Influence of Timing on Motor Learning

Not Applicable

Completed

Interventions: Device: Resonating Arm Exerciser
Other: Conventional Arm Exercise
Other: Conventional hand exercise
Device: MusicGlove

Brief Summary: The purpose of this research study is to compare different methods for training hand movement at home after stroke. This study involves research because it will test two experimental devices, the MusicGlove and the Resonating Arm Exerciser (RAE), compared to conventional hand and arm exercises. The MusicGlove is a glove that measures finger movements and allows its user to play a musical computer game using those movements. The RAE is a lever that attaches to a manual wheelchair with elastic bands and can be pushed back and forth to exercise the arm.

Detailed Description: The purpose of this research study is to compare different methods for training hand movement at home after stroke. This study involves research because it will test two experimental devices, the MusicGlove and the Resonating Arm Exerciser (RAE), compared to conventional hand and arm exercises. The MusicGlove is a glove that measures finger movements and allows its user to play a musical computer game using those movements. The RAE is a lever that attaches to a manual wheelchair with elastic bands and can be pushed back and forth to exercise the arm.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Age 18 to 80 years of age
Sustained a single stroke affecting the arm, at least three months prior to enrollment
Minimal to moderate lost motor control of the arm after stroke
No active major psychiatric problems, or neurological/orthopedic problems affecting the stroke-affected upper extremity
No active major neurological disease other than the stroke
Absence of pain in the stroke-affected upper extremity

Exclusion Criteria

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Resonating Arm Exerciser (RAE)	Resonating Arm Exerciser	Subject participates in 3 weeks of exercising with the experimental device: RAE at a minimum of 3 days per week, 1 hour per day with the exercise program
Control Group for RAE	Conventional Arm Exercise	Subject participates in 3 weeks of conventional arm exercise program, at a minimum of 3 days per week, 1 hour per day with the exercise program.
Control Group for Music Glove	Conventional hand exercise	Subject participates in 3 weeks of conventional hand exercise program, at a minimum of 3 days per week, 1 hour per day with the exercise program.
MusicGlove Group	MusicGlove	Subject participates in 3 weeks of exercising with the experimental device: MusicGlove at a minimum of 3 days per week, 1 hour per day with the exercise program

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Motor and Strength Outcome Measure Using Box and Block Test	From baseline to 1 month post therapy	The primary end point was the change in Box and Blocks score, which measures how many blocks a subject can pick up and place in a box in 60 secons, from baseline to 1 month posttherapy. The higher the scores, the better arm and hand function indicated.
Motor and Strength Outcome Measure Using Fugl-Meyer Score	From baseline to 1 month post therapy	The primary outcome measure was the change in Upper Extremity FM score on a scale of 0 to 66 at one month post therapy. The higher the scores, the better arm and hand function indicated.

Secondary Outcome Measures