Seattle's VA Part of National Study To Use Robots For Stroke Treatment

SEATTLE – A national research study evaluating the use of robotic devices to help the recovery of people who have suffered a stroke is now being conducted at the Seattle division of VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Veterans suffering a stroke affecting arm movement at least 6 months ago are needed as volunteers for this study.  

With over 700,000 cases reported each year, strokes are a leading cause of disability in the United States and often leave people with weakened arms and legs. Studies have found that people with weakened limbs can improve their use with intensive physical therapy.

Titled “Robotic Assisted Upper-Limb Neurorehabilitation in Stroke Patients”, the study consists of volunteers working out on robotic devices to determine if they can regain the use of stroke-affected limbs. The study’s purpose is to find out if the brain of a person with a stroke can be “retrained” to function again after being disabled by an attack. The study will also determine if the stroke-affected arm can build up a “muscle memory” by using the robotic aids. 

Dr. Jodie Haselkorn, director of the MS Center of Excellence at Seattle's VA Hospital, said “the study is very exciting and has the potential to offer treatment to individuals in a new way and at a time when other therapies are often not available.”

Volunteers need to be veterans who had a stroke at least 6 months ago and have moderate to severe arm weakness due to the stroke. Once selected for the study, volunteers will be divided into two groups. The first will use the robots for training and the second will use intensive comparison therapy (which is the same kind of treatment as the robotic, only using exercises). All volunteers will receive training for 12 weeks with three one hour sessions a week. All volunteers will be asked to commit nine months to the study.

If you would like to volunteer or would like more information about this study, please call Michael Donahue, Robotics Study Coordinator, at 206-277-3460.