BACKGROUND: An inability to perform tasks involving reaching is a common problem following stroke. Evidence supports the use of robotic therapy and functional electrical stimulation (FES) to reduce upper limb impairments, but current systems may not encourage maximal voluntary contribution from the participant because assistance is not responsive to performance. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether iterative learning control (ILC) mediated by FES is a feasible intervention in upper limb stroke rehabilitation. METHODS: Five hemiparetic participants with reduced upper limb function who were at least 6 months poststroke were recruited from the community. No participants withdrew. INTERVENTION: Participants undertook supported tracking tasks using 27 different trajectories augmented by responsive FES to their triceps brachii muscle, with their hand movement constrained in a 2-dimensional plane by a robot. Eighteen 1-hour treatment sessions were used with 2 participants receiving an additional 7 treatment sessions. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary functional outcome measure was the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT). Impairment measures included the upper limb Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), tests of motor control (tracking accuracy), and isometric force. RESULTS: Compliance was excellent and there were no adverse events. Statistically significant improvements were measured (P <or= .05) in FMA motor score, unassisted tracking for 3 out of 4 trajectories, and in isometric force over 5 out of 6 directions. Changes in ARAT were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated the feasibility of using ILC mediated by FES for upper limb stroke rehabilitation.
BACKGROUND: An inability to perform tasks involving reaching is a common problem following stroke. Evidence supports the use of robotic therapy and functional electrical stimulation (FES) to reduce upper limb impairments, but current systems may not encourage maximal voluntary contribution from the participant because assistance is not responsive to performance. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether iterative learning control (ILC) mediated by FES is a feasible intervention in upper limb stroke rehabilitation. METHODS: Five hemiparetic participants with reduced upper limb function who were at least 6 months poststroke were recruited from the community. No participants withdrew. INTERVENTION: Participants undertook supported tracking tasks using 27 different trajectories augmented by responsive FES to their triceps brachii muscle, with their hand movement constrained in a 2-dimensional plane by a robot. Eighteen 1-hour treatment sessions were used with 2 participants receiving an additional 7 treatment sessions. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary functional outcome measure was the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT). Impairment measures included the upper limb Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), tests of motor control (tracking accuracy), and isometric force. RESULTS: Compliance was excellent and there were no adverse events. Statistically significant improvements were measured (P <or= .05) in FMA motor score, unassisted tracking for 3 out of 4 trajectories, and in isometric force over 5 out of 6 directions. Changes in ARAT were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated the feasibility of using ILC mediated by FES for upper limb stroke rehabilitation.
Authors: Kathleen M Jagodnik; Philip S Thomas; Antonie J van den Bogert; Michael S Branicky; Robert F Kirsch Journal: IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng Date: 2017-05-02 Impact factor: 3.802
Authors: Katie L Meadmore; Ann-Marie Hughes; Chris T Freeman; Zhonglun Cai; Daisy Tong; Jane H Burridge; Eric Rogers Journal: J Neuroeng Rehabil Date: 2012-06-07 Impact factor: 4.262
Authors: Katie L Meadmore; Timothy A Exell; Emma Hallewell; Ann-Marie Hughes; Chris T Freeman; Mustafa Kutlu; Valerie Benson; Eric Rogers; Jane H Burridge Journal: J Neuroeng Rehabil Date: 2014-06-30 Impact factor: 4.262
Authors: Enrique Hortal; Daniel Planelles; Francisco Resquin; José M Climent; José M Azorín; José L Pons Journal: J Neuroeng Rehabil Date: 2015-10-17 Impact factor: 4.262
Authors: F Resquín; J Gonzalez-Vargas; J Ibáñez; F Brunetti; I Dimbwadyo; L Carrasco; S Alves; C Gonzalez-Alted; A Gomez-Blanco; J L Pons Journal: J Neuroeng Rehabil Date: 2017-10-12 Impact factor: 4.262