Using neurotechnology to improve upper-limb recovery after stroke and multiple sclerosis.
Tracks
Activities of daily living (ADLs) (General)
Innovation and role-emerging practice (Knowledge Translation)
Meaningful activities (General)
Robotics, exoskeletons, and emerging technologies (Assistive Technology)
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
| 1:10 PM - 1:35 PM |
| Great Hall 4 |
Speaker
Mr Arif Ahmad Kamil Ahmad
Community & Science Outreach Representative
G.tec Medical Engineering
Using neurotechnology to improve upper-limb recovery after stroke and multiple sclerosis.
Presentation summary
Introduction / Background
Upper-limb impairment after stroke or multiple sclerosis often limits participation in daily activities. Traditional therapy may not fully restore function, leaving clients with ongoing challenges in independence and engagement. While neurotechnological interventions show promise in enhancing rehabilitation, occupational therapists may be unfamiliar with integrating these innovations into routine practice.
Method / Implementation
One such intervention is a brain–computer interface system that combines motor imagery, neurofeedback, and functional electrical stimulation to support motor recovery, even decades after stroke. Clients pair imagined movements with real-time visual and tactile feedback, creating a rewarding exercise that reinforces correct motor imagery. Simultaneous activation of sensory and motor functions enhances neuroplasticity, promoting more effective functional recovery. Sessions are integrated into standard occupational therapy, emphasising meaningful task practice and client-centered goals.
Discussion / Outcomes
Clinical experience and published evidence demonstrate improved client engagement, motivation, and measurable upper-limb gains. Clients often experience enhanced independence in daily activities, with outcomes quantified using standard measures such as the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Modified Ashworth Scale, and 9-Hole Peg Test. Expanded possibilities for rehabilitation mean greater opportunities for clients to receive better recovery trajectories.
Conclusion
Neurotechnologies, such as brain-computer interfaces, provide occupational therapists with sophisticated yet practical tools to extend rehabilitation options for promoting functional recovery and participation for clients with neurological injuries. Attendees will discover how neurotechnology can be safely and effectively integrated into occupational therapy practice for better client outcomes when harnessed in a clinical setting.
Upper-limb impairment after stroke or multiple sclerosis often limits participation in daily activities. Traditional therapy may not fully restore function, leaving clients with ongoing challenges in independence and engagement. While neurotechnological interventions show promise in enhancing rehabilitation, occupational therapists may be unfamiliar with integrating these innovations into routine practice.
Method / Implementation
One such intervention is a brain–computer interface system that combines motor imagery, neurofeedback, and functional electrical stimulation to support motor recovery, even decades after stroke. Clients pair imagined movements with real-time visual and tactile feedback, creating a rewarding exercise that reinforces correct motor imagery. Simultaneous activation of sensory and motor functions enhances neuroplasticity, promoting more effective functional recovery. Sessions are integrated into standard occupational therapy, emphasising meaningful task practice and client-centered goals.
Discussion / Outcomes
Clinical experience and published evidence demonstrate improved client engagement, motivation, and measurable upper-limb gains. Clients often experience enhanced independence in daily activities, with outcomes quantified using standard measures such as the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Modified Ashworth Scale, and 9-Hole Peg Test. Expanded possibilities for rehabilitation mean greater opportunities for clients to receive better recovery trajectories.
Conclusion
Neurotechnologies, such as brain-computer interfaces, provide occupational therapists with sophisticated yet practical tools to extend rehabilitation options for promoting functional recovery and participation for clients with neurological injuries. Attendees will discover how neurotechnology can be safely and effectively integrated into occupational therapy practice for better client outcomes when harnessed in a clinical setting.
Biography
Arif Kamil is an occupational therapist passionate about the potential for using brain-computer interfaces to support functional recovery. He demonstrates potential applications and highlights how emerging neurotechnology could expand opportunities for meaningful activity and independent control in occupational therapy.