Heart rate asymmetry and emotional response to robot-assist task challenges in post-stroke patients

Herbert F. Jelinek, Katherine G. August, Md Hasan Imam, Ahsan H. Khandoker, Alexander Koenig, Robert Riener

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

The level of motivation or stress influences learning the use of a robot-assist device for walking. Heart rate asymmetry (HRA) indicates the level of parasympathetic (HRA<0.5) and sympathetic (HRA>0.5) involvement in heart rate regulation. Three patients and seven controls were presented increasing levels of task difficulty. During training patients showed an increase in stress as indicated by the HRA index (0.524±0.02) in contrast to control participants (0.485±0.03). As the task complexity increased, the HRA in the patient group was atypical and falling below 0.5, compared to control (HRA>0.5). The latter result reflects an increased cognitive involvement and a higher sympathetic predominance in accordance with an increased task difficulty. Thus stroke affected the response to the task challenges in that the patient response to increasing task challenge leads to an inversion of HRA associated with a decreased mental engagement and higher risk of sudden cardiac death.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publicationComputing in Cardiology 2011, CinC 2011
Pages521-524
Number of pages4
StatePublished - 2011
EventComputing in Cardiology 2011, CinC 2011 - Hangzhou, China
Duration: 18 Sep 201121 Sep 2011

Publication series

NameComputing in Cardiology
Volume38
ISSN (Print)2325-8861
ISSN (Electronic)2325-887X

Conference

ConferenceComputing in Cardiology 2011, CinC 2011
Country/TerritoryChina
CityHangzhou
Period18/09/1121/09/11

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