奇速英语

机器人帮助中风患者康复

Robots are helping stroke patients to regain the use of their arms. The machines work by supporting a patient’s arm and letting them move it between targets on a computer screen, to build up their strength and improve their coordination.

The stroke patient sits at a table facing a computer screen and places their arm on to the robotic device. A therapist then asks the patient to undertake some arm exercises. If the person is unable to move their arm, then the robot moves the patient’s limb for them. If the patient starts to move, the robot provides assistance, in turn helping the brain and arm to learn to work together again.

Helen Rodgers, professor of stroke care at the institute for aging and health at Newcastle University, leading the research, said: “Announcing the start of this clinical trial is a really exciting step forward for stroke recovery research in the UK. We have been looking at the research undertaken in the USA and we are working closely with colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to see if robot assisted training is an effective treatment.”

Dr. Hermano Igo Krebs, principal research scientist and lecturer at MIT, said: “Our focus is on helping doctors to make an easier recovery for their patients by using intensive and highly interactive robotic therapy. By using robotics, not only do we get a greater understanding of the neuro recovery process, but we can also build a rich stream of data that assists in ongoing patient diagnosis.”

Stroke sufferer Tom Means, 61, from Walkerville, Newcastle, is one of the patients already taking part in the robot clinical trial. He had a stroke in March this year and spent around two months in hospital. The self-employed electrician was unable to use his right arm or walk, but has gradually regained movement. He said, “I’ve only had a few sessions so far, however I’ve really felt the difference in my arm as I’ve got a lot more movement and much more strength.”