Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Mental Representation Techniques for the Treatment of Stroke Patients

A handheld analogic dynamometer (Jamar® Plus+ Hand Dynamometer, 0-90 kg) will be used to assess isometric grip strength. Patients will be positioned in a straight back chair with both feet on the floor and the forearm resting on a stable surface. Each patient will be instructed to assume a position of adducted and neutrally rotated shoulder. For the arm to be tested, the elbow was flexed to 90º, the forearm and wrist will be in neutral positions, and the fingers will be flexed as needed for a maximal contraction. Patients will perform a maximal isometric grip contraction until they reach maximal force output. Three measures will be taken with 1-minute rest between test, and the mean value will be recorded

A handheld analogic dynamometer (Jamar® Plus+ Hand Dynamometer, 0-90 kg) will be used to assess isometric grip strength. Patients will be positioned in a straight back chair with both feet on the floor and the forearm resting on a stable surface. Each patient will be instructed to assume a position of adducted and neutrally rotated shoulder. For the arm to be tested, the elbow was flexed to 90º, the forearm and wrist will be in neutral positions, and the fingers will be flexed as needed for a maximal contraction. Patients will perform a maximal isometric grip contraction until they reach maximal force output. Three measures will be taken with 1-minute rest between test, and the mean value will be recorded

A handheld analogic dynamometer (Jamar® Plus+ Hand Dynamometer, 0-90 kg) will be used to assess isometric grip strength. Patients will be positioned in a straight back chair with both feet on the floor and the forearm resting on a stable surface. Each patient will be instructed to assume a position of adducted and neutrally rotated shoulder. For the arm to be tested, the elbow was flexed to 90º, the forearm and wrist will be in neutral positions, and the fingers will be flexed as needed for a maximal contraction. Patients will perform a maximal isometric grip contraction until they reach maximal force output. Three measures will be taken with 1-minute rest between test, and the mean value will be recorded

A handheld analogic dynamometer (Jamar® Plus+ Hand Dynamometer, 0-90 kg) will be used to assess isometric grip strength. Patients will be positioned in a straight back chair with both feet on the floor and the forearm resting on a stable surface. Each patient will be instructed to assume a position of adducted and neutrally rotated shoulder. For the arm to be tested, the elbow was flexed to 90º, the forearm and wrist will be in neutral positions, and the fingers will be flexed as needed for a maximal contraction. Patients will perform a maximal isometric grip contraction until they reach maximal force output. Three measures will be taken with 1-minute rest between test, and the mean value will be recorded

It is an observational rating scale that assesses sensorimotor impairments in post-stroke patients. It also includes four subscales: A. Upper Extremity (0-36), B. Wrist (0-10), C. Hand (0-14), D. Coordination/Speed (0-6) composing a total maximum score of 66 points. The therapist will rate each item according to direct observation of the motor performance, using a 3-point ordinal scale (0 = cannot perform, 1 = performs partially, and 2 = performs fully) with lower scores indicating more impairments. The FMA is easy to use and has excellent validity, reliability, and responsiveness.

It is an observational rating scale that assesses sensorimotor impairments in post-stroke patients. It also includes four subscales: A. Upper Extremity (0-36), B. Wrist (0-10), C. Hand (0-14), D. Coordination/Speed (0-6) composing a total maximum score of 66 points. The therapist will rate each item according to direct observation of the motor performance, using a 3-point ordinal scale (0 = cannot perform, 1 = performs partially, and 2 = performs fully) with lower scores indicating more impairments. The FMA is easy to use and has excellent validity, reliability, and responsiveness.

It is an observational rating scale that assesses sensorimotor impairments in post-stroke patients. It also includes four subscales: A. Upper Extremity (0-36), B. Wrist (0-10), C. Hand (0-14), D. Coordination/Speed (0-6) composing a total maximum score of 66 points. The therapist will rate each item according to direct observation of the motor performance, using a 3-point ordinal scale (0 = cannot perform, 1 = performs partially, and 2 = performs fully) with lower scores indicating more impairments. The FMA is easy to use and has excellent validity, reliability, and responsiveness.

It is an observational rating scale that assesses sensorimotor impairments in post-stroke patients. It also includes four subscales: A. Upper Extremity (0-36), B. Wrist (0-10), C. Hand (0-14), D. Coordination/Speed (0-6) composing a total maximum score of 66 points. The therapist will rate each item according to direct observation of the motor performance, using a 3-point ordinal scale (0 = cannot perform, 1 = performs partially, and 2 = performs fully) with lower scores indicating more impairments. The FMA is easy to use and has excellent validity, reliability, and responsiveness.

It is a stroke-specific quality of life instrument to assess the consequences of stroke and to determine the quality of life improvement after stroke rehabilitation. It presents 4 subscales, but only hand function domain will be evaluated. Lower scores indicate more impairment in quality of life. The Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) and Clinically Important Difference (CID) of the hand function subscale are 25.9 and 17.8 points, respectively.

It is a stroke-specific quality of life instrument to assess the consequences of stroke and to determine the quality of life improvement after stroke rehabilitation. It presents 4 subscales, but only hand function domain will be evaluated. Lower scores indicate more impairment in quality of life. The Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) and Clinically Important Difference (CID) of the hand function subscale are 25.9 and 17.8 points, respectively.

It is a stroke-specific quality of life instrument to assess the consequences of stroke and to determine the quality of life improvement after stroke rehabilitation. It presents 4 subscales, but only hand function domain will be evaluated. Lower scores indicate more impairment in quality of life. The Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) and Clinically Important Difference (CID) of the hand function subscale are 25.9 and 17.8 points, respectively.

It is a stroke-specific quality of life instrument to assess the consequences of stroke and to determine the quality of life improvement after stroke rehabilitation. It presents 4 subscales, but only hand function domain will be evaluated. Lower scores indicate more impairment in quality of life. The Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) and Clinically Important Difference (CID) of the hand function subscale are 25.9 and 17.8 points, respectively.

The upper limb section of the MI assesses muscle strength in 3 muscle groups, including grip, elbow flexion, and shoulder separation. Each movement is scored discreetly (0 if there is no movement, 9 if the movement is palpable, 14 if the movement is visible, 19 if the movement is against gravity, 25 if the movement is against resistance and 33 if the movement is normal ), obtaining a total score for the upper limb that ranges from 0 (severely affected) to 100 (normal). This assessment methodology has been widely used in rehabilitation progress evaluation and counts with a normalized and weighted scoring system.

The upper limb section of the MI assesses muscle strength in 3 muscle groups, including grip, elbow flexion, and shoulder separation. Each movement is scored discreetly (0 if there is no movement, 9 if the movement is palpable, 14 if the movement is visible, 19 if the movement is against gravity, 25 if the movement is against resistance and 33 if the movement is normal ), obtaining a total score for the upper limb that ranges from 0 (severely affected) to 100 (normal). This assessment methodology has been widely used in rehabilitation progress evaluation and counts with a normalized and weighted scoring system.

The upper limb section of the MI assesses muscle strength in 3 muscle groups, including grip, elbow flexion, and shoulder separation. Each movement is scored discreetly (0 if there is no movement, 9 if the movement is palpable, 14 if the movement is visible, 19 if the movement is against gravity, 25 if the movement is against resistance and 33 if the movement is normal ), obtaining a total score for the upper limb that ranges from 0 (severely affected) to 100 (normal). This assessment methodology has been widely used in rehabilitation progress evaluation and counts with a normalized and weighted scoring system.

The upper limb section of the MI assesses muscle strength in 3 muscle groups, including grip, elbow flexion, and shoulder separation. Each movement is scored discreetly (0 if there is no movement, 9 if the movement is palpable, 14 if the movement is visible, 19 if the movement is against gravity, 25 if the movement is against resistance and 33 if the movement is normal ), obtaining a total score for the upper limb that ranges from 0 (severely affected) to 100 (normal). This assessment methodology has been widely used in rehabilitation progress evaluation and counts with a normalized and weighted scoring system.

Mu (μ) is a type of rhythm in which α frequency can be found in sensorimotor cortex. Its changes are related with movement. M1 Mu (μ) rhythms will be assessed to evaluate changes in cortical function. They have been shown to be very useful in evaluating stroke patients recovery.

Mu (μ) is a type of rhythm in which α frequency can be found in sensorimotor cortex. Its changes are related with movement. M1 Mu (μ) rhythms will be assessed to evaluate changes in cortical function. They have been shown to be very useful in evaluating stroke patients recovery.

Mu (μ) is a type of rhythm in which α frequency can be found in sensorimotor cortex. Its changes are related with movement. M1 Mu (μ) rhythms will be assessed to evaluate changes in cortical function. They have been shown to be very useful in evaluating stroke patients recovery.

Mu (μ) is a type of rhythm in which α frequency can be found in sensorimotor cortex. Its changes are related with movement. M1 Mu (μ) rhythms will be assessed to evaluate changes in cortical function. They have been shown to be very useful in evaluating stroke patients recovery.

Nottingham Sensory Assessment (NSA): Somatosensory impairment of the upper limb occurs in approximately 50% of adults after stroke, associated with loss of hand motor function, activity, and participation. The measurement of sensory impairment in the upper limb is a component of rehabilitation that contributes to the selection of sensorimotor techniques that optimize recovery and provide a prognostic estimate of the function of the affected upper limb.There are studies documenting changes produced in the sensation of the upper limb after the application of neurofeedback, and even after the intervention with motor imagery. Since the protocol presents an intervention with the application of these techniques, it is possible that there will be changes related to the sensitivity after the use of the platform, Neurow system (NeuroRehabLab, Lisbon, Portugal).

Nottingham Sensory Assessment (NSA): Somatosensory impairment of the upper limb occurs in approximately 50% of adults after stroke, associated with loss of hand motor function, activity, and participation. The measurement of sensory impairment in the upper limb is a component of rehabilitation that contributes to the selection of sensorimotor techniques that optimize recovery and provide a prognostic estimate of the function of the affected upper limb.There are studies documenting changes produced in the sensation of the upper limb after the application of neurofeedback, and even after the intervention with motor imagery. Since the protocol presents an intervention with the application of these techniques, it is possible that there will be changes related to the sensitivity after the use of the platform, Neurow system (NeuroRehabLab, Lisbon, Portugal).

Nottingham Sensory Assessment (NSA): Somatosensory impairment of the upper limb occurs in approximately 50% of adults after stroke, associated with loss of hand motor function, activity, and participation. The measurement of sensory impairment in the upper limb is a component of rehabilitation that contributes to the selection of sensorimotor techniques that optimize recovery and provide a prognostic estimate of the function of the affected upper limb.There are studies documenting changes produced in the sensation of the upper limb after the application of neurofeedback, and even after the intervention with motor imagery. Since the protocol presents an intervention with the application of these techniques, it is possible that there will be changes related to the sensitivity after the use of the platform, Neurow system (NeuroRehabLab, Lisbon, Portugal).

It measures motor function and is very sensitive to the slowing down of responses. In this task, following the Strauss application norms, the participants will be instructed to press the space-bar on the keyboard as fast as possible and repeatedly with the index finger. Five 10-second attempts will be performed with the dominant hand. The average time between two consecutive taps in the five trials will be the dependent variable.

It measures motor function and is very sensitive to the slowing down of responses. In this task, following the Strauss application norms, the participants will be instructed to press the space-bar on the keyboard as fast as possible and repeatedly with the index finger. Five 10-second attempts will be performed with the dominant hand. The average time between two consecutive taps in the five trials will be the dependent variable.

It measures motor function and is very sensitive to the slowing down of responses. In this task, following the Strauss application norms, the participants will be instructed to press the space-bar on the keyboard as fast as possible and repeatedly with the index finger. Five 10-second attempts will be performed with the dominant hand. The average time between two consecutive taps in the five trials will be the dependent variable.

It evaluates the impairment in upper limb dexterity. Patients must pick up as quick as possible, nine pegs from a container one-by-one unimanually and transfer them into a target pegboard with nine holes until filled. Then, they must return them unimanually to the container. The outcome variable will be the time spent to complete the whole task. This test is considered reliable, valid, and sensitive to change, among stroke patients.

It evaluates the impairment in upper limb dexterity. Patients must pick up as quick as possible, nine pegs from a container one-by-one unimanually and transfer them into a target pegboard with nine holes until filled. Then, they must return them unimanually to the container. The outcome variable will be the time spent to complete the whole task. This test is considered reliable, valid, and sensitive to change, among stroke patients.

It evaluates the impairment in upper limb dexterity. Patients must pick up as quick as possible, nine pegs from a container one-by-one unimanually and transfer them into a target pegboard with nine holes until filled. Then, they must return them unimanually to the container. The outcome variable will be the time spent to complete the whole task. This test is considered reliable, valid, and sensitive to change, among stroke patients.

Patients will be in the supine position with their arms by their side and with their head in neutral position. Wrist and elbow muscles resistance will be assessed during two repetitions of a passive motion within one second and measured on the following scale: 0 = no increased resistance; 1 = slightly increase resistance (at the end of the range of motion); 1+ = slightly increase resistance (less than half of the range of motion); 2 = clear resistance (most of the range of motion); 3 = strong resistance; 4 = rigid flexion or extension. It is markedly responsive in detecting the changes in muscle tone in patients with stroke and its minimal clinically important difference of effect sizes 0.5 and 0.8 standard deviations for the upper extremity muscles are 0.48 and 0.76, respectively.

Patients will be in the supine position with their arms by their side and with their head in neutral position. Wrist and elbow muscles resistance will be assessed during two repetitions of a passive motion within one second and measured on the following scale: 0 = no increased resistance; 1 = slightly increase resistance (at the end of the range of motion); 1+ = slightly increase resistance (less than half of the range of motion); 2 = clear resistance (most of the range of motion); 3 = strong resistance; 4 = rigid flexion or extension. It is markedly responsive in detecting the changes in muscle tone in patients with stroke and its minimal clinically important difference of effect sizes 0.5 and 0.8 standard deviations for the upper extremity muscles are 0.48 and 0.76, respectively.

Patients will be in the supine position with their arms by their side and with their head in neutral position. Wrist and elbow muscles resistance will be assessed during two repetitions of a passive motion within one second and measured on the following scale: 0 = no increased resistance; 1 = slightly increase resistance (at the end of the range of motion); 1+ = slightly increase resistance (less than half of the range of motion); 2 = clear resistance (most of the range of motion); 3 = strong resistance; 4 = rigid flexion or extension. It is markedly responsive in detecting the changes in muscle tone in patients with stroke and its minimal clinically important difference of effect sizes 0.5 and 0.8 standard deviations for the upper extremity muscles are 0.48 and 0.76, respectively.

In the first dorsal interosseous muscle or the abductor pollicis brevis muscle will be recorded to determine the cortical excitability changes and correlate them with the clinical outcomes.

In the first dorsal interosseous muscle or the abductor pollicis brevis muscle will be recorded to determine the cortical excitability changes and correlate them with the clinical outcomes.

In the first dorsal interosseous muscle or the abductor pollicis brevis muscle will be recorded to determine the cortical excitability changes and correlate them with the clinical outcomes.

In the first dorsal interosseous muscle or the abductor pollicis brevis muscle will be recorded to determine the cortical excitability changes and correlate them with the clinical outcomes.

Accurately assessing the ADLs of stroke patients greatly helps in evaluating the efficacy of stroke treatments. The Barthel Index was originally established to assess ADL in stroke patients and has been used extensively for this purpose.

Accurately assessing the ADLs of stroke patients greatly helps in evaluating the efficacy of stroke treatments. The Barthel Index was originally established to assess ADL in stroke patients and has been used extensively for this purpose.

Accurately assessing the ADLs of stroke patients greatly helps in evaluating the efficacy of stroke treatments. The Barthel Index was originally established to assess ADL in stroke patients and has been used extensively for this purpose.