Calcaneal Taping on Balance, Gait and Range of Motion in Chronic Stroke Survivors

Abstract Objective Evaluate the feasibility and potential impacts on hand function using a wearable stimulation device (the VTS Glove) which provides mechanical, vibratory input to the affected limb of chronic stroke survivors. Methods A double-blind, randomized, controlled feasibility study including sixteen chronic stroke survivors (mean age: 54; 1-13 years post-stroke) with diminished movement and tactile perception in their affected hand. Participants were given a wearable device to take home and asked to wear it for three hours daily over eight weeks. The device intervention was either (1) the VTS Glove, which provided vibrotactile stimulation to the hand, or (2) an identical glove with vibration disabled. Participants were randomly assigned to each condition. Hand and arm function were measured weekly at home and in local physical therapy clinics. Results Participants using the VTS Glove showed significantly improved Semmes-Weinstein monofilament exam results, reduction in Modified Ashworth measures in the fingers, and some increased voluntary finger flexion, elbow and shoulder range of motion. Conclusions Vibrotactile stimulation applied to the disabled limb may impact tactile perception, tone and spasticity, and voluntary range of motion. Wearable devices allow extended application and study of stimulation methods outside of a clinical setting.

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Myoelectric Computer Interface Training for Reducing Co-Activation and Enhancing Arm Movement in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Trial

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair ◽

10.1177/1545968319834903 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 284-295 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Emily M. Mugler ◽

Goran Tomic ◽

Aparna Singh ◽

Saad Hameed ◽

Eric W. Lindberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Arm Movement ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Computer Interface ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Training Methods ◽

Training Dose ◽

Muscle Activation Patterns ◽

Co Activation

Background. Abnormal muscle co-activation contributes to impairment after stroke. We developed a myoelectric computer interface (MyoCI) training paradigm to reduce abnormal co-activation. MyoCI provides intuitive feedback about muscle activation patterns, enabling decoupling of these muscles. Objective. To investigate tolerability and effects of MyoCI training of 3 muscle pairs on arm motor recovery after stroke, including effects of training dose and isometric versus movement-based training. Methods. We randomized chronic stroke survivors with moderate-to-severe arm impairment to 3 groups. Two groups tested different doses of isometric MyoCI (60 vs 90 minutes), and one group tested MyoCI without arm restraint (90 minutes), over 6 weeks. Primary outcome was arm impairment (Fugl-Meyer Assessment). Secondary outcomes included function, spasticity, and elbow range-of-motion at weeks 6 and 10. Results. Over all 32 subjects, MyoCI training of 3 muscle pairs significantly reduced impairment (Fugl-Meyer Assessment) by 3.3 ± 0.6 and 3.1 ± 0.7 ( P < 10−4) at weeks 6 and 10, respectively. Each group improved significantly from baseline; no significant differences were seen between groups. Participants’ lab-based and home-based function also improved at weeks 6 and 10 ( P ≤ .01). Spasticity also decreased over all subjects, and elbow range-of-motion improved. Both moderately and severely impaired patients showed significant improvement. No participants had training-related adverse events. MyoCI reduced abnormal co-activation, which appeared to transfer to reaching in the movement group. Conclusions. MyoCI is a well-tolerated, novel rehabilitation tool that enables stroke survivors to reduce abnormal co-activation. It may reduce impairment and spasticity and improve arm function, even in severely impaired patients.

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Aerobic locomotor exercise modulates brain activation patterns in chronic stroke survivors

Aktuelle Neurologie ◽

10.1055/s-2005-919275 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 32 (S 4) ◽

Author(s):

A.R Luft ◽

L Forrester ◽

F Villagra ◽

R Macko ◽

D.F Hanley

Keyword(s):

Brain Activation ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Activation Patterns

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Alterations in Muscle Networks in the Upper Extremity of Chronic Stroke Survivors

IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering ◽

10.1109/tnsre.2021.3075907 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-1

Author(s):

Michael Houston ◽

Xiaoyan Li ◽

Ping Zhou ◽

Sheng Lia ◽

Jinsook Roh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Upper Extremity ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Stroke Survivors

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Effects of Mirror Therapy Combined With EMG-triggered Functional Electrical Stimulation to Improve on Upper Extremity Function in Patient with Chronic Stroke

Physikalische Medizin Rehabilitationsmedizin Kurortmedizin ◽

10.1055/a-1210-2930 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Joo Yeol Jung ◽

Pong Sub Youn ◽

Dong Hoon Kim

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Physical Therapy ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Upper Extremity ◽

Functional Electrical Stimulation ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Mirror Therapy ◽

Extremity Function ◽

Upper Extremity Function

AbstractThis study was performed to evaluate the effects of Mirror therapy combined with EMG-triggered Functional Electrical Stimulation on upper extremity function in patient with Chronic Stroke. A total of 24 chronic stroke patients were divided into 3 groups. Group I (n=8) was given with traditional physical therapy (TPT), group II (n=7) was given with traditional physical therapy and mirror therapy (MT), and group III (n=9) was given with traditional physical therapy and mirror therapy in conjunction with EMG-triggered Functional Electrical Stimulation (EMGFES-MT). Each group performed one hour a day 5 times a week for 6 weeks.We obtained the following result between before and after treatments about changes of elbow flexion muscle strength (EFMS), elbow extension muscle strength (EEMS), wrist flexion muscle strength (WFMS), wrist extension muscle strength (WEMS), elbow flexion range of motion (EFROM), elbow extension range of motion (EEROM), wrist flexion range of motion (WFROM), wrist extension range of motion (WEROM), grip strength (GS) and upper extremity function.Each group showed a significant difference in EFMS, EEMS, WFMS, WEMS, EFROM, EEROM, WFROM, WEROM, GS and upper extremity function (p<0.05) EMFES-MT group revealed significant differences in EEMS, WEROM, grip strength and upper extremity function as compared to the other groups (p<0.05). No difference was found in the change of spasticity among the 3 groups.Our results showed that EMFES-MT was more effective on elbow, WFMS, WEMS, AROM, grip strength and upper extremity function in patients with chronic stroke. We suggest that this study will be able to be used as an intervention data for recovering upper extremity function in chronic stroke patients

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