Abstract:
Stroke is a life-threatening condition involving the blockage of blood flow to the brain, resulting in a lack of oxygen and possible irreversible damage to brain tissue. In Pakistan, around 350,000 cases of stroke are documented each year, representing a serious health issue given the shortage of sophisticated equipment, specialized stroke units, and rehabilitation centers. Among stroke survivors, upper limb impairments are prevalent, affecting around 80 percent of patients. Traditional rehabilitation methods, while effective, are labor-intensive and constrained by the limited availability of healthcare professionals, including neurologists, physiotherapists, and speech therapists. To address these challenges, this project proposes the development of an automated robotic system specifically designed for upper limb rehabilitation using the Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). The designed robot is meant to execute prescribed exercises by the therapist with a high degree of precision and accuracy, minimizing therapists’ workload while enabling them to handle multiple patients at once. The system has a robotic arm mechanism operated using a user interface, which contains actuators, sensors, and a microcontroller for performing programmed exercises. In addition, a feedback system, with sensors and potentiometers, will track the patient’s upper limb movements and supply real-time recovery information to therapists. This project aims to improve rehabilitation outcomes by enhancing therapy efficiency, ensuring precise exercise execution, and offering therapists valuable insights into patient progress. By leveraging advanced robotics and real-time monitoring, the system aspires to modernize rehabilitation practices, ultimately contributing to better healthcare outcomes and supporting Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure in managing stroke recovery more effectively.
