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A new study aims to assess the use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a type of imaging, to provide neurofeedback during stroke rehabilitation with a goal of eventually improving patient outcomes.

fNIRS is used to detect changes in brain oxygen levels using light. More recently it has also been used to develop brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which allow patients with brain injuries to control devices like robotic arms with their thoughts.

Dr. Sue Peters, a Scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute and Director of the Neurorehabilitation Physiology Lab at St. Joseph Health Care London’s Parkwood Institute, was one of the recipients of the Spring 2022 Lawson Internal Research Fund (IRF) Awards. 

The funds will go towards a new study to assess whether fNIRS can be used to direct neurofeedback in stroke survivors – helping them with rehabilitation.

“Currently, there's no real measure of brain activity that is used in stroke rehabilitation to help make clinical decisions,” says Dr. Peters, who is also a Professor at Western University.

Over 400,000 Canadians live with the effects of a stroke, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and there’s hope that fNIRS could make a big difference by eventually improving movement and independence.

“We're going to use the device in some common tasks that people might do with their arm and determine whether we can use this device reliably and accurately in a stroke-related context,” Dr. Peters explains. 

Participants in the study will imagine moving while remaining still. This activates very similar parts of the brain to when people actually move. If done correctly, patients will see a visual cue generated through measurement using fNIRS.

“We know from MRI studies that when I move my right hand, the left side of my brain is activated,” notes Dr. Peters. “We think we can use this concept in stroke rehab.”

Dr. Peters is recruiting 40 people from the community who are at least six months post stroke and 40 healthy adults of all ages. They will first participate in motor assessment with a physiotherapist and then wear an fNIRS cap while thinking about moving their wrist to measure brain activity.

Previously, there were a lack of methods to image the brain during real-life movement.

“The hope is to eventually conduct a clinical trial where we're testing motor interventions to see whether some things are more effective than others at activating the regions of the brain that were impacted by the stroke.”

Dr. Peters believes the study has the potential to have a big impact on the future of rehabilitation for stroke patients, leading to lasting changes in quality of life.

The Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention program at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, in collaboration with London Health Sciences Centre’s Cardiac Care Program is launching a new initiative to increase the engagement of patients with common heart rhythm conditions.

The Atrial Fibrillation Support Group provides an opportunity for patients living with the heart disorder known as Atrial Fibrillation to attend educational and support sessions delivered by expert healthcare providers. Attendees will also be able to engage in group discussions led by an experienced facilitator. This new initiative aims to improve patient’s understanding of the available treatments as well as their ability to minimize the impact of Atrial Fibrillation on their physical and psychological wellbeing.

Education meetings will begin in early September and will be held monthly at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Informal group meetings may also be held monthly. Patients are encouraged to bring an interested family member or close caregiver.

In addition to the support group’s general activities, the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention program at St. Joseph’s is conducting a research study which evaluates the benefit of the Atrial Fibrillation support group to patients. If you are not interested in being a research participant, you are still welcome to attend the Atrial Fibrillation Patient Support Group.

For more information on the Atrial Fibrillation Support Group, please visit the group's Facebook page or contact the group at 519-646-6100 ext. 64051 or @email.