Ricerc@Sapienza

Introduction: Robot-assisted therapy is an emerging approach that performs highly repetitive, intensive, task oriented and quantifiable neuro-rehabilitation. In the last decades, it has been increasingly used in a wide range of neurological central nervous system conditions implying an upper limb paresis. Results from the studies are controversial, for the many types of robots and their features often not accompanied by specific clinical indications about the target functions, fundamental for the individualized neurorehabilitation program.

The aim of this study is to validate the wearable prototype system for ataxic patients' neurorehabilitation based on the Microsoft Kinect device and to archive a preliminary results of a control group of healthy subjects. The system acquires kinematics quantities as 3D position, rotation angles, linear acceleration and angular velocity of the wrist joint during a rehabilitation exercise replayed in 2 different difficulties. The trajectories performed by the 20 subjects were analysed to find the best trajectory and the one completed in the least time.

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability. Cost-effective post-stroke rehabilitation programs for upper limb are critically needed. Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) which enable the modulation of Electroencephalography (EEG) sensorimotor rhythms are promising tools to promote post-stroke recovery of upper limb motor function.