Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the location of cortical activation during a visual
illusion walking paradigm, a recently proposed treatment for spinal cord injury
(SCI)-related neuropathic pain, in persons with SCI compared with able-bodied
controls. DESIGN: Pilot experimental functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
trial. SETTING: Outpatient rehabilitation clinic.
PARTICIPANTS: Persons with
paraplegia (n=3) and able-bodied participants (n=5) were included in this study.
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Cortical activation as
measured by the blood oxygenation level-dependent method of fMRI. RESULTS: During
visually illusory walking there was significant activation in the somatosensory
cortex among those with SCI. In contrast, able-bodied participants showed little
to no significant activation in this area, but they showed activation in the
frontal and premotor areas. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment modalities for SCI-related
neuropathic pain that are based on sensory input paradigms (eg, virtual walking,
visual illusory walking) may work by targeting the somatosensory cortex, an area
that has been previously found to functionally reorganize after SCI.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS