AMES Treatment of the Proximal Arm in Chronic Stroke

AMES Rehabilitation of the Proximal Arm in Severely Impaired Stroke Patients

Subjects will receive 30 treatments with AMES, to the proximal arm which has been affected by a chronic stroke.

This study seeks to determine whether 30 treatments with AMES, to the proximal affected arm of subjects with chronic stroke, will improve subjects' proximal arm active range-of-motion. We hypothesize that the combination of assisted movement, torque biofeedback, and muscle vibration will reduce impairment (i.e., increase strength and range-of-motion; decrease inappropriate patterns of muscle contraction) and, thereby, lead to more accurate reaching with the proximal arm.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ischemic or Hemorrhagic stroke affecting the right arm
• One year or longer since stroke
• Severe impairment of right arm with a baseline upper extremity Fugl-Meyer score between 8-24
• Right elbow and shoulder spasticity (Ashworth score ≤3)
• Right shoulder abduction-elbow flexion dyssynergia

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exercise intolerance
• Co-morbidities limiting arm movement (e.g. shoulder subluxation)
• Chronic pain
• Cognitive dysfunction preventing compliance with instructions
• Participation in other ongoing research studies
• Plans to initiate or discontinue any physical/occupational therapy during the period of enrollment