Inference of changes in proprioception using kinematics in robot-assisted reach exercise for chronic stroke survivors

Abstract

In this study, we inferred the changes in proprioception through kinematic data analysis in repetitive robot-assisted reach exercise. It was assumed that proprioception could be inferred by observing the variability of point-to-point movements during exercise. Ten chronic stroke survivors performed the robot-assisted reach exercise for six weeks. The averaged distance between points passing through a virtual plane near a return target position and their centroid during the reach exercise was calculated as an index of the movement variability. The results showed that the variability was reduced by 15.7%. Using clinical assessment tools, functional arm movement improved by 6%. We can infer the changes in proprioception from the exercise based on the decrease of the variability.