Brain network functional connectivity as unilateral or bilateral upper limb training for patients with upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke: study with functional near-infrared spectroscopy / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo compare the functional connectivity of brain networks in stroke patients with upper limb motor dysfunction during unilateral or bilateral upper limb movement using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). MethodsFrom April to June, 2021, 40 stroke patients with upper limb motor dysfunction in Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Huashan Hospital, finished unilateral (affected) and bilateral upper limb movement. Eight-minute fNIRS data were collected before and after movement, and the functional activities and connectivity of prefrontal cortex (PFC), upper limb and hand functional area (H), primary sensory cortex (S1) were analyzed based on oxygenated hemoglobin. ResultsFunctional activities increased in affected H after unilateral task (t = -3.135, P < 0.05), while the functional connectivity increased between affected H and affected S1, affected H and unaffected S1, and affected S1 and unaffected S1 (|t| > 3.218, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the functional activities and connectivity of all the areas after bilateral upper limb task (|t| < 2.385, P > 0.05). The improvement of affected H was more after unilateral task than after bilateral upper limb task (t = 2.026, P < 0.05). ConclusionUnilateral affected upper limb training is more effective on functional activities and connectivity for corresponding brain regions than bilateral task.