Project partner:

• Prof. Dr. Ulf Ziemann (Klinik für Neurobiologie, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Hertie-Institut für Klinische Hirnforschung (HIH))
• Prof. Dr. Daniel Häufle (Zentrales Institut für Technische Informatik (ZITI), Universität Heidelberg und Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Hertie-Institut für Klinische Hirnforschung (HIH))

Project:

The goal of the ROBMIT project is to enhance the capabilities of classic mirror therapy during rehabilitation for patients with stroke by using a robotic exoskeleton and virtual environments. The approach provides robotically supported movement and the sensation of touch while interacting with virtual objects. This could improve the motor training of stroke patients.

Classical mirror therapy stimulates the injured part of the brain in stroke patients through a visual illusion. Brain activity caused by the stimulation then permits new neural networks to form, so patients can regain functional control of their affected limbs.

With the addition of a robotic exoskeleton, patients will also undergo sensomotoric training. The ROBMIT team will implement robotic control software to move the affected arm during therapeutic exercises in a virtual environment. This will provide proprioceptive sensory feedback and potentially enhance clinical gains made by patients during therapy. Also, the team will enable haptic, or touch-related, feedback of the virtual environment to provide a realistic and functional experience. Thus, the ROBMIT approach may improve the rehabilitation regimine for stroke patients.

Here you can find further information or or through the following websites:

https://www.hih-tuebingen.de/en/research/neurology-and-stroke/

https://www.hih-tuebingen.de/en/research/independent-research-groups/mocom/