Wearable MCI to Reduce Muscle Co-activation in Acute and Chronic Stroke
The purpose of the study is to explore the feasibility of using a wearable device, called a myoelectric-computer interface (MCI), to improve arm movement in people who have had a stroke. Impaired arm movement after stroke is caused not just by weakness, but also by impaired coordination between joints due to abnormal co-activation of muscles. These abnormal co-activation patterns are thought to be due to abnormal movement planning.The MCI aims to reduce abnormal co-activation by providing feedback about individual muscle activations. This randomized, controlled, blinded study will test the home use of an MCI in chronic and acute stroke survivors.
⁃ Chronic stroke participants
• Hemiparesis from first ever stroke at least 6 months prior to screening
• Severe motor impairment (FMA of 7-30)
• At least some voluntary shoulder and elbow muscle activation.
⁃ Acute stroke participants
• Hemiparesis from first ever stroke within the past 21 days
• Severe motor impairment (FMA of 3-20), or total Manual Motor Score of 1-8 combined in Shoulder Abduction and Finger Extensors