Hand of Hope - The Hand of Hope (HOH) is a therapy device (exoskeleton) used for neuromuscular rehabilitationof the hand and forearm. HOH functions as a biofeedback device where surface electromyography(sEMG) electrodes depict voluntary muscle activation. The depicted signals are processed andsimplified, and can be seen by a convenient presentation of visual feedback. The sEMG readoutenables patients to monitor the fundamental neuromuscular functional state. Therefore, impairment,functional limitation and impaired volitional movement due to stroke or other neurologic ororthopaedic diseases can be easily presented and utilized by a sensory signal. Patient’s attention isdrawn to the task through a visually displayed sEMG signal and consequently used for the initiationof the motor task. This biofeedback mechanism promotes motor learning via interactive use. Inparticular, stroke is one of the leading causes of adult disability, and hand rehabilitation after strokeis a very challenging part thereof. However, it is well known that sensory signals such as visualsensory inputs reach the motor cortex and modulate motor cortex function and excitability, andtherefore can improve motor learning. Since active participation and initiation of the movement is thekey to success, using the biofeedback system, HOH motivates patients to actively interact with thesystem during an sEMG controlled task-related training regime
2022-11-24