Brain-behavior Associations of Sensorimotor Therapy Post Stroke

Behavioral and Brain Connectivity Analysis of Upper Limb Sensorimotor Rehabilitation Post Stroke: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Stroke survivors often encounter impairments in the upper limb after stroke. Sensorimotor impairments are present in 67% of the stroke patients, resulting in problems with independency and performance of activities of daily life. In addition, the pattern of recovery in the brain is still a matter of ongoing debate. Although the importance of somatosensory function on motor performance is well described, evidence for somatosensory or sensorimotor therapy and brain-related changes is scares. Therefore, we aim to explore the effect of a sensorimotor therapy compared to pure motor therapy on motor function of the upper limb. A second objective is to investigate therapy-induced brain-behavior associations using resting state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the brain.

Stroke survivors often encounter impairments in the upper limb after stroke. Sensorimotor impairments are present in 67% of the stroke patients, resulting in problems with independency and performance of activities of daily life. In addition, the pattern of recovery in the brain is still a matter of ongoing debate. Although the importance of somatosensory function on motor performance is well described, evidence for somatosensory or sensorimotor therapy and brain-related changes is scares. Therefore, will conduct a Randomized Controlled Trial with three main objectives. The first objective of this project is to investigate the effect of sensorimotor therapy on motor function of the upper limb. To achieve this objective, a sensorimotor program will be developed based on the SENSE therapy. Patients will be randomly allocated to either the sensorimotor therapy group or the pure motor therapy group; and will receive 16 hours of therapy. Motor and Somatosensory assessments will be performed at three time points: baseline(admission to rehabilitation center), immediately after the 16 hours of therapy and after 4 weeks of follow-up. The second objective is to investigate therapy-induced brain-behavior associations with resting state functional connectivity. In order to achieve insights in brain-behavior associations, we will perform resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans at the same time points as the clinical assessments: baseline, immediately after the 16 hours of therapy, and four weeks after the end of the therapy. Both measurements, brain-imaging and clinical measurements will be combined to investigate the associations. This project will lead to new insights in brain-behavior associations of sensorimotor function of the upper limb after stroke and will provide evidence for a new therapy in upper limb stroke rehabilitation.

Randomized controlled Trial with two therapy groups ( experimental and control therapy) and one healthy control group

sensorimotor therapy will consist of 30minutes of sensory discrimination training and 30 minutes of sensorimotor training per session. The sensory discrimination training is based on on the SENSe training of Carey et all. The sensorimotor training is the same individually tailored motor therapy as described below, but with integration of sensory discrimination training aspects.

The motor therapy consists of 30 minutes of cognitive and attention-based table top games and 30 minutes of motor training per session. The cognitive-attention-based therapy consists of table top games such as chess, rush hour, or other smart games. Individually tailored motor therapy consists of a unilateral motor exercise program for the upper limb, while seated at a table, under supervision of a therapist to match the therapy and intensity provided in the other sensorimotor therapy group. This 30 minutes of motor arm training is based on a set of standardized exercises which comprise task-related practice for gross movements and dexterity including different grips and selective finger movements, and training in daily life activities, however without any attention to sensory discrimination training.

The intervention will consist of additional physiotherapy for the upper limb after stroke consisting of sensory discrimination training and sensorimotor training.

The intervention will consist of additional physiotherapy for the upper limb after stroke consisting of cognitive-attention based training and motor training

composite standardized score consisting of fabric matching test, wrist position sense test and functional tactile object recognition test

threshold of light touch determined with Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation at the index finger.

upper limb capacity by the means of ten functional and meaningful tasks related to daily live activities

Inclusion Criteria: first ever stroke as defined by the WHO (world health organisation) criteria assessed and included within 8 weeks after stroke onset unilateral motor impairment in the upper limb (ARAT <52/56) unilateral somatosensory impairment in the upper limb (SSD <0.00) minimally 18 years old substantially cooperation to perform the assessments and therapy written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: musculoskeletal and/or other neurological disorders such as previous stroke, head injuries, multiple sclerosis of Parkinson's disease a subdural hematoma, tumor, encephalitis or trauma that lead to similar symptoms as a stroke severe communication deficits severe cognitive deficits the presence of contra-indications for proceeding an MRI scan such as defibrillator, pacemaker or metal prosthesis ( as defined in the MRI checklist of Radiology UZ Leuven)

Carey L, Macdonell R, Matyas TA. SENSe: Study of the Effectiveness of Neurorehabilitation on Sensation: a randomized controlled trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2011 May;25(4):304-13. doi: 10.1177/1545968310397705. Epub 2011 Feb 24.

De Bruyn N, Saenen L, Thijs L, Van Gils A, Ceulemans E, Essers B, Lafosse C, Michielsen M, Beyens H, Schillebeeckx F, Alaerts K, Verheyden G. Sensorimotor vs. Motor Upper Limb Therapy for Patients With Motor and Somatosensory Deficits: A Randomized Controlled Trial in the Early Rehabilitation Phase After Stroke. Front Neurol. 2020 Dec 4;11:597666. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2020.597666. eCollection 2020.

De Bruyn N, Essers B, Thijs L, Van Gils A, Tedesco Triccas L, Meyer S, Alaerts K, Verheyden G. Does sensorimotor upper limb therapy post stroke alter behavior and brain connectivity differently compared to motor therapy? Protocol of a phase II randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2018 Apr 20;19(1):242. doi: 10.1186/s13063-018-2609-4.