Neurorehabilitation Robot-Assisted for Stroke Recovery: Hybrid Exoskeleton Assistive Limb (HEAL)

Authors

Law Cheng Xue
Faculty of Electrical Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Perlis, Malaysia
Anas Mohd Noor
Micro System Technology, Centre of Excellence (CoE), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Perlis, Malaysia and Faculty of Electronic Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Perlis, Malaysia
Zulkarnay Zakaria
Sports Engineering Research Center (SERC), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP),Perlis, Malaysia and Faculty of Electronic Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Perlis, Malaysia
Nashrul Fazli Mohd Nasir
Sports Engineering Research Center (SERC), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP),Perlis, Malaysia and Faculty of Electronic Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Perlis, Malaysia
Ahmad Nasrul Norali
Sports Engineering Research Center (SERC), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP),Perlis, Malaysia and Faculty of Electronic Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Perlis, Malaysia
Khalis Danial Nukman Khiruddin
Faculty of Electronic Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Perlis, Malaysia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52549/ijeei.v11i4.5166
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Published: 30-12-2023 • Issue: Vol. 11 No. 4: December 2023 • Section: Regular paper

Abstract

Conventional rehabilitation techniques that require manual intervention and the use of devices are identified as having several drawbacks. These include limited features, fatigue for both patients and therapists during prolonged rehabilitation sessions, time-consuming procedures, high operational and maintenance costs for devices, a lack of motivation for patients, limited accessibility, and challenges in measuring or monitoring rehabilitation progress. In response to these challenges, the Hybrid Exoskeleton Assistive Limb (HEAL) is introduced as a tailored solution with distinctive features. These features include real-time electromyographic (EMG) monitoring, a therapist-friendly graphical interface, and advanced techniques in the rehabilitation process. HEAL utilizes robotics-assisted rehabilitation for repetitive, precise, and controlled movements, enhancing brain-muscle motor function, developing muscle strength, and providing a wide range of motion. The system focuses on upper limb robotic rehabilitation and consists of an EMG to read muscle responses, an Arduino microcontroller for signal processing, and a high-torque precision servo motor for controlling limb movements. HEAL emphasizes the Brain-Muscle-Computer control process rather than passive rehabilitation, which relies on external forces to move the muscles, as demonstrated by the therapist. HEAL is particularly suitable for neurorehabilitation, emphasizing recovery and improvement of function in individuals with neurological disorders or injuries, especially in stroke patients. HEAL's ability to tailor rehabilitation programs individually offers personalized rehabilitation, considering each patient's unique needs, goals, and abilities. It utilizes advanced technologies for targeted and efficient rehabilitation. The HEAL device is cost-saving with a compact design, positioning it as a promising and comprehensive solution in stroke neurorehabilitation.

Keywords: stroke; neurorehabilitation; upper limb rehabilitation; exoskeleton; electromyogram; robotic rehabilitation

References

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Author Biographies

Law Cheng Xue
Law Cheng Xue currently is a final year student in Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering with Honours in University Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Malaysia. He received his Diploma in Mechatronic Engineering (UniMAP) in 2021. His main research interests in robotics in medical applications, mobile robots, control system development, IoT and data analytic, android applications, artificial intelligence, vision system.
Anas Mohd Noor

Anas Mohd Noor currently is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Electronic Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis. He received the D.Eng. in Micro-nano System Engineering in Nagoya University, Japan (2020), M.Sc. in Electronic System Engineering in Universiti Sains Malaysia (2010) and B.Eng. In Electronic Engineering in University Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia (2007). His main research interest in robotics in medical applications, micro-total analysis systems, Lab-on-chip, MEMS, wearable system, sensor fabrication and integrated system applications in biomedical engineering.


Zulkarnay Zakaria
Zulkarnay Zakaria received his PhD. degree in Electrical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 2014. He is currently an Associate Professor at the Biomedical Electronic Engineering Programme, Faculty of Electronic Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis. He is also the head of Medical Device Research Cluster (MEDEV) under the Sports Engineering Research Centre (SERC). His current research interests are electrical tomography for both process industry and biomedical applications, sensors as well as bioinstrumentations. He actively publishes research articles and received several research grants from the government and university
Nashrul Fazli Mohd Nasir
Nashrul Fazli Bin Mohd Nasir is currently an Associate Professor and the Head of Sports Engineering Research Centre, Centre of Excellence (COE), Universiti Malaysia Perlis. He has more than 20 years of experience in Biomedical Engineering. He was one of the founders of the Biomedical Electronic Engineering Programme in Universiti Malaysia Perlis and was her first Programme Chairman. Due to his vast experience in Biomedical Engineering, he is appointed as committee member in various Malaysian Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials academic societies such as Malaysian Chapter of the Asian Federation of Biotechnology (AFOB), Malaysian Society of Medical and Biological Engineers (MSMBE), Malaysian Biomaterials Society, Medical Device Authority (MDA)’s Medical Device Technical Competency Working Committee and also a Full Member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
Ahmad Nasrul Norali
Ahmad Nasrul Norali currently is a Senior Lecturer at Department of Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Electronic Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP). He obtained his degree at the University of Malaya with Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Telecommunication Engineering in 2002. Then he pursued a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering at the University of New South Wales, Australia in 2008. In 2020, he received his PhD from UniMAP in Biomedical Electronic Engineering where the topic is about electromyography of respiratory muscles. He had four years industrial experience in 2002 to 2008 working in the field of computer programming with application in power distribution data logging. After joining UniMAP as academician, his research interests are mainly in bioinstrumentation, electromyography signal processing, robotics rehabilitation and sport data analytics.
Khalis Danial Nukman Khiruddin
Khalis Danial Nukman Khiruddin is a graduate of Bachelor in Biomedical Electronic Engineering with Honours from Universiti Malaysia Perlis in 2023. He is currently working as a graduate research assistant while pursuing his Master of Science in Mechatronic Engineering in the same university. His research interests include medical image processing, biosignal processing, machine learning, deep learning, and microcontrollers. He is passionate about applying his knowledge to develop innovative solutions to improve people's quality of life.

How to Cite

[1]
L. C. Xue, A. Mohd Noor, Z. Zakaria, N. F. Mohd Nasir, A. Nasrul Norali, and K. D. Nukman Khiruddin, “Neurorehabilitation Robot-Assisted for Stroke Recovery: Hybrid Exoskeleton Assistive Limb (HEAL)”, IJEEI, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 1143–1154, Dec. 2023, doi: 10.52549/ijeei.v11i4.5166.