Neurological rehabilitation: Wearables support the rehabilitation pathway from therapy to everyday function

Restoring hand function is one of the greatest challenges in neurological rehabilitation. Following a stroke or a neuromuscular disorder, motor exercise alone is often not sufficient. Equally important are the perception of the affected arm, the objective assessment of rehabilitation progress, and the ability to transfer regained functions into everyday activities. Two recent research projects demonstrate how wearable technologies can support each of these steps within the rehabilitation process.

Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna and ETH Zurich have developed MultiSensy, a rehabilitation platform that combines virtual reality with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. While patients perform everyday movements such as reaching, grasping, and pinch grip tasks in a virtual environment, electrodes placed on the skin stimulate sensory nerves. As a result, virtual objects are perceived as if they were being physically touched.

The approach addresses several consequences of stroke simultaneously. In addition to improving arm and hand function, the training also targets tactile sensation and body awareness. In a randomized feasibility study involving 34 participants, the MultiSensy group achieved greater improvements than the control group receiving conventional rehabilitation.

The platform also records movement data throughout each training session. These data provide objective indicators of rehabilitation progress and help the clinical team assess recovery more accurately and tailor therapy to each individual. According to the researchers, the concept also offers potential for home-based rehabilitation.

The soft hand exoskeleton developed at the Technical University of Munich addresses situations in which a movement is intended but cannot be fully executed because of paralysis. Sensors placed on the forearm measure muscle activity and use machine learning to detect the intention to grasp an object. Pneumatic air chambers integrated into the glove are then activated to assist finger and wrist movements. Additional motion sensors ensure that the grip remains stable while an object is being carried.

In a study, a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was able to hold a fork and pick up small objects for the first time in four years. Even very weak muscle signals were detected reliably. The researchers are now adapting the concept for stroke rehabilitation and see potential applications for other conditions involving flaccid paralysis.

Together, these developments illustrate how wearable technologies can support different stages of the rehabilitation pathway. MultiSensy helps patients relearn movement and sensory perception while adding objective progress monitoring to the therapeutic process. The Soft Hand Exoskeleton uses residual muscle activity to assist grasping during everyday tasks.

These technologies demonstrate how digital rehabilitation tools can link therapeutic interventions more closely with measurable clinical outcomes while supporting the transition from rehabilitation to everyday functional use.

Sources: Medical University of Vienna, Technical University of Munich