Stimulation technique could speed stroke patient recovery

The concept, which has received £464,231 from the EPSRC, would aid the rehabilitation of stroke patients who are taught to relearn everyday tasks through the use of virtual-reality computer games.

As stroke patients act out movements such as grabbing a tea cup, their muscles will be stimulated by electrical impulses from electrodes placed on the body. The impulses are designed to help stroke patients move, which is often difficult because nerves connecting their brain and muscles have been damaged.

The electrical impulses travel along the nerves in a similar way to electrical impulses from the brain. If stimulation is carefully controlled, a useful movement can be made.

Southampton’s team of researchers are aiming to combine the patient’s own effort with just enough extra electrical stimulation to achieve the movement. The work builds upon five years of research at the university.

Jane Burridge, a professor of restorative neuroscience and co-investigator on the project, said the team has already demonstrated that the technique works well when stimulating only one muscle and producing a simple movement.