Effects of Temporary Functional Deafferentation in Chronic Stroke Patients: Who Profits More?

Effects of Temporary Functional Deafferentation in Chronic Stroke Patients: Who Profits More? Neural Plast. 2018;2018:7392024 Authors: Sens E, Franz M, Preul C, Meissner W, Witte OW, Miltner WHR, Weiss T Abstract Temporary functional deafferentation (TFD) by an anesthetic cream on the stroke-affected forearm was shown to improve sensorimotor abilities of stroke patients. The present study investigated different predictors for sensorimotor improvements during TFD and indicated outcome differences between patients grouped in subcortical lesions only and lesions with any cortical involvement. Thirty-four chronic stroke patients were temporarily deafferented on the more affected forearm by an anesthetic cream. Somatosensory performance was assessed using von Frey Hair and grating orientation task; motor performance was assessed by a shape-sorter-drum task. Seven potential predictors were entered into three linear multiple regression models. Furthermore, effects of TFD on outcome variables for the two groups (cortical versus subcortical lesion) were compared. Sex and sensory deficit were significant predictors for changes in motor function while age accounted for changes in grating orienting task. Males, patients with a stronger sensory deficit, and older patients profited more. None of the potential predictors made significant contributions to changes in threshold for touch. Furthermore, there were no differences in sensorimotor improvem...
Source: Neural Plasticity - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Neural Plast Source Type: research