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Recovery of the motor function of the arm with the aid of a hand exoskeleton controlled by a brain–computer interface in a patient with an extensive brain lesion

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Abstract

The dynamics of motor function recovery in a patient with an extensive brain lesion has been investigated during a course of neurorehabilitation assisted by a hand exoskeleton controlled by a brain–computer interface. Biomechanical analysis of the movements of the paretic arm recorded during the rehabilitation course was used for an unbiased assessment of motor function. Fifteen procedures involving hand exoskeleton control (one procedure per week) yielded the following results: (a) the velocity profile for targeted movements of the paretic hand became nearly bell-shaped; (b) the patient began to extend and abduct the hand, which was flexed and adducted at the beginning of the course; and (c) the patient started supinating the forearm, which was pronated at the beginning of the rehabilitation course. The first result is interpreted as improvement of the general level of control over the paretic hand, and the two other results are interpreted as a decrease in spasticity of the paretic hand.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    E. V. Biryukova, O. G. Pavlova, M. E. Kurganskaya, P. D. Bobrov, A. A. Frolov, V. I. Davydov & A. V. Silchenko

  2. Pirogov National Medical Research University, Moscow, Russia

    E. V. Biryukova & A. A. Frolov

  3. Vladimirskii Regional Clinical Research Institute, Moscow, Russia

    L. G. Turbina

  4. Technical University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic

    A. A. Frolov

  5. Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

    A. V. Silchenko

  6. Center of Neurology Research, Moscow, Russia

    O. A. Mokienko

Authors
  1. E. V. Biryukova
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  2. O. G. Pavlova
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  3. M. E. Kurganskaya
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  4. P. D. Bobrov
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  5. L. G. Turbina
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  6. A. A. Frolov
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  7. V. I. Davydov
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  8. A. V. Silchenko
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  9. O. A. Mokienko
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Correspondence to E. V. Biryukova.

Additional information

Original Russian Text © E.V. Biryukova, O.G. Pavlova, M.E. Kurganskaya, P.D. Bobrov, L.G. Turbina, A.A. Frolov, V.I. Davydov, A.V. Silchenko, O.A. Mokienko, 2016, published in Fiziologiya Cheloveka, 2016, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 19–30.

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Biryukova, E.V., Pavlova, O.G., Kurganskaya, M.E. et al. Recovery of the motor function of the arm with the aid of a hand exoskeleton controlled by a brain–computer interface in a patient with an extensive brain lesion. Hum Physiol 42, 13–23 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119716010035

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