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Nam C, Rong W, Li W, Cheung C, Ngai W, Cheung T, Pang M, Li L, Hu J, Wai H, Hu X. An Exoneuromusculoskeleton for Self-Help Upper Limb Rehabilitation After Stroke. Soft Robot 2020; 9:14-35. [PMID: 33271057 PMCID: PMC8885439 DOI: 10.1089/soro.2020.0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
This article presents a novel electromyography (EMG)-driven exoneuromusculoskeleton that integrates the neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), soft pneumatic muscle, and exoskeleton techniques, for self-help upper limb training after stroke. The developed system can assist the elbow, wrist, and fingers to perform sequential arm reaching and withdrawing tasks under voluntary effort control through EMG, with a lightweight, compact, and low-power requirement design. The pressure/torque transmission properties of the designed musculoskeletons were quantified, and the assistive capability of the developed system was evaluated on patients with chronic stroke (n = 10). The designed musculoskeletons exerted sufficient mechanical torque to support joint extension for stroke survivors. Compared with the limb performance when no assistance was provided, the limb performance (measured as the range of motion in joint extension) significantly improved when mechanical torque and NMES were provided (p < 0.05). A pilot trial was conducted on patients with chronic stroke (n = 15) to investigate the feasibility of using the developed system in self-help training and the rehabilitation effects of the system. All the participants completed the self-help device-assisted training with minimal professional assistance. After a 20-session training, significant improvements were noted in the voluntary motor function and release of muscle spasticity at the elbow, wrist, and fingers, as indicated by the clinical scores (p < 0.05). The EMG parameters (p < 0.05) indicated that the muscular coordination of the entire upper limb improved significantly after training. The results suggested that the developed system can effectively support self-help upper limb rehabilitation after stroke. ClinicalTrials.gov Register Number NCT03752775.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chingyi Nam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Rong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Waiming Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chingyee Cheung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wingkit Ngai
- Industrial Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tszching Cheung
- Industrial Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mankit Pang
- Industrial Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Junyan Hu
- Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Honwah Wai
- Industrial Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaoling Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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Perez JE, Schmidt MA, Narvaez A, Welsh LK, Diaz R, Castro M, Ansari K, Cason RW, Bilezikian JA, Hope W, Guerron AD, Yoo J, Levinson H. Evolving concepts in ventral hernia repair and physical therapy: prehabilitation, rehabilitation, and analogies to tendon reconstruction. Hernia 2020; 25:1-13. [PMID: 32959176 DOI: 10.1007/s10029-020-02304-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The abdominal wall and musculoskeletal tendons share many anatomic, physiologic, and functional characteristics. This review aims to highlight these similar characteristics and to present a rationale why the treatment principles of successful musculoskeletal tendon reconstruction, including principles of surgical technique and physical therapy, can be used in the treatment of complex abdominal wall reconstruction or ventral hernia repair. METHODS The MEDLINE/PubMed database was used to identify published literature relevant to the purpose of this review. CONCLUSIONS There are several anatomical and functional similarities between the linea alba and musculoskeletal tendons. Because of this reason, many of the surgical principles for musculoskeletal tendon repair and ventral hernia repair overlap. Distribution of tension is the main driving principle for both procedures. Suture material and configuration are chosen to maximize tension distribution among the tissue edges, as seen in the standard of care multistrand repairs for musculoskeletal tendons, as well as in the small bites for laparotomy technique described in the STITCH trial. Physical therapy is also one of the mainstays of tendon repair, but surprisingly, is not routine in ventral hernia repair. The evidence surrounding physical therapy prehabilitation and rehabilitation protocols in other disciplines is significant. This review challenges the fact that these protocols are not routinely implemented for ventral hernia repair, and presents the rationale and feasibility for the routine practice of physical therapy in ventral hernia repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Perez
- Division of Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27704, US
| | - M A Schmidt
- Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, US
| | - A Narvaez
- Division of Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27704, US
| | - L K Welsh
- Division of Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27704, US
| | - R Diaz
- Division of Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27704, US
| | - M Castro
- Division of Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27704, US
| | - K Ansari
- Division of Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, US
| | - R W Cason
- Division of Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, US
| | - J A Bilezikian
- Department of General Surgery, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC, 28403, US
| | - W Hope
- General Surgery Specialists, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC, 28403, US
| | - A D Guerron
- Division of Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27704, US
| | - J Yoo
- Division of Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27704, US
| | - H Levinson
- Division of Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, US. .,Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Associate Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pathology, Dermatology and Surgical Sciences, Departments of Dermatology, Pathology, and Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC 3181, Durham, NC, 27710, US.
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