Journal Article

Wearable vibrotactile stimulation for upper extremity rehabilitation in chronic stroke: clinical feasibility trial using the VTS Glove

Seim, Caitlyn E., Wolf, Steven L., Starner, Thad E.

2021

Overview

Objective Evaluate the feasibility and potential impacts on hand function using a wearable stimulation device (the VTS Glove) which provides mechanical, vibratory input to the affected limb of chronic stroke survivors. Methods A double-blind, randomized, controlled feasibility study including sixteen chronic stroke survivors (mean age: 54; 1-13 years post-stroke) with diminished movement and tactile perception in their affected hand. Participants were given a wearable device to take home and asked to wear it for three hours daily over eight weeks. The device intervention was either (1) the VTS Glove, which provided vibrotactile stimulation to the hand, or (2) an identical glove with vibration disabled. Participants were randomly assigned to each condition. Hand and arm function were measured weekly at home and in local physical therapy clinics. Results Participants using the VTS Glove showed significantly improved Semmes-Weinstein monofilament exam results, reduction in Modified Ashworth measures in the fingers, and some increased voluntary finger flexion, elbow and shoulder range of motion. Conclusions Vibrotactile stimulation applied to the disabled limb may impact tactile perception, tone and spasticity, and voluntary range of motion. Wearable devices allow extended application and study of stimulation methods outside of a clinical setting.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Aged / Arm / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering / Biomedicine / Care and treatment / Clinical trials / Disability / Double-Blind Method / Elbow / Elbow (anatomy) / Feasibility Studies / Female / Fingers / Hand / Hand (anatomy) / Handicapped accessibility / Humans / Laboratories / Male / Middle Aged / Motion detection / Muscle Tonus / Neurology / Neurosciences / Perception / Physical Therapy Modalities - instrumentation / Practice exercises / Range of motion / Range of Motion, Articular / Rehabilitation / Rehabilitation Medicine / Spasticity / Stimulation / Stroke / Stroke patients / Stroke Rehabilitation - instrumentation / Stroke Rehabilitation - methods / Tactile discrimination / Tactile perception / Tactile stimuli / Touch Perception - physiology / Upper extremity / Upper Extremity - physiopathology / Vibration / Vibration - therapeutic use / Vibrations / Vibrotactile / Wearable computers / Wearable Electronic Devices / Wearable technology