Introduction of an emg-controlled game to facilitate hand rehabilitation after stroke

Abstract

Stroke survivors often have difficulty creating the proper muscle activation patterns to perform functional tasks. We have developed an electromyo-graphically (EMG)-controlled game to assist stroke survivors in rehabilitating activation patterns. Players must produce specific EMG patterns in order to move a cursor throughout a computer screen. We ran a pilot study with neurologically intact subjects playing the game on three separate days. Significant carryover in improvement of activation was seen from one day to the next.