Neuro-Intermuscular Coordination Enhancement (NICE) Rehabilitation
University of Houston
Summary
The objective of this study is to develop Neuro-Intermuscular Coordination Enhancement (NICE) rehabilitation, a novel neuromuscular control signal-guided strategy that visually guides stroke patients to individually activate groups of synergistic muscles through human-machine interaction. Ultimately, the development will lead to better clinical motor recovery, better quality of life, and lowered healthcare costs associated with the impairment.
Description
Stroke is the leading cause of severe long-term disability, affecting 9.4 million Americans. Each year around 800,000 people suffer a stroke even in the USA. Chronic upper extremity motor impairment is a major contributing factor to disability; functional use of the affected UE in daily life is a key factor for increased independence, return to work, and overall quality of life. Thus, effective and innovative treatment to address long-term disability is both a major public health need and an economic necessity. The study will develop an innovative human-machine interaction platform to target…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke * Aged between 21 and 80 years * Not receiving botulinum toxin on the impaired arm within 3 months * MAS ≤ 3 around elbow and shoulder Exclusion Criteria: * have an orthopedic disorder involving upper limbs; * cognitive impairment sufficient to interfere with informed consent or successful completion of the protocol (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score =\< 26); * a history of another neurologic disease; * anesthesia of joint position sense in upper limbs; * are pregnant or have a chance that they might be (self-reported);
Interventions
- OtherNeuromuscular coordination-guided rehabilitative training
During training exercise, post-stroke participants will be asked to match the targets on the screen. The experimental group will match them by activating a specific set of muscle. During assessment trials, a physical therapist or occupational therapist will rate the functional level of arm impairment using FMA and ARAT.
- OtherForce strengthening-guided rehabilitative training
During training exercise, post-stroke participants will be asked to match the targets on the screen. The active comparator group will match them by generating isometric force in a desired target direction. During assessment trials, a physical therapist or occupational therapist will rate the functional level of arm impairment using FMA and ARAT.
Location
- University of HoustonHouston, Texas