Communications of the ACM
Mind-Controlled Device Helps Stroke Patients Retrain Brains to Move Paralyzed Hands
A device devised by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis helps stroke victims retrain their brains to recover control over hand movements.
Credit: Leuthardt Lab
Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a hand-worn device connected to a brain-computer interface to help stroke patients retrain their brains to recover hand movements.
"If you can couple those motor signals that are associated with moving the same-sided limb with the actual movements of the hand, new connections will be made in your brain that allow the uninjured areas of your brain to take over control of the paralyzed hand," says Washington University professor Eric Leuthardt.
The Ipsihand device includes a electrode-studded cap to detect electrical signals in the brain, a computer to amplify the signals, and a movable brace fitting over the paralyzed hand. The Ipsihand detects signals in the uninjured hemisphere of the brain and opens and closes the brace to help retrain the brain to restore hand function.
The researchers say patients' motor skills scores improved meaningfully after 12 weeks of training with the Ipsihand.
From Washington University in St. Louis
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