Study, Design and Preliminary Tests of an Automatic Device for Elbow Rehabilitation

Abstract

The robotic rehabilitation therapy is being used more and more together with conventional rehabilitation because it allows a rapid improvement of the functional abilities of patients. This fact is due, especially in CPM (Continuous Passive Motion), both at a more constant repeatability of the movements performed and to the possibility of using machines for many hours, thanks to their "tireless". The study presented in this article shows the development of elbow rehabilitation device, from design and prototype realization until preliminary tests on patients.

Design and control of system for elbow rehabilitation: Preliminary findings

“…10,11 The effectiveness of rehabilitation is closely linked with the suitability of the chosen therapy. 12,13 Robotic techniques allow the precise recording of movements and the application of forces to the affected limb using visual cues; they convert repetitive movement practice into a useful task within everyday activity. 14 Current state-of-the-art of robotic systems and their prospective function in the post-stroke rehabilitation of the upper limbs is presented in the studies conducted by Fausti et al, 12 Bishop and Stein, 15 Hochstenbach-Waelen et al, 16 Loureiro et al, 17 Lu et al, 18 Maciejasz et al, 19 and Morales et al 20 The application of robotics in neurorehabilitation is promising, but is still not widely used in clinical settings.…”