Semi-automated home-based therapy for the upper extremity of stroke survivors

Abstract

Technology assisted home based rehabilitation therapy offers a potentially cost-effective and convenient solution for those affected by neuro and musculoskeletal impairments. Home based solutions, however, face many challenges, the most significant of which is trying to reproduce a complex adaptive therapy experience in the home without the continuous presence of the therapist. Building on our prior work creating interactive systems for the clinic, we present our home-based system that integrates customized therapy objects, camera based movement capture and assessment techniques, and a flexible exercise protocol aimed at generalizing to variable daily life activities. We present findings from two pilot studies with unimpaired and impaired users and describe how insights from these studies will guide future work.