Philips Research
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According to the WHO (World Health Organization), more than 15
million people suffer from stroke each year worldwide. Of these, one
third die and another third are permanently disabled.
One of the areas Philips Research is studying, is stroke rehabilitation. The idea is to develop a motion sensor exerciser to allow patients to perform vital rehabilitation exercises at home. One-sided motor problems that affect arm-hand function are among the most common effects of a stroke. For rehabilitation after a stroke it is vital that therapy is not discontinued prematurely or reduced in intensity. More patients at the same time "Elderly stroke patients can not easily profit from therapy outside of the hospital, because of their impaired mobility and mental capabilities," says Ms. Prof. Dr. Steinhagen-Thiessen, head of the Geriatrics Research Group of the Charité University Medical Center Berlin. "The system that we are developing with Philips Research would enable elderly stroke patients to do exercises in their own home and would enable a therapist to supervise more than one patient at the same time. The latter is also very important as there are increasingly more elderly people than younger people." Stroke Rehabilitation Exerciser: how does it work? The Stroke Rehabilitation Exerciser from Philips Research, uses wireless motion sensors to fully capture the patient's upper-body movements. The sensors are strapped to the patient's upper body and arms, which link wirelessly to consoles programmed with personalized training routines devised by their physiotherapists. In the comfort of their own homes, their actions are displayed on a screen, so they can see their results and receive feedback on how to improve their performance. The unit then transfers information on the patients' progress back to their physiotherapists so they can make necessary changes or motivate patients as required. Testing The technology, to which the University of Ulster, University of Bath and Sheffield Hallam University contributed, has been tested with patients living in their own homes in the UK. Prototypes are also currently being tested and refined in clinical settings at the Charité University Medical Center Berlin (Germany) and at the Hoensbroek Rehabilitation Center (Stichting Revalidatie Limburg (SRL)) in the Netherlands. More information
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