Applications of Smart Textiles in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke is a disease affecting a large part of our society. According to WHO data, it is the second world’s biggest killer, accounting for near six million deaths in 2016 and it is about 30% of the total number of strokes per year. Other patients affected by such a disease should be rehabilitated as soon as possible. As a result of this phenomenon, paresis may occur. Among the devices available on the market there are many rehabilitation robots, but the method of electrostimulation can be used. The authors focused their attention on electrostimulation and commercially available therapies. Using this method, application to people with large hand muscle contracture is difficult. The authors of the work present a solution dedicated to exactly such people. A solution of textronic sensors manufactured on a textile substrate using the technology of physical vapor deposition is presented in the article. As a result of the conducted research, an electroconductive structure was obtained with a low surface resistance value of 1 Ω/□ and high flexibility. It can alternatively be used in hand rehabilitation for electrostimulation of fingertips. The solution is dedicated to people with high hands spasticity for whom it is impossible to put on a rehabilitation glove.