Myoelectric Powered Wearable Orthotics Improvements on Upper Extremity Function in Persons with SCI

Research Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of a myoelectric powered wearable orthosis (MPWO) in improving function, and strength in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Design Prospective design. Setting SCI rehabilitation hospital and research center. Participants Two male participants with neurologically and functionally stable chronic incomplete SCI, a 75 and a 31-year-old and AIS D and B. Interventions The participant received 18 sessions (over 6 weeks) of UE rehabilitation using a myoelectric powered wearable orthosis (MPWO). Assessments were administered at baseline and after rehabilitation training (post treatment). Main Outcome Measures Handgrip forces, active range of motion (AROM), response time to initiate a movement, and muscles activations before and after rehabilitation training. Results The response time to initiate UE movements decreased, and handgrip force and handgrip angles improved after training with the UE-MPWO. This early data suggests that the use of this UE-MPWO device may enhance participants’ activities that may lead to improved function. Conclusions The overall goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of UE-MPWO (MyoPro) in ameliorating UE movement impairments to improve ADL and quality of life in people with iSCI. Further study is ongoing, but these initial findings suggest a promise for neurological change by using such a device. Author(s) Disclosures None. To evaluate the efficacy of a myoelectric powered wearable orthosis (MPWO) in improving function, and strength in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Prospective design. SCI rehabilitation hospital and research center. Two male participants with neurologically and functionally stable chronic incomplete SCI, a 75 and a 31-year-old and AIS D and B. The participant received 18 sessions (over 6 weeks) of UE rehabilitation using a myoelectric powered wearable orthosis (MPWO). Assessments were administered at baseline and after rehabilitation training (post treatment). Handgrip forces, active range of motion (AROM), response time to initiate a movement, and muscles activations before and after rehabilitation training. The response time to initiate UE movements decreased, and handgrip force and handgrip angles improved after training with the UE-MPWO. This early data suggests that the use of this UE-MPWO device may enhance participants’ activities that may lead to improved function. The overall goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of UE-MPWO (MyoPro) in ameliorating UE movement impairments to improve ADL and quality of life in people with iSCI. Further study is ongoing, but these initial findings suggest a promise for neurological change by using such a device.