Gait training-induced change in corticomotor excitability in patients with chronic stroke

Chu Ling Yen, Ray Yau Wang, Kwong Kum Liao, Chia Chi Huang, Yea Ru Yang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

109 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Numerous studies have reported the effects of gait training on motor performance after stroke. However, there is limited information on treatment-induced changes in corticomotor excitability. Objectives. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of additional gait training on motor performance and corticomotor excitability and to demonstrate the relationship between motor improvement and corticomotor excitability change in patients with chronic stroke. Methods. Fourteen patients were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. Participants in both groups participated in general physical therapy. Those in the experimental group received additional body weight- supported treadmill training for 4 weeks. All participants received baseline and posttreatment assessments. The outcome measures included assessment of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and gait parameters. Focal transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to measure the motor threshold, map size, and location of the amplitude-weighted center of gravity of the motor map for the tibialis anterior (TA) and abductor hallucis (AH) muscles. Results. After general physical therapy, we noted that the patients showed an improvement only in walking speed and cadence, and there were no significant changes in corticomotor excitability. After additional gait training, participants improved significantly on BBS score, walking speed, and step length. Moreover, the motor threshold for TA decreased significantly in the unaffected hemisphere. The map size for TA was increased in both hemispheres, whereas that for AH was increased only in the affected hemisphere. There were significant differences between the change scores of the groups in terms of walking speed, step length, and motor threshold for TA in the unaffected hemisphere and map size for AH in the affected hemisphere. Additionally, the changes in corticomotor excitability correlated with functional improvement. Conclusions. Additional gait training may improve balance and gait performance and may induce changes in corticomotor excitability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)22-30
Number of pages9
JournalNeurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 01 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Balance and gait
  • Body weight
  • Corticomotor excitability
  • Stroke
  • Supported treadmill training
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation

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