Author/Editor		Matjačić, Zlatko; Zadravec, Matjaž; Oblak, Jakob
Title		Development of an apparatus for bilateral rhythmical training of arm movement via linear and elliptical trajectories of various directions
Type		članek
Vol. and No.		Letnik 8, št. 3
Publication year		2014
Volume		str. 6 str.
ISSN		1932-619X - Journal of medical devices
Language		eng
Abstract		Clinical rehabilitation of individuals with various neurological disorders requires a significant number of movement repetitions in order to improve coordination and restore appropriate muscle synergies. Arm reaching movement is frequently practiced via motorized arm cycling ergometers where the trajectory of movement is circular thus providing means for practicing a single and rather non-functional muscle synergy, which is a significant limitation. We have thus developed a novel mechanism that in the combination with existing arm ergometer device enables nine different movement modalities/trajectories ranging from purely circular trajectory to four elliptical and four linear trajectories where the direction of movement may be varied. Muscle synergies in all movement modalities were first assessed in a group of healthy individuals in the form of electromyographic activity of four selected muscle groups of the shoulder and the elbow. The results have shown that muscle synergies during elliptical and even more so during linear movement modalities considerably differ from purely circular trajectories. Further, we assessed muscle synergies during exercise of a selected clinical case of hemiparesis. These results have shown ability of the subject to produce different muscle synergies as a response to different movement modalities. This implies that the developed device may significantly extend the scope of strength and coordination training which is in current clinical rehabilitation practice done through arm cycling.
Keywords		rehabilitacijska robotika zgornje ekstremitete