Partial paralysis of the upper limb is common after stroke and therapeutic intervention is crucial in improving the recovery of elbow, wrist, hand and finger function. Dr Hu Xiaoling at PolyU's Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering thus designed a wearable functional electrical stimulation robotic hybrid system named Rehabilitation Sleeve (Rehab Sleeve) as a multi-joint upper limb remedy for post-stroke patients.

Comprising modular apparel and a bracing system, the Rehab Sleeve facilitates patients' elbow and wrist joint movement through electrical motors. It enhances neuroplasticity and recovery by inducing additional muscular practice at the upper limbs through electrical stimulation.

The research team has evaluated the device's training effectiveness in over 30 patients after using it for 3-6 months. The preliminary results showed that electrical stimulation training can better accelerate the recovery of patients' upper limbs functioning comparing with conventional training.