Research of rehabilitation aid device with DOF constraintable mechanism for Hemiplegic Upper Limbs

As sequelae of stroke, hemiplegia is a typical symptom, where paralysis occurs in the half the body because of brain damage. In this study, we have developed a rehabilitation aid device with selectable DOF (degree of freedom) constraint mechanism for hemiplegic arm. By using this device, patients became possible to separate synergic movement of shoulder and elbow flexion-extension training by constraining each individually joints, while using Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to reduce the side effects, spasticity and pain, and to assist the voluntary movement of hemiplegic arm. In addition, this device can also supports the left and right side upper limb movement. As the clinical trial result, the shoulder-elbow UE-FMA sub-scores improved significantly.