Brain-behavior Associations of Sensorimotor Therapy Post Stroke

Stroke survivors often encounter impairments in the upper limb after stroke. Sensorimotor impairments are present in 67% of the stroke patients, resulting in problems with independency and performance of activities of daily life. In addition, the pattern of recovery in the brain is still a matter of ongoing debate. Although the importance of somatosensory function on motor performance is well described, evidence for somatosensory or sensorimotor therapy and brain-related changes is scares. Therefore, will conduct a Randomized Controlled Trial with three main objectives.

The first objective of this project is to investigate the effect of sensorimotor therapy on motor function of the upper limb. To achieve this objective, a sensorimotor program will be developed based on the SENSE therapy. Patients will be randomly allocated to either the sensorimotor therapy group or the pure motor therapy group; and will receive 16 hours of therapy. Motor and Somatosensory assessments will be performed at three time points: baseline(admission to rehabilitation center), immediately after the 16 hours of therapy and after 4 weeks of follow-up.

The second objective is to investigate therapy-induced brain-behavior associations with resting state functional connectivity. In order to achieve insights in brain-behavior associations, we will perform resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans at the same time points as the clinical assessments: baseline, immediately after the 16 hours of therapy, and four weeks after the end of the therapy. Both measurements, brain-imaging and clinical measurements will be combined to investigate the associations.

This project will lead to new insights in brain-behavior associations of sensorimotor function of the upper limb after stroke and will provide evidence for a new therapy in upper limb stroke rehabilitation.

Inclusion criteria

• first ever stroke as defined by the WHO (world health organisation) criteria
• assessed and included within 8 weeks after stroke onset
• unilateral motor impairment in the upper limb (ARAT <52/56)
• unilateral somatosensory impairment in the upper limb (SSD <0.00)
• minimally 18 years old
• substantially cooperation to perform the assessments and therapy
• written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• musculoskeletal and/or other neurological disorders such as previous stroke, head injuries, multiple sclerosis of Parkinson's disease
• a subdural hematoma, tumor, encephalitis or trauma that lead to similar symptoms as a stroke
• severe communication deficits
• severe cognitive deficits
• the presence of contra-indications for proceeding an MRI scan such as defibrillator, pacemaker or metal prosthesis ( as defined in the MRI checklist of Radiology UZ Leuven)