Evaluation of a bimanual-coordinated upper-limbs training system based on the near infrared spectroscopic signals on brain

Various rehabilitation systems have been developed to deliver therapy for hemiplegic patients. Fugl- Meyer scale and Motor Power Score were common used methods to evaluate training effect and validate the developed systems. However, these assessments were involved with some inevitable subjective factors of therapists. In order to objectively evaluate the effect of a bimanual training that performed with a novel self-controlled system, this paper carried out assessment based on cerebral activation and motion-tracking precision. Four healthy subjects coordinated the forces of two arms and performed motion tracking training in active-assisted and active-resisted modes. After training, movement performance was enhanced and the brain became more active with an increased cerebral activation. Experimental results verified the positive training effect of the new system and the correlation between the cerebral cortical activation and motion capability.