Russell Jeter, Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, has introduced a unique in-home stroke rehabilitation robotic device that improves the range of motion of a recovering stroke patient, and autonomously classifies a patient’s level of stroke residual severity.

Dr. Jeter introduced the intervention during the recent 2024 Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) Conference on Mathematics of Data Science in Atlanta.

The device, a product of Motus Nova, is the result of a collaborative project between both academic and industry researchers.

Most stroke patients attend physical and occupational therapy involving stretches and repetitive exercises to improve motor control. Some also perform cognitive drills to improve memory, vision and speech – but all of these treatments can be expensive and difficult to navigate. This technology helps to meet these challenges while providing responsive therapy that meets the patient’s needs as they change.

“If you can determine someone’s range of motion in real time by looking at their therapy data, you can react to it in real time,” Dr. Jeter told SIAM. “If you know someone has low movement, you’re not going to provide them with fine motor control exercise.” This type of autonomous in-home technology can also be employed in inpatient or outpatient settings to reduce the burden on clinicians and allow them the freedom to see more patients.

Inspired by existing recovery techniques, Motus Nova developed a robotics-assisted therapy setup—with two separate products for the hand and foot—for independent use.

Read more from SIAM here.

Synopsis compiled by Jeremy Craig, Communications Manager for the Office of the Provost
Original information provided by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics