Abstract This paper describes a concept for the extension of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) through the use of feedback of primary motor cortex activity. CIMT requires residual movement to act as a source of feedback to the patient, thus preventing its application to those with no perceptible movement. It is proposed in this paper that it is possible to provide feedback of the motor cortex effort to the patient bymeasurement with near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Significant changes in such effortmay be used to drive rehabilitative robotic actuators, for example. This may provide a possible avenue for extending CIMT to patients hitherto excluded as a result of severity of condition. In support of such a paradigm, this paper details the current status of CIMT and related attempts to extend rehabilitation therapy through the application of technology. An introduction to the relevant haemodynamics is given including a description of the basic technology behind a suitable NIRS system. An illustration of the proposed therapy is described using a simple NIRS system driving a robotic arm during simple upper-limb unilateral isometric contraction exercises with healthy subjects.

Url http://eprints.maynoothuniversity.ie/1266/

Collections Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Subject = Science & Engineering: Electronic Engineering
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Subject = Science & Engineering
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Type = Article
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Academic Unit = Faculty of Science and Engineering
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Academic Unit = Faculty of Science and Engineering: Electronic Engineering
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Status = Published
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Open Access DRIVERset