Hemiplegia is known as an important neurological impairment that results in sensory and motor deficits on the contra lateral side to one location in which a certain cerebral vascular accident has occurred. It is characterized by total paralysis. The main reason for which this type of deficiency appears is a disruption in the way in which the blood flows through the brain, and which causes death for that particular section within the brain. This damage that occurs within the brain affects very much the body, especially that part of body being controlled by that certain damaged part of brain.

Motor imagery is usually associated with the activation process of the motor system. This idea had led to the hypothesis that adopts the idea that cortical activation during the process of motor imagery may affect the acquisition of a specific type of motor skills. In addition it has been considered that this process can help with the recovery of certain motor functions. It is very important to help the hemiplegic patients in trying to recover their lost motor function. This attempt consists of having an inpatient and an outpatient phase, in which there are combined both physical and mental practice. In the so-called inpatient stage, patients are taught in a laboratory setting, in which it is being used an interactive workbench, called VR Mirror. After following this stage it is important for the patients to use a portable device which guides mental and physical practice within their homes. This and many other studies have been made in the attempt of finding the proper way in which these patients can be helped.

Nowadays every person needs to use a computer, because PCs have become an important aid in doing certain activities, not only for work but also enjoyable activities, as playing games and watching movies. Having a computer and being able to use it is very important for the people who suffer from different deficiencies as well. What is important to know about these persons is the fact that they cannot use a computer in the same way that usual persons use it. They need certain special devices to help them become able to work with a computer. These special devices are more often related to the hardware components of a computer. In this respect it has n become more familiar the idea of computer hardware for hemiplegia. It is very important for the hemiplegic patients to be offered the possibility to work with a computer and this can only be made by offering them the necessary special devices to work with when using a computer. The computer hardware for hemiplegia refers to all of these devices that are created especially for these types of patients in order to help them become able to use a PC.

One of the special devices within a computer that have been created for the persons suffering from this type of deficiency is the half-qwerty keyboards. This device can also be used by those who suffer from one-handedness or from the carpal tunnel syndrome. One problem related to these types of devices is the period of time that is necessary for learning how to use it. This period of time depends on whether you have ever learned about this device before or not. In the case of those who are trained touch-typists it has been considered that the period of time necessary for their learning is minimum and this means several minutes. In the case of those who have never learned to type before the period of time necessary for their learning is considered to be equivalent to that being necessary to learn the standard two-handed type of touch-typing.

This type of board does not represent the only one available and useful for these people. There are other types as well. These include the Maltron keyboards and chording keyboards. The advantages that these keyboards present for single handed users are obvious, as these people would not be able to work with a normal keyboard, and in this way it would be almost impossible for them to even use a computer. There are, of course, a few dezadvantages as well that have to be presented when discussing about these types of special keyboards. Among the desadvanyages the most important one is the fact that, after a person has learned how to work with this type of keyboard he/she has to use that keyboard on other computers he/she needs to access. The basic system for one of these types of keyboards, chork keying is called microwriting. It is based on a set of so-called mnemonics, which have been created in the 1970s by Cy Endfield and Chris Rainey. One of the reasons why this system has become known is because it was used in the Microwriter. Another very important aspect related to it is the fact that most people can become able to touch type in less than an hour. There are also many people who can even manage to do this in thirty minutes. As with any other new skill it is important to be patient and performance shall appear once that person gains experience.

A very interesting idea related to computer hardware for hemiplegia is related to a recent study that has been made and which is trying to establish a neural network and a certain type of feedback control within the so-called FES system. This type of system was thought to as a way in which to control the motion of an ankle joint by determining a stimulating current to do this.

A very problematic situation encountered by the hemiplegic patients is the so-called drop-foot. It has been discovered that this problems can be somehow solved or better said the patient's state can be improved by using this method presented above, by using the FES system. This system is known to include both software and hardware. The hardware component is considered very important within this system because it offers the possibility of determining the patient's ankle joint angle. This is done by using a position sensor which has to be placed in the patient's affected location. The role that this sensor has is very important. This is because it stimulates the tibialis by using an electrical stimulator. This stimulator has the important role of inducing the dorsiflexion reaction which results in the appropriate motion of the joint.