An affordable, adaptable, and hybrid assistive device for upper-limb neurorehabilitation. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Malosio, Matteo; Caimmi, Marco; Cotti Cottini, Michele; Crema, Andrea; Dinon, Tito; Mihelj, Matjaz; Molinari Tosatti, Lorenzo; Podobnik, Janez; Prini, Alessio; Seneci, Carlo; Spagnuolo, Giulio
• Is Part Of: Journal of rehabilitation and assistive technologies engineering. Volume 3(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Upper-limb rehabilitation -- assist-as-needed -- multi-sensory feedback -- functional electrical stimulation -- patient model -- sensor fusion; Rehabilitation technology -- Periodicals; 617.03
• DOI: 10.1177/2055668316680980
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-6683

Abstract

The paper presents a multisensory and multimodal device for neuromuscular rehabilitation of the upper limb, designed to enable enriched rehabilitation treatment in both clinical and home environments. Originating from an existing low-cost, variable-stiffness rehabilitation device, it expands its functionalities by integrating additional modules in order to augment application scenarios and applicable clinical techniques. The newly developed system focuses on the integration of a wearable neuromuscular electrical stimulation system, a virtual rehabilitation scenario, a low-cost unobtrusive sensory system and a patient model for adapting training task parameters. It also monitors the user behavior during each single session and its evolution throughout the entire training period. The result is a modular, integrated and affordable rehabilitation device, enabling a biomechanical, neurological, and physiological-based training of patients, including innovative features currently unavailable within off-the-shelf rehabilitation devices.