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ARM Guide Robotic Force Training of the Upper Extremity in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

 

Project Description

The goal of this project is to use a novel robotic therapy device, the ARM Guide, to improve recovery of upper extremity function after stroke.  We have already demonstrated in an initial pilot study that the device can improve movement recovery following chronic stroke.  However, the results from our study, combined with evidence from other recent studies of robotic therapy, suggest that robotic therapy might be substantially enhanced by specifically targeting abnormal force generation after stroke, a therapeutic paradigm where subjects will use biofeedback of arm forces to consciously direct their movements towards a desired target. The current project will implement this novel form of robotic therapy, called "guided force training", and test whether this therapy can improve recovery beyond previous forms of robotic and conventional therapy.

Aims/Hypotheses/Goals

• To implement guided force training with the ARM Guide
• To compare the effects of this training algorithm with free reaching exercise and conventional therapy.