Development of Upper Limb Training and Assessment Systems for Stroke Patient Rehabilitation using a Driving Simulator

Objective: The aim of this study is to develop the upper limb training and assessment systems for stroke patient rehabilitation using a driving simulator. Background: About 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke in the United States each year, and lots of researchers are suggesting effective rehabilitation methods. In most of their studies, however, pre- and post-assessments tool using some clinical scales were used for the assessment tool of the recovery through upper limb rehabilitation. In some studies, physiological measure was considered as important factor for rehabilitation process from earlier studies. Method: The experiment for the assessment is conducted at a fixed-based driving simulator. The proposed rehabilitation assessment system consists of quantitative assessment using driving simulator, motion analysis system, EMG (Electromyograph), ECG (Electrocardiograph), EEG (Electroencephalograph), gaze tracker, body pressure sensor and myotonometer and subjective assessment using clinical scale such as CNT (Computerized Neurocognitive Function Test) and UFOV(Useful Field of View). In order to quantitatively compare the upper limb function during assessment, the driving performance measures (speed, steering activity, and etc.), upper limb function (muscle activity, kinematics and etc.) and physiological measures (EEG, ECG and etc.) were collected from each subsystem. Results: This driving simulator based rehabilitation system can be utilized as training method for stroke patient, because the training using the steering activity can affect skeletomuscular system positively. The proposed system can offer objective method for assessing a training effect by using driving performance, upper limb function and physiological measures. In addition, the system can measure the driving performance that can be used for evaluating the driving ability of stroke drivers. Conclusion: The proposed upper limb rehabilitation system can be used as a combined system for quantitative and subjective assessment through driving simulator.