Development of a low-cost balance assessment system for use in an affordable robot gym in low and middle income countries

摘要

Stroke results in adult disability worldwide with 80% of the occurrences in low and middle income countries (LMIC). There is a need for affordable and accessible rehabilitation to support functional recovery of these stroke survivors. Hemiplegia affects most stroke survivors and frequently can result in asymmetric gait and impaired balance. Low cost force boards using the Wii balance board have been shown to be an acceptable replacement to expensive clinical force plates. Center of pressure, velocity and step length are key gait and balance metrics that are measurable using low cost force boards. This paper describe two attempts to design and develop a low-cost gait assessment and training station within a novel robot gym for stroke neurorehabilitation of the upper and lower limbs. The final design will consist of low-cost two board force platform is now a part of the Rehab C.A.R.E.S (Community-based Affordable Robotic Exercise System).