Abstract
A significant factor in impaired motor function caused by stroke is the inability to activate muscles independently. While the pathophysiology behind this co-contraction, sometimes called abnormal muscle synergy, is not clear, reducing the co-contraction could improve overall arm function. This pilot study describes the use of a myoelectric-computer interface (MCI) to retrain arm muscle activation and reduce co-contraction. We found that both healthy subjects and stroke survivors with hemiparesis learned to reduce co-contraction with MCI training. Three out of five stroke survivors experienced some improvement in arm function as well. These results suggest that MCIs could provide a novel, relatively inexpensive paradigm for stroke rehabilitation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 879-882 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference |
State | Published - Jan 1 2012 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Signal Processing
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
- Health Informatics