"Motor Control Changes after Utilizing Upper Extremity Myoelectric Powe" by Ghaith J. Androwis, Amanda Engler et al.
 

Motor Control Changes after Utilizing Upper Extremity Myoelectric Powered Wearable Orthotics in Persons with Acute SCI

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Abstract

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), upper extremity (UE) weakness may impede one's ability to carry out activities of daily living (ADLs). Such a limitation drastically lowers a person's level of independence. Additionally, therapy and the field of assistive technology continue to place a strong premium on the restoration of UE motor function in patients with SCI. The main objective of this study was to assess the benefits of an UE myoelectric-powered wearable orthosis (MPWO) produced by MyoMo, Inc. (Boston, MA) on improving UE motor function in order to enhance ADLs and quality of life in individuals with subacute SCI. A 43-year-old man with subacute incomplete SCI (iSCI), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) C grade received 18 sessions (over a period of six weeks) of UE mobility therapy utilizing the MPWO. The MPWO was used to enhance active range of motion (AROM) of the hand and elbow, and associated muscle activations. After training with the MPWO, hand and elbow AROM and muscle activations were enhanced. These preliminary findings imply that UE-MPWO device-assisted rehabilitation may increase participants' UE activities, leading to improved function.Clinical Relevance-These preliminary findings from a person with iSCI in the subacute phase indicate that training with UE-MPWO assistive devices may enhance UE use during ADLs for people with muscle weakness but still having some residual voluntary muscle activation ability.

Identifier

85179639605 (Scopus)

ISBN

[9798350324471]

Publication Title

Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society EMBS

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1109/EMBC40787.2023.10340685

ISSN

1557170X

PubMed ID

38083205

Grant

W81XWH-18-1-0728

Fund Ref

U.S. Department of Defense

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