New sensor technology in stroke rehabilitation - for increased motivation and evaluation of intensive training

Important results from the project

The aim has been to develop a run-up for architecture in a platform that supports the development of a cost-effective and user-friendly sensor system, integrated into a game context. The platform with its components should be used in stroke rehabilitation to support stroke patients to increase motivation and responsibility for intensive training, which is required for positive health effects. The platform will also support scientific evaluation of the exercises, focusing on movement quality. The architecture of this platform has now been developed.

Expected long term effects

The project´s innovation consists of a comprehensive concept for intensive training after stroke, where a platform architecture design now has been developed, which is a critical part for realizing the desired effects. Users are expected to become more physically active, which should lead to improved health and quality of life as well as to increased participation in society. The innovation is also expected to lead to that high-technology development is integrated into health care to solve the lack of resources, and to have a good potential for spreading to the global market.

Approach and implementation

Five project partners (users, clinicians and researchers in healthcare as well as technicians and researchers from companies) have collaborated. Critical components in a platform have been discussed and sensor solutions have been tested in seminars. Persons with stroke and experienced clinicians have been invited to workshops, where they have tested different sensor systems and reflected upon user friendlyness, type of feedback, game aspects, etc. Continuous Skype meetings and tele conferences have been held with all project parts throughout the project period.