A body-machine interface for training selective pelvis movements in stroke survivors: A pilot study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Stroke survivors often experience impaired motor control, particularly in trunk and pelvic movements.
• Existing rehabilitation methods may not sufficiently address selective motor control deficits.
• Body-machine interfaces (BMIs) offer a potential avenue for targeted motor rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a proof-of-concept for a novel BMI as a rehabilitation tool for stroke survivors.
• To design and evaluate an exercise aimed at improving selective pelvic movement control post-stroke.
• To assess the impact of the BMI on reducing compensatory shoulder girdle movements.

Main Methods:

• A Kinect sensor was utilized to record subject movements.
• Participants engaged in interactive games controlling a screen cursor via pelvic tilt (lateral) and anteversion/retroversion.
• Monitoring of non-target degrees of freedom ensured task completion relied on correct posture.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in cursor control accuracy.
• Participants demonstrated enhanced selective control of pelvic movements in sagittal and frontal planes.
• Positive changes were noted in the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) and the Five Times Sit to Stand Test (5xSST).

Conclusions:

• This BMI represents a viable tool for stroke rehabilitation, specifically targeting pelvic motor control.
• The developed exercise effectively improved selective movement and functional outcomes in stroke survivors.
• Future research should explore larger cohorts and long-term effects of this BMI-based rehabilitation approach.