Physical therapy for stroke survivors with limited hand function is advancing, thanks to work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Habib Rahman, a professor of mechanical engineering, is leading the development of a tabletop robotic device called the iTbot, designed to help patients recover at home.
According to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee report, the iTbot aims to help patients who miss therapy sessions by not only assisting with exercises but also sending real-time data to therapists for evaluation. Rahman and his team are working to revolutionize remote physical therapy by enabling treatment outside of a clinic.
Rahman’s system uses a two-part approach. "We are essentially creating a digital twin of the patient’s evaluation – a virtual model of the physical robotic arm as the patient uses it appears on the therapist’s screen," Rahman said in the same report.
The iTbot also features computer and tablet games designed by therapists to help patients regain muscle strength and improve their range of motion. These games use the robotic arm's handle, which patients control with their impaired hand, making recovery both engaging and measurable.
