Wearable Device for Motivating Hand Use After Stroke

An Interactive, Wearable Device for Measuring and Motivating Hand Use After Stroke

The goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of interactive feedback from a wearable device that senses hand function, the Manumeter, in improving upper extremity function in a pilot, randomized controlled trial with chronic stroke patients

In this randomized controlled trial, the investigators will compare two groups of chronic stroke participants Group 1 of study participants will use the Manumeter with interactive functions to monitor and motivate upper extremity functional activity. Group 2 of study participants will use the Manumeter but receive no feedback and will be given the current standard-of-care, a booklet describing a home exercise program for increasing upper extremity exercise. The investigators hypothesize that study participants who interactively monitor functional activity with the Manumeter will improve their upper extremity function significantly more.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 to 80 years of age
• Experienced one or multiple strokes at least six months previously
• Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Score < 60 out of 66
• Absence of moderate to severe upper limb pain (< 3 on the a 10 point visual-analog pain scale)
• Ability to understand the instructions to operate the device

Exclusion Criteria:

• 80 years of age and above
• Implanted pacemaker
• moderate to severe pain in affected arm
• severe tone in affected arm as measured on a standard clinical scale
• language problem that would prevent from properly understanding instructions
• currently pregnant
• difficulty in understanding or complying with the instructions given by the experimenter
• inability to perform the experimental task that will be studied