TY - GEN
T1 - Progressive abduction loading therapy targeting flexion synergy to regain reaching function in chronic stroke
T2 - 38th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2016
AU - Ellis, Michael D.
AU - Carmona, Carolina
AU - Drogos, Justin
AU - Traxel, Stuart
AU - Dewald, Julius P.A.
PY - 2016/10/13
Y1 - 2016/10/13
N2 - Reaching function is impaired following stroke due to abnormal coupling of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as flexion synergy, loss of independent joint control, or impaired joint individuation. We have been successful in treating individuals with chronic stroke with moderate to severe motor impairments through the employment of targeted rehabilitation robotics and identified progressive abduction loading as a key element to the rehabilitation of reaching. Here we expand upon the investigation of progressive abduction loading therapy by testing two variants of the exercise in a larger sample and including a 3-month follow-up. Furthermore, we attempt to glean additional insights into the mechanisms underlying improvements by not only assessing reaching distance as a function of abduction loading but, for the first time, assessing peak reaching velocity, a combined measure of dynamic elbow and shoulder strength. Thirty-one participants with severe stroke were randomized to two intervention variants. Preliminary analysis has been performed and results are presented for blinded combined-group data. Following the intervention, there was a significant improvement in both reaching distance and peak reaching velocity. Mechanisms for improvement are briefly discussed.
AB - Reaching function is impaired following stroke due to abnormal coupling of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as flexion synergy, loss of independent joint control, or impaired joint individuation. We have been successful in treating individuals with chronic stroke with moderate to severe motor impairments through the employment of targeted rehabilitation robotics and identified progressive abduction loading as a key element to the rehabilitation of reaching. Here we expand upon the investigation of progressive abduction loading therapy by testing two variants of the exercise in a larger sample and including a 3-month follow-up. Furthermore, we attempt to glean additional insights into the mechanisms underlying improvements by not only assessing reaching distance as a function of abduction loading but, for the first time, assessing peak reaching velocity, a combined measure of dynamic elbow and shoulder strength. Thirty-one participants with severe stroke were randomized to two intervention variants. Preliminary analysis has been performed and results are presented for blinded combined-group data. Following the intervention, there was a significant improvement in both reaching distance and peak reaching velocity. Mechanisms for improvement are briefly discussed.
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U2 - 10.1109/EMBC.2016.7592055
DO - 10.1109/EMBC.2016.7592055
M3 - Conference contribution
C2 - 28269582
AN - SCOPUS:84992712953
T3 - Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBS
SP - 5837
EP - 5840
BT - 2016 38th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2016
PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Y2 - 16 August 2016 through 20 August 2016
ER -