LEVERAGING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ROBOTICS FOR REMOTE UPPER EXTREMITY REHABILITATION: BALANCING EFFICACY WITH PRIVACY CONCERNS

AUTHOR(S) & CREDENTIALS: Aisha Raji, Ph.D. Candidate in Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, and Cassy Hemphill, Communications and Engagement Coordinator   

AFFILIATED INSTITUTION(S): KITE – Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network, Toronto, Canada Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto and AGE-WELL National Innovation Hub: APPTA, AGE-WELL NCE.  

Aisha Raji’s journey in the field of biomedical engineering began with a bachelor’s degree from Nigeria, which laid the foundation for her academic and professional pursuits. Today, Aisha is a fourth-year PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, driven by a passion for leveraging technology to innovate healthcare solutions. Her research focuses on developing a novel approach to retrain reaching and grasping functions among individuals with stroke and spinal cord injuries. 

Aisha’s inspiration for her project stems from her firsthand interactions with individuals living with neurodisabilities. Clinical experiences and witnessing her grandmother’s struggle with a stroke profoundly influenced her dedication. Her overarching goals are to enhance healthcare delivery and inspire more young girls to pursue education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Aisha aims to make a significant impact on healthcare quality and gender representation in STEM by utilizing technological tools to improve the lives of people living with neurodisabilities. 

Over 50% of individuals with stroke and spinal cord injury suffer upper extremity impairments that hinder daily tasks. Traditional robotic rehabilitation methods, using exoskeletons or joysticks, have not shown superior outcomes compared to conventional therapy. Aisha’s team aims to introduce a new robotic method involving real-life objects in various positions and orientations to challenge patients progressively. This system adapts tasks based on each patient’s abilities, aiming to improve hand function recovery through realistic and tailored challenges. 

Research in this area is vital due to the severe impact of stroke and spinal cord injuries on individuals’ quality of life. Effective rehabilitation techniques can enhance independence and well-being. As the population ages, the prevalence of these conditions will rise, making efficient and accessible rehabilitation methods increasingly important. Advancing robotic rehabilitation technology could also reduce long-term healthcare costs. 

This project may have significant policy and practice implications in healthcare and rehabilitation. Decision-makers may need to integrate these innovative techniques into healthcare systems and remote rehabilitation to ensure equitable access. This could involve funding initiatives for adopting such technologies, training healthcare professionals, and addressing ethical considerations related to data privacy and patient consent. Collaboration with clinicians, researchers, and industry stakeholders will be crucial to establish standards ensuring safety, efficacy, and ethical considerations. 

The societal impact of Aisha’s project is substantial. Improved rehabilitation outcomes can promote greater societal inclusion and diversity, enabling more participation in the workforce and reducing caregiver and healthcare system burdens. Empowering individuals with disabilities to lead active lives fosters social cohesion and diversity. This project also stimulates innovation and economic growth by driving advancements in robotics and healthcare technology, creating new job opportunities and industries. Interdisciplinary collaboration among engineering, medicine, psychology, and rehabilitation sciences is essential to develop effective solutions. 

Aisha Raji’s work embodies innovation and dedication to improving the lives of individuals with neurodisabilities. Her research addresses critical healthcare challenges and paves the way for a more inclusive and equitable future in STEM and beyond. 

Read Aisha Raji’s full policy brief here!