Does The Muscle Walk? Stroke-induced muscular changes and their relation to clinical impairments and gait recovery in the first 12 weeks after stroke
Approximately 80% of the stroke survivors experience walking problems. Regaining ones walking ability after a stroke is a nonlinear process, but due to high neuroplasticity, the first 12 weeks are critical. While the brain injury is the primary cause of disability after stroke, the nervous system’s ability to control the muscle force required for gait partially depends on the state of the muscle. However, a lot remains unknown regarding muscular changes in the first 12 weeks after a stroke and how these changes are related to gait recovery. In this longitudinal, prospective research project, stroke survivors will be recruited in the acute phase of their recovery. Over four measurements during the early subacute phase, I will map the changes in muscle morphology of two lower-limb muscles using 3D ultrasound. Additionally, I will synchronize dynamic ultrasound with EMG to quantify muscle activation and resulting mechanical tissue displacement during functional movements. These parameters will be used to explain gait quality as assessed using 3D gait analysis at week 12. These comprehensive assessments will result in a fundamental understanding of how muscles in subjects post-stroke recover and how these changes relate to clinical parameters and to gait recovery. We hypothesize that this novel insight will help explain the variation in recovery trajectories among subjects post-stroke and eventually help to form the basis for personalized and more efficient gait rehabilitation.
More information: https://researchportal.vub.be/en/projects/does-the-muscle-walk-stroke-induced-muscular-changes-and-their-re
Funding: FWO PhD Fellowship fundamental research Daan De Vlieger
RERE PIs: Prof. Eva Swinnen & Prof. David Beckwée