Game-based movement facilitates acute priming effect in stroke. (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lim, Hyosok; Iyer, Pooja C.; Luciano, Cristian; Madhavan, Sangeetha
• Is Part Of: Somatosensory & motor research. Volume 38:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Transcranial magnetic stimulation -- cortical priming -- ankle -- stroke -- gamification -- gait; Skin -- Innervation -- Periodicals; Somesthesia -- Periodicals; Perceptual-motor processes -- Periodicals; 573.85
• DOI: 10.1080/08990220.2020.1846513
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-0220

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Cortical priming is an emerging strategy to enhance motor recovery after stroke, however, limited information exists on the neuromodulatory effects of lower limb movement-based priming to facilitate corticomotor excitability after stroke. In this study, we investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of game-based ankle movement priming using the DIG-I-PRIME™ on corticomotor excitability and motor performance in chronic stroke survivors. Methods: Nineteen stroke survivors participated in a 20-min session of game-based priming. A period of rest served as a control for the priming condition. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to measure corticomotor excitability of the paretic and non-paretic tibialis anterior (TA) muscle representations. Motor performance was quantified by assessing the accuracy to track a sinusoidal target wave with paretic dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. Results: Ipsilesional corticomotor excitability increased by 25% after game-based movement priming ( p = 0.02) while changes were not observed after the control condition. No change in motor performance was noted. Conclusion: Game-based ankle movement priming demonstrated a significant acute priming effect on the ipsilesional lower limb M1. These data provide preliminary evidence for the potential benefits of game-based priming to promote functional recovery after stroke.