Correlation between Motor Evoked Potentials and Upper Extremity Functional Outcome Measures in Chronic Stroke: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Objectives: Stroke is one of the most neurological diseases that causes upper extremity impairement. In order to set an individualized treatment program for these impairments, it may be crucial to use and determine the association between the different assessment tools of upper extremity function. The aim of our study was to evaluate any correlation of Motor evoked potentials with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Forty chronic ischemic stroke patients, aged 45 to 60 were included. Wolf Motor Function Test and Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity and Suprathreshold Motor Evoked Potentials (sMEPs) were measured for all patients. Results: A significant positive correlation among FMA-UE and sMEPs (r = 0.346, p = 0.028) was found. There was no significant relation between WMFT and sMEPs (r = 0.034, p = 0.834). Conclusion: sMEPs was found to be related with FMA-UE scale and can be a good indicator for functional impairment level in chronic stroke patients.