Analysis of Rehabilitation Systems in Regards to Requirements Towards Remote Home Rehabilitation Devices

Abstract

Contemporary international pandemic proved that a flexible approach towards work, trade and healthcare is not only favourable but a must. Hence, the devices enabling home-rehabilitation became one of the urgent needs of the medical market. The following overview is a part of an R\&D project aimed at designing an exoskeleton and developing methods enabling effective home rehabilitation. It contains a comparison of current devices in terms of their kinematics, applications, weights, sizes, and integration with selected ICT technologies. The data is analysed regarding conclusions from qualitative research, based on in-depth interviews with physiotherapists and questionnaires organised beforehand. The investigation assesses whether commercial and developed devices enable feedback from a patient by all possible means; hence, if they could allow effective telerehabilitation. Moreover, their capabilities of increasing engagement and accelerating improvements by supervising techniques and measuring biomechanical parameters are evaluated. These outcomes are a base to set the constraints and requirements before designing an exoskeleton dedicated to home treatment.