Digital skating board with RFID technique for upper extremity rehabilitation

Abstract

This research involves developing a hand-skate training system for the upper extremity rehabilitation. Included in this system are a hand-skating board, radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, and a computer. The hand-skating board is a platform with multiple RFID-tags and a RFID reader under the hand-skate for the patients to operate "∞" figure. The selected items and figures on the computer activate specific designs linking with each tags and are displayed on the computer screen. The patients then draw the same figures on the platform by the arm-skate with their hands. The corrections and time elapsed can be recorded and sent back to computer unit through the blue tooth interface. The flexion, extension, and coordination of hand muscle will be achieved after repeatedly performing this training. Meanwhile, in addition to multiple training items of corresponding figures, this system also provides functions for building a patient database to offer clinicians scientific data for long-term monitoring the rehabilitation effects. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.