AIT Austrian Institute of Technology and National Robotarium in Edinburgh are investigating the rehabilitation process and support for hemiplegia patients using robots
Vienna (OTS) – Around 19,000 Austrians suffer a stroke every year – that’s about one stroke every 27 minutes. After cardiovascular disease and cancer, stroke is the third most common cause of death in Austria. Although mortality has decreased significantly in recent years, many people’s health is severely impaired by the consequences of a stroke. Around 80 percent of survivors of an acute stroke suffer from severe mobility restrictions or hemiparesis (partial paralysis that affects only one side of the body). This makes targeted rehabilitation measures, which can be well supported by new technologies, all the more important. According to experts, social assistance robots can make a good contribution here.
As part of the VITALISE project, the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology in cooperation with the National Robotarium of Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, investigated the extent to which people with hemiplegia can be better supported in their rehabilitation of the upper limbs and in targeted movement exercises by a combination of socially assistive robots (SARs) and brain-computer interfaces (BCI; a device worn on the head with several sensors for measuring brain waves). The patients had to raise and lower their arms, and the robot Nao imitated their movement exercises, even if the movement was only imagined.
Patients and therapists involved right from the start
In order to create the most authentic conditions possible in the sense of a living lab, the study was carried out in the new therapy center for neurological diseases tech2people, which opened in the autumn of 2023 in Seestadt Aspern in Vienna. Both patients and therapists were involved in the study.
“Especially in the field of eHealth, co-design methods are very helpful and work well. It was important to us to examine the user experiences as well as the general implementation of the approach both in people with hemiparesis and in physiotherapists,” explains Markus Garschall from the AIT Center for Technology Experience. He has also specialized in the topic of AAL (Active and Assisted Living) for years and is currently Vice President of AAL AUSTRIA. “At the same time, the transnational collaboration with the scientists from Scotland was very inspiring; we need a lot more European cooperation and exchange, especially in the health sector,” adds Garschall.
Social assistance robots with human-like characteristics open up many possibilities, in particular they can support the independent exercises of those affected. “Especially in neurological rehabilitation, a consistent exercise program with many repetitions is necessary in order to make progress. The aim is therefore to use SARs to support and motivate those affected in their independent training program. In order for the technology to actually be used, however, it is important to evaluate the interaction between those affected and the robot. It was also important to us to get the professional therapeutic perspective on the use of such a technical setup for patients in order to be able to adapt it in accordance with the desired changes,” emphasizes Beatrix Wais-Zechmann, researcher at the AIT Center for Technology and herself a physiotherapist.
“Social robots can act as coaches to increase motivation, but these systems must enjoy the trust of patients. Imitating human actions during interaction can have a positive effect on trust. Brain-robot interfaces could facilitate this by enabling a more immediate and direct perception of human states,” explains Lynne Baillie, Professor of Computer Science and Lead Human-Robotics-Interaction (HRI) at the National Robotarium in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Results and outlook
The study was carried out over three months with patients and therapists. The main focus was on examining the aspect of trust and recording the characteristics that the test subjects attributed to the robot. Using the “Emotion Wheel”, the patients had the opportunity to assign different characteristics to the robot. Initial results show that the robot is rated as highly competent and that little “discomfort” is actually felt. However, the robot is perceived as a machine or device, and human warmth is left behind. “Overall, the results of the study are promising and point the way for future stroke therapy,” summarize Markus Garschall and Lynne Baillie. Another evaluation project with people with hemiparesis is planned for 2024 in Scotland. “The study has once again shown that the use of robots and new technologies in rehabilitation can significantly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of therapy, and above all, it can offer personalized and continuous support. This has the potential to improve the quality of life of affected patients, reduce therapy costs and alleviate the shortage of skilled workers in the healthcare sector,” emphasizes Markus Garschall.
About VITALISE
The aim of the European research project VITALISE is to harmonize living lab approaches (methods and approaches) and to create tools that enable and facilitate cross-border cooperation for the development of new products or services. VITALISE’s thematic focus is on innovations in the field of eHealth, for example in the field of rehabilitation, but also in everyday support for older people. To achieve this goal, 19 organizations from ten EU countries and Canada have joined forces and enabled personal cross-border access to 17 living lab research infrastructures. The AIT Center for Technology Experience is one of the lead project partners in VITALISE and is involved with the Technology Experience Lab (TX.Lab).
About Living Labs
Living Labs allow new technologies to be tested in practice in a “natural” environment, e.g. in an apartment, a hospital or a factory. Living Labs are also a methodical innovation approach for the situational involvement of relevant actors in technology development.
About the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology is Austria’s largest research and technology organization, with currently 1,527 employees and an operating output of almost 200 million euros. The AIT focuses on the research areas of “Sustainable and resilient infrastructures”, particularly in the areas of energy, transport and health, as well as the “Digital Transformation of Industry and Society” and works closely with universities, industry and public institutions.
The VITALISE project was funded by the EU Horizon 2020 program under grant no. 101007990. The project ran from April 2021 to March 2024.
Additional Information:
Project website
Project video:
Inquiries & Contact:
Dr. Christine Wahlmüller-Schiller
Marketing and Communications
Center for Technology Experience
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
M +4366488390690
christine.wahlmueller-schiller@ait.ac.at
Mag. Michael H. Head
Head of Corporate and Marketing Communications
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
T +43505504014
michael. head@ait.ac.at
#Assistance #robots #stroke #patients #AIT #Austrian #Institute #Technology #GmbH #10.07.2024