Active rehabilitation of CVA patients

The active rehabilitation (ACRE) system provides motivation-based therapy to people who have suffered from a cerebral vascular accident (CVA). Taking into account the lessons learned in the GENTLE/s project, TNO TPD is developing a system that would assist and stimulate CVA patients to rehabilitate at home. The movement of the patient´s arm (i.e. the therapy) is supported by a passive gravity compensating mechanism (based on the WREX arm support mechanism). In the near future we would investigate to which extends the arm support mechanism can be made active (to aid patients with no force left). In our first (passive) prototype the patient interacts with a therapy-game while the patient´s movements are measured. Data analysis on the movement can help in researching the benefits of different types of exercises. The prototype showed promising results during the first user trials in 2003. Intensive evaluations are planned for 2004 and 2005.