Bright Cloud International Corp — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: NIA

Description

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant The non portable BrightArm Duo prototype is being studied SBIR Phase II grant to Bright Cloud International BCI for Upper Extremity UE motor and cognitive maintenance therapy on CVD survivors who are residents of skilled nursing facilities SNF They train using BCI virtual reality VR bimanual games supervised by an Occupational Therapist The vast majority of CVD survivors live at home and they need a link between earlier clinic based therapy and subsequent community activities The goal of this SBIR Phase I project is to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed BrightBrainer G system for use in home tele rehabilitation of CVD survivors The objectives of this project are to develop BrightBrainer G a bimanual UE training system that induces a high number of active arm repetitions has novel hand controllers self guided adaptable games and allows remote clinicianandapos s review determine its technology acceptance and clinical benefit on CVD survivors in the chronic phase living at home based on standardized tests and caregiver feedback SPECIFIC AIMS Develop the BrightBrainer G UE remote rehabilitation system using novel hand controllers and adaptable games for integrative therapy of elderly CVD survivors living at home Improve design through a usability study Study acceptance of BrightBrainer G technology its clinical benefit and transfer to daily activities when used by CVD survivors living at home Study will incorporate caregiver feedback METHODS Construct the BBG system by designing conformal controllers that wirelessly measure D hand position and grasp strength finger extension provide vibration feedback and integrate biosensors for increased safety Create bimanual adaptable games and a new database module to store performance data on a secure clinical server for remote monitoring by clinicians Evaluate BBG usability by elderly volunteers with normal motor function to correct issues in ease of use ergonomics of hand controllers and determine satisfaction and perceived benefits Study feasibility of use be elderly CVD survivors undergoing a week at home intensive rehabilitation sessions week Include individuals age to with months or more post onset of CVD and normal cognition or mild cognitive impairments MCI Benchmark success using UE functional gain improved executive function and technology acceptance enroll caregivers to indicate degree of assistance needed in BBG use at home They will evaluate generalization of training effects from VR games to real life activities independence by periodically filling the subjectsandapos standardized Upper Extremity Functional Index form Stratford NIH RELEVANCE Total US costs of CVD are $ billion and expected to grow to $ billion by This project will improve UE function cognition and quality of life and provide continuity of care for elderly CVD survivors living at home Other populations may also benefit TBI cerebral palsy or those with MCI PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Costs of Cerebral Vascular Disease CVD are $ billion a year in United States alone and expected to grow to $ billion by A product for home use that induces a high number of active arm repetitions improves grasp strength adapts to individualandapos s motor and cognitive impairments and tracks performance for remote clinician review benefits elderly CVD survivors and other patient populations traumatic brain injury cerebral palsy or early onset of dementia The BCI system facilitates tele rehabilitation that can provide continuity of care and reduce health care costs