Robotic and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) hybrid system

Abstract

Current rehabilitation treatments for post-stroke upper limb motor deficits are experiencing a shortage of professional manpower to provide adequate and precise physical practice. Rehabilitation robots and neuromuscular electrical stimulation have been adopted as efficient supplements to manual therapy. In this chapter, a novel NMES-robotic hybrid training system adopting two upper limb supportive schemes (i.e., support to the finger-hand and support to the wrist-elbow) with different mechanical structures will be introduced with three clinical trials. The training effectiveness of this system in both subacute and chronic stroke was evaluated through trials based on both the clinical assessments (i.e., the Fugl-Meyer Assessment the Modified Ashworth Scale the Action Research Arm Test and the Functional Independence Measurement) and cross-session electromyography (EMG) parameters (i.e., electromyography activation level and the cocontraction index). Furthermore, the training effects by two supportive schemes are compared to identify the optimized choice.