A usability study on mobile EMG-guided wrist extension training in subacute stroke patients-MyoGuide

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Effective stroke rehabilitation demands high-dose, repetitive training, particularly in early recovery.
• Usability of upper-limb rehabilitation tech in acute/subacute stroke survivors is underexplored.
• MyoGuide, a mobile platform using sEMG-guided neurofeedback for wrist extension, was evaluated in subacute stroke survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the usability of the MyoGuide platform for wrist extension training in subacute stroke survivors.
• To evaluate the platform's effectiveness in improving wrist extension function.
• To identify challenges and potential improvements for independent use.

Main Methods:

• Seven subacute stroke patients underwent 10 days of supervised MyoGuide training targeting wrist extension.
• Training included calibration, stability assessment, and dynamic tasks, with data recorded by the app.
• Usability was measured using the System Usability Scale (SUS), and willingness for home training was assessed via survey.

Main Results:

• The MyoGuide platform achieved a median SUS score of 82.5, indicating good usability.
• Participants showed significant improvements in stability and level of difficulty from the first to the last session.
• Patients expressed interest in home-based training but noted difficulties with the armband and software for independent use.

Conclusions:

• MyoGuide is a usable platform for therapist-assisted stroke rehabilitation, showing potential for wrist extension training across various impairment levels.
• Further improvements are needed to address usability challenges for independent home-based training.
• The study highlights the need for user-friendly design in neurorehabilitation technologies.