Automated Variable Resistance System for Upper Limb Rehabilitation

Abstract

After neurological injury such as stroke, upper limb paresis and loss of hand function leads to lower activity of the paretic limb and loss of independence. The strength of the paretic upper limb is strongly related to measures of activity. Robot-assisted therapy, along with augmented reality leads to increased motivation to perform exercises and improvements in motor function, but costs are high so clinical uptake is rare. A device was developed to allow a computer to control the exercise effort for a table-top, augmented reality therapy based on a computerised arm-rehabilitation skate. Various methods of applying and controlling the therapeutic exercise effort have been evaluated in designing the device, which should be portable and suitable for home based use. A vision based motion tracking system captures the movement of the device, so a computer can be used to monitor and control the exercise effort. The novel design of the rehabilitation system allows computer controlled resistance to movement, as well as integration with exercise stimulating games and windows-based tasks. This provides the patient with a home-based exercise platform which provides stimulating experience in his/her physiotherapy. 1