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Published on: October 11, 2024
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Bilateral versus Unilateral Training With Rhythmic Auditory Cueing in Stroke Rehabilitation: Effects on Upper Limb
Fangfang Qian1,2, Yanhong Dai2, Guoqiang Zheng2
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
|August 16, 2025
Summary
Bilateral rhythmic task training significantly improves upper limb function and may balance interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) in stroke survivors, outperforming unilateral training. This approach aids in stroke recovery and motor function enhancement.
Area of Science:
- Neurorehabilitation
- Motor control
- Stroke recovery
Background:
- Stroke is a primary cause of adult disability, often resulting in upper limb hemiparesis.
- While traditional rehabilitation focuses on affected limbs, the efficacy of bilateral training remains under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact and underlying mechanisms of unilateral versus bilateral rhythmic task training on stroke patient rehabilitation.
- To compare the effectiveness of these two training approaches in improving upper limb function.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind randomized controlled trial involving 36 stroke patients.
- Participants were assigned to either a bilateral or unilateral training group.
- Outcome measures included Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) scores, electromyographic (EMG) activity, active range of motion (ROM), and interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) assessed via transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Main Results:
- Both training groups showed improvements in FMA-UE scores, but the bilateral group demonstrated significantly greater gains.
- Bilateral training led to significant enhancements in EMG amplitudes of affected and unaffected limb muscles and active ROM, surpassing unilateral training.
- A significant reduction in IHI was observed post-bilateral training, correlating positively with FMA-UE score improvements.
Conclusions:
- Bilateral rhythmic task training is more effective than unilateral training for enhancing upper limb function in stroke patients.
- This training modality may play a role in modulating interhemispheric inhibition, contributing to stroke recovery.
