The complexity of sensorimotor control required for hand function as well as the wide range of recovery of manipulative abilities makes rehabilitation of the hand most challenging. The investigators past work has shown that training in a virtual environment (VE) using repetitive, adaptive algorithms has the potential to be an effective rehabilitation medium to facilitate motor recovery of hand function. These findings are in accordance with current neuroscience literature in animals and motor control literature in humans. The investigators are now in a position to refine and optimize elements of the training paradigms to enhance neuroplasticity. The investigators first aim tests if and how competition among body parts for neural representations stifles functional gains from different types of training regimens. The second aim tests the functional benefits of unilateral versus bilateral training regimens.The third aim tests whether functional improvements gained from training in a virtual environment transfer to other (untrained) skills in the real world.
The complexity of sensorimotor control required for hand function as well as the wide range of recovery of manipulative abilities makes rehabilitation of the hand most challenging. The investigators past work has shown that training in a virtual environment (VE) using repetitive, adaptive algorithms has the potential to be an effective rehabilitation medium to facilitate motor recovery of hand function. These findings are in accordance with current neuroscience literature in animals and motor control literature in humans. The investigators are now in a position to refine and optimize elements of the training paradigms to enhance neuroplasticity. The investigators first aim tests if and how competition among body parts for neural representations stifles functional gains from different types of training regimens. The second aim tests the functional benefits of unilateral versus bilateral training regimens.The third aim tests whether functional improvements gained from training in a virtual environment transfer to other (untrained) skills in the real world.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
55
Robotically measured and facilitated training of the hemiparetic hand and arm in isolation, in a three dimensional haptically rendered virtual environment.
Robotically measured and facilitated training of the hemiparetic hand and arm as an integrated functional unit, in a three dimensional haptically rendered virtual environment
Robotically measured and facilitated training of the hemiparetic hand and non-hemiparetic hand together, in a three dimensional haptically rendered virtual environment
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Change in Jebsen Test of Hand Function
Time frame: Two Weeks Prior to Training, Immediately Prior to Training, Immediately After Training, 3 Months After Training
Change in Wolf Motor Function Test
Time frame: Two Weeks Prior to Training, Immediately Prior to Training, Immediately After Training, 3 Months After Training
Change in 9 Hole Peg Test
Time frame: Two Weeks Prior to Training, Immediately Prior to Training, Immediately After Training, 3 Months After Training
Change in Box and Blocks Test
Time frame: Two Weeks Prior to Training, Immediately Prior to Training, Immediately After Training, 3 Months After Training
Change in Robotically Collected Kinematics
Time frame: 1 day before training and 1 day after training
Change in Reach to Grasp Test
Time frame: 1 day before training and 1 day after training
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