Project Overview

Age is the primary risk factor for stroke. Stroke, a main cause of long-term disability worldwide, can result in weakness and loss of movement control on one side of the body. About 65% of stroke survivors cannot use their affected arm in daily activities. Recovery of mobility and function requires intense, repetitive, and task-specific therapy. Present demands and budget restrictions in healthcare limit necessary intensive individual therapy. Robot-assisted therapy can address this problem by making rehabilitation service provision more effective and efficient by allowing therapists to work with more patients and patients to do therapy without constant therapist supervision. Our team at University of Toronto/Toronto Rehab and Quanser Consulting Inc. have developed a low-cost portable robotic system that is used with on-screen games. We have conducted preliminary usability, feasibility, and effectiveness studies with chronic stroke survivors with moderate arm recovery. Stroke survivors were motivated and reported high therapy satisfaction. Results are promising with respect to mobility gains. Our goal is to commercialize the robotic system by launching a start-up company. To expedite commercialization, the proposed project will develop commercial quality software including 1) upgrades based on our findings to the system’s user interface to make it easier for stroke survivors and therapists to use, and 2) additional therapeutic games to enhance therapy engagement. The availability and clinical use of robotic systems can result in substantial benefits to stroke survivors, therapists, and healthcare services. For stroke survivors, enhanced opportunities for efficient and effective therapy can result in greater motor and functional recovery. Therapists will advance their practice by having additional effective and efficient tools with which to work with patients and with less focus on the repetitive elements of therapy, can offer greater opportunities to work on daily activity and community re-integration goals.