Design and Verification of Individualized Smart Assistive Devices for Stroke Rehabilitation

Inclusion criteria

• the first time hemiparetic stroke;
• diagnosis confirmed by a physician on the basis of the findings of neurological examinations and brain imaging (magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan);
• aged between 20 and 85 years;
• Brunnstrom's stage II to V over the proximal and distal part of the upper extremity on the affected side;
• no cognitive dysfunction, measured by the Mini-Mental State Exam (≧24; suggested by 36 with respect to age and educational level)
• willing/able to participate and having signed an informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

• unstable vital sign
• irreversible contracture over any of the joints of the affected upper extremity
• history of surgery, fracture, arthritis, pain, or any other complications that might influence the recovery of upper extremity function like aphasia, apraxia and neglect;
• having spasticity, as measured using the Modified Ashworth scale (score > 2);
• poststroke seizure;
• heart attack within 3 months poststroke; cortical lesions in any of the five core motor areas of interest, including the bilateral M1, the bilateral PM, and the SMA.