Force assistant master-slave telerehabilitation robotic system

A prototype of the master slave telerehabilitation robotic system with force feedback is developed. This system contains a pair of robots with the master being operated by the therapist and the slave following the master to guide the patients to exercise. A slave device with a slave controller is designed to stretch and mobilize the impaired elbow joints accurately and safely. A master device with a master controller is designed to control/monitor the procedure of treatment and assess the outcome of treatment remotely and accurately. By using the twoport network theory and the circuit equivalent impedance models, the position-force control scheme is designed to generate force feedback for the therapist who is to be informed of the interaction force between the subject and the robot arm during exercise. Experiments were conducted with a healthy male. Results show that the therapist can guide the patient to exercise by the master arm and can feel the interaction forces between the impaired arm and the robot. Compared with the traditional therapy, this system is more cost-efficient, more convenient and safer for both the stroke patients and the clinicians.

Remotely monitored telerehabilitation for cardiac patients: A review of the current situation

Cardiac rehabilitation through center-based programs is an effective multicomponent intervention for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.Despite the benefits it brings,patients’participation in rehabilitation programs remains low.In this work,the latest relevant literature regarding remotely monitored cardiac telerehabilitation(TR)was reviewed considering its efficiency and utilization.The main objective was to assess whether TR has the potential to be an appropriate alternative form of rehabilitation.A total of 105 publications on this topic were screened out of 747 full-text articles that were read and evaluated,of which 12 were considered suitable for inclusion in the final review.Feasibility,efficiency,and safety were assessed for each TR intervention.The results of our evaluation indicate that TR seems to be a usable,effective,and safe alternative rehabilitation for patients with heart disease.Most of the currently published articles have studied remotely monitored TR intervention offering a comprehensive approach,which indicates the significant development and steps forward in this field of study.Our research evidence supports the implementation of TR,which could positively influence barriers in participating in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Telerehabilitation intervention for type 2 diabetes

Diabetes has become an increasingly important health problem worldwide due to its prevalence.Although effective treatments for diabetes management have been developed,many patients have difficulty in achieving their therapeutic goals.Regular exercise training is suggested to prevent or delay the symptoms and complications of type 2 diabetes along with other medical treatments.It has become necessary to develop new rehabilitation models and practices in order to cope with the changing needs of the population.Treatment models using technology can be effective in disease management.Telerehabilitation may be effective as part of the rehabilitation program in the home environment,especially for patients who are unable to participate in conventional center-based rehabilitation due to transport difficulties or work resumption.Telerehabilitation is defined as the delivery of rehabilitation services via telecommunication technology,including phone,internet,and videoconference communications between the patient and health care provider.It is possible that telerehabilitation may benefit people with type 2 diabetes in similar ways with telemonitoring and interactive health communication systems.Although the applicability of telehealth methods has been proven in previous studies,telerehabi-litation studies in type 2 diabetes are inadequate in the literature.With larger,multicentered randomized controlled studies,established clinical guidelines can be developed that will ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Developing a Low-cost,smart,handheld electromyography biofeedback system for telerehabilitation with Clinical Evaluation

Existing telerehabilitation systems require highly experienced personnel to interpret a patient’s muscle activity in a specialized lab,limiting the biofeedback available at the patient’s home.In addition,there is no contact between physiotherapists and patients remotely.This study designed and implemented an interactive teleelectromyography(EMG)biofeedback device for facilitating patients’rehabilitation and giving the physiotherapist the ability to develop and monitor personalized treatment for each patient precisely and remotely.The device comprised a device that acquires EMG signals during muscular activity and two cell phone applications,one for the patient and the other for the physiotherapist;traced muscle activity;and enabled the physiotherapist to monitor and control the patients’sessions through a Google Firebase database.EMG signals were acquired from five subjects,and results were compared to a certified device.The evaluation process involved two metrics,correlation coefficient and root mean square value(RMSV).The proposed EMG biofeedback device is an integrated solution with numerous features,such as low cost,handheld size,patient-friendly interface,contributions to rapid healing,and secure communication.In addition,it provides raw EMG signals for applied research applications.

Effect of a cardiac telerehabilitation program during COVID-19 associated social isolation

This study aimed to compare the impact of a cardiac telerehabilitation(CTR)protocol aimed at patients with cardiovascular diseases(CVDs)during the period of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)associated with social isolation.This retrospective cohort study included 58 participants diagnosed with stable cardiovascular diseases(CVDs),which were divided into three groups:conventional cardiac rehabilitation(CCR)group(n=20),composed of patients undergoing conventional cardiac rehabilitation;cardiac telerehabilitation(CTR)group(n=18),composed of patients undergoing cardiac telerehabilitation and control group(n=20),composed of patients admitted for cardiac rehabilitation who had not started training programs.The results showed that body mass index was reduced(p=0.019)and quality of life was improved(e.g.,limitations due to physical aspects[p=0.021),vitality[p=0.045]and limitations due to emotional aspects[p=0.024])by CCR compared to baseline.These outcomes were not improved by CTR(p>0.05).However,this strategy prevented clinical deterioration in the investigated patients.Although CCR achieved a superior effect on clinical improvement and quality of life,CTR was relevant to stabilize the blood pressure and quality of life of patients with cardiovascular diseases during the period of COVID-19-associated social isolation.

Cardiac rehabilitation and its essential role in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of mortality worldwide.They are frequently the reasons for patient hospitalization,their incapability for work,and disability.These diseases represent a significant socio-economic burden affecting the medical system as well as patients and their families.It has been demonstrated that the etiopathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases is significantly affected by lifestyle,and so modification of the latter is an essential component of both primary and secondary prevention.Cardiac rehabilitation(CR)represents an efficient secondary prevention model that is especially based on the positive effect of regular physical activity.This review presents an overview of basic information on CR with a focus on current trends,such as the issue of the various training modalities,utilization,and barriers to it or the use of telemedicine technologies.Appropriate attention should be devoted to these domains,as CR continues evolving as an effective and readily available intervention in the future.

Test of incremental respiratory endurance as home-based, standalone therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A case report

BACKGROUND The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)is increasing worldwide,and at the same time it is associated with increased mortality and reduced quality of life.Efforts to build sustainable rehabilitation approaches to COPD treatment and prevention are crucial.The system of long-term pulmonary rehabilitation care is insufficient.The main reasons for the absence of these outpatient programs are the lack of experience,the lack of interest of insurance companies in secondary prevention programs,and the lack of healthcare facilities in large geographical areas.The possibility of at-home pulmonary rehabilitation models(telemonitoring and telecoaching)could solve this problem.CASE SUMMARY A 71-year-old man with severe COPD,Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Diseases stage 3 underwent an 8-wk remotely monitored inspiratory muscle training with a device based on the test of incremental respiratory endurance method.Spirometry,body plethysmography,test of incremental respiratory endurance examination,6-min walking test,body mass index,airflow obstruction,dyspnea,exercise capacity index,and subjective perception of dyspnea were performed as part of the initial and final examination.The patient performed training at home,and the physiotherapist monitored the patient remotely through a web application that allowed the physiotherapist to evaluate all training parameters in real-time and respond to any problems.After 8 wk of home training,there was a significant increase in all monitored values:maximal inspiratory pressure,a novel parameter sustained maximal inspiratory pressure,forced expiratory volume in 1 s,total lung capacity,forced vital capacity,peak expiratory flow,and inspiratory capacity.There was also an improvement in the perception of dyspnea according to the COPD Assessment Test and a modified Medical Research Council Breathlessness Scale,an increase in exercise tolerance according to the 6-min walking test,and a decrease in the exercise capacity index as a predictor of prognosis.CONCLUSION Respiratory telerehabilitation was greatly beneficial in a cooperative patient with COPD and may represent an alternative therapeutic approach to the increasing incidence of all lung diseases.

Remote-Controlled Ambidextrous Robot Hand Concept

In the development of robotic limbs, the side of members is of importance to define the shape of artificial limbs and the range of movements. It is mainly significant tbr biomedical applications concerning patients suffering arms or legs injuries, fn this paper, the concept of an ambidextrous design lbr robot hands is introduced. The fingers can curl in one xvay or another, to imitate either a right hand or a left hand. The advantages and inconveniences of different models have been investigated to optimise the range and the maximum force applied by fingers. Besides, a remote control interthce is integrated to the system, allowing both to send comrnands through internet and to display a video streaming of the ambidextrous hand as feedback. Therefore, a robotic prosthesis could be used for the first time in telerehabilitation. The main application areas targeted are physiotherapy alter strokes or management of phantom pains/br amputees by/earning to control the ambidextrous hand. A client application is also accessible on Facehook social network, making the robotic limb easily reachable for the patients. Additionally the ambidextrous hand can be used tbr robotics research as well as artistic performances.

In the era of long COVID,can we seek new techniques for better rehabilitation?

Sincethecoronavirusdisease2019(COVID-19)outbreak has become a pandemic,medical staff and researchers have devotedly managed the disease in terms of pathogens,prevention,and treatment.Even so,the virus continues to wreak havoc in people's lives.Recent evidence shows that patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviru.