Error-augmented bimanual therapy for stroke survivors.

Background: Stroke recovery studies have shown the efficacy of bimanual training on upper limb functional recovery and others have shown the efficacy of feedback technology that augments error.

Objective: In a double-blinded randomized controlled study (N = 26), we evaluated the short-term effects of bilateral arm training to foster functional recovery of a hemiparetic arm, with half of our subjects unknowingly also receiving error augmentation (where errors were visually and haptically enhanced by a robot).

Methods: Twenty-six individuals with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to practice an equivalent amount of bimanual reaching either with or without error augmentation.

Use of a Portable Assistive Glove to Facilitate Rehabilitation in Stroke Survivors With Severe Hand Impairment.

Treatment options for stroke survivors with severe hand impairment are limited. Active task practice can be restricted by difficulty in voluntarily activating finger muscles and interference from involuntary muscle excitation. We developed a portable, actuated glove-orthosis, which could be employed to address both issues.