Wolf Motor Function Test

Robotically Facilitated Virtual Rehabilitation of Arm Transport Integrated ...

Recovery of upper extremity function is particularly recalcitrant to successful rehabilitation. Robotic-assisted arm training devices integrated with virtual targets or complex virtual reality gaming simulations are being developed to deal with this problem.

Neural control mechanisms indicate that reaching and hand-object manipulation are interdependent, suggesting that training on tasks requiring coordinated effort of both the upper arm and hand may be a more effective method for improving recovery of real world function. However, most robotic therapies have focused on training the proximal, rather than distal effectors of the upper extremity.

This paper describes the effects of robotically-assisted, integrated upper extremity training.

Methods: Twelve subjects post-stroke were trained for eight days on four upper extremity gaming simulations using adaptive robots during 2-3 hour sessions.

Results: The subjects demonstrated improved proximal stability, smoothness and efficiency of the movement path. This was in concert with improvement in the distal kinematic measures of finger individuation and improved speed.

Importantly, these changes were accompanied by a robust 16-second decrease in overall time in the Wolf Motor Function Test and a 24-second decrease in the Jebsen Test of Hand Function.

Conclusions: Complex gaming simulations interfaced with adaptive robots requiring integrated control of shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and finger movements appear to have a substantial effect on improving hemiparetic hand function. We believe that the magnitude of the changes and the stability of the patient's function prior to training, along with maintenance of several aspects of the gains demonstrated at retention make a compelling argument for this approach to training.

Abstract | Robotically Facilitated Virtual Rehabilitation of Arm ...

Abstract (provisional)

Background

Recovery of upper extremity function is particularly recalcitrant to successful rehabilitation. Robotic-assisted arm training devices integrated with virtual targets or complex virtual reality gaming simulations are being developed to deal with this problem. Neural control mechanisms indicate that reaching and hand-object manipulation are interdependent, suggesting that training on tasks requiring coordinated effort of both the upper arm and hand may be a more effective method for improving recovery of real world function. However, most robotic therapies have focused on training the proximal, rather than distal effectors of the upper extremity. This paper describes the effects of robotically-assisted, integrated upper extremity training.

Methods

Twelve subjects post-stroke were trained for eight days on four upper extremity gaming simulations using adaptive robots during 2-3 hour sessions.

Results

The subjects demonstrated improved proximal stability, smoothness and efficiency of the movement path. This was in concert with improvement in the distal kinematic measures of finger individuation and improved speed. Importantly, these changes were accompanied by a robust 16-second decrease in overall time in the Wolf Motor Function Test and a 24-second decrease in the Jebsen Test of Hand Function.

Conclusions

Complex gaming simulations interfaced with adaptive robots requiring integrated control of shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and finger movements appear to have a substantial effect on improving hemiparetic hand function. We believe that the magnitude of the changes and the stability of the patient's function prior to training, along with maintenance of several aspects of the gains demonstrated at retention make a compelling argument for this approach to training.

Measuring post-stroke arm motor ability: Measurement properties of the Fugl-Meyer upper extremity assessment examined with an item response theory measurement framework

Table 18: Wolf Motor Function Test item difficulty hierarchy Table 19: Wolf Motor Function Test differential item function analysis ...

Occupational therapy for physical dysfunction

The Wolf Motor Function Test(WMFT) "quantifies upper extremity movement ability through timed single- or PROCEDURES FOR PRACTICE 6-3 Scoring Sheet for the ...

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Wolf SL, Mdunkin IP, Swanson ML, Weiss PS Pilot normative database for the Wolf Motor Function Test. Arch Phys Med \Rehabil. ...

The effectiveness of constraint-induced movement therapy in the pediatric population as measured by the Wolf Motor Function Test

Neurosurgery

... performance time and in the quality of movement (Actual Amount of Use Test, Motor Activity Log, Wolf Motor Function Test, and Arm Motor Ability Test). ...