Lithuanian researchers develop quality post-stroke rehabilitation system

Researchers from the Kaunas Technological University (KTU), the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) and the Italian high-tech company Gruppo Fos Lithuania are developing innovative technology for personalized care of patients with stroke. After collecting multiple data of physiological parameters, the multimodal system will choose personalized rehabilitation solutions for each patient.

Stroke is a "stroke" or a sudden interruption of cerebral circulation. During a stroke, the brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. As a result, the abilities controlled by this area of ​​the brain, such as memory and muscle control, are lost. Every 2 seconds, a person suffers a stroke and every 6 seconds a person dies. Research shows that every 6th person will have a stroke in their life.

Strokes can cause different disabilities, depending on the area of ​​the brain affected. Post-stroke conditions may include movement disorders, memory loss, difficulty in understanding language, and emotional distress. The integrated multimodal system for personalized stroke rehabilitation – the product and badociated technologies – will help manage stroke patients more effectively and efficiently.

"Our system saves and uses entirely new functional parameters, which allows for the implementation of personalized rehabilitation solutions," says Darius Jegelevicius, project leader, researcher at the KTU Biomedical Engineering Institute.

The system hardware includes virtual / augmented reality glbades, as well as various sensors to record the patient's heart rate, movements, and neurological activities. The software contains data processing and parameterization algorithms, personalized rehabilitation models and gamified solutions for training and rehabilitation program return.

The system incorporates various data, such as heart rate indicators and hand movement, neurological activity of the brain, visual feedback, monitors the activity of the circulatory system. It allows to develop a personalized rehabilitation plan according to the needs of a concrete patient.

"After evaluating the condition of the patient, the doctor designs a personalized rehabilitation program with the physiatrist.The patient executes the program badigned using the system by obtaining feedback based on the parameters collected by the sensors of the patient. Physiological signals Patient activities and progress are collected in the data server and controlled by the medical staff and can react and interfere in the process when needed, "Jegelevicius explains.

The team is currently conducting the necessary research to develop the prototype. The development of the prototype will take place in 2020.

###