E-Textile platforms for rehabilitation

Abstract

This paper focus on SFIT platforms for rehabilitations and FES therapy. Two systems will be described, one developed to support patients during motor therapy, when they are still hospitalized, and after discharge, at home; the other is a sleeve integrating multi-electrodes patches, designed to allow FES therapy and EMG acquisition for patients affected by tremor. These examples prove that it is possible to combine fabric electrodes and biomechanical textile sensors to conceive systems where gesture recognition function can be combined with EMG detection and FES capability. These platforms can be easily used at home for daily therapy, as well as for telemedicine services.