ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the relationship between diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameter of fractional anisotropy (FA) and recovery of upper-extremity motor function in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods:From January to December, 2019, 20 ischemic stroke patients accepted routine medication and rehabilitation for three weeks. They received DTI examination and were measured FA of the infarct and the corresponding area on the contralateral side, the cerebral foot and the posterior limb of internal capsule of affected and unaffected sides, while the bilateral FA ratio (rFA) of them were calculated, before and after treatment. Meanwhile, all the patients were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE). Results:The FMA-UE score improved after treatment (t = 9.074, P < 0.001), while FA and rFA increased in infarct area (t > 14.519, P < 0.001). The difference before and after treatment of FA and rFA in all of the areas positively correlated with that of FMA-UE scores (r = 0.445~0.565, P < 0.05), which was the most in posterior limb of internal capsule of the affected side. Conclusion:FA of DTI alters with the recovery of motor function of the upper extremity after ischemic stroke, especially in the posterior limb of internal capsule.