A new tool in the form of a wearable sleeve is on its way to be developed to help stroke victims with their recovery.
Researchers at the University of South Hampton and Imperial College London are looking into developing a wearable technology that will help stroke victims recover the functionality of their hand and arm.
According to Jane Burridge, lead researcher of the project, the sleeve, which works with an app, can help lessen the amount of therapy time between a patient and his/her therapist. At the same time, it will still ensure that patients will get the usual 45-minute daily therapy.
"Stroke rehabilitation is increasingly home-based, as patients are often discharged from hospital after only a few days. This policy encourages independence and avoids problems associated with prolonged hospital stays," Burridge explained, as stated in a news release from Science Daily.
However, Burridge added that there are stroke victims who find it challenging to do the needed exercises. At the same time, therapists will need the objective measurements of the patient's progress. Burridge believes that the sleeve "will address problems faced by both patients and therapists."
The wearable sleeve is the first to use the technology known as mechanomyography (MMG) microphone-like sensors, which are capable of detecting muscle vibrations, and inertial measurement units (IMU). Together, these sensors will produce the needed data and will remove the unnecessary ones.
The data produced by sensors will also show a patient's improvement since the start of the therapy. These data will then be transferred to an app on a tablet and doctors can use that information to assess the patient's recovery.
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, claiming the lives of almost 130,000 Americans every year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the U.K., over 150,000 people per year suffer from the condition, according to the National Health Service.
The National Stroke Association states that 40 percent of stroke victims suffer from "moderate to severe impairments that necessitate special care"; 25 percent will "recover with minor impairments"; and only 10 percent will "recover almost completely."
