Rehab-Robotics Company Limited HOH4-PSM-L-W Hand of Hope

The Hand of Hope (HOH) is a therapy device (exoskeleton) used for neuromuscular rehabilitationof the hand and forearm. HOHfunctions as a biofeedback device where surface electromyography(sEMG) electrodes depict voluntary muscle activation. Thedepicted signals are processed andsimplified, and can be seen by a convenient presentation of visual feedback. The sEMGreadoutenables patients to monitor the fundamental neuromuscular functional state. Therefore, impairment,functional limitationand impaired volitional movement due to stroke or other neurologic ororthopaedic diseases can be easily presented and utilizedby a sensory signal. Patient’s attention isdrawn to the task through a visually displayed sEMG signal and consequently used forthe initiationof the motor task. This biofeedback mechanism promotes motor learning via interactive use. Inparticular, stroke isone of the leading causes of adult disability, and hand rehabilitation after strokeis a very challenging part thereof. However, it iswell known that sensory signals such as visualsensory inputs reach the motor cortex and modulate motor cortex function andexcitability, andtherefore can improve motor learning. Since active participation and initiation of the movement is thekey tosuccess, using the biofeedback system, HOH motivates patients to actively interact with thesystem during an sEMG controlledtask-related training regime