First steps in functional magnetic stimulation (FMS)-movements of forearm and fingers induced by closed-loop...

For rehabilitation of cerebral paresis, e.g. following stroke, we developed a Method that helps to relearn lost movements of paretic arms, hands and fingers. The concept is to restore the lost proprioceptive afferent inflow to the CNS to facilitate reorganization by neuromodulation. Continuous movements are induced using closed-loop position controlled functional magnetic stimulation (FMS). In order to induce a equivalent proprioceptive afferent pattern to the lost pattern, the controller has to elicit movements of single fingers using a physiological stimulation frequencies in the range of 15 to 40 Hz. It has to integrate the remaining voluntary motor performance of the paretic extremity while stimulating. The presented controller is able to induce smooth movements and lifts the finger into the target position within two seconds. Following the stimulation of the plegic finger extensors the patients could perform rapid finger extension movements with larger displacement amplitude and velocity at rather diminished amounts of activity (EMG).