Feasibility of home hand rehabilitation using musicglove after chronic spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 2022 · DOI: 10.1038/s41394-022-00552-4 · Published: October 14, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Assistive Technology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the feasibility of using the MusicGlove, a wearable hand sensor, for rehabilitation in people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). The MusicGlove helps users perform gripping movements by playing music-based games. The study compares how individuals with SCI use the MusicGlove at home compared to stroke survivors. It also examines whether users appropriately challenge themselves during therapy and provides a preliminary estimate of the therapeutic effect on hand function. The results showed that MusicGlove is a feasible option for hand therapy in the home-setting for individuals with chronic SCI. Participants showed increased compliance and completed more grips compared to previous stroke studies, suggesting that the device can encourage engagement in therapy.

Study Duration

3 weeks intervention, 3 weeks wash-out, 3 weeks cross-over intervention

Participants

10 participants with chronic spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Level 1, Randomized, controlled single-blind cross over study

Key Findings

1
Participants with SCI demonstrated higher levels of compliance and completed more gripping movements compared to participants in previous stroke studies using the same MusicGlove device.
2
Participants modulated game parameters in a manner consistent with optimal challenge principles from motor learning theory, indicating they were appropriately challenging themselves during therapy.
3
The experimental group using MusicGlove showed increases in prehension ability and performance, as well as improvements on the Box and Blocks Test, compared to the control group receiving conventional hand therapy.

Research Summary

This study examined the feasibility of using the MusicGlove device for hand rehabilitation in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). The results indicated that MusicGlove is a feasible option for home-based hand therapy for individuals with chronic SCI, with participants demonstrating high levels of compliance and engagement. The study also provided preliminary evidence suggesting that MusicGlove may improve hand function in individuals with chronic SCI, as indicated by improvements in prehension ability and performance.

Practical Implications

Home-based Rehabilitation

MusicGlove provides a feasible option for delivering hand therapy in the home setting, increasing accessibility for individuals with SCI.

Enhanced Engagement

The engaging nature of the MusicGlove device can lead to increased compliance and higher repetition rates, potentially improving therapy outcomes.

Personalized Therapy

The ability to modulate game parameters allows for personalized therapy, optimizing the level of challenge for each individual.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions about the therapeutic effect of MusicGlove.
2
Unequal group sizes and differences in time since SCI limit the generalizability of the results.
3
Lack of objective measures of compliance with conventional hand therapy makes it difficult to compare the effectiveness of the two interventions.

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