Reclaim Arm
Supporting meaningful movement after stroke
Reclaim Arm is an exercise-based app designed to support people living with arm and hand movement difficulties following stroke.
The app combines action observation with physical practice to encourage repeated use of the affected arm and hand. It is designed around the principle that watching an action can engage brain areas involved in planning and performing that movement, helping prepare the brain for subsequent physical practice.
How Reclaim Arm works
Reclaim Arm guides users through structured practice sessions involving functional movement tasks.
Before practising each task, users watch a short video of the movement being performed.
The video is more than a demonstration.
The observation component is based on Action Observation, a rehabilitation approach in which watching goal-directed movements can activate the brain's movement-related networks, including areas associated with the mirror neuron system. This can create an internal representation of the observed movement and may help prime the brain for the physical practice that follows.
The video is therefore intended to be watched carefully and actively, rather than simply used as instructions for how to perform the task.
After observing the movement, the user practises the task with their affected arm and hand.
This combination of action observation followed by physical practice is intended to support motor learning and neuroplasticity through repeated, meaningful movement practice. Research into action observation after stroke has found that it can activate brain areas similar to those involved in performing the observed action and may support recovery of arm and hand function, although the strength of the evidence varies.
What users do in a Reclaim Arm session
Each session includes:
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Watching a short action-observation video before practising each task
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Focusing on the movement while watching, rather than simply watching for instructions
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Practising the observed movement with the affected arm and hand
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Functional tasks that involve meaningful, goal-directed movements
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Different levels of task difficulty
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Feedback about performance and confidence
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Progress tracking across sessions
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Suggestions for progressing or modifying tasks as appropriate
The repeated sequence of observe → practise → receive feedback → repeat is designed to provide structured opportunities for motor learning and continued use of the affected arm and hand.
Designed with stroke recovery in mind
Reclaim Arm was developed from exercise physiology and research experience in stroke rehabilitation, with a focus on supporting practice of the affected arm and hand.
The app incorporates principles of action observation, repetitive task practice, motor learning and neuroplasticity.
Action observation is particularly relevant following stroke because observing a movement can engage movement-related brain networks even when a person has difficulty physically performing the movement. This provides an opportunity to mentally and neurologically rehearse the movement before attempting it.
Reclaim Arm is intended to complement, rather than replace, appropriate healthcare and rehabilitation services.
Who is Reclaim Arm for?
Reclaim Arm is intended for people who have experienced a stroke and have ongoing difficulty using an affected arm and/or hand.
The app is designed to support individual practice and is not intended to provide emergency medical care, diagnosis or treatment.
Users should seek appropriate advice from their healthcare professional where required.
Research and development
Reclaim Arm has been developed from research and clinical experience relating to upper-limb rehabilitation following stroke.
Where Reclaim Arm is used as part of a research study, participation and collection of research information will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the relevant approved research protocol and ethics approval.
About the developer
Reclaim Arm was developed by Kita Sugg, an Exercise Physiologist with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology and First Class Honours, with honours research focused on rehabilitation following stroke.
Accessing Reclaim Arm
Reclaim Arm is accessed through the Reclaim Arm application. Users with an account can sign in to access the features available to them.
[Access Reclaim Arm]
Privacy
Reclaim Arm collects and uses information necessary to provide the app's functionality and, where applicable, to support research and evaluate users' practice and progress.
For full information about what information Reclaim Arm collects, how it is used, stored and disclosed, please see the:
Contact
For questions about Reclaim Arm, please contact:
Reclaim Arm
Supporting meaningful movement after stroke.