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Project

Behavioral and brain connectivity analysis of upper limb sensorimotor rehabilitation post stroke

Stroke causes brain damage leading to brain reorganization and motor deficits in the upper limb. The reorganization of the brain after stroke is currently poorly understood. Motor deficits are well documented in the literature but in order to move the arm and hand, so called somatosensory information like knowing the position of your arm and hand in space is necessary. In previous research, we were able to show that motor and somatosensory deficits post stroke are common and related, and thus that therapy for the impaired arm and hand should include both motor and somatosensory exercises. In this study, we therefore investigate whether four weeks of additional physical therapy for the arm and hand offered to people with stroke with an emphasis on motor and somatosensory exercises is more beneficial than four weeks of additional physical therapy consisting of only motor exercises. We will ask from our people with stroke standard arm and hand tasks in order to see whether there is a difference after the additional exercises. Furthermore, we ask our subjects to undergo a brain examination in a standard hospital scanner in order to evaluate brain reorganization due to stroke as well as due to the exercises we provided. With this study, we will gain new knowledge about the reorganization of the brain after stroke as well as the effect of specific exercises on moving arm and hand and brain reorganization, allowing us to design better rehabilitation for arm and hand after stroke.

Date:1 Oct 2016 →  17 Oct 2020
Keywords:rehabilitation, sensorimotor function, upper limb, functional connectivity
Disciplines:Orthopaedics, Human movement and sports sciences, Rehabilitation sciences
Project type:PhD project