Clinical Research Directory

Participants will receive combined training of robotic hand-assisted task practice and mental imagery training over 7 weeks, 3 sessions per week, totaling 20 sessions. Each session (\~60 minutes) conducted in a quiet room with the patient seated upright (hips, knees, ankles at 90°, forearms on table). Training involves real-life object handling tasks using three grip types: 1. Spherical grip (cricket ball - 109g, 75mm) 2. Tripod grip (woodblock - 74g, 50mm) 3. Tip pinch grip (small cube - 8g, 25mm) For each task (15 minutes), MIT duration will be 10 minutes 1. 2 repetitions - Watch task video (first-person view) 2. 5 repetitions - Imagine performing the task (eyes closed, paretic hand) 3. 3 repetitions - Perform the task with soft robotic hand assistance 4. The above sequence is repeated twice per task.

Each session included a 5-minute warm-up, followed by three 15-minute EMG-driven, robot-assisted task blocks and two 5-minute breaks. Robotic Hand Tasks include: Real-life object handling using three grip types: 1. Spherical grip - Cricket ball (109g, 75mm) 2. Tripod grip - Woodblock (74g, 50mm) 3. Tip pinch grip - Small cube (8g, 25mm) Muscle Monitoring: EMG signals recorded from flexor digitorum, extensor digitorum, biceps brachii, and triceps brachii. Maximum Voluntary Contraction assessed before each session; EMG activation threshold set at 3×SD above baseline. Training Activities will include: Grasping, lifting, holding, transporting, and releasing objects with robotic assistance and verbal guidance. Each 15-minute block included \~30-40 repetitions per task.