Error Enhancement of the Velocity Component

University of Haifa

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stroke; Hemiparesis

Treatments: Device: control treatment; Device: Error Enhancement

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02017093

UHaifa

CEli (Registry Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the impact of enhancement of the velocity component error in the course of reaching movements of the impaired/hemiparetic limb in an acute stroke subject. We hypothesized that the method would shift velocity profiles toward the optimal, resulting in a reduction in error. A prototype robot. This robotic device system has a two-dimensional motor, basic measurement capacities, and a robotic arm which is engaged to the subject's upper-limb in a sitting position.

The enhancement of the velocity component error would shift velocity profiles toward the optimal, resulting in a reduction in error.

Full description

The wrist of the subject is connected to the robotic arm by a strip which supports the arm but allows free movements of the wrist. This configuration allows subjects with impaired grasping ability to use the system. A bio-feedback system enables the subject to perform various functional motor tasks that are presented on the screen in front of him. The system's sensors detect motor errors or deviations from an optimal/proper movement trajectory or velocity profile. Any deviation in direction, velocity, acceleration or necessary force from the optimal trajectory results in applied robotic forces that enhance such errors/deviations. The sensors and the applied forces all work and compute in real time, so that the force measurements and the applied force are updated to the executed movement.

Enrollment: 7 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 80 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Single stroke
• Two to three weeks post Stroke
• Able to understand simple commands
• Able to perform some reaching movements with the affected arm.
• No other neurological, neuromuscular, orthopedic disorders and visual deficit

Exclusion criteria

• Perceptual, apraxic, or major cognitive deficits,
• Shoulder joint subluxation or pain in the upper-limb, and
• Spasticity > 1 (single muscle Modified Ashworth Scale).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Diagnostic

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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7 participants in 2 patient groups

Error Enhancement

Experimental group

Description:

Training of the upper extremity, using a robotic devise with error enhanced forces and traditional therapy.

Treatment:

Device: Error Enhancement

Control treatment

Experimental group

Description:

Training of the upper extremity, using a robotic devise without forces applied and traditional therapy.

Treatment:

Device: control treatment