Effects of dynamic neural mobilization on cerebral cortical activity in patients with stroke

[Purpose] The current study aimed to identify the effects of dynamic neural mobilization on cerebral cortical activity in patients with stroke, and to present efficient intervention methods for stroke management. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 20 hemiplegic patients diagnosed with stroke over the past 6 months were sampled, and randomly divided into groups I (n=10) and II (n=10). Groups I and II underwent neural mobilization and dynamic neural mobilization, respectively, on the paralyzed arm. Both interventions were administered for 30 min, once a day, for 4 days a week, over a course of 4 weeks. β-waves and μ-rhythms in the C3 and C4 areas of the cerebral cortex were measured using electroencephalography, both before and after the intervention. [Results] After the intervention, both groups showed significant changes in the β-waves and μ-rhythms in the C3 area alone. Further, significant inter-group differences in the β-waves and μ-rhythms were only present in the C3 area. [Conclusion] Dynamic neural mobilization is an efficient intervention because it increases β-waves and μ-rhythms in the cerebral cortex. Therefore, the effects of continuous intervention programs involving dynamic neural mobilization in patients with stroke should be investigated in the future.