Load-dependent Motor Cortical Activation Assessed by fNIRS Is Partially Preserved After Stroke
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with stroke retain proportional hemodynamic cortical responses to increasing mechanical loading during upper limb exercise. DESIGN: Twelve patients with stroke and twelve healthy control subjects participated in this cross-sectional comparative study. Patients with stroke performed repetitive upper limb lifting tasks with loads of 0, 1, and 2 kg, whereas healthy subjects lifted loads of 0, 3, and 15 pounds. Hemodynamic cortical responses were measured during four repetitions of each load condition presented in randomized blocks. RESULTS: In patients with stroke, a significant linear relationship between load magnitude and cortical activation was observed only in the ipsilesional posterior parietal cortex (PPC). No significant proportional load-related responses were detected in other motor-related cortical regions. In contrast, healthy subjects demonstrated significant load-dependent increases in cortical activation in the contralateral primary motor cortex, supplementary motor area, premotor cortex, and PPC. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stroke preserve proportional load-related hemodynamic responses in the PPC but not in primary motor cortical areas, suggesting a compensatory role of the PPC. These findings highlight the PPC as a potential target for monitoring cortical engagement and for neuromodulation strategies in upper limb stroke rehabilitation.
Authors: Zeyu Wang, Zhi Chen, Jin Yan, Siqi Yang, Yang Liu, Yongjun Qiao, Siyu Yin, Huijia Zhou, Jixian Wang, Huijuan Pan, Qing Xie, Chuanxin M. Niu
Language: English
Subfield: Rehabilitation
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7212166738
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