KEY POINTS:
Auckland University researchers have developed a simple mechanical device which they say can improve the movement of recovering stroke patients.
The device, small enough to be easily used in the home, primes the brain to be ready for self-directed physical therapy.
The patient places both hands on to the device and makes repetitive movements, such as turning the hands in and out.
"We use it to excite the stroke-affected side of the brain, so they achieve better control of the affected hand," said lead researcher Cathy Stinear, of the Department of Sport and Exercise Science.
The key to success was mirror-symmetric actions and high repetitions.
"It's the thing that you do before your therapy, as opposed to it being the therapy."
When used three times a day for 10 minutes before practice with the stroke-affected hand, people saw a marked improvement in their hand movements after a month, Dr Stinear said.
The device, to be made by Criterion Group through an agreement with Auckland UniServices, the university's commercial arm, and is scheduled to be available in 2009.
- NZPA
