Upper-Extremity Rehabilitation with NAO Robot

Abstract

Proper functioning of human upper limb is substantially important when it comes to activity of daily livings (ADL). Loss of full or partial mobility in upper limb following stroke would make it difficult to perform ADL. Rehabilitating those who lost motor function is one of the way to get their upper limb in use preforming ADL as it was before. We, therefore, have developed an extensive rehabilitation library using NAO robot in which NAO could demonstrate the exercise therapist wants patient to perform. To demonstrate rehabilitation exercises with NAO, a library of recommended rehabilitation exercises involving shoulder (i.e., abduction/adduction, vertical flexion/extension, and internal/external rotation), and elbow (i.e., flexion/extension) joint movements was formed in Choregraphe (graphical programming interface). In experiments, NAO was maneuvered to instruct and demonstrate the exercises from the library. A complex 'touch and play' game was also developed where NAO plays with the subject that represents a multi-joint movement's exercise.