Motor Control Training for the Shoulder with Smart Garments

Abstract

Wearable technologies for posture monitoring and posture correction are emerging as a way to support and enhance physical therapy treatment, e.g., for motor control training in neurological disorders or for treating musculoskeletal disorders, such as shoulder, neck, or lower back pain. Among the various technological options for posture monitoring, wearable systems offer potential advantages regarding mobility, use in different contexts and sustained tracking in daily life. We describe the design of a smart garment named Zishi to monitor compensatory movements and evaluate its applicability for shoulder motor control training in a clinical setting. Five physiotherapists and eight patients with musculoskeletal shoulder pain participated in the study. The attitudes of patients and therapists towards the system were measured using standardized survey instruments. The results indicate that patients and their therapists consider Zishi a credible aid for rehabilitation and patients expect it will help towards their recovery. The system was perceived as highly usable and patients were motivated to train with the system. Future research efforts on the improvement of the customization of feedback location and modality, and on the evaluation of Zishi as support for motor learning in shoulder patients, should be made.

Developable Rotationally Symmetric Kirigami‐Based Structures as Sensor Platforms

“…The ability to quantify movement of key joints during activity can dramatically improve outcomes for rehabilitation and boost athletic performance. [16][17][18][19][20][21] However, the sensing is based on stretching of the fibers, typically unidirectional and poorly suited for integration with substantially rigid electronic components that do not tolerate well to repeated mechanical deformation. [8][9][10] Currently, tracking motion or deducing impact stresses is performed using camera motion tracking systems [11,12] or inertial measurement units (IMUs) that consist of an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer, typically packaged in a rigid brace or integrated within a band or suit.…”

Stroke Patients’ Acceptance of a Smart Garment for Supporting Upper Extremity Rehabilitation

“…While patients with decreased motor function ability may achieve the training tasks thanks to the scapula elevation or depression or trunk lateral flexion. Sensor mounts on the acromion can capture these movement as acromion is the highest point in the shoulder girdle and following the ISB recommendations about the clavicle coordinate system [22] . Another two sensors locate on the T1 and T5 vertebras of the spine to monitor the trunk flexion and extension, previous iteration proved the accuracy and feasibility [20] .…”

“…Each of the tasks was standardized as described in Wang et al . [22] . Before doing the training tasks, the therapist showed them how to stabilize the scapula on the thorax and avoid inappropriate torso flexion/extension or scapular elevation/depression.…”

“…Zishi is designed to support various patient groups aiming to improve upper extremity function. The evaluation for its applicability for shoulder motor control training with shoulder pain patients in Jessa Hospital, Belgium has been reported in [22] . In this study, we focus on the stroke patients with limited upper extremity function.…”

Towards The Internet of Smart Clothing: A Review on IoT Wearables and Garments for Creating Intelligent Connected E-Textiles

“…Smart garments can also help patients during rehabilitation by assessing their daily activities [200]. In addition, certain authors proposed a Bluetooth-enabled smart garment based on Adafruit Flora for rehabilitating shoulders in physical therapy treatments [201], while others focused on knee osteoarthritis rehabilitation [202]. Moreover, haptic wearables (i.e., with sensory augmentation) can be used for the rehabilitation of patients with sensory impairments [203].…”