1/12/07

Physical therapists will be a key part of a new study that is looking into whether stimulating the outer surface of the brain while administering therapy can help patients recover use of areas of their bodies damaged by stroke.

The Everest study will use an implanted electrical device to stimulate the cerebral cortex while the patient is given physical rehabilitation for the affected part of the body.

Physical therapy has been found to help restore use of stroke patients’ arms and legs but generally the chance for full recovery is low.

The goal of the trial is to see if cortical stimulation during rehab can improve rehabilitation better than through physical therapy alone.

Half of the nearly 200 people selected for the nationwide study will have a stimulator implanted in the cortex region of their brain during a short outpatient surgery. All participants will undergo intense, multi-day, goal-directed physical therapy for approximately 6 months. The therapy will focus on improving patients’ use of their hands.

The University of Pennsylvania and 16 other sites across the nation are currently looking for stroke patients to participate in the study.

[Source: www.delawareonline.com]