Advancing Neurorehabilitation with Wearables and IoT

doi: 10.56294/ri202349

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Advancing Neurorehabilitation with Wearables and IoT

Impulsando la Neurorehabilitación con Wearables e IoT

Camila Silva¹ *

¹Universidad de la Guajira. La Guajira, Colombia.

Citar como: Silva C. Advancing Neurorehabilitation with Wearables and IoT. Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation / Rehabilitación Interdisciplinaria. 2023;3:49. https://doi.org/10.56294/ri202349.

Submitted: 19-05-2023 Revised: 14-07-2023 Accepted: 23-12-2023 Published: 24-12-2023

Editor: Prof. Dr. Carlos Oscar Lepez

Peer-reviewed paper

ABSTRACT

Neurorehabilitation is undergoing a transformative revolution with the integration of wearable devices and the Internet of Things (IoT). This article explores the profound impact of wearables on neurological rehabilitation, emphasizing their ability to provide continuous monitoring, real-time feedback, and even enable telerehabilitation. Wearables, ranging from smartwatches to body sensors, offer healthcare professionals invaluable insights into patients’ progress, enabling data-driven, personalized therapy plans. The IoT further enhances these capabilities by facilitating device interoperability and advanced data analysis, allowing for timely interventions and remote monitoring.

Keywords: Neurorehabilitation; Wearable Devices; Internet Of Things (IoT).

RESUMEN

La neurorrehabilitación está experimentando una revolución transformadora con la integración de dispositivos wearables y el Internet de las Cosas (IoT). Este artículo explora el profundo impacto de los wearables en la rehabilitación neurológica, haciendo hincapié en su capacidad para proporcionar monitorización continua, retroalimentación en tiempo real, e incluso permitir la telerehabilitación. Los wearables, que van desde los relojes inteligentes hasta los sensores corporales, ofrecen a los profesionales sanitarios información muy valiosa sobre el progreso de los pacientes, lo que permite planes terapéuticos personalizados basados en datos. La IO mejora aún más estas capacidades al facilitar la interoperabilidad de los dispositivos y el análisis avanzado de datos, lo que permite intervenciones oportunas y monitorización remota.

Palabras clave: Neurorrehabilitación; Dispositivos Wearables; Internet De Las Cosas (IoT).

INTRODUCTION

Neurorehabilitation is an ever-evolving field that seeks to improve the quality of life for people who have experienced neurological injuries or nervous system disorders. In this context, wearable devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionizing how patients receive therapy and how healthcare professionals can more accurately track their progress. These technological advances are opening up new possibilities for neurological rehabilitation, providing more personalized and effective care.^(1,2)

Over the past decade, wearables have become everyday companions for millions of people around the world. These devices, from smartwatches and activity bracelets to body sensors, monitor various aspects of people’s health and well-being.⁽³⁾ However, their application in neurorehabilitation goes beyond simple gadgets. These wearables are proving to be essential tools in the recovery process of patients who have suffered strokes, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, and other neurological conditions.⁽⁴⁾

One of the most outstanding advantages of wearables in neurorehabilitation is their ability to provide continuous monitoring. Sensors in these devices record crucial data, such as physical activity, heart rate, sleep, and other vital indicators. For healthcare professionals, this means having access to constant information about their patient’s health status. Instead of relying on regular in-office appointments, therapists can assess their patients’ progress in real-time, allowing them to adjust treatment plans more precisely.^(5,6)

The power of accurate data collection offered by wearables cannot be underestimated. High-quality sensors embedded in these devices can measure movement, posture, and other indicators relevant to neurological rehabilitation. This provides accurate quantitative data that therapists can use to assess patient progress objectively. For example, in the case of a patient working on regaining mobility after a stroke, a wearable can measure the distance they walk each day and the quality of their movement, allowing therapists to make precise adjustments to their exercise program.⁽⁷⁾

Real-time feedback is another valuable feature of wearables in neurorehabilitation. Imagine a patient who is working on rehabilitating his arm after a spinal cord injury. His wearable can provide instant feedback on his movement and strength during exercises.⁽⁸⁾ This allows the patient to adjust their technique immediately to maximize the effectiveness of their therapy.⁽⁹⁾ In addition, seeing real-time progress can be a significant source of motivation for patients, as it allows them to visualize their recovery and set achievable goals.⁽¹⁰⁾

Treatment adherence is a common challenge in neurorehabilitation. Patients can feel demotivated or overwhelmed by the amount of exercises and therapies they must perform. Wearables are critical in sending reminders and notifications to ensure patients consistently follow their treatment plans. This simple feature can make a big difference in the effectiveness of therapy, as staying engaged in the rehabilitation process is essential for positive and lasting results.⁽¹¹⁾

One of the most exciting innovations in the field of neurorehabilitation is the possibility of telerehabilitation facilitated by wearables. With the help of these devices, patients can receive therapy in the comfort of their homes while therapists monitor their progress remotely. This is especially beneficial in situations where access to medical care is limited. In addition, telerehabilitation can help patients stay engaged with their treatment over the long term by reducing the need to travel to the therapist's office regularly.⁽¹²⁾

The interconnection of devices through the Internet of Things (IoT) further expands the possibilities for neurorehabilitation. IoT allows wearables to communicate with other medical devices, such as neuromuscular stimulators, exoskeletons, and robotic-assisted therapy equipment. This allows for a more seamless integration of these devices into patients' treatment plans.⁽^13,14,15) For example, a patient using an exoskeleton to improve the mobility of their legs can sync their wearable with the device to get more accurate feedback on their progress.

IoT also offers the ability to perform advanced data analysis. Collecting data from multiple sources, including wearables, medical devices, and electronic health records, provides a complete picture of a patient's health. Machine learning algorithms can analyze this data and provide valuable information about the patient's progress. For example, an algorithm could identify patterns that suggest improvement in a patient's neuromuscular function, which could positively modify their treatment plan.⁽^15,16,17)

IoT also enables timely intervention. Healthcare professionals can receive automatic alerts when data indicates a problem or regression in the patient. This enables early intervention, which can prevent complications and speed recovery.⁽¹⁸⁾ For example, if a patient's data shows a sudden decrease in leg muscle strength, therapists can immediately adjust their therapy to prevent further weakness.⁽¹⁹⁾

One of the most notable benefits of IoT in neurorehabilitation is the ability to access real-time data. Therapists can monitor patients' progress from any location through cloud-based applications and platforms. This facilitates collaboration between healthcare professionals and enables data-driven decision-making. For example, a therapist in a hospital can review data on a patient who is exercising at home and adjust their therapy according to the data in real-time.

However, challenges and ethical considerations also arise as we move toward a more connected and technological future in neurorehabilitation. One of the most important of these is data privacy. The collection and transmission of personal health data raise legitimate concerns about the privacy and security of patient information. It is critical to ensure that patient data is protected and that privacy regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, are followed.⁽²⁰⁾

In addition, it is essential to consider accessibility and equity in implementing these technologies. Not all patients have access to high-end wearables or high-speed Internet. To ensure equity in neurorehabilitation, it is necessary to provide affordable and accessible solutions for all patients, regardless of their economic status or geographic location.^(21,22)

Training of healthcare professionals is also a critical factor. Successful implementation of wearables and IoT in neurorehabilitation requires therapists to be trained to use and analyze data effectively. Proper training is essential to ensure that therapists can take full advantage of these technological tools and provide the best possible care for their patients.⁽²³⁾

Finally, integrating wearables and IoT into existing healthcare systems can be complicated. Clear standards and protocols are needed to ensure device interoperability and data security.⁽²⁴⁾ In addition, healthcare systems must recognize the value of these technologies and incorporate them effectively into patient care processes.^(25,26)

In conclusion, wearables and the IoT are transforming neurorehabilitation by providing a more personalized and data-driven approach to treating patients with neurological injuries. These devices offer continuous monitoring, accurate data collection, real-time feedback, and the possibility of telerehabilitation, improving the quality of care and patient outcomes. The interconnection of devices through the IoT further extends these capabilities and promises an exciting future for neurological rehabilitation. However, addressing challenges and ethical considerations is crucial to ensure that these technologies benefit all patients equitably and safely. Over time, neurorehabilitation will continue to evolve through the convergence of technology and medical care, providing hope and improving the lives of those seeking to regain neurological function.

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FINANCING

No financing.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

AUTHORSHIP CONTRIBUTION

Conceptualization: Camila Silva.

Writing - original draft: Camila Silva.

Writing - revision and editing: Camila Silva.