A haptic-robotic platform for upper-limb reaching stroke therapy: Preliminary design and evaluation results

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It has been shown that intense training can significantly improve post-stroke upper-limb functionality. However, opportunities for stroke survivors to practice rehabilitation exercises can be limited because of the finite availabilit...

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Main Authors: Boger Jennifer, Hebert Debbie, Lam Paul, Lacheray Hervé, Gardner Don, Apkarian Jacob, Mihailidis Alex
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2008-05-01
Series:Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
Online Access:http://www.jneuroengrehab.com/content/5/1/15
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spelling doaj-0098333e3fe84f4488ea9805ede9f2392020-11-24T20:55:01ZengBMCJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation1743-00032008-05-01511510.1186/1743-0003-5-15A haptic-robotic platform for upper-limb reaching stroke therapy: Preliminary design and evaluation resultsBoger JenniferHebert DebbieLam PaulLacheray HervéGardner DonApkarian JacobMihailidis Alex<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It has been shown that intense training can significantly improve post-stroke upper-limb functionality. However, opportunities for stroke survivors to practice rehabilitation exercises can be limited because of the finite availability of therapists and equipment. This paper presents a haptic-enabled exercise platform intended to assist therapists and moderate-level stroke survivors perform upper-limb reaching motion therapy. This work extends on existing knowledge by presenting: 1) an anthropometrically-inspired design that maximizes elbow and shoulder range of motions during exercise; 2) an unobtrusive upper body postural sensing system; and 3) a vibratory elbow stimulation device to encourage muscle movement.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A multi-disciplinary team of professionals were involved in identifying the rehabilitation needs of stroke survivors incorporating these into a prototype device. The prototype system consisted of an exercise device, postural sensors, and a elbow stimulation to encourage the reaching movement. Eight experienced physical and occupational therapists participated in a pilot study exploring the usability of the prototype. Each therapist attended two sessions of one hour each to test and evaluate the proposed system. Feedback about the device was obtained through an administered questionnaire and combined with quantitative data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seven of the nine questions regarding the haptic exercise device scored higher than 3.0 (somewhat good) out of 4.0 (good). The postural sensors detected 93 of 96 (97%) therapist-simulated abnormal postures and correctly ignored 90 of 96 (94%) of normal postures. The elbow stimulation device had a score lower than 2.5 (neutral) for all aspects that were surveyed, however the therapists felt the rehabilitation system was sufficient for use without the elbow stimulation device.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>All eight therapists felt the exercise platform could be a good tool to use in upper-limb rehabilitation as the prototype was considered to be generally well designed and capable of delivering reaching task therapy. The next stage of this project is to proceed to clinical trials with stroke patients.</p> http://www.jneuroengrehab.com/content/5/1/15
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Boger Jennifer
Hebert Debbie
Lam Paul
Lacheray Hervé
Gardner Don
Apkarian Jacob
Mihailidis Alex
spellingShingle Boger Jennifer
Hebert Debbie
Lam Paul
Lacheray Hervé
Gardner Don
Apkarian Jacob
Mihailidis Alex
A haptic-robotic platform for upper-limb reaching stroke therapy: Preliminary design and evaluation results
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
author_facet Boger Jennifer
Hebert Debbie
Lam Paul
Lacheray Hervé
Gardner Don
Apkarian Jacob
Mihailidis Alex
author_sort Boger Jennifer
title A haptic-robotic platform for upper-limb reaching stroke therapy: Preliminary design and evaluation results
title_short A haptic-robotic platform for upper-limb reaching stroke therapy: Preliminary design and evaluation results
title_full A haptic-robotic platform for upper-limb reaching stroke therapy: Preliminary design and evaluation results
title_fullStr A haptic-robotic platform for upper-limb reaching stroke therapy: Preliminary design and evaluation results
title_full_unstemmed A haptic-robotic platform for upper-limb reaching stroke therapy: Preliminary design and evaluation results
title_sort haptic-robotic platform for upper-limb reaching stroke therapy: preliminary design and evaluation results
publisher BMC
series Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
issn 1743-0003
publishDate 2008-05-01
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It has been shown that intense training can significantly improve post-stroke upper-limb functionality. However, opportunities for stroke survivors to practice rehabilitation exercises can be limited because of the finite availability of therapists and equipment. This paper presents a haptic-enabled exercise platform intended to assist therapists and moderate-level stroke survivors perform upper-limb reaching motion therapy. This work extends on existing knowledge by presenting: 1) an anthropometrically-inspired design that maximizes elbow and shoulder range of motions during exercise; 2) an unobtrusive upper body postural sensing system; and 3) a vibratory elbow stimulation device to encourage muscle movement.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A multi-disciplinary team of professionals were involved in identifying the rehabilitation needs of stroke survivors incorporating these into a prototype device. The prototype system consisted of an exercise device, postural sensors, and a elbow stimulation to encourage the reaching movement. Eight experienced physical and occupational therapists participated in a pilot study exploring the usability of the prototype. Each therapist attended two sessions of one hour each to test and evaluate the proposed system. Feedback about the device was obtained through an administered questionnaire and combined with quantitative data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seven of the nine questions regarding the haptic exercise device scored higher than 3.0 (somewhat good) out of 4.0 (good). The postural sensors detected 93 of 96 (97%) therapist-simulated abnormal postures and correctly ignored 90 of 96 (94%) of normal postures. The elbow stimulation device had a score lower than 2.5 (neutral) for all aspects that were surveyed, however the therapists felt the rehabilitation system was sufficient for use without the elbow stimulation device.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>All eight therapists felt the exercise platform could be a good tool to use in upper-limb rehabilitation as the prototype was considered to be generally well designed and capable of delivering reaching task therapy. The next stage of this project is to proceed to clinical trials with stroke patients.</p>
url http://www.jneuroengrehab.com/content/5/1/15
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