Improving Stroke Rehabilitation in Europe

Researchers at the University of Luxembourg, along with their international partners, want to develop an easy-to-use, self-motivating tool that stroke patients can use in their rehabilitation process. The 4.4 million euro project is funded by the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme.

“Millions of people live with the consequences of stroke. We plan to significantly improve the monitoring and support of patients at home to maximize their recovery from cognitive impairments and to restore cognitive functions such as memory, attention and the ability to concentrate”, says Claus Vögele, who is leading the team of 7 international partners, including biologists, psychologists, neurologists, as well as industry.

Working together as part of the so-called CONTRAST project, they are developing an easy to use headset with neuro-feedback electrodes, which aims to measure and increase the use of certain areas of the brain with brain-training exercises that can improve long-term cognitive performance and mental health well-being.

Vögele, whose brother suffered from a stroke, has a strong personal motivation to conduct research in helping stroke patients regain basic cognitive functions that are often lost following a stroke. “I saw a lot of missed opportunities in his rehabilitation process. With our partners in CONTRAST, we can develop new rehabilitation tools that will help close the gap between acute patient care, rehabilitation, and outpatient care”, he explains.

REHACARE.de; Source: University of Luxembourg