Rollerskate a stroke away

Researchers at the University are investigating whether regular leg exercise on a new chair, wearing roller skates to assist movement, can help chronic stroke patients improve their walking skills.

The team from the University's Collaborative Research Network in Human Health, Wellbeing, and Development are looking for volunteers to take part in a six month study, which is funded by the Stroke Association to assess a new approach to rehabilitation.

 Initial results suggest that allowing patients to move their arms or legs in a co-ordinated way can help the process of rehabilitation. During the study seated participants will train both legs at the same time wearing modified roller skates to guide their movement (forward and backwards).

This will help investigators assess, what types of movement are most effective in helping rehabilitate stroke patients, who experience loss of movement in one side of their bodies (known as hemiparesis). 

 Professor Alan Wing from the School of Psychology said: ‘Our preliminary research suggests that helping patients move both arms or both legs is more beneficial than exercising with the affected limb on its own. The activity in the brain, which is driving the healthy arm or leg, can spread across to the arm or leg on the affected side, which seems to help movement recovery significantly. By varying the exercise regime we hope to test this thoroughly so patients receive the most effective physiotherapy in the future.’ 

Any patients interested in participating should contact the coordinator Dr Leif Johannsen in the School of Psychology on 0121 414 3338. All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence. In order to further improve the leg trainer, the research team would like to speak to anyone with expertise in developing similar electromechanical devices.

Learn more: www.symon.bham.ac.uk/glass.htm