Association Between Evoked Potentials and Balance Recovery in Subacute Hemiparetic Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between baseline motor evoked potential (MEP) and somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) responses in the lower extremities and balance recovery in subacute hemiparetic stroke patients. METHODS: MEPs and SSEPs were evaluated in 20 subacute hemiparetic stroke patients before rehabilitation. Balance (static posturography and Berg Balance Scale [BBS]), motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment [FMA]) and the ability to perform activities of daily living (Modified Barthel Index [MBI]) were evaluated before rehabilitation and after four-weeks of rehabilitation. Posturography outcomes were weight distribution indices (WDI) expressed as surface area (WDI-Sa) and pressure (WDI-Pr), and stability indices expressed as surface area (SI-Sa) and length (SI-L). In addition, all parameters were evaluated during eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions. RESULTS: The MEP (+) group showed significant improvements in balance except WDI-Sa (EC), FMA, and MBI, while the MEP (-) group showed significant improvements in the BBS, FMA, and MBI after rehabilitation. The SSEP (+) group showed significant improvements in balance except SI-Sa (EO), FMA, and MBI, while the SSEPs (-) group showed significant improvements in the BBS, MBI after rehabilitation. The changes in the SI-Sa (EO), SI-L (EO), total MBI, and several detailed MBI subscales in the MEP (+) group after rehabilitation were significantly larger than those in the MEP (-) group. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that initial assessments of MEPs and SSEPs might be beneficial when predicting balance recovery in subacute hemiparetic stroke patients.