A majority of stroke survivors have residual gait deficits. Restoration of walking ability is a major goal of rehabilitation. Gait retraining can improve walking speed and activity even in stroke survivors who are discharged from rehabilitation and assumed to have reached a plateau in recovery. However, while there is agreement that gait rehabilitation improves post-stroke walking function, consensus is lacking on which specific interventions, strategies, or dosing regimens are most efficacious. One factor contributing to the lack of consensus in rehabilitation literature is that the dose-response time courses and neuroplasticity mechanisms underlying gait rehabilitation have not been systematically studied. The goal of this proposal is to address the gaps in our understanding of neural correlates of clinical post-stroke gait rehabilitation, the knowledge of which would inform the development of more effective rehabilitation protocols. To meet this goal, we propose to assess time courses of cortical and spinal neurophysiologic correlates underlying a novel and effective post- stroke gait rehabilitation paradigm combining fast treadmill training and functiona electrical stimulation (FastFES). The innovation of the proposed research is the concurrent evaluation of biomechanical (gait kinetics and kinematics), neuroplasticity (cortical and spinal), and functional (gait speed and endurance) processes during 18 sessions of FastFES gait retraining. These multi-modal evaluations will be performed in 2 groups of stroke survivors (FastFES versus dose-matched control).
The aims of the research plan for this proposal are to (1) determine whether 18 sessions of the FastFES gait treatment produce greater changes in cortical and spinal excitability versus a control treatment in individuals post-stroke, (2) compare the time course of changes in corticospinal excitability, gait biomechanics, and walking function during FastFES gait retraining in individuals post-stroke, and (3) determine relationships among changes in corticospinal excitability and gait biomechanics after gait retraining. Insights into tie courses and neural correlates underlying clinical post- stroke gait rehabilitation will impact clinical practice by aiding with the development of effective, individualized strategies based on neuro-biological principles to maximize the benefits of gait rehabilitation. The Principal Investigator's doctoral and post-doctoral training has imparted her expertise in gait biomechanics and gait rehabilitation. The Principal Investigator's long-term goal is to conduct high-impact research at the juncture of biomechanics, neuroscience, and gait rehabilitation that profoundly impacts walking function and quality of life of individuals with neurological disability This Mentored Research Scientist Development Award will enable the candidate to gain additional training and proficiency in the use of TMS as a tool for evaluating corticomotor control of ankle muscles, and in the electrophysiological evaluation of spinal circuitry controlling the ankle muscles. The mentoring team comprises established scientists with expertise in neuroplasticity mechanisms underlying post-stroke recovery and rehabilitation.

Public Health Relevance

A majority of stroke survivors have deficits in their walking ability, which lead to decreased community participation and quality of life. This career development award will evaluate changes in brain and spinal cord circuitry, walking patterns, and function after rehabilitation of walking in stroke survivors. A better understanding of how and when neural circuits respond to gait retraining can help to develop new treatment approaches to enhance the benefits of stroke gait rehabilitation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01HD079584-04
Application #
9315864
Study Section
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Initial Review Group (CHHD)
Program Officer
Marden, Susan F
Project Start
2014-07-01
Project End
2019-06-30
Budget Start
2017-07-01
Budget End
2018-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Physical Medicine & Rehab
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
Kesar, Trisha M; Eicholtz, Steven; Lin, Bethany J et al. (2018) Effects of posture and coactivation on corticomotor excitability of ankle muscles. Restor Neurol Neurosci 36:131-146
Genthe, Katlin; Schenck, Christopher; Eicholtz, Steven et al. (2018) Effects of real-time gait biofeedback on paretic propulsion and gait biomechanics in individuals post-stroke. Top Stroke Rehabil 25:186-193
Kesar, Trisha M; Stinear, James W; Wolf, Steven L (2018) The use of transcranial magnetic stimulation to evaluate cortical excitability of lower limb musculature: Challenges and opportunities. Restor Neurol Neurosci 36:333-348
Rogozinski, B M; Schwab, S E; Kesar, T M (2018) Effects of an Articulated Ankle Foot Orthosis on Gait Biomechanics in Adolescents with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case-Series Report. Phys Med Rehabil Int 5:
Schenck, Christopher; Kesar, Trisha M (2017) Effects of unilateral real-time biofeedback on propulsive forces during gait. J Neuroeng Rehabil 14:52
Palmer, Jacqueline A; Zarzycki, Ryan; Morton, Susanne M et al. (2017) Characterizing differential poststroke corticomotor drive to the dorsi- and plantarflexor muscles during resting and volitional muscle activation. J Neurophysiol 117:1615-1624
Kesar, Trisha M; Belagaje, Samir R; Pergami, Paola et al. (2017) Effects of monoaminergic drugs on training-induced motor cortex plasticity in older adults. Brain Res 1670:106-117
Gray, W A; Sabatier, M J; Kesar, T M et al. (2017) Establishing between-session reliability of TMS-conditioned soleus H-reflexes. Neurosci Lett 640:47-52
Kesar, Trisha M; McDonald, Haley S; Eicholtz, Steven P et al. (2016) Case Report of Syncope During a Single Pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Experiment in a Healthy Adult Participant. Brain Stimul 9:471-472
Kesar, T M; Reisman, D S; Higginson, J S et al. (2015) Changes in Post-Stroke Gait Biomechanics Induced by One Session of Gait Training. Phys Med Rehabil Int 2:

Showing the most recent 10 out of 11 publications