Evaluation of a gamified upper-arm bimanual trainer for stroke patients - A healthy cohort study

Abstract

The current study aims to evaluate the bimanual trainer, ArmAble, using electrophysiology and kinematic data from a healthy cohort, that can help in creating a reliable rehabilitation schema. We use muscle activation patterns recorded through electromyography in healthy subjects, in order to understand the effect on synergies and activation patterns while using a bimanual trainer. We recorded electromyography from six muscles on either side (including four anti-gravity muscles) and kinematic data, while the subject uses the bimanual trainer to understand the muscular activation in the upper limbs. Experimental conditions included different complexity of reaching tasks and different inclinations. We computed the muscle output as quantified by RMS values and intermuscular coherence, which denotes common cortical drive and coordination between muscles. While inclination did not have a significant effect on RMS, there was a marginal yet non-significant effect on IMC. Whereas the complexity of the reaching task did affect the RMS, while it did not affect IMC. We discuss these results in the context of game design principles for neuro-rehabilitation.