Analisys of Cortical Excitability and Motor Function of Post Stroke Patients

Fugl Meyer assesment is used to measure motor control recovery. It is a 226 point scoring system that includes the following sessions: range of motion, pain, sensation,motor function of upper and lower limbs, balance, coordination and velocity. The investigators will aplly only two sessions: upper limb motor function and coordination/velocity, these sessions totalize 66 points.

Cortical excitability level it will be evaluated through single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation paradigms (Neurosoft, Russia). Initially, rest motor threshold (RMT) will be determined by finding the lowest stimulator output that elicit motor evoked potential (MEP) around 50 μV (TMS Motor Threshold Assessment Tool -MTAT 2.0 - USA). For RMT measure, a figure-eight coil connected to the magnetic stimulator held manually at 45 degrees from the midline, will be placed over the right primary motor cortex of lesioned and non lesioned hemisphere (C3 and/or C4 - 10/20 System). After, motor evoked potential will be evaluet by 20 pulses firing with 120% of RMT.

EEG Patients will perform an assessment of brain activity through the EEG. Initially, patients will be placed seated in a chair at 90cm in front of a computer. Then, the equipment will be assembled, the points according to the 10-20 marking system will be identified: Cz, C3, C4, F3, F4, P3, P4, Fz and Pz.

The protocol will follow the sequence of six consecutive moments (1 minute each) to monitor the patient's brain activity through Neuro Spectrum software:

• 1st minute: REST: the patient will be relaxed, at rest, without any communication and with eyes open;
• 2nd minute: OBSERVE - the patient will observe the video of the movement hand to mouth;
• 3rd minute: EXECUTION - the patient will reproduce the movement of the video with healthy limb (post stroke patient)/ dominant hand (healthy);
• 4th minute: IMAGINATION - the patient will imagine the previous movement;
• 5th minute: EXECUTION - the patient will reproduce the movement of the video with a paretic limb (post stroke patient)/ non dominant hand (healthy);
• 6th minute: IMAGINATION - the patient will imagine the previous movement;

Inclusion criteria

• Post stroke patients

• Primary or recurrent, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, confirmed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging
• Chronic Stroke (> 3 months)

• Sensorimotor sequelae in an upper limb due to stroke
• Score ≥ 18 at Folstein Mini Mental State Examination Healthy Subjects
• Ages: 40 years or greater
• Gender: Both
• Subjects who do not have self-report of neurological or articular disorder

Exclusion criteria

• Post stroke patients

• Prior neurological diseases
• Multiple brain lesions
• Metal implant in the skull and face
• Pacemaker
• History of seizures
• Epilepsy
• Pregnancy
• Hemodynamic instability
• Traumatic orthopedic injuries of upper limb that compromise the function
• Altered medication for less than 3 months or who underwent botulinum toxin for less than 6 months
• Performing physical therapy elsewhere during the period of intervention Healthy Subjects
• Pregnant women;
• Pacemaker;
• History of seizures;
• Metallic implants in the head;
• Patients with clinical evidence of brain injuries;
• Chronic pain associated to other diseases;
• Use of neuroleptic medications
• Individuals with other neurological disorders, postural hypotension, vestibular, visual, cardiovascular or musculoskeletal disorders that affect the performance of the proposed tests.