ROBAR
Robot-supported arm rehabilitation in the early phase after stroke

After a stroke, many patients suffer from impaired motor function of the arm. Optimal recovery of arm function is important to perform activities of daily life independently. To stimulate restoration of arm function after stroke intensive and task-specific training is essential. For this, application of robotic systems in rehabilitation is promising. More specifically, active movements can be facilitated by the use of arm support, as shown by previous research by our group. One of the biggest advantages of arm support using a robot is currently the possibility to 'automate' therapy (a therapist can treat multiple patients simultaneously), so that productivity of health care can increase and cost can be reduced.

In the past years, RRD has developed a device that can support the arm in a smart way (the Freebal), together with the University of Twente and Baat Medical. This concept was further developed by the Swiss company Hocoma into ArmeoBoom, in which arm support is combined with rehab games. This system will be implemented in 7 rehabilitation centers throughout the Netherlands in the scope of the ROBAR project.

The participating centers are:

Revalidatiecentrum Het Roessingh (Enschede), Sint Maartenskliniek (Nijmegen), De Hoogstraat (Utrecht), Beatrixoord (Haren), Groot Klimmendaal (Arnhem), Rijndam (Rotterdam) and Revalidatie Centrum Amsterdam.

This project is made possible due to a grant from:

Innovatie Programma Revalidatie	Revalidatie Nederland	ZonMw

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