Active elbow flexion is possible in C4 quadriplegia using hybrid assistive limb (HAL®) technology: A case study.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Patients with complete quadriplegia after high cervical spinal cord injury are fully dependent with activities of daily living. Assistive technology can improve their quality of life. We examined the use of a hybrid assistive limb for single joints (HAL-SJ) in a 19-year-old man with complete C4 quadriplegia due to chronic spinal cord injury to restore function of active elbow flexion. This is the first report on the use of the HAL-SJ in a patient with spinal cord injury.

Findings

The HAL-SJ intervention for each elbow was administered in 10 sessions. Clinical assessment using surface EMG was conducted to evaluate muscle activity of the trapezius, biceps brachii, infraspinatus, and triceps brachii muscle before, and during the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 9th interventions. Sur

SUBMITTER: Shimizu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5537963 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature