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- Crema, Andrea, et al.
(author)
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A Wearable Multi-Site System for NMES-Based Hand Function Restoration
- 2018
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In: IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. - 1534-4320. ; 26:2, s. 428-440
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Reaching and grasping impairments significantly affect the quality of life for people who have experienced a stroke or spinal cord injury. The long-term well-being of patients varies greatly according to the restorable residual capabilities. Electrical stimulation could be a promising solution to restore motor functions in these conditions, but its use is not clinically widespread. Here, we introduce the HandNMES, an electrode array (EA) for neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) aimed at grasp training and assistance. The device was designed to deliver electrical stimulation to extrinsic and intrinsic hand muscles. Six independent EAs, positioned on the user forearm and hand, deliver NMES pulses originating from an external stimulator equipped with demultiplexers for interfacing with a large number of electrodes. The garment was designed to be adaptable to user needs and anthropometric characteristics; size, shape, and contact materials can be customized, and stimulation characteristics such as intensity of stimulation and virtual electrode location, and size can be adjusted. We performed extensive tests with nine healthy subjects showing the efficacy of the HandNMES in terms of stimulation performance and personalization. Because encouraging results were achieved, in the coming months, the HandNMES device will be tested in pilot clinical trials.
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- Crema, Andrea, et al.
(author)
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Helping Hand grasp rehabilitation : Preliminary assessment on chronic stroke patients
- 2017
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In: 8th International IEEE EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER 2017. - 9781538619162 ; , s. 146-149
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Helping Hand (HH) system is a novel grasp rehabilitation platform aimed at simplifying the clinical usage of wearable electrode arrays for neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). In a randomized dose-matched, clinical study we evaluate usability and effectiveness of the HH treatment, and of other enriched upper limb rehabilitation treatments, and compare the outcomes. This paper shows the preliminary clinical results of the trial on 5 chronic stroke patients throughout a 9 weeks, 3 hours per week, hand preshaping training.
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