Effects of Post-Stroke Upper Extremity Assistance

Change reported as number of tasks where participants on average had increased functionality, no change, or decreased functionality. Lower functional scores are indicative of lower functional levels. The WMFT consists of 17 tasks: Forearm to table (side), Forearm to box (side), Extend elbow (to the side), Extend elbow (to the side) - with weight, Hand to table (front), Hand to box (front), Weight to box, Reach and retrieve, Lift can, Lift pencil, Lift paper clip, Stack checkers, Flip cards, Grip Strength, Turning key In lock, Fold towel, and Lift basket. Fifteen tasks were assessed for this outcome: task 7 (Weight to box) is reported in a separate analysis; task 14 (Grip strength) was excluded due to an inability to acquire the necessary equipment.

Change reported as number of tasks which participants on average performed with increased time, no change, or decreased time. If a participant was unable to complete the task, a time score of 120+ seconds was assigned and converted to 121 for calculation purposes. The WMFT consists of 17 tasks: Forearm to table (side), Forearm to box (side), Extend elbow (to the side), Extend elbow (to the side) - with weight, Hand to table (front), Hand to box (front), Weight to box, Reach and retrieve, Lift can, Lift pencil, Lift paper clip, Stack checkers, Flip cards, Grip Strength, Turning key In lock, Fold towel, and Lift basket. Fifteen tasks were assessed for this outcome: task 7 (Weight to box) is reported in a separate analysis; task 14 (Grip strength) was excluded due to an inability to acquire the necessary equipment.

Weight lifted (carried) in task 7 of the WMFT: Weight to box. In this assessment, the participant is seated and lifts weight to a box centered on a table in front of them, while keeping his/her back against the chair.

Participants are instructed to individually flex and extend the elbow and shoulder to trace the largest possible circle that they can reach while keeping the hand and elbow raised to the height of the shoulder while the motion of the arm is tracked with motion capture. The participant was asked to perform 6 motions (3 clockwise and 3 counterclockwise in randomized order). This protocol was originally developed by Sukal et al (2007); to asses post-stroke motor abilities. Successful motion is defined as motion where any part of the arm is within 20cm of shoulder level. The percentage of motion in which successful motion occurred over the total motion was reported.

Participants are instructed to individually flex and extend the elbow and shoulder to trace the largest possible circle that they can reach while keeping the hand and elbow raised to the height of the shoulder while the motion of the arm is tracked with motion capture. This protocol was originally developed by Sukal et al (2007); to asses post-stroke motor abilities. Successful motion is defined as motion where any part of the arm is within 20cm of shoulder level. The distance from the wrist to the trunk was reported for successful motion. Distance closer to the trunk indicates greater ability to correctly perform the task. Negative numbers would indicate the arm was below the trunk; positive numbers would indicate the arm was above the trunk.

Participants will be instructed to individually flex and extend the elbow and shoulder to trace the largest possible circle that they can reach while keeping the hand and elbow raised to the height of the shoulder while the motion of the arm is tracked with motion capture. This protocol was originally developed by Sukal et al (2007); to asses post-stroke motor abilities. A larger workspace area indicates fewer upper extremity motor impairments.

Participants are instructed to individually flex and extend the elbow and shoulder to trace the largest possible circle that they can reach while keeping the hand and elbow raised to the height of the shoulder while the motion of the arm is tracked with motion capture. This protocol was originally developed by Sukal et al (2007); to asses post-stroke motor abilities. The distance from the wrist to the trunk was reported for all motion. Distance closer to the trunk indicates greater ability to correctly perform the task. Negative numbers would indicate the arm was below the trunk; positive numbers would indicate the arm was above the trunk.

Closing survey of participants satisfaction with the device (impact, comfort, and responsiveness). Participants rated the experience as very positive, positive, neutral, negative, or very negative.