End-Users Feedback on a Hybrid Assistive/Socially Assistive Robotic Platform for Physical Rehabilitation
By White, Matthew; Finkelstein, Marsha; Oddsson, Lars; Nilsson, Daniel; Radomski, Mary; RESNA Annual Conference - 2012,Publication Date: June 30 - July 2, 2012
Paper describes a prototype of a robotic platform designed to assist in performing exercises as well as help patients, through a social assist interface, adhere to a home exercise program. The Sister Kenny hOme ThErapy systEm (SKOTEE) can be used as both a stand-alone device providing verbal instructions to assist patients at home and as an assistive system using multiple exercise device modules that can interact wirelessly. The first exercise module prototype allows the patient with arm weakness and/or poor motor control to practice reaching motions through a height adjustable pole that connects to the base allowing two degrees of rotational freedom. This module converts the position of the arm into a digital signal that is sent to SKOTEE using Bluetooth, allowing the patient to perform computer mouse like movements during exercise games that are seen on SKOTEE’s LCD screen. To obtain end user feedback on this robotic platform prototype, 10 patients were recruited, 8 with stroke and 2 with neurologic impairments. SKOTEE guided participants in the use of the arm exercise module, after which it instructed them to reach as far as possible in order to determine their maximum range of motion. This allowed SKOTEE to calculate the appropriate challenge level for the exercise. Participants then completed two reaching exercises, after which they completed an experience survey. Overall scores were positive, where 10 of 12 survey items received median scores of at least 8 on a range from 0 to 10. Implications for future work to improve the design of SKOTEE are discussed.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Web Site: http://www.resna.org )
Link to text: http://web.resna.org/conference/proceedings/2012/Robotics/END-USERSFEEDBACKONAHYBRIDASSISTIVE%20SOCIALLYASSISTIVEROBOTICPLATFORMFORPHYSICALREHABILITATION.html
