Abstract
Purpose: To determine clinical benefits of the BrightArm Duo bimanual upper extremity (UE) rehabilitation system for maintenance of older hemiplegic residents of Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). Methods: The system underwent a longitudinal controlled study in two SNFs. Seven chronic post-stroke participants trained for 8 weeks of increasingly intensive sessions followed by a 2 week booster period starting 10 weeks later. The sessions involved computer games designed to improve UE motor deficits, function, cognition and emotive state. BrightArm Duo recorded arm reach, arm active movement repetitions, hand grasps, and game performance. The control group (N=3) continued with normal maintenance programs offered in their SNF. Participants' motor function was evaluated pre-therapy, post-therapy, and pre-booster and post-booster using standard clinical measures. Participants' cognition was evaluated pre- and post- initial intervention and post-booster. Outcomes: The experimental group significantly improved in shoulder strength, grasp strength, active range of movement, supported arm reach and depression. The motor function and emotive levels post-booster were much higher than post- initial training. The experimental group motor, emotive, and cognitive outcomes were much better than for the control group. Conclusions: Initial results are promising for the integration of the BrightArm Duo in maintenance programs of SNF residents.