Towards Enhanced Biofeedback Mechanisms for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke

This paper highlights a progressive \nrehabilitation strategy which details the development \nof a suite of biomedical feedback sensors to promote \nenhanced rehabilitation after stroke. The strategy \ninvolves promoting total upper limb recovery by \nfocusing on aspects of each stage of post-stroke \nrehabilitation. For a patient with a complete absence \nof movement in the affected upper limb, brain \nsignals will be acquired using \near-Infrared \nSpectroscopy (IRS) combined with motor imagery \nto move a robotic splint. Once residual movement \nhas returned, EMG signals from the muscles will be \ndetected and used to power a robotic splint. For later \nstages and continuous enhanced rehabilitation of the \nupper limb, a Sensor Glove will be used for intense \nrehabilitation exercises of the hand. These combined \ntechniques cover all levels of ability for total upper \nlimb rehabilitation and will be used to provide \npositive feedback and motivation for patients.