Ludic Table: a comparative study between playful rehabilitation and kinesiotherapy in restricting upper limb movements in individuals with stroke

Design and analysis of a compatible exoskeleton rehabilitation robot system based on upper limb movement mechanism

Rehabilitation robots are used to promote structural and functional recovery of the nervous system with repetitive, task-oriented training and have been gradually applied to clinical rehabilitation training. This paper proposes an upper limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robot system that could realize shoulder-elbow-wrist joint rehabilitation training. Firstly, a motion equivalent model was established based on the upper limb movement mechanism, the robot mechanism configuration was designed, and the optimization algorithm and spatial mechanism theory were used to optimize and analyze the structural parameters and human-machine compatibility of the robot, which will guide the design of the robot's model. Then, the robot kinematics were solved, and its maximum motion range, dexterity distribution, and daily motion trajectory were simulated. Finally, a system prototype was built to test the maximum range of robot-assisted human upper limb training by laser tracker, while the pressure of human-machine interaction during training was captured and analyzed by flexible sensors. The results show that the proposed rehabilitation robot could nearly completely cover the range of motion of upper limb joints and meet the needs of trajectory training, and the linear velocity dexterity and angular velocity dexterity in the motion space are maximum 0.55 and 0.89, and the human-machine interaction pressures during the training process are all less than 10 kPa. Besides, this paper also conducted a system evaluation based on the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model, and the evaluation result was 0.39, with an excellent evaluation grade, it indirectly indicates that the robot's overall performance was good.

Kinesiological models of the neuromuscular system readaptation in mature women after prolonged hypokinesia

Purpose To study the peculiarities of adaptive and compensatory reactions in mature women after prolonged hypokinesia using various kinesiological models of the neuromuscular system readaptation. Material and methods 52 women of mature age (39-46 years) after long-term (6-7 years) hypokinesia took part in the study. Group A used a kinesiological model based on free weight exercises with changes in kinematic and dynamic characteristics. Group B used a model based on machine exercises. The following methods were used to monitor adaptation processes: bioelectrical impedance analysis, anthropometry, testing of strength capabilities, biochemical blood analysis (cortisol and creatinine concentration). Results The dynamics of the studied indicators differed significantly between the groups using the proposed kinesiological models for 12 weeks. Thus, the fat-free and body cell mass indicators were 5 times higher in group A women compared to group B participants. The body fat mass decreased by 5 times in group A participants. The circumference measurements reduced in all participants, but in group A the rate of change was 1.8 times faster. The level of strength growth was almost the same in all study participants; it fluctuated within 10-25% compared to the initial data. The cortisol concentration in the blood serum increased only in group B during all stages of control. At the end of the research, the cortisol level did not change in response to stress in the women of group A, which indicates increasing of their resistance level. The basal level of creatinine grew by 4% in group A women after 12 weeks of training, but it did not change in group B participants. These changes indicate an accelerated growth of muscle mass in group A women. Conclusions Pronounced adaptive changes occurred in women of mature age after prolonged hypokinesia in case of using the kinesiological model of the neuromuscular system readaptation with free weight exercises. Applying this model helps to increase the functional capabilities of the body, to strengthen the level of resistance to a stress stimulus, and to improve the morphometric parameters of the body.