Towards Enhanced Biofeedback Mechanisms for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke

This paper highlights a progressive rehabilitation strategy which details the development of a suite of biomedical feedback sensors to promote enhanced rehabilitation after stroke. The strategy involves promoting total upper limb recovery by focusing on aspects of each stage of post-stroke rehabilitation. For a patient with a complete absence of movement in the affected upper limb, brain signals will be acquired using ear-Infrared Spectroscopy (IRS) combined with motor imagery to move a robotic splint. Once residual movement has returned, EMG signals from the muscles will be detected and used to power a robotic splint. For later stages and continuous enhanced rehabilitation of the upper limb, a Sensor Glove will be used for intense rehabilitation exercises of the hand. These combined techniques cover all levels of ability for total upper limb rehabilitation and will be used to provide positive feedback and motivation for patients.