Use of TMS to evaluate cortical excitability of lower limb muscles: effects of post-stroke gait retraining

Gait rehabilitation treatments intended to alter gait patterns are more likely to be effective if they induce a change in the relevant brain circuitry. However, neuroplasticity principles typically applied during gait rehabilitation are derived largely from experiments involving hand muscles. Here, we discuss and address the paucity of research investigating neural correlates underlying rehabilitation of lower extremity movements and gait rehabilitation. Without in-depth understanding of how corticospinal circuitry is modulated following gait retraining, developing evidence-based gait rehabilitation treatments that induce long-lasting improvements in walking function will remain challenging.

Source: BRAIN STIMULATION: Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research in Neuromodulation - January 22, 2019 Category: Neurology Authors: T. Kesar, J. Xu Source Type: research