Brain Neurorehabil.  2012 Mar;5(1):24-31. 10.12786/bn.2012.5.1.24.

Motor Evoked Potentials and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials of Upper and Lower Extremities for Prediction of Functional Recovery in Stroke

• Kim SW
• Kim SB
• Lee SY
• Koh SE
• Lee JM
• Lee JY

• KMID: 1965895
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12786/bn.2012.5.1.24

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between motor evoked potentials (MEPs) or somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and the recovery of function in acute or subacute stroke patients. METHOD: Twenty one hemiplegic stroke patients were examined with MEPs of extensor carpi radialis, abductor pollicis brevis, tibialis anterior and abductor hallucis and SSEPs of median and tibial nerves. A separate score was defined for upper and lower extremities within the Fugl-Meyer assessment and Korean-modified Barthel index. Motor performances were evaluated simultaneously with the evoked potential assessments and at 2 weeks after the first examination.
RESULTS
The second motor function of upper extremity was significantly higher in patients with the presence of MEP or SSEP (p<0.05). The improvement of self care was correlated with the responsiveness in SSEP. Motor function of lower extremity was significantly associated with the responsiveness in MEP or SSEP (p>0.05). MEP in tibialis anterior or tibial SSEP were correlated with the mobility.
CONCLUSION
MEP in tibialis anterior is useful in predicting in mobility after stroke. SSEP is predictive for activities in daily living after stroke.

Keyword

activities of daily living; motor evoked potentials; recovery of function; somatosensory evoked potentials; stroke

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living
Evoked Potentials
Evoked Potentials, Motor
Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory
Humans
Lower Extremity
Recovery of Function
Self Care
Stroke
Tibial Nerve
Upper Extremity

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Distribution of patients according to presence of MEP and SSEP. FMU: Fugl-Meyer score of upper extremity, FML: Fugl-Meyer score of lower extremity, UMEP: MEP in upper extremity, LMEP: MEP in lower extremity, (+): Response, (-): No response.

• 

  Fig. 2 Changes in FMA subscores and K-MBI subscores according to presence of MEP and SSEP in upper and lower extremities. *p<0.05, p-value was derived from Wilcoxon signed ranks test. FMU: Fugl-Meyer score of upper extremity, FML: Fugl-Meyer score of lower extremity, UMEP: MEP in upper extremity, LMEP: MEP in lower extremity, (+): Response, (-): No response.

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