Personal vibrotactile stimulator for rehabilitation of the hand in stroke and Parkinson patients

It is already known that electrical or vibratory somatosensory stimulation is useful for the recovery of patients following a stroke event. The presented prototype system has been developed as an aid for the rehabilitation of stroke patients by means of vibrotactile stimulations in a force sensing biofeedback set-up. This personal computer controlled system is composed of a driver for controlling up to ten vibromotors or tactors that can be applied to the skin on the hand and finger joints. Patient motor responses are monitored by means of a force sensing tablet whose output is presented on the computer screen along with a webcamera image and tactors statuses. The system has been specifically designed so to be used in the neuro-lab as well as in the clinic or at home for administering to the patient a series of exercises, tests and bio-feedback training exercises. The system is also useful for basic research and for remote controlling in a telerehabilitation session. Here we present a description of the system, its components, performances and possible experimental applications.