Banner Baywood teams up with ASU in stroke study

MESA, Ariz. – Recovering from a stroke usually requires a long therapy process, and researchers from Arizona State University and Banner Baywood Medical Center are collaborating to look for the most effective rehabilitation techniques.

The Arts, Media and Engineering (AME) program at Arizona State University has devised a new study that is aimed at helping stroke victims improve their motor skills and functional movements with an interactive computer program. “Mixed Reality Rehabilitation” gives patients immediate feedback, with guidance, motivation and encouragement to go through physical exercises correctly. AME is a collaboration between the Herberger College of the Arts and the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering.

The next phase of the research is a partnership between ASU and the Rhodes Rehabilitation Institute at Banner Baywood Medical Center. A scaled version of the system was installed at the medical center in March, and a study involving 30 participants began this month.

The program works by partnering the patient’s physical movement with images and sounds displayed on a large screen. As the patient moves an arm forward to touch a target, the image comes together like puzzle pieces and a musical phrase is performed. As motor functions improve, the program increases in intensity and level of challenge to better address the patient’s needs. The program uses principles from film directing, digital animation and musical scoring of movement to create feedback that intuitively communicates to the subject results of their performance and improvement strategies.

One of the most unique parts of the program is that it adapts the therapy process to the patient’s needs and progress. Approximately 100 kinematic parameters are linked to the multi-joint coordinated arm movement and more than 130 adaptable virtual and physical parameters control the feedback type and presentation. The patients can even decide which image selections they use in the therapy, adding a personal touch.

“This computer system is incredibly unique and cutting edge,” says Banner Baywood Research Director Barbara Lambeth. “This is the only place in the world where the patients will have this opportunity to participate in something like this.”

The first phase of the research is already complete. During the last four years, ASU has conducted small pilot studies with unimpaired subjects and stroke survivors to test key elements and concepts.

“Our system emphasizes active participation by the patient in their rehabilitation process,” says Thanassis Rikakis, AME director. “We aim to create systems that enhance rehabilitation at the clinical setting, allow daily rehabilitation at the home and assist patients with their movements in everyday life.”

ASU brought together researchers from bioengineering, computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, media arts, music and psychology to develop the Mixed Reality Rehabilitation system. The “knowledge fusion” enabled by the collaboration among researchers spanning several fields puts the project at the leading edge of today’s trend of employing virtual-reality technology in medical rehabilitation treatments, Rikakis said.

The partnership with Banner Baywood will provide a wider variety of patients and movement patters to better inform the system’s adaptation and training protocols. The researchers will also compare results from their system to traditional rehabilitation regimens with expectations that the Mixed Reality Rehabilitation system will yield better results. Some of the subjects will have the opportunity to continue treatment at the home through a prototype home-training system. A companion FMRI study is also being planned to research effects of mediated rehabilitation on neural plasticity.

Submitted on behalf of Banner Baywood Medical Center
Banner Baywood Medical Center is a 340-bed facility known for its world-class programs in stroke care, oncology, women’s health, orthopedics and surgical technologies. The facility opened in 1984 and serves the growing East Valley communities of Mesa, Gilbert, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, Fountain Hills and areas of northeastern Pinal County. In 2009, the medical center will expand with a new, $38.5 million emergency department with 54 patient rooms. Banner Baywood Medical Center employs more than 1,500 health care professionals and support staff, and has approximately 500 volunteers. The facility boasts a medical staff of more than 800 physicians, including primary care and specialty physicians. Banner Baywood is part of Banner Health, Arizona’s largest health care provider and second largest private employer. Visit Banner Baywood Medical Center website for more information.

About AME
The Arts, Media and Engineering Program (AME), a collaborative initiative between the Herberger College of the Arts and the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, provides transdisciplinary graduate degrees and conducts research in experiential media. AME incorporates the combined expertise of 14 departments and 49 faculty members from across the university to offer a PhD in Media Arts and Sciences, as well as 15 concentrations in degrees of collaborating units spanning arts, sciences and engineering. AME faculty and students develop and apply rapidly changing technology to enhance education, health and everyday living. For more information about AME, visit http://ame.asu.edu.

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