New arm brace could help stroke survivors regain movement

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Veterans over 18 years of age * 2 days to 6 months since the onset of ischemic stroke * Adequate range of motion at the elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand to wear the device. * Ability to generate volitional, consistent, and detectable EMG signals from the upper arm and forearm sensor sites with wrist in neutral or flexed positions as detected by the Myopro software * MAS score 3 for the biceps, triceps, supinators and pronators of the impaired arm * Able to read and comprehend the English language * Able to follow directions * Medically and psychologically stable. Healthy Controls: Over 18 years of age No history of neurological or muscular problems that affect arm function Exclusion Criteria: Hemorrhagic stroke * Previous strokes affecting motor function on the opposite side. * Fugl-Meyer score of 2 on the following 3 items: 1\) finger mass extension, 2) grasp #1 test, and 3) shoulder flexion 90 - 180 degrees, elbow at 0 degree, and forearm neutral. * Shoulder subluxation, pain or dislocation * Shoulder passive range of motion \< 45 degrees in flexion and abduction * Fixed upper limb contractures on the impaired arm and hand * Unable to safely support the weight of their arm plus 4 lbs (1.82 kg; the weight of the device) without pain even with arm supported. * Skin rash or open wound on impaired arm * Involuntary movements of the impaired arm * Pacemaker or other implanted devices * Metal in the skull * Claustrophobia, or inability to operate the MRI patient call button * Past history of seizures * Family history of medication refractory epilepsy * Chronic sleep deprivation, ongoing untreated sleep disorder * Pregnancy or pregnancy planning during the study period * Currently taking medications or substances that lower the threshold for onset of seizure. * Inability to understand English