Investigating effect of sensorimotor and gait training with biofeedback on lower-limb proprioception and motor function of stroke survivors

Stroke is a common and disabling disease, bringing great challenges to medical systems globally. The long-term effects of a stroke can affect the quality of life of community-dwelling stroke survivors and their ability to participate in life roles. Nearly two-thirds of stroke survivors exhibit various forms of somatosensory or proprioceptive dysfunction. Previous neurofacilitation interventions to improve the impaired lower-limb proprioception and motor function like Bobath and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), have not been able to show better effect on motor performance after stroke than any other treatment methods, and long-term improvements in walking performance are lacking. Some recent studies have developed and applied some assistive devices specifically to do the sensorimotor training, with advanced interaction control schemes and the use of integrated sensors to continuously monitor and adapt the support to the actual state of patients. However, to the best of our knowledge, none of the previous studies have investigated if the sensorimotor and gait training can improve the lower-limb proprioception and motor function in stroke survivors. To address the above-mentioned issues, this study will fill the research gap by investigating the effect of sensorimotor and gait training on lower-limb proprioception and motor function of stroke survivors. It will apply a novel wearable biofeedback system with feedback on lower-limb motion to do the sensorimotor and gait training and investigate the immediate effect of such trainings on lower limb proprioception and motor function of stroke survivors.