
Rehabilitation after a stroke or brain injury can be a long and difficult process. New technologies, such as socially assistive robots, greatly facilitate this process and make it more efficient. According to research conducted by Heriot-Watt University's National Robotarium, these robots use headphones that detect patients' brain activity to understand their movement intentions during exercise. Robots provide real motivation, visual imitation, and feedback, making rehabilitation more engaging and personalized to the patient's individual needs.
The VITALISE project, funded by the EU's Horizon 2020 programme, has developed a system that helps patients adhere to prescribed rehabilitation routines, providing personalised support based on cognitive abilities and exercise pace. The study shows that about 80% of stroke and brain injury survivors have upper limb damage, which significantly affects their independence and daily activities. Socially assistive robots can help improve function after cognitive impairment through task-specific repetition exercises.
Examples of patient successes include a 55-year-old man who suffered a severe ischemic stroke, who was able to restore some of his motor functions and gait thanks to the use of the robotic exoskeleton Lokomat. Another patient with spinal cord injury was able to regain his ability to walk with the help of the Ekso Bionics robotic exoskeleton. An adult patient who has lost the ability to move independently manages to restore part of his motor functions and improve his quality of life with the help of the ReWalk system.
In Bulgaria, robotic rehabilitation is starting to gain popularity and there are already several centers that offer such services. One of the major manufacturers of rehabilitation equipment, including robotic equipment, is seriously entering the Bulgarian market with the construction of a new plant, which means that there is already production and service on the territory of the country, which gives hope for a more widespread implementation of these technologies.
Although robotic rehabilitation is available in Bulgaria, it is still not widespread enough and accessible to all patients. There is no clinical pathway that covers the cost of robotic rehabilitation, which makes it inaccessible to many people.
"In order to ensure wider access to these innovative technologies, it is necessary to expand the network of centers, include robotic rehabilitation in clinical pathways and provide funding from the Health Insurance Fund," says Eng. Dorina Dobreva, Chairperson of the Association for Stroke and Aphasia (AIA).
"We need more medical specialists to work with robotic devices and apply modern methodologies that we can find on the labor market for short-term additional specialization. At the same time, we also need to raise awareness among patients and their relatives about the possibilities of robotic rehabilitation and its benefits." - These are the key steps to ensure affordable robotic rehabilitation, according to Dr. Georgi Georgiev, Deputy Chairman of the Agency.
This innovation has the potential to change the way rehabilitation is conducted by providing patients with access to personalized robotic trainers who support clinicians and experts in delivering more successful rehabilitation journeys. For more information, you can read the full article: https://thenationalrobotarium.com/robots-help-guide-self-managed-rehabilitation-for-stroke-and-brain-injury-survivors/