Digitized Hand Skateboard Based on IR-Camera for Upper Limb Rehabilitation

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Medical Technology
• Neurorehabilitation

Background:

• Abnormal upper limb function severely affects daily living, necessitating effective recovery training post-emergency treatment.
• Conventional passive hand skateboard devices offer a basis for upper limb training but lack comprehensive process analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To integrate an Infrared (IR)-camera with a passive hand skateboard for enhanced upper limb rehabilitation.
• To comprehensively record and analyze the upper limb training process using this integrated system.

Main Methods:

• An IR-camera and infrared emitter were integrated with a conventional passive hand skateboard.
• A binding band guided patients along a designated path for upper limb training.
• Stability tests were conducted on individuals with normal upper limb function.
• Eight stroke patients (MMSE >= 27) underwent 4 weeks of training with the device.

Main Results:

• The integrated device demonstrated acceptable repeatability and test results.
• Patients showed significant improvements in finishing rate and time after 4 weeks of training.
• Paired T-tests revealed significant (p < 0.05/0.01) improvements between weeks 1 and 2, and extremely significant (p < 0.01) improvements between weeks 1 and 4.
• The IR-camera system provided continuous focus on the training path with no hardware delay.

Conclusions:

• The IR-camera integrated hand skateboard system is lightweight, convenient, and suitable for home-based stroke rehabilitation.
• The technology offers obvious clinical advances and is worthy of promotion for upper limb training.