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Abstract Background. Common upper extremity impairments after stroke include paresis, abnormal muscle tone, and/or changes in somatosensation. Purpose. This study evaluated the relationship between upper extremity motor function and the reorganization of neural networks, in stroke patients using blood oxygenated level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), pre- and post-treatment. In addition, the study evaluated the effect of motor program versus somatosensory rehabilitation program on upper extremity motor function in stroke patients, pre- and post- treatment in both groups. Methods. Thirty hemiparetic stroke patients in the subacute phase participated in this study, with 22 completing it. They were randomized into two equal groups (Gr. I) and (Gr. II). Their age ranged from 40-65 years. Upper extremity function of both groups was evaluated, pre- and post-treatment using different clinical scales. Cortical and sub-cortical plasticity was measured pre- and post-treatment using BOLD fMRI in both groups. group I received standard physical therapy treatment program, while group II received both standard treatment in addition to sensory stimulation program. Duration of treatment was six weeks for both groups. Results. There were significant changes between the affected and non-affected upper extremities in clinical outcome measures and in activation patterns of ipsilesional and contralesional hemispheres in (Gr. I) and (Gr. II), post-treatment. On the other hand, comparisons between (Gr. I) and (Gr. II), post-treatment showed no change in clinical measure outcomes of the affected upper extremity |