VIT-ARMin
Neurological patients (e.g., after stroke) need long-term neurorehabilitative therapy of the arm. We aim at developing a unique intensified and patient-tailored robot-aided training strategy of the arm. The exoskeleton robot ARMin will be further developed to adapt software components accordingly. The goal is to enhance treatment efficacy to an extent that the improvement in motor function is meaningful for the individual patient. Therapy can be intensified by different strategies that will be evaluated alone and in combination.
Robots are promising tools to restore functional abilities of the affected arm in stroke as they can incorporate novel neurorehabilitative strategies that may enhance recovery beyond what seems to be possible with conventional therapies. Intensity of training is a key aspect of successful neurorehabilitation. Training can be intensified by increasing training duration, number of repetitions during the training, mental effort including motivation, physical effort, and by multisensory stimuli. A training that combines a maximum of factors for successful motor training has the potential to enhance recovery to a clinically meaningful degree. We are implementing these factors into ARMin games and activities of daily living.
Funding
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF grant 320030_160313 “Intensified Robotic Arm Therapy after Stroke”)