The Effects of an Upper Limb Exoskeleton on Brain Activation of a Stroke Patient
Advisor Information
Dr. Jorge Zuniga
Location
UNO Criss Library, Room 232
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
2-3-2018 2:30 PM
End Date
2-3-2018 2:45 PM
Abstract
Stroke has a large impact on disability and it can cause the upper limb to become spastic with a predominantly flexor tone. Exoskeletons offer the ability for patients to regain mobility in their own environment. Neural reorganization has been shown to occur with induced movement of the affected limb and motor recovery has been associated with this reorganization. The purpose of this study was to determine the different areas of motor cortical activation for a stroke patient’s paretic limb with and without the assistance of a hand exoskeleton. A male subject, 66 years in age with a right hand affected from a stroke that occurred in the left hemisphere of his brain more than six months ago was fitted for an exoskeleton to assist with extension of his hand. He completed three trials of the box and block test with his affected hand, unaffected hand, and affected hand with the exoskeleton for a total of nine trials. Brain activation was measured during the test using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). A dependent t-test was performed comparing the activation of the left hemisphere of the stroke subject with and without assistance of the hand exoskeleton. There was a significant difference (p = .03) found between activation levels in the left hemisphere. The decrease in motor cortical activation in the left hemisphere seen when the subject was using the exoskeleton could be interpreted as the exoskeleton assisting the subject’s hand movements and lowering the amount of effort necessary to complete the task.
The Effects of an Upper Limb Exoskeleton on Brain Activation of a Stroke Patient
UNO Criss Library, Room 232
Stroke has a large impact on disability and it can cause the upper limb to become spastic with a predominantly flexor tone. Exoskeletons offer the ability for patients to regain mobility in their own environment. Neural reorganization has been shown to occur with induced movement of the affected limb and motor recovery has been associated with this reorganization. The purpose of this study was to determine the different areas of motor cortical activation for a stroke patient’s paretic limb with and without the assistance of a hand exoskeleton. A male subject, 66 years in age with a right hand affected from a stroke that occurred in the left hemisphere of his brain more than six months ago was fitted for an exoskeleton to assist with extension of his hand. He completed three trials of the box and block test with his affected hand, unaffected hand, and affected hand with the exoskeleton for a total of nine trials. Brain activation was measured during the test using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). A dependent t-test was performed comparing the activation of the left hemisphere of the stroke subject with and without assistance of the hand exoskeleton. There was a significant difference (p = .03) found between activation levels in the left hemisphere. The decrease in motor cortical activation in the left hemisphere seen when the subject was using the exoskeleton could be interpreted as the exoskeleton assisting the subject’s hand movements and lowering the amount of effort necessary to complete the task.