Influence of gravity compensation training on synergistic movement patterns of the upper extremity after stroke, a pilot study.

Background: The majority of stroke patients have to cope with impaired arm function. Gravity compensation of the arm instantaneously affects abnormal synergistic movement patterns. The goal of the present study is to examine whether gravity compensated training improves unsupported arm function.

Influence of reaching direction on visuomotor adaptation: an explorative study.

Robotics is increasingly used in rehabilitation therapy of the hemiparetic arm after stroke. Several studies performed adaptation experiments to gain more insight in the underlying learning processes. In these studies adaptation during reaching movements in different directions is assessed.

Effect of position feedback during task-oriented upper-limb training after stroke: five-case pilot study.

Feedback is an important element in motor learning during rehabilitation therapy following stroke. The objective of this pilot study was to better understand the effect of position feedback during task-oriented reach training of the upper limb in people with chronic stroke. Five subjects participated in the training for 30 minutes three times a week for 6 weeks.

Circle drawing as evaluative movement task in stroke rehabilitation: an explorative study.

Background: The majority of stroke survivors have to cope with deficits in arm function, which is often measured with subjective clinical scales. The objective of this study is to examine whether circle drawing metrics are suitable objective outcome measures for measuring upper extremity function of stroke survivors.

Methods: Stroke survivors (n = 16) and healthy subjects (n = 20) drew circles, as big and as round as possible, above a table top.

Nature, timing, frequency and type of augmented feedback; does it influence motor relearning of the hemiparetic arm after stroke? A systematic review.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of different aspects and types of augmented feedback on motor functions and motor activities of the hemiparetic arm after stroke.

Method: Systematic search of the scientific literature was performed in the Pubmed and Cochrane database from 1975 to March 2009. The augmented feedback used in the intervention was classified with respect to aspects (nature, timing and frequency) and types (auditory, sensory and visual).

Body segments decoupling in sitting: control of body posture from automatic chair adjustments.

Background: Individuals who cannot functionally reposition themselves adopt a passive body posture and suffer from physical discomfort in long-term sitting. To regulate body load and to prevent sitting related mobility problems, proper posture control is important. The inability to reposition underlines the importance for seating interventions that control body posture from automatic chair adjustments.