A Systematic Review of Cortical Excitability during Dual-Task in Post-Stroke Patients

Abstract

Stroke is a serious health issue that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the second most common cause of death and disability worldwide [1]. In South Korea, the number of stroke patients increased by 7.1% from 634,177 in 2018 to 2022 according to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service's report on cerebrovascular disease treatment status. Despite early and appropriate treatment, many survivors still experience various degrees of disability that impair their quality of life [2]. Stroke patients exhibit impairments in cognitive functions and motor skills such as walking, and these impairments are more pronounced during Dual-task (DT) activities [3][4][5]. The goal of rehabilitation for stroke patients is to maximize recovery of residual functions to facilitate a return to complex daily activities requiring cognitive, sensory, and physical performance [6].DT, which involves performing two tasks simultaneously rather than sequentially, typically results in