#  Alexis Cogne 

Conor J. Walsh, Ph.D., Biodesign Lab, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Project Title: Breaking the Cycle of Learned Non-Use: Wearable Digital Interventions for Upper-Limb Recovery After Stroke

 

 

 



   ![Alexis Cogne](/sites/g/files/omnuum5331/files/styles/hwp_4_5__480x600/public/2025-10/Photo_Cogne.jpg?itok=xdM9RKfu) 

 



 





 

**Project Summary:** Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, with upper-limb motor impairments affecting a large proportion of survivors. As populations age and the prevalence of risk factors increases, the incidence of stroke is expected to rise, further straining already limited rehabilitation resources. Many stroke survivors develop learned non-use of the affected arm, where initial difficulty and failure lead to compensatory behaviors and reduced engagement of the impaired limb. This creates a vicious cycle of disuse and further functional degradation. While high-dose, repetitive motor practice of the affected arm is known to promote neuroplasticity and improve motor recovery, providing continuous monitoring, feedback, and support at sufficient intensity remains challenging in clinical practice due to limited time and personnel.

Digital health interventions offer a promising avenue to extend rehabilitation beyond the clinic and into patients’ daily lives. Wrist-worn wearable devices can capture high-quality movement data in ecological settings, enabling continuous monitoring of upper-limb use during everyday activities. By leveraging these data, such technologies can provide personalized feedback and actionable suggestions aimed at increasing the use of the affected arm and supporting adherence to rehabilitation goals. In doing so, digital interventions have the potential to complement conventional therapy, promote sustained engagement, and deliver higher doses of task-specific practice in home and community environments.

My project focuses on evaluating and optimizing a wearable-based digital health intervention aimed at increasing use of the affected arm after stroke. By analyzing the effectiveness of individual intervention components, the project seeks to refine their design and contribute to the development of scalable digital rehabilitation solutions that maximize functional recovery.



 

 

 





 

 

- ## Fellowships
    
     [Current Exchange Fellows](/fellowships/current-exchange-fellows) [Exchange Fellows](/fellowships/exchange-fellows)
- ## Fellowship Year
    
     [2024-2025](/fellowship-year/2024-2025)