ART MEETS SCIENCE - EMPOWERING STROKE PATIENTS TO REGAIN MUSCULAR CONTROL THROUGH CREATIVE GRAPHICS TECHNOLOGY, PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGY AND NEUROPLASTICITY

Treating patients with a cerebrovascular accident or stroke is complicated by severity and site of brain lesion. Muscular control is lost when neural pathways are interrupted or damaged due to embolus, thrombosis or ruptured aneurysm. Return of movement is further hindered by sustained spasticity of muscle groups or inflammation or severance to functionally important neural pathways. Neuro-feedback mechanisms have been explored in the past with some success. A new, improved and innovative method is presented that makes use of psycho-physiology techniques providing immediate visual, auditory and neurological feedback via a fast switching device that relays neuro-muscular movement during rehabilitative tasks and exercises. Significant success by these patients has provided researchers with the potential benefits of using neuro-feedback in rehabilitation and increases our scientific and clinical knowledge of neuro-plasticity in even the large muscle groups of the damaged human body. This technology bridges creative artistic graphics technology with thorough evidence-based science.