Article

There is still little scientific evidence for the efficacy of neurofacilitation
approaches and their possible influence on brain plasticity and adaptability. In
this study, the outcome of a new kind of neurofacilitation approach, motor
programme activating therapy (MPAT), was evaluated on the basis of a set of
clinical functions and with MRI. Eighteen patients were examined four times with
standardized clinical tests and diffusion tensor imaging to monitor changes
without therapy, immediately after therapy and 1 month after therapy. Moreover,
the strength of effective connectivity was analysed before and after therapy.
Patients underwent a 1-h session of MPAT twice a week for 2 months. The data were
analysed by nonparametric tests of association and were subsequently
statistically evaluated. The therapy led to significant improvement in clinical
functions, significant increment of fractional anisotropy and significant
decrement of mean diffusivity, and decrement of effective connectivity at
supplementary motor areas was observed immediately after the therapy. Changes in
clinical functions and diffusion tensor images persisted 1 month after completing
the programme. No statistically significant changes in clinical functions and no
differences in MRI-diffusion tensor images were observed without physiotherapy.
Positive immediate and long-term effects of MPAT on clinical and brain functions,
as well as brain microstructure, were confirmed.

Langue : ANGLAIS