Christian Doppler Laboratory for Restoration of Extremity Function

5 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Behavior

A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study

Aidan Dominic Roche^1,2, Ivan Vujaklija^3,4, Sebastian Amsüss^3,4, Agnes Sturma^1,5, Peter Göbel⁶, Dario Farina^3,4, Oskar C. Aszmann^1,2

¹Christian Doppler Laboratory for Restoration of Extremity Function, ²Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, ³Department of Neurorehabilitation Engineering, Bernstein Focus Neurotechnology Göttingen, ⁴University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, ⁵University of Applied Sciences FH Campus Wien, ⁶Research & Development, Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH

As prosthetic development moves towards the goal of natural control, harnessing amputees’ inherent ability to learn new motor skills may enable proficiency. This manuscript describes a structured rehabilitation protocol, which includes imitation, repetition, and reinforcement learning strategies, for improved multifunctional prosthetic control.

Biology

A Rapid Automated Protocol for Muscle Fiber Population Analysis in Rat Muscle Cross Sections Using Myosin Heavy Chain Immunohistochemistry

Konstantin D. Bergmeister^1,3, Marion Gröger², Martin Aman¹, Anna Willensdorfer¹, Krisztina Manzano-Szalai¹, Stefan Salminger¹, Oskar C. Aszmann¹

¹CD Laboratory for the Restoration of Extremity Function, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, ²Core Facility Imaging, Core Facilities, Medical University Vienna, ³Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Plastic and Hand Surgery, University of Heidelberg

Here, we present a protocol for rapid muscle fiber analyses, which allows improved staining quality, and thereby automatic acquisition and quantification of fiber populations using the freely available software ImageJ.

Neuroscience

Surface Electromyographic Biofeedback as a Rehabilitation Tool for Patients with Global Brachial Plexus Injury Receiving Bionic Reconstruction

Laura A. Hruby^1,2, Agnes Sturma^1,3, Oskar C. Aszmann^1,4

¹Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Medical University of Vienna, ²Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, ³Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, ⁴Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna

Optimal functional outcomes after bionic reconstruction in patients with global brachial plexus injury depend on a structured rehabilitation protocol. Surface electromyographic guided training may improve the amplitude, separation and consistency of EMG signals, which - after elective amputation of a functionless hand - control and drive a prosthetic hand.

Medicine

Structured Motor Rehabilitation After Selective Nerve Transfers

Agnes Sturma^1,2,3, Laura A. Hruby^1,4, Dario Farina², Oskar C. Aszmann^1,5

¹Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Medical University of Vienna, ²Bioengineering Department, Imperial College London, ³Master's Degree Program Health Assisting Engineering, University of Applied Sciences FH Campus Wien, ⁴Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, ⁵Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna

Here, we present a protocol for the motor rehabilitation of patients with severe nerve injuries and selective nerve transfer surgery. It aims at restoring the motor function proposing several stages in patient education, early-stage therapy after surgery and interventions for rehabilitation after successful re-innervation of the nerve’s target.

JoVE Core

Therapy Interventions for Upper Limb Amputees Undergoing Selective Nerve Transfers

Agnes Sturma^1,2, Laura A. Hruby^1,3, Anna Boesendorfer¹, Clemens Gstoettner¹, Dario Farina², Oskar C. Aszmann^1,4

¹Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Medical University of Vienna, ²Bioengineering Department, Imperial College London, ³Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, ⁴Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Vienna

This work presents a protocol to enhance prosthetic function after selective nerve transfer surgery. Rehabilitation interventions include patient information and selection, support of wound healing, cortical re-activation of sensory-motor areas of the upper limb, training of selective muscle activation, prosthetic handling in daily life, and regular follow-up assessments.