The Rewalk Physiotherapy for Robotic Rehabilitation
The hand robot is a therapy device used for neuromuscular rehabilitation of the hand and forearm that may help patients regain hand mobility through motor relearning. It functions as a biofeedback device where surface electromyography (sEMG) sensors
utilising a patient’s own muscle signals to activate their desire to move their hand. These signals are processed and simplified and can be seen through visual feedback that requires the patient to be actively engaged throughout a therapy session.
Therefore with the impairment of a stroke or a brain injury, the functional limitation and impaired intentional movement can be presented and utilised as a visual process. The patient’s attention is drawn to a visually displayed EMG signal and consequently
it can be used to initiate the task of moving. This biofeedback shown to the patient helps to promote motor learning via interactive use.
A stroke is one of the leading causes of adult disability and hands rehabilitation after a stroke is a very challenging part of a patients recovery thereafter. However, it is well known that sensory signals such as visual sensory inputs reach those parts of the brain that modulate function and excitability, and therefore this can improve a patient’s motor learning abilities.
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