Therapeutic robots for post-stroke rehabilitation

BACKGROUND This paper presents an easy-to-use, affordable Rehabilitation Manipulandum Device (RMD) equipped with smart monitoring and assistive technologies to engage in game-based exercise and repetitive task practice. The RMD has been designed to enhance a wide range of fine motor manual dexterity skills, including thumb, finger, and wrist movements. By focusing on finger and hand functions, it extends its utility beyond basic reaching or object transfer movements. Various interchangeable 3D-printed therapy handles of different shapes and sizes can be easily attached to the RMD drive shaft. These handle movements can be utilized to engage with numerous affordable, commercially available computer games, allowing patients to practice tasks that involve varying movement amplitudes, speeds, precision, and cognitive challenges. Additionally, the device is capable of automatically recording and storing the patient's real-time performance data on any given computer, integrating assessment into treatment. OBJECTIVE A pilot study was conducted with five stroke patients to examine the feasibility and benefits of a 6-week game-based exercise program using the proposed device. METHODS A feasibility study was conducted with 5 participants. Data was collected using the CUE assessment and WMFT pre and post intervention lasting 6 weeks. RESULTS The pilot study demonstrated that clients’ expectations related to manual dexterity were met. CONCLUSIONS Findings revealed acceptable, engaging, game-based, and task-oriented training with a high level of compliance. Substantial improvements from pre- to post-intervention were observed using the Wolf Motor Function Test and assessments of manual dexterity. CLINICALTRIAL Clinical Trials Registry - NCT05071885

show abstract

EngageHealth: a mobile device application designed to deliver stroke rehabilitation exercises using asynchronous video recordings

Song,

Lugo,

Muccini

et al. 2024

Front. Stroke

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundStroke survivors who receive more rehabilitation therapy achieve better functional outcomes. The amount of rehabilitation that patients receive is, however, limited due to constraints of the healthcare system.ObjectiveTo assess whether EngageHealth, a mobile device application designed to deliver stroke rehabilitation exercises using asynchronous video recordings, increases the amount of outpatient rehabilitation in stroke patients and improves their upper extremity function and quality of life.DesignProspective single-arm study consisting of a 2-week pre-intervention phase without EngageHealth followed by a 4-week intervention period with EngageHealth.SettingAmbulatory care.ParticipantsTwenty-four stroke patients with upper extremity impairment were recruited at the Stanford Stroke Center outpatient clinic.InterventionsParticipants were instructed to use the EngageHealth application daily.Main outcome measuresAdherence, user experience, and change in the upper extremity Fugl-Meyer (UE-FM), Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QoL), and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS).ResultsOf 23 participants, five (22%) used the application for 17 days, six (26%) used the application for 9–16 days, and 12 (52%) used it < 9 days. Sixty-three percent of participants would recommend the application to other stroke survivors, with fifty percent indicating they would continue using the application, if available. During the pre-intervention phase, there were no changes in hand function. During the intervention period, participants improved by 4 points on the UE-FM (P < 0.01), and 15 points in the hand-function domain of SIS (P = 0.03). Videos of participants' exercises were successfully recorded, allowing the clinician to review videos of the participants' completed tasks asynchronously. In-depth interviews revealed that participants viewed the EngageHealth application favorably, and that their perceived usefulness of the exercises affected their motivation.ConclusionsUse of the EngageHealth application in the home environment may improve upper extremity function in subacute/chronic stroke patients. Additional support strategies should be implemented in future studies to improve adherence. These findings from a prospective single-arm study, support the design of a randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy of long-term use of the EngageHealth application.

show abstract

Therapeutic robots for post-stroke rehabilitation

Cited by 3 publications

References 118 publications

TrunkFlex: Enhancing Engagement in Post-Stroke Trunk Rehabilitation through a Follow-and-Stimulate Cable-Driven Robotic System

TrunkFlex: Enhancing Engagement in Post-Stroke Trunk Rehabilitation through a Follow-and-Stimulate Cable-Driven Robotic System

A Game-Based Mechatronic Device for Interactive Rehabilitation of Hand Function Post Stroke: Design, Prototyping and Feasibility Study (Preprint)

EngageHealth: a mobile device application designed to deliver stroke rehabilitation exercises using asynchronous video recordings

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About