A reliable feedback system is described that measures the level and frequency of nerve impulses from incompletely innervated leg muscle. A computer program, written in BBC BASIC and designed to run on a BBC microcomputer, provides the stroke patient with proprioception, in the form of visual feedback, so that an increased awareness and subsequent control of the affected leg is possible. A prognostic assessment procedure for stroke patients is suggested, based on evidence arising from the use of this system.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
VodovnikLRebersekS.Myoelectrical and myomechanical prehension systems using functional electrical stimulation in control of upper extremity. In: HerbertsPKadeforsRMagnessonRPetersonI, eds. Prostheses and orthoses. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas, 1973: 151–65.
2.
LeeKHHillEJohnsonRSmiehorowskiT.Myofeedback for muscle retraining in hemiplegic patients. Arch Phys Med Rehabil1976; 57: 588–91.
3.
DemidenkoTDL'vovaRIIninIuSIakovlevNMBogdanovOV, Primenie portativnykh bioteknicheskikh ustroistv sobratnoi sviaz'iu v sisteme aktivnoi vosstanovitel'noi terapii u bol'nykh s postinsul'tnymi dvigatel'nymi narusheniiami. Zh Nevropatol Psikhiatr1983; 83(8): 1121–26.
4.
StandwoodJEKraftGH, Diagnosis and management of brachial plexus injuries. Arch Phys Med Rehabil1971; 52: 52–60.
5.
WolfSLHudsonJE, Feedback signal based upon force and time delay: Modification of the Krusen limb load monitor. Phys Ther1980; 60(10): 1289–90.
6.
AmatoAHermsmeyerCAKleinmanKM, Use of electromyographic feedback to increase inhibitory control of spastic muscles. Phys Ther1973; 53: 1063–66.
7.
AlexanderABFrenchCAGoodmanNJ, A comparison of audio and visual feedback in biofeedback assisted relaxation training. Psychophysiology1975; 12: 119–23.
8.
BazziniGGuamaschelliCCasaleRZelaschiF.Studio di un feedback visivo sul momento massimo volontario di flessione dorsale della tibiotarsica in pazienti emiplegici. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper1984; 60(2): 375–81.
9.
WallJCAshburnA.Assessment of gait disability in hemiplegics. Scand J Rehabil Med1979; 11: 95–103.
10.
WolfSLBakerMPKellyJL, EMG biofeedback in stroke: Effect of patient characteristics. Arch Phys Med Rehabil1979; 60: 96–102.
11.
TriptreeVJHarrisonMA, The use of sensor pads in the treatment of adult hemiplegia. Physiotherapy1980; 66(9): 299.
12.
PrevoAJHVisserSLVogelaarTW, Effect of EMG feedback on paretic muscles and abnormal co-contraction in the hemiplegic arm, compared with conventional physical therapy. Scand J Rehab Med1982; 14(3): 121–31.
13.
WolfSLBinder-MacLeodSA, Electromyographic biofeedback applications to the hemiplegic patient. Phys Ther1983; 63(9): 1393–1403.
14.
BobathB.Treatment of adult hemiplegia. Physiotherapy1977; 63(10): 310–313.
15.
BobathB.Adult hemiplegia: Evaluation and treatment. London: Heinemann, 1983.
16.
ThompsonSBN, Computer-assisted visual feedback as a potential prognostic tool for adult hemiplegia in occupational therapy. PGDIS Project Report PD/20/1984. Portsmouth: School of Information Science, Portsmouth Polytechnic, 1984.
17.
BrunnströmS.Movement therapy in hemiplegia. New York: Harper & Row, 1970.
18.
RoodM.The use of sensory receptors to activate, facilitate, and inhibit motor response, automatic and somatic, in developmental sequence. In: SatterleyC, ed. Approaches to the treatment of patients with neuromuscular dysfunction. Dubuque, Iowa: Wm Brown, 1962.
19.
StockmeyerS.An interpretation of the approach of Rood to the treatment of neuromuscular dysfunction. NUSTEP Proceedings. Am J Phys Med1967; 46(1): 900–56.
