摘要：This paper describes a concept for the extension of constraint-induced movement therapy
(CIMT) through the use of feedback of primary motor cortex activity. CIMT requires residual
movement to act as a source of feedback to the patient, thus preventing its application to those
with no perceptible movement. It is proposed in this paper that it is possible to provide feedback
of the motor cortex effort to the patient by measurement with near infrared spectroscopy
(NIRS). Significant changes in such effort may be used to drive rehabilitative robotic actuators, for
example. This may provide a possible avenue for extending CIMT to patients hitherto excluded as
a result of severity of condition. In support of such a paradigm, this paper details the current status
of CIMT and related attempts to extend rehabilitation therapy through the application of
technology. An introduction to the relevant haemodynamics is given including a description of
the basic technology behind a suitable NIRS system. An illustration of the proposed therapy is
described using a simple NIRS system driving a robotic arm during simple upper-limb unilateral
isometric contraction exercises with healthy subjects.
