# Neuroplasticity with Daily Use of a Sensorimotor Priming Vibration System to Improve Hand Function After Stroke

> **NIH NIH P20** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2020 · $200,118

## Abstract

Current stroke hand rehabilitation overlooks sensory deficits, even though sensory deficits hinder motor
recovery. Thus, we have developed a novel sensory stimulation, Therabracelet, in which a wristband applies
imperceptible vibration to wrist skin to immediately enhance hand sensation and dexterity, facilitate plasticity,
and enable home use to increase the treatment dose substantially beyond typical clinic visits. The objective of
this proposal is to determine if continuous use of TheraBracelet in the home has a clinically meaningful effect.
The career development objective is to build expertise in assessing neural plasticity underlying stroke recovery
induced by sensory enhancement. In a double-blinded randomized controlled trial, chronic stroke survivors
with moderate hand impairment will wear the TheraBracelet device on the paretic wrist for 8 hours/day every
day during their normal daily activity for 1 month, coming to the laboratory for weekly evaluation and for 1-
month follow-up evaluation. The device will deliver vibration (treatment) or no vibration (control). Double-
blinding is possible because the treatment vibration is imperceptible (i.e., subthreshold). Aim 1: Determine the
effect of in-home use of TheraBracelet on neural plasticity. Hypothesis: TheraBracelet induces neural plasticity.
The primary measure is the extent that sensory input modulates the primary motor cortex, using the paired
associative stimulation protocol with TMS immediately preceded by electrical median nerve stimulation.
Secondary measures are cortical connectivity and grip-related spectral power change assessed using EEG.
Secondary analyses will include individual factors associated with responsiveness to TheraBracelet and
longitudinal analysis of outcomes to determine the way effects accumulate over time. Aim 2: Determine the
effect of in-home use of TheraBracelet on hand function. Hypothesis: The immediate improvement in hand
function with TheraBracelet leads to more use of the affected hand and arm in the home, resulting in functional
recovery. The amount of the paretic arm use in daily living will be assessed using accelerometers. Clinical
hand function will be assessed using the Wolf Motor Function, Box and Block, and Action Research Arm Tests.
In addition, biomechanical hand grip control will be assessed by the ability to direct grip force, excess grip force
used, and kinetic/kinematic response to perturbation of a gripped object to describe dynamic feedback control.
Impact: This research will elucidate neural plasticity and behavioral effects induced by wearing a novel sensory
stimulation device throughout daily living, along with determining likely responders and treatment duration
effects. This research will guide the design of a future R01 to investigate the clinical utility of TheraBracelet for
post-stroke hand motor recovery. This research is translational as stroke survivors can easily use this low-risk
vibrating wristband. This research supports...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9904719
- **Project number:** 5P20GM109040-07
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** Na Jin Seo
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $200,118
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-06-02 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9904719

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9904719, Neuroplasticity with Daily Use of a Sensorimotor Priming Vibration System to Improve Hand Function After Stroke (5P20GM109040-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9904719. Licensed CC0.

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