IPN Develops Video Game to Rehabilitate Upper Limbs Affected by Stroke

• Exercise helps the brain reconnect through neuroplasticity and regain mobility

• The system provides patients with a portable tool that enables remote monitoring of rehabilitation progress at home

To make upper limb rehabilitation less burdensome after suffering a stroke—a process that is often complex and painful—researchers at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) have developed a system that could contribute to patient recovery remotely. This system is based on a video game that enables engaging physiotherapy exercises.

Mariana Felisa Ballesteros Escamilla, a researcher at the Medical Robotics and Biosignals Laboratory of the Centro de Innovación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Cómputo (CIDETEC) and the Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnología (UPIBI), and lead investigator of the study, emphasized that exercise through the video game helps the brain reconnect—through neuroplasticity—to regain mobility.

The polytechnic specialist highlighted that the project was initiated in response to the needs outlined by specialists at the General Hospital of Mexico “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga,” with whom they collaborate. These specialists need devices to enhance patient rehabilitation after a stroke, as the number of physiotherapists is insufficient to meet the high demand for rehabilitation services.

The system developed at IPN would provide the patients with a portable tool, enabling specialists to monitor rehabilitation progress at home and thus make therapy more efficient through feedback, stated Manuela Gómez Correa, who holds a Master’s degree in Computing Technology and previously earned her degree in Bioengineering for her contribution to the development of this technology.

During the project's first phase, several modules were developed at the Medical Robotics and Biosignals Laboratory. These consist of small, lightweight boxes measuring 6 x 3.5 cm, containing an electromyographic sensor and a microcontroller embedded in a small circuit board.

The young researcher pointed out that, in addition to visualizing the signal on the screen, the signal’s strength can also be observed, allowing physicians to obtain a quantitative value to verify whether the intensity of the exercise is appropriate.

The technology can be customized according to each patient's needs. To personalize it, the system is calibrated by measuring the user's maximum muscle strength, establishing a threshold range that must be gradually reached. The difficulty of the exercises increases accordingly to ensure effective rehabilitation.

The game is designed with five fixed levels, which are personalized based on the patient's muscle strength, exercises, and the number of repetitions prescribed by the physiotherapist, as well as the required intensity. The system stores the results, allowing specialists to review them at any time to assess patient progress.

When the movement is performed correctly, the signal is transmitted through the interface to the device running the application (phone, tablet, or computer), displaying an animation of a chick that jumps when the exercise is executed properly. This helps players reach their goals in the game, which aims to complete the required number of repetitions as instructed by the physiotherapist.

If the exercise is not performed with the calibrated intensity, the chick remains still. Only when the movements are correctly executed does the animated character lay an egg, from which another chick hatches, allowing the player to progress to the next level of the video game. Both the modules and the video game were designed in compliance with national and international regulatory standards. However, clinical trials are necessary before the technology can obtain official certification.

For more information, visit www.ipn.mx