Study overview
Stroke rehabilitation often depends on repeated, task-specific practice with feedback on performance. But many patients do not receive the access, intensity, or continuity of rehabilitation needed to support recovery.
This study evaluated a SWORD system that used inertial motion trackers with real-time visual and auditory feedback. The goal was to understand whether this type of feedback could help patients perform an upper-limb movement task with greater accuracy after stroke.
The trial included 30 patients recovering from stroke. Each participant completed one shoulder flexion exercise with the affected upper limb in two sessions: one with visual and auditory feedback, and one without feedback. The primary outcome was the number of correct movements completed during the session.
Key findings
Patients completed more correct movements with feedback
Patients completed more correct movements during sessions with visual and auditory feedback than during sessions without feedback.
The study found an average increase of 13.2 correct movements per session with feedback. This corresponded to an average increase of 3.3 correct movements per minute.
Movement errors decreased
Visual and auditory feedback helped patients reduce incorrect movements.
The study reported that the percentage of incorrect movements decreased from 43.3% without feedback to 11.4% with feedback. The probability of an incorrect repetition decreased from 1 in 1.3 movements without feedback to 1 in 7.7 movements with feedback.
Feedback improved movement quality without increasing pain or fatigue
Patients completed the feedback-guided sessions without an increase in pain or fatigue compared with sessions without feedback.
The study found no significant difference in pain or fatigue between the two settings.
The study supports further research into feedback-guided rehabilitation
The findings suggest that real-time visual and auditory feedback may help improve movement quality during post-stroke rehabilitation. The study authors noted that further research is needed to confirm whether these improvements translate into broader clinical benefits.
Why this study matters
This study builds on Sword’s early research into feedback-guided rehabilitation.
The earlier version of the system used vibratory feedback. This follow-up study tested visual and auditory feedback instead, reflecting an effort to give patients clearer, more actionable guidance during therapeutic movement. The study found that patients made more correct movements and fewer errors when feedback was available.
For clinical and research audiences, the findings offer early evidence that sensor-based feedback may help improve the quality of movement practice after stroke. For organizations evaluating Sword’s clinical model, the study shows an early foundation in motion tracking, patient feedback, and measurable rehabilitation.
The study should be understood as evidence of short-term improvement in motor task performance during a rehabilitation session. It does not establish long-term functional recovery after stroke.
About the author
Fabiola Costa
Senior Director of Clinical Research, Sword Health
