title: Validation of bimanual-coordinated training supported by a new upper-limb rehabilitation robot: a near-infrared spectroscopy study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Robotics and Microsystems Center, Soochow University, Suzhou, China. lichunguang@suda.edu.cn
authors.forename: Chunguang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lining
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology*