Assessment of a Physio-neuro Platform (SynPhNe) for Home-based Retraining of Hand Function in Stroke Survivors

Prior treatment

• Current participation in upper-extremity therapy program;
• Treatment with Botox injections in the affected arm in the previous 3 months and no planned Botox injections before the end of the study;
• No more than moderate impairments in paretic UE sensation, passive range of motion, and pain that would limit ability to engage in therapy;
• Previous diagnosis of dementia;
• Previous diagnosis of neurological diseases other than Stroke;

Other illness

• Cognitive impairment resulting to inability to follow instructions (as assessed with the MMSE) and inability to sustain attention for more than 10 minutes;
• History of seizures disorder and/or a seizure occuring within the last 6 months;
• Other conditions affecting function of the stroke affected upper limb;
• Severe pain in the stroke affected upper limb;
• Terminal diseases with expected survival \<1 year;

Other

• Aphasia sufficient to limit comprehension and completion of the treatment protocol;
• Increased muscle tone as indicated by score of \>/= 3 on the Modified Ashworth Scale;

• Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke at least 6 months prior study enrollment ;
• Moderate upper-extremity hemiparesis (initial score on the Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment between 21 and 55 out of 66) ;
• Ability to extend at least 2 fingers in the affected hand 10 degrees at any joint with pain-free passive range of motion at least 50% in all joints below the elbow.