Longitudinal Observation of Myoelectric Upper Limb Orthosis Use Among Veterans With Upper Limb Impairment

This study had two aims: (1) to evaluate therapeutic and neuroplastic effects of a myoelectric upper limb orthosis in conjunction with motor learning-based therapy and (2) to evaluate the functional effects of a myoelectric upper limb orthosis in conjunction with motor learning-based therapy. The investigators planned to recruit 15 Veterans and non-veterans who had Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or stroke and upper limb impairment, were over 18 years of age and a minimum of 6 months from injury. The study required 29 visits over 22 weeks and was divided into three parts: orthotic fitting, therapy/training (9 weeks), and home use (9 weeks). Therapeutic and functional benefits were evaluated every 2 to 3 weeks over 18 weeks using simple, short clinical tests.

Subjects were enrolled in the study if they met eligibility criteria assessed at a screening visit. Once enrolled subjects were fit with a custom fabricated MyoPro Motion-G elbow-wrist-hand orthosis following standard clinical procedures. This process required up to three visits to cast, trial fit and deliver the orthosis. Subjects then participated in a standard-of-care motor learning based therapy protocol in conjunction with the PERL ("Push Eat Reach Lift") training program recommended by Myomo, which consists of a 9 week, 18 session training plan. Every second week, there was one session that combined therapy/training and outcomes evaluation.