Ankle Injury Rehabilitation Robot (AIRR): Review of Strengths and Opportunities Based on a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis

Abstract

Generally, severity, any additional damage to the joint surface, and the optimal rehabilitation influence the recovery of an ankle injury. Optimal rehabilitation is the only approach for a human to heal as soon as possible. Ankle injury rehabilitation robots (AIRRs) are designed to fulfil the ideal rehabilitation by providing the required accuracy, consistency, and repeatability, compared to conventional rehabilitation methods. This review is to explore the performance of the existing AIRR using a SWOT analysis with a focus on the strengths and opportunities of an AIRR. Sources from journals and conference papers are selected for review after several screenings, according to the search conditions set by the authors. The results have shown a large group of AIRRs could accomplish all basic ankle motions and select parallel mechanisms to drive the foot platform. Most AIRRs provides crucial feedback sensors, such as position, torque, and angle. These factors determine the accuracy of the foot platform. Both the electrical/pneumatic actuation and wearable/platform-based AIRRs have their purpose for rehabilitation and must be considered as equal contributions to ankle injury rehabilitation research using robots. Opportunities to provide innovation to the already established AIRR research still exist in the ability to accommodate complex motion ankle rehabilitation exercises and to establish teaching and playback into the rehabilitation procedures for AIRRs. In general, the existing strengths of AIRRs provide advantages to patients where they can enhance the rehabilitation procedures while opportunities and knowledge gaps for AIRR research are still open to improvement.

Soft pneumatic muscles for post-stroke lower limb ankle rehabilitation: leveraging the potential of soft robotics to optimize functional outcomes

“…In the human leg, four muscles are crucial in facilitating ankle rotation movement: Peroneus brevis, Peroneus longus, Extensor digitorum longus, and Tibialis anterior ( Zeng et al, 2020 ; Shah et al, 2022 ). However, peripheral nerve damage, stroke, hemiplegia, tumor muscle, and bone damage can adversely affect the patient’s ability to walk effectively.…”

Field oriented control driver development based on BTS7960 for physiotherapy robot implementation

“…Preliminary findings suggest that these devices have certain clinical benefits for the treatment of hemiplegic gait post-stroke [7]. The treatment using the robotic involves diagnostic and therapy customization to maintain performance during rehabilitation [8]. The therapy customization usually combines passive stretching with active and resisted movement [9].…”

“…Other electrical components also include control systems, sensors, and power supplies [14], [15]. They work together to provide accurate, consistent, and engaging physiotherapy for patients recovering from ankle injuries [8].…”

Parameters optimization and trajectory planning of a novel 3-UPU parallel mechanism for ankle rehabilitation

“…Medical research indicates that scientific and effective rehabilitation training can accelerate the healing of damaged tissues, help restore ligament elasticity, and prevent joint adhesion [3]. Existing ankle rehabilitation training methods typically require manual assistance from professional nurses to help patients perform rehabilitation movements, which can be very demanding and labor-intensive for nurses and very expensive and inefficient for patients, not to mention inconsistent and subjective treatment outcomes [4]. To solve this problem, it is necessary to develop automatic ankle rehabilitation devices.…”