The ReHandyBot is a platform for hand rehabilitation with two degrees of freedom, namely
forearm pronation/supination and finger flexion/extension. This device allows performing
exercises targeting somatosensation and motor functions. Different exercises are
implemented using virtual reality and haptic feedback; the interaction forces between
subjects and ReHandyBot are measured by force sensors in the handles, allowing the
control of a virtual hand and the physical interaction with the virtual environment.
Mechanical properties (e.g., size, stiffness) of the objects displayed in the virtual
environment are rendered by the motion/force of the instrumented handles. The type and
difficulty level of the exercises are patient-specific and are automatically adapted
throughout the therapy.
The duration and frequency of the therapy sessions with ReHandyBot depend on the specific
patient's needs and are set according to the therapist's instructions.
The main goals of this study are to:
(i) Evaluate the feasibility of integrating ReHandyBot into the routine of rehabilitation
clinics and ambulatories.
(ii) Perform a cost-benefit analysis of supervised, minimally supervised, and
unsupervised therapy with the device.
The secondary goals are to investigate:
(iii) The intensity of use of ReHandyBot by the facilities. (iv) The increase in therapy
dose for the patients using the device minimally or unsupervised compared to usual care.
(v) The quantity and characteristics of patients who can train supervised, minimally, or
unsupervised with the device.
(vi) Usability and user experience.
All the patients admitted to the clinic or ambulatory will be screened for participation
in this study. Eligible patients will receive robot-assisted therapy sessions with the
ReHandyBot in parallel to their conventional therapy program. During therapy with
ReHandyBot, the patient sits comfortably on a chair in front of a screen and places the
fingers of the impaired hand on the handles of the device.
The eligibility of the patients will be checked during the admission visit, after which,
for eligible patients, a trial session with ReHandyBot will be scheduled. During the
trial session, the supervising therapist will decide if the patient can really benefit
from training with ReHandyBot, and if yes, the therapist will integrate supervised
therapy sessions with the device into the therapy schedule of the patient. Then, during
the supervised sessions, the therapist will use a checklist to decide if a patient can
train minimally supervised (i.e., group sessions) or unsupervised. If this will be the
case, the minimally or unsupervised therapy sessions will be added to the therapy
schedule of the patient. The therapy sessions with ReHandyBot (e.g., frequency, duration)
will be scheduled based on the therapist's instruction and may vary between patients,
depending on their specific needs. On the day of the last session with ReHandyBot,
patients will fill in questionnaires to rate its usability and user experience.
For each recruited patient, data regarding demographics, medical condition, clinical and
cognitive assessments, therapy dose, and device data will be recorded on the CRF. Medical
and assessment data will be data routinely collected at the clinic and ambulatory. We
will not perform evaluations specifically for this study.
At the end of the study, data regarding costs, intensity of use, and device retention
will be recorded.