Improving hand motor control after stroke
- Dr David J Werring, Stroke Research Group, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK; d.werring{at}ion.ucl.ac.uk
- Received 2 January 2009
- Revised 2 January 2009
- Accepted 5 January 2009
Stroke is the commonest cause of adult disability worldwide, and up to 75% of survivors have persistent disability in the upper limb, leading to important functional and social consequences. Functional recovery is limited, even with intensive neurorehabilitation, and there is a major need for safe and effective methods to reduce residual impairments and disability after stroke. Clinical research in this area is underpinned by an increased understanding of “plastic” mechanisms of altered excitability and connectivity of components of the motor system, which may have relevance for recovery and be amenable to therapeutic interventions. Somatosensory stimulation is …
