Robot-assisted task-oriented upper extremity skill training in cervical spinal cord injury: a feasibility study

Abstract

Study design: Prospective multiple case study. Objectives: To test (1) the feasibility of haptic robot technology (Haptic Master (HM)) use to improve arm-hand function (AHF) and arm-hand skill performance (AHSP) in persons with a cervical spinal cord injury (C-SCI), (2) inventory participants' motivation and expectation to work with the robot technology used and (3) to descriptively report the results in individual cases. Setting: Rehabilitation Centre. Methods: Five C-SCI patients were trained for 6 weeks, 3 days per week, 60 min per day. Therapists filled out the Usefulness, Satisfaction and Ease-of-use questionnaire (USE). The Intrinsic Motivational Inventory (IMI) and credibility and expectancy questionnaire (CEQ) were filled out by participants. Performance at activity level was gauged using the Van Lieshout test for AHF in Tetraplegia and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure. Function level was gauged using muscle strength testing and the International Classification for Surgery of the Hand in Tetraplegia. Results: As to the feasibility of the application of haptic robot technology, the mean USE score was 65%. Mean IMI and CEQ results were 67% and 60%, respectively. Participants were motivated to train with the HM. All participants rated credibility higher than expectations regarding the improvement. In the current patients, little progress was demonstrated at the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health function and the activity level. Conclusion: It is feasible to train C-SCI persons with the HM. Therapists report that working with the HM is easy to learn and easy to perform. Usability of the HM may be improved. Further research is needed to assess in which group of C-SCI and at which stage of rehabilitation HM training may be most beneficial.

Markerless motion capture systems as training device in neurological rehabilitation: a systematic review of their use, application, target population and efficacy

“…Several studies addressed the positive effects of robotics and VR systems as additional therapy in neurological rehabilitation [4, 15–19]. Robotics have shown positive effects such as the enhancement of function and activity of affected limb and increased motivation, but the costs of the devices is high [3, 20]. In addition, the devices are often uncomfortable as the user needs to wear apparatuses on the body and patients have difficulty using such devices [3].…”

“…difficult to select individual parameters, specific movements or activities, to use objects, etc. [19, 20]. VR, on the other hand, is a computer-based technology that allows users to interact with simulated environments and receive feedback on performance.…”

European Portuguese Validation of Usefulness, Satisfaction and Ease of Use Questionnaire (USE)

“…For example, it has been utilized to evaluate technologies in the health care domain (e.g. evaluation of rehabilitation equipment for patients with stroke [9], robotics applied to rehabilitation [10], personal health records [11,12], prevention applications [13][14][15], tools to support diagnostic [16] or informal caregivers empowerment [17]), applications to browse the contents of maps [18] or videos [19], social networking sites [20], elearning environments [21,22], tools to support engineering work [23], virtual reality [15], remote labs management [24] or visualization of ontologies [25].…”

“…less than two years [10,[12][13][14][15][16][17]), and others involve mobile applications [13,14,26].…”

Rehabilitation After Surgical Reconstruction to Restore Function to the Upper Limb in Tetraplegia: A Changing Landscape

“…Health care providers address this challenge with innovative strategies that include both surgical and nonsurgical approaches. Therapies that aim to restore or reorganize spared neural circuitry with physical activity and practice, either alone 3,4 or in combination with sensory stimulation, 5 robotic-assisted training, 6,7 or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, 8 are exciting possibilities for those individuals with incomplete injuries. For those with motor complete classification of SCI, reconstructive surgery (eg, tendon or nerve transfer) and implanted neuroprostheses are the primary methods for reanimating motor function in the upper limb.…”