Does Motor Lateralization Have Implications for Stroke Rehabilitation?

Authors

Robert L. Sainburg, The Pennsylvania State University
Susan V. Duff, Chapman UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2006

Abstract

Recent findings on motor lateralization have revealed consistent differences in the control strategies of the dominant and nondominant hemisphere/limb systems that could have implications for hemiplegic stroke patients. Studies in stroke patients have demonstrated deficiencies in the ipsilesional arm that reflect these distinctions; patients with right-hemisphere damage tend to show deficits in positional accuracy, and patients with left-hemisphere damage show deficits in trajectory control. Such deficits have been shown to impede functional performance; yet patients with severe dominant-side hemiplegia must often use the nondominant arm as the primary manipulator for activities of daily living. Nevertheless, the nondominant arm may not spontaneously become efficient as a dominant manipulator, as indicated by the persistence of deficits in chronic stroke patients. More research is necessary to determine whether motor therapy can facilitate a more effective transition of this arm from a nondominant to a dominant controller.

Comments

This article was originally published in Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, volume 43, issue 3, in 2006. DOI: 10.1682/JRRD.2005.01.0013

Recommended Citation

Sainburg RL, Duff SV. Does motor lateralization have implications for stroke rehabilitation? J Rehab Res and Dev. 2006;43(3):311-322. DOI: 10.1682/JRRD.2005.01.0013

Peer Reviewed

1