The aim of the RETRAINER proposal is to tune and validate advanced, robot-based technologies to facilitate recovery of arm and hand function in stroke survivors and to verify extensively the use of the system by end-users. RETRAINER allows the users to use their own arm and hand as much and as soon as possible after the trauma so to achieve the best outcomes in rehabilitation.
A continuous iterative process between the technology development and the testing feedback drives the whole project. RETRAINER implements a full technology transfer from the results of a previous FP7 project, MUNDUS, aimed at setting up a similar assistive device for severely disabled people in daily life activities.
RETRAINER makes available two systems that could be either used in combination or as a stand-alone. RETRAINER S1 provides the end-user with a robot that does not completely take over the user's tasks and substitute the functionality of the body, but specifically supports the user only whenever he/she really needs support. Residual functionality is trained and improved on rather than replaced by the robotic device. Arm movements are supported by the combined action of a passive exoskeleton for weight relief and Neuromuscular Electrical stimulation (NMES) delivered to several arm muscles in a controlled manner.
RETRAINER S2 exploits a wearable NMES system with multiple arrays of electrodes for hand rehabilitation facilitating the grasping function.
Both systems benefits from use of interactive objects, i.e. daily-life objects able to supply information about themselves to drive usage. Within RETRAINER the same principle and module is exploited to drive rehabilitation exercises and to monitor daily life.
The systems will undergo a thorough randomized control clinical trial with end users to assess their efficacy in rehabilitation.
Certification and qualification of the system will be pursued, given the adequate quality of experimental results.