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A stroke patient (left) uses the brain training helmet and a hand robotic device to practice motor movement of the paralyzed hand. (APD/Pan Jie).
A university in Hong Kong said on Tuesday that it has invented a new brain training device to help stroke patients to control their paralyzed limbs.
The device, developed by researchers from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Poly U)'s Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering (BME), is the first of its kind using brainwave in motor function training.
Shaped like a cycling helmet, the device contains dozens of electrodes, which can detect brain waves so as to guide stroke patients to identify voluntary intention and to relearn how to control their paralyzed limbs.
While practicing with the device, patients can be assisted with images from the computer or tablet, showing the progress of the neuromuscular connection between the brain and the paralyzed muscles.
"Among the five stroke patients joining the trial program, two of them have shown an improvement of around 30% to 50% in their paralyzed muscles after completing 20 rehabilitation sessions," said Raymond Tong Kai-yu, professor of Poly U's Interdisciplinary biomedical engineering and also leader of the research team inventing this device.
He recommended stroke patients to receive training with such a device as early as possible. "For those patients suffering stroke lasting over 10 years, the effect might not be so significant," he said.
Researchers also advise patients to use the "helmet" together with the "Hand of Hope", a hand robotic device designed two years ago by Poly U, to magnify the motor movement of the paralyzed hands.
The brain training "helmet" has already gained patent and is expected to be used in major local hospitals and rehabilitation centers in 2014 after undergoing clinical test.
There are around 20,000 people diagnosed with stroke every year in Hong Kong, with 70% to 80% having difficulties with upper body movement, mostly wrists and hands.
