An Investigation of Impairments of Absolute and Just Noticeable Difference Sensory Thresholds in the Chronic Phase of Stroke

Аннотация

Background and Purpose: While it is well known that sensory impairment is indicative of poor outcome following stroke, we do not know its true prevalence nor do we understand how brain lesions influence sensory impairment or how sensory impairment influences functional status. The current project analyzed an existing, de-identified database to address three specific aims: 1) To determine the prevalence of impairments of absolute and just noticeable difference sensory thresholds in chronic stroke, 2) To determine the relationship of specific lesion characteristics to impaired sensory thresholds in chronic stroke, and 3) To determine the correlation between impaired sensory thresholds and functional status in the chronic phase of stroke. Methods: Absolute and just noticeable difference sensory thresholds were assessed for eleven perceptual continua spanning five sensory domains in 110 subjects (76 normal controls, 21 with right hemisphere lesions, 13 with left hemisphere lesions). Lesion volume and subtraction analysis were performed with the MRIcroN software.