scholarly journals SITAR: a system for independent task-oriented assessment and rehabilitation

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 205566831772963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asif Hussain ◽  
Sivakumar Balasubramanian ◽  
Nick Roach ◽  
Julius Klein ◽  
Nathanael Jarrassé ◽  
...  

Introduction Over recent years, task-oriented training has emerged as a dominant approach in neurorehabilitation. This article presents a novel, sensor-based system for independent task-oriented assessment and rehabilitation (SITAR) of the upper limb. Methods The SITAR is an ecosystem of interactive devices including a touch and force–sensitive tabletop and a set of intelligent objects enabling functional interaction. In contrast to most existing sensor-based systems, SITAR provides natural training of visuomotor coordination through collocated visual and haptic workspaces alongside multimodal feedback, facilitating learning and its transfer to real tasks. We illustrate the possibilities offered by the SITAR for sensorimotor assessment and therapy through pilot assessment and usability studies. Results The pilot data from the assessment study demonstrates how the system can be used to assess different aspects of upper limb reaching, pick-and-place and sensory tactile resolution tasks. The pilot usability study indicates that patients are able to train arm-reaching movements independently using the SITAR with minimal involvement of the therapist and that they were motivated to pursue the SITAR-based therapy. Conclusion SITAR is a versatile, non-robotic tool that can be used to implement a range of therapeutic exercises and assessments for different types of patients, which is particularly well-suited for task-oriented training.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Gloria Perini ◽  
Rita Bertoni ◽  
Rune Thorsen ◽  
Ilaria Carpinella ◽  
Tiziana Lencioni ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Functional recovery of the plegic upper limb in post-stroke patients may be enhanced by sequentially applying a myoelectrically controlled FES (MeCFES), which allows the patient to voluntarily control the muscle contraction during a functional movement and robotic therapy which allows many repetitions of movements. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the efficacy of MeCFES followed by robotic therapy compared to standard care arm rehabilitation for post-stroke patients. METHODS: Eighteen stroke subjects (onset ⩾ 3 months, age 60.1 ± 15.5) were recruited and randomized to receive an experimental combination of MeCFES during task-oriented reaching followed by robot therapy (MRG) or same intensity conventional rehabilitation care (CG) aimed at the recovery of the upper limb (20 sessions/45 minutes). Change was evaluated through Fugl-Meyer upperextremity (FMA-UE), Reaching Performance Scale and Box and Block Test. RESULTS: The experimental treatment resulted in higher improvement on the FMA-UE compared with CG (P= 0.04), with a 10 point increase following intervention. Effect sizes were moderate in favor of the MRG group on FMA-UE, FMA-UE proximal and RPS (0.37–0.56). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings indicate that a combination of MeCFES and robotic treatment may be more effective than standard care for recovery of the plegic arm in persons > 3 months after stroke. The mix of motor learning techniques may be important for successful rehabilitation of arm function.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204062232110012
Author(s):  
Rocío Palomo-Carrión ◽  
Elisabeth Bravo-Esteban ◽  
Sara Ando-La Fuente ◽  
Purificación López-Muñoz ◽  
Inés Martínez-Galán ◽  
...  

Background: The capacity of children with hemiplegia to be engaged in anticipatory action planning is affected. There is no balance among spatial, proprioceptive and visual information, thus altering the affected upper limb visuomotor coordination. The objective of the present study was to assess the improvement in visuomotor coordination after the application of a unimanual intensive therapy program, with the use of unaffected hand containment compared with not using unaffected hand containment. Methods: A simple blind randomized clinical trial was realized. A total of 16 subjects with congenital infantile hemiplegia participated in the study with an age mean of 5.54 years old (SD:1.55). Two intensive protocols for 5 weeks of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) or unimanual therapy without containment (UTWC) were executed 5 days per week (2 h/day). Affected upper limb visuomotor coordination (reaction time, task total time, active range, dynamic grasp) was measured before–after intensive therapy using a specific circuit with different slopes (10°/15°). Results: Statistically significant inter-group differences were found after the intervention, with clinically relevant results for the mCIMT group not seen in UTWC, in the following variables: reaction time 10°slope ( p = 0.003, d = 2.44), reaction time 15°slope ( p = 0.002, d = 2.15) as well as for the task total time 10°slope ( p = 0.002, d = 2.25), active reach 10°slope ( p = 0.002, d = 2.7), active reach 15°slope ( p = 0.003, d = 2.29) and dynamic grasp 10°/15°slopes ( p = <0.001, d = 2.69). There were not statistically significant inter-group differences in the total task time with 15°slope ( p = 0.074, d = 1.27). Conclusions: The use of unaffected hand containment in mCIMT would allow improvements in the affected upper limb’s visuomotor coordination. Thus, it would favor clinical practice to make decisions on therapeutic approaches to increase the affected upper limb functionality and action planning in children diagnosed with infantile hemiplegia (4–8 years old).


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Shruti Deshpande ◽  
Sidhiparada Mohapatra ◽  
N Girish

Background Task-oriented circuit training using a Multi-Activities workstation emphasises goal-oriented tasks practiced in a circuit or series in order to learn a new skill. It can be used for upper limb rehabilitation among stroke patients in a community setting, but there is currently very little evidence available regarding its use in this patient group and setting. This study aimed to explore the influence of task-oriented circuit training using a Multi-Activities workstation on upper limb function among community-dwelling individuals with chronic stroke. Methods A pre-test–post-test study was conducted involving 17 community-dwelling individuals with chronic stroke who were attending a stroke rehabilitation centre. Six weeks of task-oriented circuit training was given using a Multi-Activities workstation aimed to improve strength, range of motion and dexterity. Streamlined Wolf Motor Function Test and Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory were used to measure outcomes. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for data analysis. Results A total of 12 sessions of task-oriented circuit training using Multi-Activities workstations did not result in any statistically significant differences in outcome measures. Conclusions Task-oriented circuit training using the Multi-Activities workstation did not improve upper limb function in community-dwelling individuals with chronic stroke.


2015 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Bazile da Silva ◽  
Fabiane Nunes Antunes ◽  
Patrícia Graef ◽  
Fernanda Cechetti ◽  
Aline de Souza Pagnussat

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Divya S ◽  
◽  
Arunachalam Ramachandran ◽  
Janani R ◽  
◽  
...  

Knowledge of rehabilitation of stroke seeks to be important source of promoting recovery and independence of activity of daily living in stroke survivor. This study has the purpose to utilize the motor relearning program by means of task oriented approach. It is a novel approach towards the cortical reorganization in the sensorimotor cortex, where the sensation of normal movement pattern is achieved through variety of task practice. The major relearning of functional activity can be enhanced by increasing the intensity of task oriented practice. Subjects with cerebro vascular accident referred by their primary care physician to a physical therapist were recruited from the inpatient and outpatient department of Saveetha Medical Hospital based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and informed consent obtained and was screened for the eligibility. The collected data was tabulated and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of pre-test and post-test within group analysis showed extremely statistically significant with p-test values (P=0.0001 and P <0.0001). It is concluded from this study that both the variety of tasks and number of repetition improves upper limb function following hemiplegia. Further intervention with more number of repetition resulted in a better recovery than intervention with more number of tasks.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne Langan ◽  
Sutanuka Bhattacharjya ◽  
Heamchand Subryan ◽  
Wenyao Xu ◽  
Baicheng Chen ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability. While there is potential for improvements long after stroke onset, there is little to support functional recovery across the lifespan. mHealth solutions can help fill this gap. mRehab was designed to guide individuals with stroke through a home program and provide performance feedback. OBJECTIVE To examine if individuals with chronic stroke can use mRehab at home to improve upper limb mobility. The secondary objective was to examine if changes in limb mobility transferred to standardized clinical assessments. METHODS mRehab consists of a smartphone coupled with 3D printed household items: mug, bowl, key, and doorknob. The smartphone custom app guides task-oriented activities and measures both time to complete an activity and quality of movement (smoothness/accuracy). It also provides performance-based feedback to aid the user in self-monitoring their performance. Task-oriented activities were categorized as (1) object transportation, (2) prehensile grip with supination/pronation, (3) fractionated finger movement, and (4) walking with object. A total of 18 individuals with stroke enrolled in the single-subject experimental design study consisting of pretesting, a 6-week mRehab home program, and posttesting. Pre- and posttesting included both in-laboratory clinical assessments and in-home mRehab recorded samples of task performance. During the home program, mRehab recorded performance data. A System Usability Scale assessed user’s perception of mRehab. RESULTS A total of 16 participants completed the study and their data are presented in the results. The average days of exercise for each mRehab activity ranged from 15.93 to 21.19 days. This level of adherence was sufficient for improvements in time (t<sub>15</sub>=2.555, <i>P</i>=.02) and smoothness (t<sub>15</sub>=3.483, <i>P</i>=.003) in object transportation. Clinical assessments indicated improvements in functional performance (t<sub>15</sub>=2.675, <i>P</i>=.02) and hand dexterity (t<sub>15</sub>=2.629, <i>P</i>=.02). Participant’s perception of mRehab was positive. CONCLUSIONS Despite heterogeneity in participants’ use of mRehab, there were improvements in upper limb mobility. Smartphone-based portable technology can support home rehabilitation programs in chronic conditions such as stroke. The ability to record performance data from home rehabilitation offers new insights into the impact of home programs on outcomes. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04363944; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04363944


HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
A-Young Lee ◽  
Sin-Ae Park ◽  
Hye-Gyeong Park ◽  
Ki-Cheol Son

The objective of this study was to assess the physical and psychological effects of an 18-session horticultural therapy (HT) program based on task-oriented training in stroke patients and investigate patient satisfaction. The HT program consisted of horticultural activities including the motions such as reaching–grasping, squatting, stepping, and stooping. A total of 31 stroke inpatients (16 males, 15 females) at B rehabilitation hospital in Seongnam, South Korea, participated in this study. Fourteen stroke patients participated in a thrice weekly HT program (6 weeks, ≈60 minutes per session) between Aug. and Sept. 2016, whereas another 17 stoke patients comprised the control group. At the completion of the 18-session HT program, upper limb function [manual function test (MFT)], grip strength (hydraulic hand dynamometer), pinch force (hydraulic pinch gauge), fine motor skills (9-hole pegboard), balance [Berg Balance Scale (BBS)], and activities of daily living (Modified Barthel Index) were evaluated in both groups. In addition, depression [The Korean version of the short form of Geriatric Depression Scales (SGDS-K)], rehabilitation stress (Rehabilitation Stress Scales), rehabilitation motivation (Rehabilitation Motivation Scales), and fall efficacy (The Korean version of the Falls Efficacy Scale) were evaluated. Stroke patients in the HT group showed significantly improved upper limb function, hand force, balance, fall efficacy, activities of daily living, and decreased depression (P < 0.05). By contrast, no significant change was noted in the control group. In addition, 85.7% of the stroke patients in the HT group reported being very satisfied or satisfied with the HT program. In conclusion, the HT program based on task-oriented training improved the patients’ physical and psychological function after stroke rehabilitation. These study results suggest that implementing an HT program in a rehabilitation hospital will effectively contribute to functional recovery after stroke.


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