Integration of programmable logic controller (PLC) into part-task trainer of upper limb spasticity simulator / Nurul Atiqah Othman

During rehabilitation phase, therapist is the one responsible in aiding patients with spasticity to regain their normal movement. However, without skill and experience, the therapist may cause serious injury to the patients. Thus, this study was conducted with a main focus of developing the alternative technique to improve therapists' education skills through the benefits of transferring industrial robotics precision into medical and healthcare education. Quantitative study of spasticity characteristics and behaviour is one of the efforts to help trainee therapists to gain new knowledge. Other than that, Part-task Trainer of Upper Limb Spasticity Simulator can be used as a training method before the trainee therapists engage with the real patient. In order to illustrate the characteristics and behaviour of spasticity using quantitative values, the clinical data of 19 patients with various spasticity levels were analysed. Later, the patients' profiles were brought forward as guidelines for system integration development. This system was developed to integrate the hardware and software using components from Beckhoff and TwinCAT PLC system to be functional. As the prototype was properly functioning, the processes continued with evaluation phase by an expert physician to acquire the level performance, qualities and suitability Part-task Trainer of Upper Limb Spasticity Simulator. At the end of the study, the characteristics of each MAS level were classified based on quantitative values to visualise its spasticity. In addition, the Part-task Trainer of Upper Limb Spasticity Simulator has successfully emulated the spasticity characteristics and behaviour according to Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Ultimately, the response from the evaluator can be utilised as a good benchmark for the innovation of applying robotics in the healthcare field.