Learning, retention, and slacking: a model of the dynamics of recovery in robot therapy

IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2012 May;20(3):286-96. doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2012.2190827. Epub 2012 Apr 16.

Abstract

Quantitative descriptions of the process of recovery of motor functions in impaired subjects during robot-assisted exercise might help to understand how to use these devices to make recovery faster and more effective. Linear dynamical models have been used to describe the dynamics of sensorimotor adaptation. Here, we extend this formalism to characterize the neuromotor recovery process. We focus on a robot therapy experiment that involved chronic stroke survivors, based on a robot-assisted arm extension task. The results suggest that modeling the recovery process with dynamical models is feasible, and could allow predicting the long-term outcome of a robot-assisted rehabilitation treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / physiology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Algorithms
  • Arm / physiology
  • Exercise Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Learning / physiology*
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Statistical
  • Movement / physiology
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Recovery of Function
  • Robotics*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Stroke Rehabilitation*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vision, Ocular / physiology