Correlated change in upper limb function and motor cortex activation after verum and sham acupuncture in patients with chronic stroke

Item

Title

Correlated change in upper limb function and motor cortex activation after verum and sham acupuncture in patients with chronic stroke

Author(s)

Date

2007

volume

13(5)

pages

527-532

Research Type

RCT

Keywords

Abstract

Background: Acupuncture may improve motor function in patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke, yet the neural mechanisms underlying such an effect are unknown. As part of a sham-controlled, randomized clinical trial testing the efficacy of a 10-week acupuncture protocol in patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke, we examined the relationship between changes in function of the affected upper limb and brain activation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: Seven (7) chronic hemiparetic stroke patients underwent fMRI and testing of function of the affected upper limb (spasticity and range-of-motion) before and after a 10-week period of verum (N = 4) or sham (N = 3) acupuncture. The correlation between changes in function of the affected upper limb and brain activation after treatment was tested across patients. Results: We found a significant positive correlation between changes in function of the affected upper limb (spasticity and range of motion) and activation in a region of the ipsilesional motor cortex. Patients treated with verum acupuncture showed a trend toward a greater maximum activation change in this motor cortical area as compared to those treated with sham acupuncture. Conclusions: Acupuncture may improve function of the affected upper limb in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients by increasing activity in the ipsilesional motor cortex

has health condition studied

Stroke

plan

>1/WK

has study population number

8

has duration

10 Weeks

Item sets