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Updated: May 6, 2026
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies
Published on: October 11, 2024
Bilateral priming accelerates recovery of upper limb function after stroke: a randomized controlled trial
Cathy M Stinear1, Matthew A Petoe, Samir Anwar
1From the Department of Medicine (C.M.S., M.A.P., P.A.B.), Centre for Brain Research (C.M.S., M.A.P., P.A.B., W.D.B.), and Department of Sport and Exercise Science (W.D.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; RehabPlus, Auckland District Health Board, Greenlane, New Zealand (S.A.); and Neurology Department, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand (P.A.B.).
Bilateral priming with active-passive movements significantly accelerated upper limb recovery in subacute stroke patients. This intervention improved corticomotor excitability and aided functional independence sooner after stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neurorehabilitation
- Stroke Recovery
- Motor Control
Background:
- Upper limb function is crucial for independent living post-stroke.
- Subacute stroke recovery is a critical period for therapeutic intervention.
- Corticomotor excitability plays a key role in motor function recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if bilateral priming before physiotherapy accelerates upper limb recovery in subacute stroke.
- To determine if bilateral priming rebalances corticomotor excitability.
- To assess the impact on interhemispheric inhibition.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 57 subacute stroke patients.
- The PRIMED group received device-assisted bilateral movements; the CONTROL group received electric stimulation.
- Interventions were administered for 4 weeks prior to upper limb physiotherapy.
- Assessments occurred at baseline, 6, 12, and 26 weeks.
Main Results:
- PRIMED participants were 3x more likely to reach their upper limb functional plateau by 12 weeks.
- Significantly greater proportion of PRIMED patients achieved plateau (p=0.039).
- PRIMED group showed enhanced rebalancing of corticomotor excitability and interhemispheric inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Bilateral priming effectively accelerated upper limb functional recovery in the early weeks post-stroke.
- The intervention positively modulated neurophysiological markers of recovery.
- This approach holds promise for improving functional outcomes in stroke survivors.
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