title: Application of RFID technology-upper extremity rehabilitation training.
abstract: [Purpose] Upper extremity rehabilitation after an injury is very important. This study proposes radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to improve and enhance the effectiveness of the upper extremity rehabilitation. [Subjects and Methods] People use their upper extremities to conduct daily activities. When recovering from injuries, many patients neglect the importance of rehabilitation, which results in degraded function. This study recorded the training process using the traditional rehabilitation hand gliding cart with a RFID reader, RFID tags in the panel, and a servo host computer. [Results] Clinical evidence, time taken to achieve a full score, counts of missing the specified spots, and Brunnstrom stage of aided recovery, the proximal part of the upper extremity show that the RFID-based upper extremity training significantly and reduce negative impacts of the disability in daily life and activities. [Conclusion] This study combined a hand-gliding cart with an RFID reader, and when patients moved the cart, the movement could be observed via the activated RFID tags. The training data was collected and quantified for a better understanding of the recovery status of the patients. Each of the participating patients made progress as expected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Management Information Systems, Hwa Hsia University of Technology: 111 Gongzhuan Rd., Zhonghe Dist., New Taipei City 235, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Chen
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Digital Technology Design, National Taipei University of Education, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Luen
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Medical University and Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shih-Ching
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: Hand-gliding cart; RFID; Rehabilitation