Robot-Assisted Stroke Rehabilitation

A robotic walker could help patients recover after a stroke and free physiotherapists to provide more value-added services.

AsianScientist (Nov. 25, 2014) – Survivors of mild or moderate stroke or other neurological conditions such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and Parkinson’s disease often require extensive physical therapy sessions. These patients now have better chances of regaining their mobility, thanks to a robotic walker invented by a research team led by Dr. Yu Haoyong from the National University of Singapore Department of Biomedical Engineering.

The device is able to support a patient’s weight, with the sensors measuring the patient’s gait. Using the information, the walker provides an optimum force at the patient’s pelvis, guiding the patient to walk with a natural gait.

The electrical stimulation unit delivers a targeted electrical current to activate the right muscle at the appropriate time to facilitate joint movement. The walker also collects quantitative data, which doctors and physiotherapists can analyse to monitor the progress of the patient’s rehabilitation.

Unlike much of the existing rehabilitation equipment, the robotic walker allows patients to practice gait movements by walking on normal ground, which is more common in everyday life, instead of on a treadmill.

Dr. Yu explained: “This robotic walker allows patients to practice their gait movements continuously to optimize their therapy. When patients repeat the movements in a natural setting, the routine can be imprinted into their brains which gradually learn to correct from the damage resulting from their medical conditions.”

The device is a boon for physiotherapists as well. Currently, gait training is usually undertaken by at least one physiotherapist supporting the patient’s upper body, with another therapist occasionally assisting with the injured leg. This makes physiotherapy sessions labor-intensive and strenuous, often causing therapists to suffer from back injuries.

With the robotic walker handling the manual component of therapy sessions, therapists can devote their attention to providing value-added services, such as assessment and training guidance. The device also reduces the number of physiotherapists needed for each session, thereby increasing productivity and reducing the cost of care.

Mr. Jeff Tang, Technical Director from HOPE Technik Pte Ltd, a home-grown engineering company which is collaborating with Dr. Yu, says that the device allows physiotherapists to focus on motivating patients, which is an important element in the patient recovery process.

Plans in the pipeline include working with the National University Hospital on clinical trials to validate the training effects on patients and develop novel therapy regimes together with clinicians.

“Our vision is for the robotic walker to be installed at outpatient clinics and rehabilitation centers to benefit patients who need therapy sessions,” said Dr. Yu.

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Source: National University of Singapore.
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