Reaching contralateral target by chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors using active-assisted/active exercise with 2D/3D visual feedback

Chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors need 3D point-to-point movements every day at home. We compared device-assisted 3D reaching exercise performed by chronic stroke and evaluated the effect of active-assisted/active devices and 2D/3D visual feedback. We chose two arms to serve as upper extremity exercise devices, with active-assisted and active modes. 2D/3D visual feedback of the target position is projected on a large screen. The arm and display devices corresponded to the motor and cognitive functions of a subject, respectively. Thirty four chronic-stage stroke survivors were randomly placed in four groups. Four groups performed a set of reaching tasks over four weeks. Movement data such as movement velocity and curvilinearity ratio for the reaching tasks were compared, and based on this comparison, 3D visual feedback was found to be more effective than 2D visual feedback. When the target position changed, stroke survivors could effectively reach it with the help of the 3D visual feedback. The performance of the active-assisted exercise device was similar to that of a spring-loaded active exercise device. Active-assisted exercises can be applied to subjects who have difficulty in reaching movements, especially in the early sessions of reaching exercise.