Rehabilitation, Neuroprosthetics and Brain-Machine Interfaces

Abstract

Most stroke patients need rehabilitation training and physiotherapy. For example, it is possible that a stroke patient can move the left, but not the right hand. Then a very simple training device can help. This device is a tendon-driven hand support, controlled via two commands: grasp and release. The patient can switch between the two states with the healthy hand, and then learn simple tasks requiring both hands. Frequent use of the device in daily routine can improve the results of physiotherapy, e.g. strengthen the right arm, and even help the right hand. An improved version of this device offers more commands, i.e. moving the index finger, so that the patient can type on a keyboard or dial phone numbers.