A System for Neuromotor Based Rehabilitation on a Passive Robotic Aid

Abstract

In the aging world population, the occurrence of neuromotor deficits arising from stroke and other medical conditions is expected to grow, demanding the design of new and more effective approaches to rehabilitation. In this paper, we show how the combination of robotic technologies with progress in exergaming methodologies may lead to the creation of new rehabilitation protocols favoring motor re-learning. To this end, we introduce the Track-Hold system for neuromotor rehabilitation based on a passive robotic arm and integrated software. A special configuration of weights on the robotic arm fully balances the weight of the patients’ arm, allowing them to perform a purely neurological task, overcoming the muscular effort of similar free-hand exercises. A set of adaptive and configurable exercises are proposed to patients through a large display and a graphical user interface. Common everyday tasks are also proposed for patients to learn again the associated actions in a persistent way, thus improving life independence. A data analysis module was also designed to monitor progress and compute indices of post-stroke neurological damage and Parkinsonian-type disorders. The system was tested in the lab and in a pilot project involving five patients in the post-stroke chronic stage with partial paralysis of the right upper limb, showing encouraging preliminary results.

A Case Study of Upper Limb Robotic-Assisted Therapy Using the Track-Hold Device

“…As described above, state of the art indicates that the combination of RAT with exergames might have a beneficial outcome. In consideration of our previous work [ 2 ] in which a specific suite of exergames was designed for use with the Track Hold System, in this paper, we extend the experimental results by proposing a pilot study and analyzing the impact of our methodology in improving upper limb motricity.…”

“…The device consists of arms connected by joints. Each of the joints is equipped with a patented precision angle sensor [ 2 ].…”

Using Artificial Neuro-Molecular System in Robotic Arm Motion Control—Taking Simulation of Rehabilitation as an Example

“…Ritchie et al [ 8 , 9 ] developed a passive robotic arm capable of recording and facilitating the movement of the upper extremity to aid in the rehabilitation of the upper extremity after stroke. Another line of scholars [ 10 , 11 ] have suggested that robotic-assisted therapy may help improve arm and function in patients with cervical spinal cord injury.…”