Modeling of joint synergy and spasticity in stroke patients to solve arm reach tasks

Abstract

Neurological damage caused by stroke can result in motor control impairments [1] such as deleterious joint synergies (involuntary coactivation of joints) and spasticity (involuntary muscular contractions that limit range of motion). These issues reduce the arm workspace. necessitating modified rehabilitation training methods. Task-specific therapies that simulate activities of daily living (ADL) can be used to relearn the requisite motions [2]. However. individuals with joint synergy and spasticity may not know how to complete daily living tasks while compensating for their motor issues. This research focuses on developing an algorithm that finds efficient reach paths by taking into account the joint synergy and spasticity. In addition to helping patients complete ADLs, the algorithm could serve as a tool for classifying the feasibility and painfulness of reach tasks.