Home-based tele-assisted robotic rehabilitation of joint impairments in children with cerebral palsy

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2014:2014:5288-91. doi: 10.1109/EMBC.2014.6944819.

Abstract

A portable rehabilitation robot incorporating intelligent stretching, robot-guided voluntary movement training with motivating games and tele-rehabilitation was developed to provide convenient and cost-effective rehabilitation to children with cerebral palsy (CP) and extend rehabilitation care beyond hospital. Clinicians interact with the patients remotely for periodic evaluations and updated guidance. The tele-assisted stretching and active movement training was done over 6-week 18 sessions on the impaired ankle of 23 children with CP in their home setting. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated using biomechanical measures and clinical outcome measures. After the tele-assisted home robotic rehabilitation intervention, there were significant increases in the ankle passive and active range of motion, muscle strength, a decrease in spasticity, and increases in balance and selective control assessment of lower-extremity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Ankle / physiology
  • Cerebral Palsy / rehabilitation*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity / physiology*
  • Male
  • Movement
  • Muscle Strength
  • Robotics*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome