Frequently Asked Questions
Robotic Rehab has been at the forefront of research in home-based robotic rehabilitation, have a look at the common questions that are asked about our work and this field of study.
What is home-based robotic rehabilitation?
Robotic rehabilitation is the use of robotic technology to deliver care and intervention in a patient’s physical rehabilitation journey. The devices provide patients intensive and engaging therapy sessions, allowing them to practice repetitive motor task in the comfort of their own home.
What are the benefits of home-based robotic rehabilitation?
There are many benefits to the integration of home-based robotic rehabilitation into the healthcare system.
Accessibility
For patients with neurological illness or injury, the need to travel to attend their physiotherapy can be challenging, physically, emotionally, and financially. Having the option to acquire specialist care in the comfort of their own home can ease the burden in their recovery journey.
Independence
Having unlimited access to robotic technology means patients can have self-directed upper limb exercise whenever they want/need. They can practise repetitive motor task without the support of a therapist or carer.
Consistency
For therapists, robotic rehabilitation offers a way to deliver consistent, high intensity and engaging therapy without increasing their workload. The use of the devices improves the way upper-limb rehabilitation therapy are delivered.
When does somebody get home-based robotic rehabilitation?
There are many things that must be taken into consideration before someone can receive a home-based robotic rehabilitation device. Potential users will need to be assessed by a therapist to determine if the device, or which device, would be suitable as part of their rehabilitation program.
There are also practical requirements to ensure that a user can accommodate for the device in their home. If you would like to find out more, please read “MyPAM: Home Requirement Booklet”.
Are there home-based robotic rehabilitation currently on the market?
Currently, there are no rehabilitation devices designed for the home environment that are available on the market for direct purchase. However, there are rehabilitation facilities/private clinics that provide access to rehabilitation devices.
Still have questions? Feel free to get in touch!
Areas of Research
Robotics Rehabs does not look at medical conditions specifically, but rather helps to treat the variety of symptoms that can come with it a person’s rehabilitation journey.
Neuroplasticity
Exploring the effectiveness of coupling robotic tasks with virtual reality to promote neuroplasticity and motor learning during rehabilitation after neurological injury.
Cognitive Function
Neurological injury can result in significant cognitive impairment, the gamification of physiotherapy task can help to improve cognitive function.
Motivation
Developing virtual-reality games makes the rehabilitation exercises more enjoyable through novel and fun challenges.
Intensity
Recovery is dependent on the frequency and intensity of therapeutic intervention, through robotic rehabilitation users can have increased access to physiotherapy.
Supporting MyPAM’s Development
MyPAM is currently in the pre-clinical prototype stage. The project is being conducted at the University of Leeds. If you would like to support this research, please consider becoming a donor to support the device’s development.
The History of MyPAM
The innovation is the result of nearly 20 years of research, carried out by a dedicated and multidisciplinary team from the University of Leeds. After years of thorough testing and trials, the device is now preparing to enter clinical trials.
2003: The First Upper Arm Rehabilitation Device
The First Prototype
The team created the first prototype of a three degree-of-freedom pneumatically actuated robot for upper arm physiotherapy in 2003.
2009: Engaging Children in Healthcare
Robotic Rehabilitation for Children
The hCAAR (Home-based Computer Assisted Arm Rehabilitation) device was developed as rehabilitation technology for children with cerebral palsy. The device adopted a two-player rehabilitation system that allowed children to play therapeutic games against each other. The device was taken to school to evaluate the design.
hCAAR became the first homebased upper arm rehabilitation device for children with cerebral palsy.
2011: Rehabilitation in the Home
Rehabilitation in the Home
An investigation into the feasibility and impact of hCAAR as a home-based rehabilitation device, specifically looking at the impact the device could have on motor control and functional outcome was conducted.
2012: Rehabilitation Through Play
Rehabilitation Through Play
hCAAR was deployed as a two player system for arm rehabilitation in schools, leading to the first trial of a two-player arm rehabilitation system for children with cerebral palsy.
2014: Rehabilitation for Stroke
First Clinical Trial
The team conducted their first feasibility study looking at the hCAAR device in the home environment. It was considered the first clinical study of its kind, and results indicated statistically significant improvements for the participants of the trial.
At this point, the team considered diversifying the technology to support stroke patients, the device was named iPAM.
2016 - 2018: Device Research & Development
Device Research & Development
Since the trial, a lot of ‘behind the scenes’ development has happened in recent years, both for hCAAR and the iPAM system. The MyPAM device was introduced as the evolution of iPAM, focusing on cost-effectiveness and portability. The device has since been refined incrementally, with development from student projects from the University of Leeds, along with input from clinicians and physiotherapists.
2019 - Present: Device Commercialisation
Device Commercialisation
A successful Alumni funding-campaign at the University of Leeds has enabled the MyPAM device to progress to the next stage of development, and a step closer to commercialisation.
The MyPAM team are currently developing and building 5 devices which will be taken forward for evaluation at PPI events and clinical trials.
Robotic Rehab Partners
