Melanie K.Fleming1 and Winston D. Byblow11 Movement Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Sport & Exercise Science,University of Auckland and 2 Department of Medicine,University of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandCorrespondence to: Winston D. Byblow, Movement Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Sport & Exercise Science,University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New ZealandE-mail: w.byblow@auckland.ac.nz After stroke, the function of primary motor cortex (M1) between the hemispheres may become unbalanced.T-balancing of M excitability may prime the brain to be more responsive to reha-bilitation therapies and lead to improved functional outcomes. The present y examined the effects of Active^Passive Bilateral Therapy (APBT), a putative movement-based priming strategy designed to reduce intracortical inhibition and increase excitability within the ipsilesional M1.Thirty-two patients with upper limbweakness at least 6 months after stroke were randomized to a 1-month intervention of self-directed motor practice with their affected upper limb (control group) or to APBT for10^15min prior to the same motor practice APBT group). A blinded clinical rater assessed upper limb function at baseline, and immediately and 1 month after the intervention. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to assess M1 excitability. Immediately after the intervention, motor function of the affected upper limb improved in both groups( P 5 0.005). One month after the intervention, the APBT group had better upper limb motor function than control patients ( P 5 0.05).The APBT group had increasedipsilesional M1excitability ( P 5 0.025), increased transcal-losal inhibition from ipsilesional to contralesional M1 ( >P 5 within contralesional M1 (P5 0.005).None of these changes were found in the control group. APBT produced sustained improvements in upper limb motor function in chronic stroke patients and induced specific and sustainedchangesin motor cortex inhibitory function.We speculate that APBT may have facilitated plastic reorganizationin the brain in response to motor therapy. The utility of APBTas an adjuvant to physical therapy warrants further consideration.

Saturday, September 1, 2018

Using priming to promote neuroplasticity and motor learning post-stroke

In your Aim 1 you already have a high functioning survivor selected, high intensity walking is not normally possible. It took me years to get to that point. 
http://dspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/23718

Author: Li, Xin
Citable URI: http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/23718
Advisor: Morton, Susanne M.; Reisman, Darcy S.
Publisher: University of Delaware
Date Issued: 2018
Abstract: The majority of stroke survivors experience persistent motor impairments even with rehabilitation treatments. An underlying mechanism for this is the decreased motor cortical excitability in the lesioned hemisphere after stroke. Priming techniques, such as acute exercise and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), can increase motor cortical excitability and enhance motor learning in healthy individuals. But whether they have the same effects in people with stroke is unclear. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, a type of antidepressant medication, can change motor cortical excitability in healthy individuals and in acute stroke survivors. Moreover, they can interact with tDCS, changing the effects of tDCS in healthy individuals. Given that up to 30% of stroke survivors take antidepressant medications, this is an important factor to consider when evaluating the effects of tDCS in stroke. The overall purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the neurophysiological effects of exercise priming and tDCS (with chronic antidepressant intake as a factor), and to investigate the effects of tDCS on locomotor learning in people with chronic stroke. ☐ In Aim 1, we showed that exercise priming, in the form of 5 minutes of high-intensity walking, induced increased motor cortical excitability in the lesioned hemisphere, as measured in a resting upper extremity muscle. This finding is significant because it provides evidence on the effectiveness of a clinically feasible exercise priming paradigm to induce broad excitability changes in the brain. ☐ In Aim 2, we showed that stroke survivors taking antidepressant medications had higher motor cortical excitability in the non-lesioned hemisphere compared to those not on antidepressants. We also found that application of anodal tDCS as a primer over the lesioned hemisphere produced differential effects on excitability in the unstimulated, non-lesioned hemisphere, depending on antidepressant-taking status. In antidepressant-takers, motor cortical excitability in the non-lesioned hemisphere increased, while it decreased compared to sham in those not taking antidepressants. These findings draw attention to the fact that stroke survivors may not respond in the same way to tDCS as healthy individuals, and that antidepressants, and potentially other medications and stroke-related factors, must be considered and their effects investigated before providing tDCS as a clinical treatment. ☐ Finally,
in Aim 3, we showed that anodal tDCS over the lesioned hemisphere did not have any effect on split-belt treadmill locomotor learning and retention in chronic stroke survivors. We speculate that split-belt adaptation may not be sensitive to modulation by tDCS. Future studies should investigate whether tDCS affects other types of locomotor learning. ☐ Overall, this work demonstrates the potential of exercise priming for stroke recovery, and highlights the complexity of tDCS usage in people with chronic stroke. Future studies should focus on how individual differences affect priming in stroke.
URI: http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/23718

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Priming Before Physical Therapy Facilitates Stroke Rehab

You therapist should know what the hell this means.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/811870?src=rss
Bilateral priming facilitates upper-limb rehabilitation and accelerates recovery after stroke, a new study shows.
Through the use of a mechanical device designed for that purpose, the paretic hand is passively moved in a mirror-symmetric manner as the patient extends and flexes the nonparetic wrist.
"Bilateral priming has few contraindications, it takes little time to administer, and the device is portable and easy to use. You can easily integrate bilateral priming into your rehabilitation center," Winston Byblow, PhD, from the Centre for Brain Research, professor and deputy head of the Department of Sport and Exercise Science, and director of the Movement Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, reported. Dr. Byblow is a named inventor on the patent of the device.

The rest at the site with free registration including a picture of the device.