| Abnormal joint torque coupling is not a hard-wired impairment following stroke.
Joint torque coupling may be a result of post-lesional reorganization and a potential target for therapeutic intervention. This study demonstrated the mutability of joint torque coupling. The isometric nature of the experimental protocol eliminated the influence of spasticity and directly targeted the abnormal torque coupling impairment. The results suggested that individuals with severe stroke may be amenable to future therapeutic interventions and set the stage for future work targeting the same impairment through more functionally relevant dynamic protocols. 
Example of a participant involved in the isometric multi-joint strengthening study.
Utilizing Progressive Arm-Weight Loading in Reaching Interventions in Chronic Stroke
This study utilized a closely related randomly assigned comparison group in order to identify an “operative component” of reaching rehabilitation. The implementation of a multi-degree of freedom robotic system (ACT3D pictured below) provided a quantitative measurement of functional outcome and additionally a rigorous and repeatable means of initiating and progressing the experimental and comparison interventions. The experimental design and level of quantitative control, unmatched without the implementation of rehabilitation robotics, identified progressive arm loading as the key therapeutic factor responsible for the improvements in reaching ability and potential reductions in associated multi-joint discoordination (abnormal joint torque coupling). Future work will investigate if progressive arm-weight loading augments current state-of-the-art interventions known to result in real-life functional improvements.
Example image of a research participant using the ACT3D.
|
