Stochastic Resonance Stimulation in Brain Plasticity and Post Stroke Motor Recovery

Effects of Stochastic Resonance Electrical Stimulation on Post Stroke Cortical Plasticity and Motor Function Recovery

This study evaluates the effectiveness of stochastic resonance electric stimulation on neuromuscular control and proprioception in healthy and individuals with stroke.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of motor disability. The main intervention strategy in stroke rehabilitation is to induce cortical plasticity for motor re-learning. It has been demonstrated that electrical stimulation applied to the periphery can elicit abundant sensory afferent inputs to enhance excitability and activation area in the sensorimotor cortex. Recent evidence suggested that a new type of electrical stimulation pattern, stochastic resonance stimulation, is capable of efficiently enhancing the activation of peripheral and central nervous system. Therefore, the purpose of this study are to identify the effects of stochastic resonance electrical stimulation on neuromuscular control and proprioception, and to investigate the effectiveness of combining stochastic resonance electrical stimulation with rehabilitation program on post stroke motor function recovery.

stochastic resonance electrical stimulation is applied to the upper extremity during the subjects perform upper extremity motor function.

sham electrical stimulation (same electrode location, but no electrical current is applied) is applied to the upper extremity during the subjects perform upper extremity motor function.

stochastic resonance electrical stimulation is applied in the upper extremity during motor functional training. Sham comparator group uses sham stimulation - same electrode location, but no electrical current is applied during motor functional training

we first calculated the absolute value of the difference between force output and the value of 50%MVC for each data point and then calculated the average force deviation value by dividing the sum of all values by the number of data points

In first stage Inclusion Criteria: healthy adults without history of neurological disorders or limitation in range of motion for thumb flexion In the second stage Inclusion Criteria: first-ever cerebral cortical region involved chronic stroke, onset over a month able to perform active grasp on the affected side with the scores of manual muscle test at least two points at stable medical condition for intervention confirmed by a specialized physician. The exclusion criteria were history of other neurological disorders cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination score < 24, MMSE)29 unable to follow instructions contraindications of ES under 20 years old.