Clinical Predictors of Rehabilitation-induced Arm Recovery After Stroke: Longitudinal Cohort Study

Investigation of Neurophysiological Substrates and Clinical Behaviour for Prognosis of Rehabilitation-induced Upper Limb Recovery After Stroke: Longitudinal Cohort Study

Clinical predictors of rehabilitation-induced arm recovery after stroke are still missing since literature provides evidence mainly on the spontaneous recovery path. This longitudinal cohort study aims to identify neurophysiological and behavioural features able to predict arm recovery and how it can change according to provided rehabilitation.

Rationale: evidence suggests that integrity of the Cortico-Spinal Tract (CST), valid Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs), age and neurological status are positive prognostic features for better recovery. Concurrently, dosage of rehabilitation therapy is a key factor in promoting functional recovery. However, there are no evidence suggesting whether dose of rehabilitation also influence prediction of UL motor recovery after stroke.

Aims: to define (i) predictive features for rehabilitation-induced UL recovery and (ii) the effect of rehabilitation doses.

Methods: stroke patients will be longitudinally enrolled and assessed with Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), blood sample and clinical outcome measures at the beginning (T0) of rehabilitation and after 8 weeks (T1).

Inclusion Criteria:

• first ever single stroke
• unilateral cortical/subcortical stroke

Exclusion Criteria:

• other neurological disease
• psychiatric disorders
• cerebellar stroke