A team of researchers has created a system that suggests the best rehabilitation program after a stroke, relying on a straightforward test to evaluate the severity of motor paralysis.
With the rising incidence of strokes and the ensuing need for rehabilitation, there is an increasing demand for effective treatment solutions. Severe side effects, particularly motor paralysis, can be difficult to treat, but the recent use of robots in therapy has shown encouraging results.
Robots automate the essential movements required for restoring motor functions. However, to provide suitable care based on the extent of motor paralysis, a solid understanding of both robots and rehabilitation practices is essential.
Professor Takashi Takebayashi from Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science spearheaded a project that gathered data from the real-world application of Teijin Pharma Ltd.’s rehabilitation robot, ReoGo-J.
The researchers examined the rehabilitation programs chosen by healthcare professionals to align with the severity of motor paralysis. Through their analysis, they constructed the first-ever system capable of automatically suggesting the most effective rehabilitation program. This recommendation is based on a simple assessment of a patient’s hand function.
“This system ensures that as long as healthcare workers can perform the test, even those unfamiliar with robotic technology can facilitate proper robotic rehabilitation for motor paralysis,” said Professor Takebayashi. “We anticipate this will encourage more widespread use of robotic rehabilitation while easing the strain on medical personnel.”
