IW - Bluetooth Electromyography-based Stroke Therapeutic (BEST): Shifting the Paradigm with Biofeedback-Driven Home Therapy - Impulse Wellness LLC will research and develop the Bluetooth Electromyography-based Stroke Therapeutic (BEST) beta prototype. The goal of this proposal is to create an immersive and intuitive stroke rehabilitation tool that helps functionally impaired users take a more active role in their recovery. In Phase I we have answered key gating questions that were raised during 85 qualitative interviews with survivors of stroke and their care team regarding our product’s viability, established the technical merit of our garment-sensor system, and crafted a preliminary mobile application and biofeedback algorithm that are used to drive this future Phase II development. Building upon the success and lessons learning in Phase I, we have a clear path forward to fully develop the BEST system that promises to make a positive impact on each survivors’ quality of life.
Through a rigorous systematic study and application of knowledge, the IW team will create an informative therapeutic system and will (1) optimize the textile configuration, (2) establish the electronic hardware beta prototype, (3) further develop the biofeedback algorithm, (4) enhance the mobile application, and (5) explore healthcare system integration. The BEST system will incorporate state-of-the-art embedded dry electrodes to collect surface electromyography signals. In using our proprietary biofeedback algorithm and application, we will provide users with motivational, individualized, and clinically meaningful recovery information.
The expected product is a wearable system consisting of a muscle-sensing device and mobile application that provides high-quality diagnostics and training exergames. The BEST system will be an engaging tool that speeds up recovery, fine-tunes users’ motor skills, and more rapidly brings survivors of stroke back to their “BEST."
