Your Source of Innovation in the Medical Field
FeaturedRehabilitationSpecialties

Soft ‘Robo Arm’ Could Help Stroke Recovery

Soft ‘Robo Arm’ Could Help Stroke Recovery
Soft robotic arm device designed by James Greig. The device pumps air into chambers of material that inflate and encourage a bicep-curl type movement. Courtesy of ABDN.

Stroke survivors could see their recovery accelerated by a new ‘soft robotic’ arm that enables bicep movement using an inflatable material to support the muscles.

Someone is hit by a stroke every five minutes and those who survive often experience a loss of movement from muscle spasticity caused by injury to the brain.

Researchers at the University of Aberdeen have now developed a device that will allow patients to carry out invaluable physiotherapy at home. James Greig, the final year PhD researcher who designed and built the device, told MedicalExpo e-Magazine: 

“We’re using soft robotics, which is different from conventional robotics that has a lot of rigid components – gears, motors, and that kind of thing. Instead, we used flexible, lightweight fabrics and this device is driven by compressed air.”

Before this work, Greig carried out research and development in a variety of industries, including life-saving appliances such as life jackets and rafts. 

“I drew inspiration from these products and used materials commonly found in life-saving appliances across the soft robotics world.” 

The device, secured to the arm with straps, operates by using a small compressor to pump air into a series of material strips. These strips inflate and press against each other, creating a movement in the limb similar to a bicep curl.

Described by Greig as a “gentle assistance” that helps the patient without “rigidly moving” their arm, the device is intended to work alongside formal physio sessions and to accelerate recovery.  

The soft robo arm replicates the movements typically guided by physiotherapists during rehabilitation sessions, using robotics to help patients to perform these exercises in their own homes, without the need for assistance. 

Strokes on the Rise: Creating Hope with Devices

Strokes vary depending on the area of the brain that is impacted, but many individuals experience increased muscle tone, leading to spasticity in the arm. This condition can cause the muscles to contract, often leaving the arm in a nearly fixed position. During rehabilitation, physiotherapists typically work to improve limb mobility. When addressed early, this approach can help reduce the severity of spasticity.

Currently, 15 million people globally have a stroke each year, a major report by the World Stroke Organization-Lancet Neurology Commission found. Around 5 million of these individuals die, while another 5 million continue to live with stroke-related disabilities. 

Data from the World Health Organisation shows that the lifetime risk of developing stroke has increased by 50% in the last two decades and now 1 in 4 people is estimated to have a stroke in their lifetime. 

The rise is largely due to lifestyle habits, such as smoking, a lack of exercise, and poor diet, but in recent years COVID-19 has had a significant impact on stroke prevalence and recovery. A study published in the journal Nature found a 52% increased risk of stroke in one year among COVID-19 survivors, or about four extra strokes per 1,000 people.

Greig hopes his device will help to ease the burden on healthcare services that are still struggling with patient backlogs and treatment delays from the pandemic.

Using trial feedback Greig is now working on how to make the device most user-friendly for stroke survivors and is collaborating with colleagues to develop an app. 

Dr Clare Jonas, Research Communications Lead at the Stroke Association (UK), said: 

“More than three-quarters of stroke survivors experience arm weakness, which can make it harder or even impossible to do things most of us take for granted, like getting dressed or feeding ourselves. 

“The only treatment option for arm weakness available at the moment is physiotherapy. But in 2023 only one in four stroke survivors received the recommended 45 minutes of physiotherapy, five days per week, in the UK. 

“With so many people not getting the treatment they need, it’s really important to look for ways to boost the effectiveness and flexibility of physiotherapy. We are always interested to hear about new technologies such as the ‘Robo arm’.”

The device, which Greig is preparing for clinical trials, could eventually be used to aid the recovery of anyone undergoing physiotherapy on this specific movement of the arm.

Thérèse Lebedis, Consultant AHP (Occupational Therapist) in Stroke, who has worked with James on the project, said: 

“This is an exciting development in the field of robotic technology, offering the potential to provide an adjunct to rehabilitation therapies such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy and the opportunity to increase intensity through repetition.”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement