Augmenting Hand and Arm Function for Persons with Hemiparesis

Authors

Brooke SteinFollow
Susan Duff, Chapman UniversityFollow
Alison McKenzie, Chapman UniversityFollow
Bailey Advincula, Chapman UniversityFollow
Isaac An, Chapman UniversityFollow
Annie Jeon, Chapman UniversityFollow
Casey McWilliam, Chapman UniversityFollow
Will Potter, Chapman UniversityFollow
Virginia Ruano, Chapman UniversityFollow
Paulina Vokulich, Chapman UniversityFollow
Audrey Howell, Chapman UniversityFollow
Rahul Soangra, Chapman UniversityFollow

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 5-1-2024

Faculty Advisor(s)

Dr. Susan Duff; Dr. Alison McKenzie; Dr. Rahul Soangra

Abstract

Background. Hand and arm dysfunction due to neural disorders significantly influences quality of life. Activity-based training has been found to improve function. These improvements could be augmented with transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) due to the modulatory effect it has on spinal and supraspinal networks. Objective. The primary aim is to determine if a 4-week training program will improve hand and arm function. The secondary aim is to determine if the addition of tSCS to a second 4-week training session will further improve function. Design. This is a pre-posttest, controlled trial for persons 10-75 years of age, >6 months post stroke or with unilateral cerebral palsy.Methods. Participants will engage in two 4-week training periods, 3x/week for 2 hours/day. The 1st period will include unimanual and bimanual training alone. The 2nd period will be augmented with low frequency tSCS to the C5-T1 spinal region. Stimulation intensity will be based on individual muscle activation during 3 tasks: 1) grip dynamometry; 2) grip-lift; and 3) target pointing. Outcome measures taken before, midway, and after training are: Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), dexterity, daylong arm use, grip/pinch strength, sensibility, questionnaires, bilateral hand/arm surface electromyography, and Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer (UEFM). Results: Nine participants have completed the 1st 4-week training period without tSCS. Individual data reveals improvements in the COPM, Grip strength, dexterity, and the UEFM. Findings for other measures after the 1st period are mixed or in process. Conclusion: Preliminary findings from this ongoing study reveal that participants made improvements in most measures. The next phase of the study will determine if the addition of tSCS to training further augments hand and arm function.

Comments

Presented at the Spring 2024 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University.

Recommended Citation

Stein, Brooke; Duff, Susan; McKenzie, Alison; Advincula, Bailey; An, Isaac; Jeon, Annie; McWilliam, Casey; Potter, Will; Ruano, Virginia; Vokulich, Paulina; Howell, Audrey; and Soangra, Rahul, "Augmenting Hand and Arm Function for Persons with Hemiparesis" (2024). Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters. 633.
https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/cusrd_abstracts/633