February 23, 2023

An Adaptive and Personalized approach to Shoulder Rehabilitation Utilizing a Wearable Device

7th Call, iDoc

Short Summary

This research project focuses on demonstrating the feasibility of a "personalizable" shoulder rehabilitation wearable device. By combining motion data collection, physical model with biomechanics, and optimization through simulations, the study aims to establish a complete pipeline for personalized rehabilitation technology.

Goals

Data Acquisition & Dataset Generation – Develop a system to capture detailed
shoulder kinematics and build a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable,
Reusable) dataset.
Physical Shoulder Model (Testbed) – Create a biomechanically inspired
physical twin of the shoulder to serve as a test platform.
Optimization & Personalization – Demonstrate adaptability of wearable
rehabilitation systems using collected data, testbed validation, and
simulations.

Significance

The shoulder is the largest and complex joint in the human body with the greatest mobility. Around 67% of adults experience shoulder pain at some time in their life, with the highest incidence occurring between the ages of 40 and 65. Shoulder pain or functional limitations can greatly reduce quality of life and independence, even causing loss of work. Physical therapy consists of a series of exercises focused on building strength. Whilst these exercises can be performed independently by the patient, having supervised or assisted rehabilitation is more effective. However, due to the need for specialized personnel and high costs, such therapy is not always accessible. This limitation emphasizes the importance of developing wearable rehabilitation devices that offer a personalized approach. A major challenge in developing these devices is testing and adjusting them for patients with different shoulder conditions and recovery rates. To address this, a robot-based “physical twin” can simulate multiple conditions while using sensors to monitor forces and movements. Ultimately, this project aims to develop a wearable rehabilitation device with soft sensors and actuators, using the physical twin not only for evaluation and testing but also to support precise, individualized shoulder rehabilitation research.

Background

Shoulder conditions represent a considerable burden, not only in terms of healthcare costs but also in their impact on daily living and independence. Rehabilitation through physical therapy plays a central role in recovery, yet it often accounts for a large share of the overall treatment expense. Because the shoulder joint is highly complex and injuries vary widely, effective therapy must be tailored to each individual. A wearable system that adapts to the user (personalized wearable rehabilitation device) could offer a valuable solution—making rehabilitation more accessible, improving recovery outcomes, reducing costs, and giving clinicians better insight into patient progress.