Design and Construction of an Intelligent Stacking Cone Upper Limb Rehabilitation System

Abstract

Stroke patients, due to lack of exercise, usually suffer from muscle atrophy or functional deterioration. Therefore the patients need to do long-term rehabilitation therapy activities. The current clinical practice uses static rehabilitation tools such as stacking cones without immediate functional feedback. During the procedure, an occupational therapist (OT) fills out a Brunnstrom stage form to evaluate the status of upper limb. This approach has not been effective because patients may feel tired and boring with these tools. According to Brunnstrom stage, the palm grip ability level between three to six, and the arm strength level between four to six can use stacking cones for rehabilitation purposes. The research methods in this project are based on the patients' need to do rehabilitation with stacking cones, such as those with stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, Parkinson's disease, hand and visual perception problems. This study aims to establish a smart stacking cones device for upper limb rehabilitation with evaluation function. The goal is to raise the efficacy and add fun level during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, therefore to achieve improved upper limb action, palm grip action, strength, endurance, coordination and other capabilities.