Myoelectric Powered Wearable Orthotics Improvements on Upper Extremity Function in Persons with SCI

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

3:40 PM – 3:45 PM

Location: Station 5

Presenting Author(s)

Ghaith J. Androwis

Senior Research Scientist
Kessler Foundation
West Orange, New Jersey, United States

Non-presenting Author(s)

AE

Amanda Engler

PT
Kessler Foundation, United States
SA

Salli Al-Rabadi

Research Biomedical Engineer
Kessler Foundation, United States
NC

Natalia Chmielewska

Medical Student intern
Kessler Foundation, United States
SR

Sameer Rana

Research Assistant
Kessler Foundation, United States
Steven Kirshblum, MD

Chief Medical Officer
Kessler Institute for Rehabiiltation
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
West Orange, New Jersey, United States
GY

Guang Yue, PhD

Center Director
Kessler Foundation
West Orange, New Jersey, United States

Research Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of a myoelectric powered wearable orthosis (MPWO) in improving function, and strength in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Prospective design.

Setting: SCI rehabilitation hospital and research center.

Participants: Two male participants with neurologically and functionally stable chronic incomplete SCI, a 75 and a 31-year-old and AIS D and B.

Interventions: The participant received 18 sessions (over 6 weeks) of UE rehabilitation using a myoelectric powered wearable orthosis (MPWO). Assessments were administered at baseline and after rehabilitation training (post treatment).

Main Outcome Measures: Handgrip forces, active range of motion (AROM), response time to initiate a movement, and muscles activations before and after rehabilitation training.

Results: The response time to initiate UE movements decreased, and handgrip force and handgrip angles improved after training with the UE-MPWO. This early data suggests that the use of this UE-MPWO device may enhance participants’ activities that may lead to improved function.

Conclusions: The overall goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of UE-MPWO (MyoPro) in ameliorating UE movement impairments to improve ADL and quality of life in people with iSCI. Further study is ongoing, but these initial findings suggest a promise for neurological change by using such a device.

Author(s) Disclosures: None

Learning Objectives:

1. To examine the impact of utilizing a myoelectric powered wearable orthosis in remedying upper extremity strength and function for persons with SCI.
2. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the use of a MPWO as a rehabilitation intervention for persons with SCI.
3. To examine improvements in handgrip forces, active range of motion (AROM), and response time to initiate a movement after rehabilitation training.