Consideration of force visualization for hemiplegia based on a force direction teaching system

Hemiplegia is the lingering effect after a stroke and causes varying impairments. The ability to generate and modulate force is frequently impaired. This study focuses on a rehabilitation technique that encourages force generation in an arbitrary direction. The authors introduced a physiotherapy technique into a rehabilitation robot. Force visualization was provided as a feedback strategy to facilitate motor learning. The technique was verified with a patient clinically diagnosed with hemiplegia. The results suggested significant improvements in the motor function in a short period of time. It was concluded that the recovery of force modulation and improved motor control in the performance of a reaching task correlated with the training. This paper discusses the contribution of force visualization to motor function.