The Impact of Immersive and Non-Immersive Virtual Reality Trends in Sensorimotor Recovery of Post-Stroke Patients-A Meta-Analysis

Virtual Reality (VR) is an approach in stroke rehabilitation with ever-improving technological advancement for targeted motor rehabilitation by providing a user interface in a simulated environment with proprioceptive and visual feedback. This meta-analysis intended to evaluate the impact of immersive and non-immersive VR-based interventions compared to conventional rehabilitation in sensorimotor recovery following stroke. Randomized Controlled Trials based on the impact of VR, either immersive or non-immersive type in comparison to conventional rehabilitation on post-stroke patients (>18 years) sensorimotor recovery were searched on six databases including Google Scholar, PEDro, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science from August to November 2020. A total of 17 randomized controlled trials on VR based intervention showed significant improvement in sensorimotor recovery following a stroke in overall FMA outcomes in comparison to the control group with pool effects in terms of SMD in a random effect model showed an impact of 0.498 at 95% CI (p<0.001) depicts a moderate effect size. An immersive and non-immersive emerging VR trend appears to be a promising therapeutic tool in sensorimotor recovery following stroke.

Remote Corticospinal Tract Degeneration After Cortical Stroke in Rats May Not Preclude Spontaneous Sensorimotor Recovery

Background. Recovery of motor function after stroke appears to be related to the integrity of axonal connections in the corticospinal tract (CST) and corpus callosum, which may both be affected after cortical stroke. Objective. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the relationship of changes in measures of the CST and transcallosal tract integrity, with the interhemispheric functional connectivity and sensorimotor performance after experimental cortical stroke. Methods. We conducted in vivo diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), resting-state functional MRI, and behavior testing in twenty-five male Sprague Dawley rats recovering from unilateral photothrombotic stroke in the sensorimotor cortex. Twenty-three healthy rats served as controls. Results. A reduction in the number of reconstructed fibers, a lower fractional anisotropy, and higher radial diffusivity in the ipsilesional but intact CST, reflected remote white matter degeneration. In contrast, transcallosal tract integrity remained preserved. Functional connectivity between the ipsi- and contralesional forelimb regions of the primary somatosensory cortex significantly reduced at week 8 post-stroke. Comparably, usage of the stroke-affected forelimb was normal at week 28, following significant initial impairment between day 1 and week 8 post-stroke. Conclusions. Our study shows that post-stroke motor recovery is possible despite degeneration in the CST and may be supported by intact neuronal communication between hemispheres.

Body temperature and esthesia in individuals with stroke

Patients with sequelae of stroke commonly report somatosensory losses. It is believed that body temperature may be associated with tactile sensibility and sensorimotor recovery of these patients. Demonstrate the associations among tactile sensibility, cutaneous temperature, subjective temperature perception, and sensorimotor recovery of patients with stroke sequelae. 86 patients with stroke sequelae were included. Patients had standardized regions of interest (ROIs) assessed with infrared thermography (FLIR T650SC) and monofilaments esthesiometry, and global motor recovery was evaluated with Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). The presence of self-reported perception of temperature difference was used to divide the participants into two groups of 43 patients, and correlation tests were applied to establish correlations among variables. There is no clinically relevant association between tactile sensibility and cutaneous temperature of the foot, regardless of the subjective sensation of temperature changes. Sensorimotor recovery evaluated by FMA is associated with the difference of sensibility between both sides of the body (p < 0.001), as well as with the difference of tactile sensibility (p < 0.001). A clinically significant association between the difference of cutaneous temperature and tactile sensibility was not found, regardless of the presence or absence of subjective perception of such temperature difference. However, sensorimotor recovery is correlated with cutaneous temperature differences and tactile sensibility.

Abstract P835: Long Noncoding RNA FosDT is Developmentally Dispensable but Critical for Shaping the Therapeutic Post-Stroke Functional Outcome

Stroke induces the expression of several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the brain. However, their functional significance in post-stroke outcome is poorly understood. We recently observed that a brain-specific lncRNA called Fos downstream transcript (FosDT) is induced rapidly in rodent brain following focal ischemia. We here show that FosDT expression is developmentally regulated with adults specifically display higher expression in the cerebral cortex than neonates. To understand its significance in ischemic brain damage, we developed FosDT knockout rats using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. We found that FosDT knockout rats did not show any anomalies in growth and development, fertility, brain cytoarchitecture and cerebral vasculature. However, when subjected to transient focal ischemia, FosDT knockout rats of both sexes showed enhanced sensorimotor recovery and reduced brain damage. To further understand the mechanistic implications of FosDT in the ischemic brain, we conducted RNA-seq analysis. The result showed that improved post-stroke functional outcome in FosDT knockout rats is partially associated with curtailed post-ischemic induction of inflammatory genes. When rats subjected to transient focal ischemia were treated with FosDT siRNA, there was significant neuroprotection and better functional outcome irrespective of sex and age. FosDT siRNA was efficacious when administered peripherally and also in a delayed manner. Thus, preventing FosDT activation is beneficial for the post-stroke outcome.

DYNAMIC OF UPPER LIMB SENSORIMOTOR RECOVERY ASSESSED ON THE FUGL-MEYER SCALE IN POST-STROKE PATIENTS WITH NEGLECT SYNDROME RECEIVING COMBINED PHYSICAL THERAPY AND ERGOTHERAPY

The aim: To assess the effect of the modified combined program of physical therapy and ergotherapy on the indicators of upper limb recovery in the patients with the left unilateral neglect. Materials and methods: The study involved 58 patients diagnosed with the right hemisphere stroke followed by neglect syndrome. Patients were randomly divided into main group (MG) and control group (CG) according to the ratio of 1:1. Physical therapy of CG patients included proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), balance training, ergotherapeutic intervention, and exercises improving fine motor skills. Specially developed intervention program of MG patients took into account patient’s individual capabilities and needs. It included PNF, balance training and upright posture correction, constraint-induced movement therapy, dual task activities, stimulation of the affected side in daily activities, targeted therapy. The length of intervention comprised 3 months in both groups. Results: According to the results of the primary examination, the groups had no differences in demographic variables, clinical history (NIHSS scale, the Glasgow Coma Scale and Albert’s Test) and Fugl-Meyer assessment of upper limb sensorimotor recovery. Statistical analysis of the final scores of the Fugl-Meyer scale confirmed that MG had statistical advantages in all measured items of the motor function domain, as well as in a number of proprioceptive sensitivity indicators. Conclusions: The obtained results confirm better efficacy of the modified program of physical therapy and ergotherapy, received by MG patients.

Exploratory study of how Cognitive Multisensory Rehabilitation restores parietal operculum connectivity and improves upper limb movements in chronic stroke

Cognitive Multisensory Rehabilitation (CMR) is a promising therapy for upper limb recovery in stroke, but the brain mechanisms are unknown. We previously demonstrated that the parietal operculum (parts OP1/OP4) is activated with CMR exercises. In this exploratory study, we assessed the baseline difference between OP1/OP4 functional connectivity (FC) at rest in stroke versus healthy adults to then explore whether CMR affects OP1/OP4 connectivity and sensorimotor recovery after stroke. We recruited 8 adults with chronic stroke and left hemiplegia/paresis and 22 healthy adults. Resting-state FC with the OP1/OP4 region-of-interest in the affected hemisphere was analysed before and after 6 weeks of CMR. We evaluated sensorimotor function and activities of daily life pre- and post-CMR, and at 1-year post-CMR. At baseline, we found decreased FC between the right OP1/OP4 and 34 areas distributed across all lobes in stroke versus healthy adults. After CMR, only four areas had decreased FC compared to healthy adults. Compared to baseline (pre-CMR), participants improved on motor function (MESUPES arm p = 0.02; MESUPES hand p = 0.03; MESUPES total score p = 0.006); on stereognosis (p = 0.03); and on the Frenchay Activities Index (p = 0.03) at post-CMR and at 1-year follow-up. These results suggest enhanced sensorimotor recovery post-stroke after CMR. Our results justify larger-scale studies.

Neuroprosthetics: an outlook on active challenges towards clinical adoption.

Neural prostheses are designed to counter the effects of neurotrauma and restore the fundamental building blocks of human experience including motor action, sensation and meaningful communication with other individuals. Here, we present an overview of active avenues, open questions and debated topics in neuroprosthetics, such as targeting the mechanisms of sensorimotor recovery and designing brain interfaces for scalability. We review leading opinions in this thriving field, aiming to inform translational practice towards clinical adoption.