Quantification of UE Use and Effects of Feedback in the Home Setting

The investigators are proposing a pilot study, the purpose of which is to use accelerometers to quantify UE use (1 and two hand use) in people post-stroke from which the investigators will develop use-based feedback to improve recovery in the home setting. The objectives of this pilot study are to:

i.) determine the feasibility of using accelerometers to quantify amount of UE use in the home setting in individuals chronic post-stroke,

ii.) quantify and compare the unilateral activity of the weaker (paretic) versus stronger (non-paretic) UEs, and

iii.) assess the effect of a 7 sessions of in-home accelerometer used-based feedback on unilateral and bilateral UE use.

iv.) assess kinematic, kinetic, and EMG data during UE movements unilaterally and bilaterally in subjects post-chronic stroke pre and post feedback.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects post-stroke
• chronic post ischemic or hemorrhagic cortical or subcortical stroke
• 25 - 100 years old
• upper extremity impairment
• Subjects will need to be able to flex their paretic shoulder and their elbow > 40° without assist
• able to follow 2-step commands
• community dwelling with or without assistance
• intact superficial light touch sensation in both upper extremities
• must also have some movement in both arms

Exclusion Criteria:

• can't currently have another neuromuscular disorders such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson disease or multiple sclerosis
• no upper extremity injury within the last 3 months