SMART Arm
October 24, 2013
You may have seen a story that ran earlier in the year on ABC’s Catalyst about a new invention for stroke rehabilitation called the SMART Arm.
According to the SMART Arm website the invention is a non-robotic device that enables stroke survivors with upper limb weakness to drive recovery of their arm.
One of the key researchers from the SMART Arm project, Kate Hayward received seed funding from the National Stroke Foundation. This funding enabled Kate to conduct a study to demonstrate the effectiveness of the SMART Arm and work on further development of this new rehabilitation equipment for stroke survivors.
We chatted to Kate about her research and involvement with SMART Arm.
What was your PhD topic?
Rehabilitation potential of stroke survivors with severe loss of movement.
Tell us a bit about yourself and why you decided to focus on stroke research?
During my undergraduate studies I was drawn to the neuroscience subjects. I took up the amazing opportunity to undertake an Honours project on SMART Arm research with Dr Ruth Barker at James Cook University. This really allowed me to hone in on the specialty area of stroke.
The SMART Arm is something that I worked on primarily with Professor Sandra Brauer and Dr Ruth Barker who are also my PhD supervisors.
I have now been involved in the SMART Arm project for over six years and have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the progression of the project as it has changed and grown. There are lots of variables to consider when developing medical devices such as the SMART Arm but I have learnt a lot from every single stroke survivor involved in the program.
Since the feature on Catalyst I have been humbled to see how many stroke survivors have contacted me to get involved with the project. It shows that all the hard work was worth it and it has provided me with the motivation to keep going.
You received seed funding from the Heart Foundation and National Stroke Foundation. How has this helped your research?
The seed funding from the Heart Foundation and the National Stroke Foundation was a scholarship to help cover living expenses. This was a huge help as it meant I could focus 100% on the research, the results of which are truly being seen now.
Can you tell us a bit about the research process? What are some standout moments?
SMART Arm training involved working every day with a stroke survivor over a four week period. It was rewarding to see a stroke survivor can go from having no movement in the arm and hand to being able to move by themself. You could see the stroke survivors gain in confidence after the arm therapy too.
Having UniQuest take up the commercialisation and source an investor for the SMART Arm was another standout moment. Particularly as Townsville Mackay Medicare Local will add much more than simply the financial investment. It was a huge milestone as it means more stroke survivors will be able to explore their potential for arm recovery.
What are your hopes for the SMART Arm?
I have been touched by many stroke survivors who are so motivated and want to practice as much as possible, as they want their independence back. I would like to see more stroke survivors have access to upper arm rehabilitation and give it everything they have. Stroke survivors deserve the chance to train longer and harder on their arm, in conjunction with improving other mobility issues.
What is your hope for stroke?
For more stroke survivors with upper limb problems to have the opportunity to explore their recovery, for their upper limb issues to improve so that they can gain independence and undertake basic functional tasks that many of us take for granted such as being able to shower, dress independently and even return to gardening or sport.
The SMART ArmTM is a device for stroke survivors with severe weakness in their arm and hand. The SMART Arm assists them to learn to reach by making training easier, by providing a goal for movement, feedback on performance and automatic progression of training. It can be used with electrical stimulation to assist reaching by stroke survivors who have little or no movement of the arm.
www.smartarm.com.au
According to the SMART Arm website the invention is a non-robotic device that enables stroke survivors with upper limb weakness to drive recovery of their arm.
One of the key researchers from the SMART Arm project, Kate Hayward received seed funding from the National Stroke Foundation. This funding enabled Kate to conduct a study to demonstrate the effectiveness of the SMART Arm and work on further development of this new rehabilitation equipment for stroke survivors.
We chatted to Kate about her research and involvement with SMART Arm.
What was your PhD topic?
Rehabilitation potential of stroke survivors with severe loss of movement.
Tell us a bit about yourself and why you decided to focus on stroke research?
During my undergraduate studies I was drawn to the neuroscience subjects. I took up the amazing opportunity to undertake an Honours project on SMART Arm research with Dr Ruth Barker at James Cook University. This really allowed me to hone in on the specialty area of stroke.
The SMART Arm is something that I worked on primarily with Professor Sandra Brauer and Dr Ruth Barker who are also my PhD supervisors.
I have now been involved in the SMART Arm project for over six years and have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the progression of the project as it has changed and grown. There are lots of variables to consider when developing medical devices such as the SMART Arm but I have learnt a lot from every single stroke survivor involved in the program.
Since the feature on Catalyst I have been humbled to see how many stroke survivors have contacted me to get involved with the project. It shows that all the hard work was worth it and it has provided me with the motivation to keep going.
You received seed funding from the Heart Foundation and National Stroke Foundation. How has this helped your research?
The seed funding from the Heart Foundation and the National Stroke Foundation was a scholarship to help cover living expenses. This was a huge help as it meant I could focus 100% on the research, the results of which are truly being seen now.
Can you tell us a bit about the research process? What are some standout moments?
SMART Arm training involved working every day with a stroke survivor over a four week period. It was rewarding to see a stroke survivor can go from having no movement in the arm and hand to being able to move by themself. You could see the stroke survivors gain in confidence after the arm therapy too.
Having UniQuest take up the commercialisation and source an investor for the SMART Arm was another standout moment. Particularly as Townsville Mackay Medicare Local will add much more than simply the financial investment. It was a huge milestone as it means more stroke survivors will be able to explore their potential for arm recovery.
What are your hopes for the SMART Arm?
I have been touched by many stroke survivors who are so motivated and want to practice as much as possible, as they want their independence back. I would like to see more stroke survivors have access to upper arm rehabilitation and give it everything they have. Stroke survivors deserve the chance to train longer and harder on their arm, in conjunction with improving other mobility issues.
What is your hope for stroke?
For more stroke survivors with upper limb problems to have the opportunity to explore their recovery, for their upper limb issues to improve so that they can gain independence and undertake basic functional tasks that many of us take for granted such as being able to shower, dress independently and even return to gardening or sport.
The SMART ArmTM is a device for stroke survivors with severe weakness in their arm and hand. The SMART Arm assists them to learn to reach by making training easier, by providing a goal for movement, feedback on performance and automatic progression of training. It can be used with electrical stimulation to assist reaching by stroke survivors who have little or no movement of the arm.
www.smartarm.com.au