Changes in the brain activation balance in motor-related areas after constraint-induced movement therapy; a longitudinal fMRI study

Primary objective: This study investigated the longitudinal changes in brain activation balance in motor-related areas after Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT).Methods and procedures: The subjects included seven ischemic stroke patients with mild right hemiparesis. Eight normal subjects were also included. The patients underwent functional MRI and motor function tests (Fugl-Meyer Assessment; FMA, modified Wolf Motor Function Test; mWMFT) both before and immediately after CIMT and also after a 3-month follow-up.Results: The motor function test scores improved immediately after CIMT; moreover, these scores were either maintained or improved even at the 3-month follow-up. In a comparison of the chronological data of the contralaterality index of the affected hand movement, the cerebellar activity changed significantly to ipsilateral activation immediately after CIMT and thereafter the cerebellar activity further changed to ipsilateral activation at the 3-month follow-up. A correlation was observed am...