Cortical neuromodulation by vibration-induced illusion of movement is observed in older individuals, but not in individuals with acute stroke: a cross-sectional fNIRS study.

Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation · 2026 · Other · PT · OT
Brieuc Léger, Pascal Auzou, Élodie Fourdrinoy, Mathilde Sarrazin, Sylvine Celot, Céline Gay, Barbara de Dieuleveult, Clara Cohen, Canan Özsancak, Stéphane Perrey

Vibrating the triceps tendon to create an illusion of arm movement produced no measurable brain response in people with acute stroke, while healthy adults showed clear cortical activation. The technique may not engage expected neural pathways early after stroke.

Key findings

1

No significant cortical activation was detected in the acute stroke group when the paretic arm was vibrated, with or without visual feedback.

2

Healthy older adults showed more extensive bilateral activation in frontoparietal and sensorimotor areas when they could not see their vibrating arm, compared with when they could.

3

The acute stroke group reported significantly weaker illusory movement than both healthy groups when vision was absent.

MethodologyResultsClinical Relevance

Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four participants were randomized across two intervention arms and assessed at twelve weeks for the primary outcome…

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