sEMG-biofeedback armband for hand motor rehabilitation in stroke patients: a preliminary pilot longitudinal study

Upper limb motor impairment is one of the most debilitating sequelae after stroke, thus the aim of rehabilitation is to promote functional recovery and improve quality of life. Surface Electromyography Biofeedback (sEMG-BFB) is a therapeutic tool based on providing amplified neuromuscular information on motor performance to the patient, for enhancing motor learning and driving to a successful recovery. A preliminary pilot longitudinal study was carried out to preliminarily investigate any clinical and instrumental effect due to an innovative treatment based on sEMG-BFB, in stroke survivors. Fifteen stroke patients with impairment of hand function were enrolled for a 3-weeks- training with REcognition MOvement (REMO®), a sEMG-BFB armband, clinical and instrumental assessments were administered before and after the training. After training, statistically significant differences were observed at the Box and Block Test (BBT) and in the relation between changes at BBT and chMAX-chMIN of wrist extension movement. Our results indicated that improvement in the device control is associated to a better hand function. Further studies need to be conducted to investigate the feasibility of using REMO® to study motor behavior in both healthy and diseased subjects.