At a glance
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Cognitive-based Rehabilitation Platform of Hand Grasp After Spinal Cord Injury Using Virtual Reality and Instrumented Wearables
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating Cognition glove and Sensory brace for Spinal Cord Injuries and Hand Weakness. Completed, enrolled 13 participants across 1 site.
Detailed Summary
Rehabilitation of functional movements after spinal cord injury (SCI) requires commitment and engagement to the processes of physical therapy. Outcomes may be improved by techniques that strengthen cognitive connections between users and physical therapy exercises. The investigators will investigate combinations of virtual reality and innovative wearable technology to accelerate rehabilitation of hand grasp and reach. These devices use multi-sensory feedback to enhance the sense of agency, or feelings of control, and better train movements during physical rehabilitation exercises. The investigators will measure the effect of these devices on improving the speed, efficiency, and accuracy of performed movements in Veterans with SCI.
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
The investigators have developed and tested a functional prototype of an instrumented glove to alert the user about secure grasp of objects. Onboard force and flex sensors provide inputs to a machine learning algorithm (artificial neural network, ANN) to estimate secure grasp based on previously collected training data. The glove enhances agency by alerting the user to secure grasp through sensory feedback modules (visual - LED, audio - beeper, tactile - vibrator).
A a size- and position-adjustable arm brace with weight-support capability and housing for vibration motors and EMG sensors. Position adjustment allows for physical therapists to find and recommend arm postures that are clinically relevant to each person. The participant can then isometrically push/resist against the brace to strengthen target muscles while performing VR reach-to-touch. The person will receive visual feedback from the virtual environment to train movement performance and vibrotactile feedback at tendons to subconsciously adjust their muscle activation patterns