Article

Our previous work proposed a rehabilitation robot to support
bimanual-coordinated training not only in active-assisted and passive-driven
modes but also in active-resisted mode. However, assessment of training effect
was only focused on the improvements of subjects' motion-tracking precisions.
This paper presents an evaluation strategy based on variations in both cerebral
activation level (CAL) and motion-tracking precision. METHOD: Fourteen healthy
subjects participated in motion-tracking training in bimanual active-assisted and
active-resisted modes, and in single right-limb and left-limb modes, with
haemoglobin concentration and motion-tracking errors being measured
simultaneously. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) of the CAL and motion-tracking
errors were performed to investigate bimanual training effect and the difference
between bimanual and single-limb trainings in activating the brain. RESULTS: In
the bimanual modes, both the CAL and motion-tracking precision significantly
increased after training. And the CAL induced in the bimanual trainings were
significantly greater than in the single-limb trainings. CONCLUSIONS: Significant
enhancement of the CAL and motion-tracking precision confirmed a positive
training effect on enhancing the bimanual-coordination capability of healthy
subjects. Compared to the single-limb modes, the higher CAL in the bimanual modes
demonstrated the potential of the proposed bimanual training for improving the
functional integrity of the two hemispheres.

Langue : ANGLAIS