LegTutor system improves functional lower extremity movement ability in stroke patients

Stroke is among the most common causes of adult-onset impairment and disability. Motor impairment affects most stroke survivors and causes functional disability. Physical and Occupational therapists implement therapy based on scientific knowledge of motor capacity, motor control, and motor relearning. By using theory-driven approaches to treatment clinicians are translating basic sciences into novel clinical practice and building on methods to manipulate the remarkable plasticity of the brain. Examples of therapy used includes, task oriented training, task-related practice, robotic trainers, electrical stimulation. The HandTutor and ArmTutor system is proven to improve upper extremity function in patients with arm movement dysfunction in both rehabilitation clinic and the home. The introduction of the LegTutor system allows for customized intensive lower extremity movement practice and improved functional ability outcome.

The HandTutor assists recovery of upper limb dexterity in stroke patients

In the April edition of NeuroRehabilitation http://bit.ly/jCIipo Dr. Kong and his group from Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore look at the arm and hand functional ability of one hundred and forty patients more than a year after stroke onset. The group found that upper extremity functional deficit was present in almost 70% of patients with chronic stroke. The lack of functional ability correlated to upper limb strength and spasticity. The group concluded that the most significant predictor of dexterity, functional outcome and quality of life was the severity of upper limb paresis on admission to rehabilitation.
The HandTutor is used in both acute and chronic hand and arm rehabilitation by occupational and physical therapists based both in hospital and outpatient clinics.

HandTutor, ArmTutor, LegTutor, plasticity and functional outcome measures

In the March edition of Neurorehabil Neural Repair Dr. Butler and his team from Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine and Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA show a correlation between clinical outcome measures, such as the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and the upper limb portion of the Fugl-Meyer (FM) motor assessment, and neuroimaging techniques, such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and blood oxygenation level–dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Treatment using virtual functional tasks provided by the HandTutor, ArmTutor, LegTutor system have been proven to improve the patients functional ability in neurological and orthopedic injuries and disease.