A review of the ipsilateral motor pathway as a recovery mechanism in patients with stroke

The ipsilateral motor pathway is a normal motor control pathway and is accepted as one of the recovery mechanisms after stroke. Among the motor recovery mechanisms following stroke, the ipsilateral motor pathway from the unaffected motor cortex to the affected extremities has been the most actively researched. This mechanism is important clinically because it contributes to motor recovery in the early stages after the onset of stroke, and is related to poor motor outcome. In addition, the ipsilateral motor pathway can be manipulated by various rehabilitative interventions. We have reviewed the literature on the ipsilateral motor pathway in stroke patients in relation to the methods of evaluation, previous studies, the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism, clinical characteristics, and rehabilitative aspects.