Background and Purpose-Despite the findings that motor imagery and execution are supposed to share common neural networks, previous studies using imagery-based rehabilitation have revealed inconsistent results. In the present study, we investigated whether feedback of cortical activities (neurofeedback) using near-infrared spectroscopy could enhance the efficacy of imagery-based rehabilitation in stroke patients. Methods-Twenty hemiplegic patients with subcortical stroke received 6 sessions of mental practice with motor imagery of the distal upper limb in addition to standard rehabilitation. Subjects were randomly allocated to REAL and SHAM groups. In the REAL group, cortical hemoglobin signals detected by near-infrared spectroscopy were fed back during imagery. In the SHAM group, irrelevant randomized signals were fed back. Upper limb function was assessed using the finger and arm subscales of the

Accumulating evidence indicates that motor imagery and motor execution share common neural networks. Accordingly, mental practices in the form of motor imagery have been implemented in rehabilitation regimes of stroke patients with favorable results. Because direct monitoring of motor imagery is difficult, feedback of cortical activities related to motor imagery (neurofeedback) could help to enhance efficacy of mental practice with motor imagery. To determine the feasibility and efficacy of a real-time neurofeedback system mediated by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), two separate experiments were performed. Experiment 1 was used in five subjects to evaluate whether real-time cortical oxygenated hemoglobin signal feedback during a motor execution task correlated with reference hemoglobin signals computed off-line. Results demonstrated that the NIRS-mediated neurofeedback system reliably detected oxygenated hemoglobin signal changes in real-time. In Experiment 2, 21 subjects performed motor imagery of finger movements with feedback from relevant cortical signals and irrelevant sham signals. Real neurofeedback induced significantly greater activation of the contralateral premotor cortex and greater self-assessment scores for kinesthetic motor imagery compared with sham feedback. These findings suggested the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a NIRS-mediated real-time neurofeedback system on performance of kinesthetic motor imagery. However, these results warrant further clinical trials to determine whether this system could enhance the effects of mental practice in stroke patients.

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Despite its remarkable effect on the activities of daily living, the precise mechanism underlying balance control after stroke remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the cortical activation induced by postural perturbation in 20 patients with stroke using a 50-channel event-related functional near-infrared spectroscopy. A combination of brisk forward and backward movements of a platform without any prior cue was used as an external postural perturbation. Multi-participant analysis of oxygenated hemoglobin signals showed postural perturbation-related cortical activation in the prefrontal cortical areas in both hemispheres as well as the premotor and parietal association cortical areas in the unaffected hemisphere. Regression analysis using the individual Berg Balance Scale as the regressor showed a significant positive correlation between balance ability and the postural perturbation-related changes in oxygenated hemoglobin signals in the supplementary motor areas and prefrontal cortical areas in both hemispheres. Consistent with the previous findings in healthy participants, these findings suggest that the broad cortical network, including the prefrontal, premotor, supplementary motor, and parietal cortical areas in both hemispheres, was essential for balance control even in poststroke patients.