Differential Effects of Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation over the Bilateral and Unilateral Cerebellum on Working Memory.

Recent functional MRI studies have implicated the cerebellum in working memory (WM) alongside the prefrontal cortex. Some findings indicate that the right cerebellum is activated during verbal tasks, while the left is engaged during visuospatial tasks, suggesting cerebellar lateralization in WM function. The cerebellum could be a potential target for non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) to enhance WM function in cognitive disorders.

Immediate Effects of Preconditioning Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation on Lower Extremity Motor Cortex Excitability in Healthy Participants.

Background: Previous studies have found that inhibitory priming with continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) can enhance the effect of subsequent excitatory conditioning stimuli with intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) in the upper limbs. However, whether this combined stimulation approach elicits a comparable compensatory response in the lower extremities remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate how cTBS preconditioning modulated the effect of iTBS on motor cortex excitability related to the lower limb in healthy individuals.

Application of Novel Wearable Self-Balancing Exoskeleton Robot Capable for Complete Self-Support in Post-stroke Rehabilitation: A Case Study.

Early weight-bearing and trunk control training are essential components for promoting lower limb motor recovery in individuals with stroke. In this case study, we presented the successful implementation of a three-week wearable self-balancing exoskeleton robot training program for a 57-year-old male patient who had suffered from a stroke. After carefully reviewing the patient's previous medical records, conducting a thorough assessment, and excluding other potential contraindications, we introduced wearable self-balancing exoskeleton robot training to complement conventional rehabilitation in managing balance and lower limb function.

The Role of Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation on Primary Motor Cortex in Improving Bladder Function in Post-stroke Patients: A Case Report.

Neurogenic bladder (NB) is a frequently encountered post-stroke complication, characterized by symptoms, such as urinary incontinence, dysuria, increased frequency, and urgency. Here, we present a case of a 75-year-old male with urgent urination, frequent urination, urinary incontinence, conspicuous discomfort during urination, and an unpleasant smell in the urine following a stroke. By reviewing the patient's previous medical records of stroke and ruling out other potential causes for bladder dysfunction, a diagnosis of NB could be established.

Neuroimaging prognostic factors for treatment response to motor imagery training after stroke.

The efficacy of motor imagery training for motor recovery is well acknowledged, but with substantial inter-individual variability in stroke patients. To help optimize motor imagery training therapy plans and screen suitable patients, this study aimed to explore neuroimaging biomarkers explaining variability in treatment response. Thirty-nine stroke patients were randomized to a motor imagery training group (n = 22, received a combination of conventional rehabilitation therapy and motor imagery training) and a control group (n = 17, received conventional rehabilitation therapy and health education) for 4 weeks of interventions.

Motor network reorganization after motor imagery training in stroke patients with moderate to severe upper limb impairment.

Background: Motor imagery training (MIT) has been widely used to improve hemiplegic upper limb function in stroke rehabilitation. The effectiveness of MIT is associated with the functional neuroplasticity of the motor network. Currently, brain activation and connectivity changes related to the motor recovery process after MIT are not well understood.

FER-PCVT: Facial Expression Recognition with Patch-Convolutional Vision Transformer for Stroke Patients.

Early rehabilitation with the right intensity contributes to the physical recovery of stroke survivors. In clinical practice, physicians determine whether the training intensity is suitable for rehabilitation based on patients' narratives, training scores, and evaluation scales, which puts tremendous pressure on medical resources. In this study, a lightweight facial expression recognition algorithm is proposed to diagnose stroke patients' training motivations automatically.

Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on upper-limb impairment after stroke: A randomized, controlled, single-blind trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on upper limb motor recovery during post-stroke rehabilitation.

Design: Single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Four inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Properties of La-Doped α-FeO Nanoparticles.

La-doped α-FeO nanoparticles were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The effects of pH value on the morphology, structure, and electrochemical stability of the La-doped α-FeO nanoparticles were investigated by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectrum, and electrochemical methods. The results show that the La-doped α-FeO nanoparticles exhibit a uniform spherical morphology at pH = 6, and are agglomerated with a poor dispersion at pH = 4 and 8.

Effects of high frequency rTMS of contralesional dorsal premotor cortex in severe subcortical chronic stroke: protocol of a randomized controlled trial with multimodal neuroimaging assessments.

Background: Previous studies have revealed that low frequency repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the contralesional primary motor cortex (cM1) is less effective in severe stroke patients with poor neural structural reserve than in patients with highly reserved descending motor pathway. This may be attributed to the fact that secondary motor cortex, especially contralesional dorsal premotor cortex (cPMd), might play an important compensatory role in the motor function recovery of severely affected upper extremity. The main purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of low frequency rTMS on cM1 and high frequency rTMS on cPMd in subcortical chronic stroke patients with severe hemiplegia.

Exploring Alternative Measurements of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients With Mild Ischemic Stroke at Acute Phase.

Background: While emerging studies have suggested an association of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with stroke risk and overall health outcomes, little is known regarding the optimum methods of CRF measurement in patients with mild acute ischemic stroke.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the association between the 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and other measurements related to CRF in patients with mild ischemic stroke at the acute stage.

Methods: A total of 30 patients with stroke and 71 healthy subjects matched for age and grip strength (GS) were prospectively recruited.

The Differences Between Motor Attempt and Motor Imagery in Brain-Computer Interface Accuracy and Event-Related Desynchronization of Patients With Hemiplegia.

Motor attempt and motor imagery (MI) are two common motor tasks used in brain-computer interface (BCI). They are widely researched for motor rehabilitation in patients with hemiplegia. The differences between the motor attempt (MA) and MI tasks of patients with hemiplegia can be used to promote BCI application.

Relation Between Sensorimotor Rhythm During Motor Attempt/Imagery and Upper-Limb Motor Impairment in Stroke.

Motor attempt (MA)/motor imagery (MI)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) is a newly developing rehabilitation technology for motor impairment. This study aims to explore the relationship between electroencephalography sensorimotor rhythm and motor impairment to provide reference for a BCI design. Twenty-eight stroke survivors with varying levels of motor dysfunction and spasticity status in the subacute or chronic stage were enrolled in the study to perform MA and MI tasks.

Mirror Visual Feedback Combining Vibrotactile Stimulation Promotes Embodiment Perception: An Electroencephalogram (EEG) Pilot Study.

As one determinant of the efficacy of mirror visual feedback (MVF) in neurorehabilitation, the embodiment perception needs to be sustainable and enhanced. This study explored integrating vibrotactile stimulation into MVF to promote the embodiment perception and provide evidence of the potential mechanism of MVF. In the experiment, the participants were instructed to keep their dominant hand still (static side), while open and close their non-dominant hand (active side) and concentrate on the image of the hand movement in the mirror.

Electroencephalography Mu Rhythm Changes and Decreased Spasticity After Repetitive Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation in Patients Following Stroke.

Spasticity is common among patients with stroke. Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) is a painless and noninvasive therapy that is a promising approach to reducing spasticity. However, the central mechanism of this therapy remains unclear.

Longitudinal Electroencephalography Analysis in Subacute Stroke Patients During Intervention of Brain-Computer Interface With Exoskeleton Feedback.

Background: Brain-computer interface (BCI) has been regarded as a newly developing intervention in promoting motor recovery in stroke survivors. Several studies have been performed in chronic stroke to explore its clinical and subclinical efficacy. However, evidence in subacute stroke was poor, and the longitudinal sensorimotor rhythm changes in subacute stroke after BCI with exoskeleton feedback were still unclear.

Motor Imagery Training After Stroke Increases Slow-5 Oscillations and Functional Connectivity in the Ipsilesional Inferior Parietal Lobule.

. Reorganization in motor areas have been suggested after motor imagery training (MIT). However, motor imagery involves a large-scale brain network, in which many regions, andnot only the motor areas, potentially constitute the neural substrate for MIT.

Effectiveness of interventions to improve hand motor function in individuals with moderate to severe stroke: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: The human hand is extremely involved in our daily lives. However, the rehabilitation of hand function after stroke can be rather difficult due to the complexity of hand structure and function, as well as neural basis that supports hand function. Specifically, in individuals with moderate to severe impairment following a stroke, previous evidence for effective treatments that recover hand function in this population is limited, and thus has never been reviewed.

The Reorganization of Resting-State Brain Networks Associated With Motor Imagery Training in Chronic Stroke Patients.

A number of studies have suggested that motor imagery training (MIT) has a positive influence on the upper extremity motor recovery in stroke patients, but little is known about its neural basis. To investigate the cortical motor network plasticity after MIT, 34 chronic hemiplegic subjects with subcortical stroke were recruited and randomly allocated to either the conventional rehabilitation therapy (CRT) or the CRT + MIT. The patients were assessed with the upper limb section of Fugl-Meyer assessment Scale (FM-UL) and resting-state fMRI before and after the 4 weeks of treatment.

Camera-Based Mirror Visual Input for Priming Promotes Motor Recovery, Daily Function, and Brain Network Segregation in Subacute Stroke Patients.

Background: Camera technique-based mirror visual feedback (MVF) is an optimal interface for mirror therapy. However, its efficiency for stroke rehabilitation and the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear.

Objective: To investigate the possible treatment benefits of camera-based MVF (camMVF) for priming prior to hand function exercise in subacute stroke patients, and to reveal topological reorganization of brain network in response to the intervention.

Effects of camera-based mirror visual feedback therapy for patients who had a stroke and the neural mechanisms involved: protocol of a multicentre randomised control study.

Introduction: As a combination of visual stimulation and motor imagery, mirror visual feedback (MVF) is an effective treatment for motor impairment after stroke; however, few studies have investigated its effects on relevant cognitive processes such as visual perception and motor imagery. Camera-based MVF (camMVF) overcomes the intrinsic limitations of real mirrors and is recognised as an optimal setup. This study aims to investigate the effects of camMVF as an adjunct treatment for stroke patients, compare camMVF outcomes with those of conventional therapy and elucidate neural mechanisms through which MVF influences cognition and brain networks.

Computer vision technology-based face mirroring system providing mirror therapy for Bell's palsy patients.

Mirror therapy (MT) is an effective adjunct treatment for Bell's palsy (BP); however, a bifold mirror-based apparatus hindered the effectiveness. Besides, few studies have reported the related factors of facial embodiment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a novel face mirroring System (FMS) and the effects on facial embodiment in BP patients, comparing with conventional mirror book (MB) therapy.

Camera-Based Mirror Visual Feedback: Potential to Improve Motor Preparation in Stroke Patients.

Mirror visual feedback (MVF) is used widely for motor recovery after stroke, but an optimal training setup and systematic procedure are lacking. New optimization strategies have been proposed, one of which is a camera technique. We investigated the effects of a camera-based MVF setup on motor function and motor processes upstream for upper-limb rehabilitation.