Comparing Neuroplasticity Changes Between High and Low Frequency Gait Training in Subacute Stroke: Protocol for a...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Stroke recovery is often slow and incomplete, necessitating effective rehabilitation strategies.
• Assessing neuroplasticity changes is crucial for determining optimal stroke rehabilitation frequency.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals offer a method to measure neuroplasticity through incremental changes post-rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify changes in EEG neurobiological signals during gait rehabilitation for subacute stroke.
• To associate these EEG changes with functional outcome measures.
• To compare the associations between EEG signals and functional outcomes across different therapy frequencies.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, single-blinded, controlled study involving two groups: high-frequency (3x/week) and low-frequency (1x/week) intervention.
• 12 weeks of 1-hour sessions including strengthening, balance, and gait training.
• Assessment of 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and quantitative EEG indices (DAR, DTABR) pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Recruitment of 18 participants is complete.
• Analysis will focus on changes in functional and EEG measures between pre- and post-intervention.
• Associations between EEG changes (DAR, DTABR) and functional outcomes (6MWT, MAS, BBS, MBI) will be examined.

Conclusions:

• Positive associations between EEG changes and functional outcomes are expected in both groups.
• A higher correlation is anticipated in the high-frequency intervention group, indicating enhanced neuroplasticity.
• The study aims to provide an objective evaluation of the dose-response relationship in stroke rehabilitation frequency.