Recovering from a disabling injury can be arduous. Stroke patients, for example, may have a lengthy inpatient stay during which therapists coach them through intense exercise schedules that lead to promising functional recovery. After being sent home, however, patients may stop using disabled limbs in favor of healthier body parts, opening the door to learned non-use.
A new generation of wearables to fight learned non-use is waiting in the wings—a high-tech arsenal designed to monitor and in some cases treat individuals suffering from neurological disorders such as stroke and cerebral palsy. See how these devices may help signal the end of the road for learned non-use.