1. Restoration of Upper Limb Function After Chronic Severe Hemiplegia: A Case Report on the Feasibility of a Brain-Computer Interface-Triggered Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy
- Author
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Naaz Kapadia, Lorna Lo, Cesar Marquez-Chin, Lazar I Jovanovic, Vera Zivanovic, and Milos R. Popovic
- Subjects
Male ,030506 rehabilitation ,medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation ,Electric Stimulation Therapy ,Hemiplegia ,Upper Extremity ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Physical medicine and rehabilitation ,medicine ,Functional electrical stimulation ,Humans ,Functional movement ,Brain–computer interface ,Rehabilitation ,Hand function ,business.industry ,Stroke Rehabilitation ,Recovery of Function ,Middle Aged ,Functional Independence Measure ,Test (assessment) ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Brain-Computer Interfaces ,Upper limb ,Feasibility Studies ,0305 other medical science ,business ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Functional electrical stimulation therapy (FEST) is a state-of-the-art treatment for retraining motor function after neurological injuries. Recent literature suggests that FEST can be further improved with brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. In this case study, we assessed the feasibility of using BCI-triggered FEST (BCI-FEST) to restore upper limb function in a 57-yr-old man with severe left hemiplegia resulting from a stroke 6 yrs before enrollment in the study. The intervention consisted of two blocks of forty 1-hr BCI-FEST sessions, with three sessions delivered weekly. During therapy, a single-channel BCI was used to trigger the stimulation programmed to facilitate functional movements. The measure of the feasibility of the BCI-FEST included assessing the implementation and safety of the intervention. Clinical improvements were assessed using (a) Functional Independence Measure, (b) Action Research Arm Test, (c) Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - Hand Function Test, and (d) Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity test. Upon completion of 80 therapy sessions, 14-, 17-, and 18-point changes were recorded on Action Research Arm Test, Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity test, and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - Hand Function Test, respectively. The participant also indicated improvement as demonstrated by his ability to perform various day-to-day tasks. The results suggest that BCI-FEST is safe and viable.
- Published
- 2019