93932 - Ageing and Rehabilitation Engineering

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student acquires advanced knowledge on the analysis and design of the most widespread bioengineering systems for functional assessment, sensor-motor and cognitive assistance and rehabilitation, and for geriatric prevention. In particular, the student knows how to: - bring back the main functional alterations to the pathophysiology of the systems involved and to the physiological ageing processes; - use the main tools and methods critically for the evaluation of bodily functions, determining the essential properties of the measures in a bio-psycho-social perspective; - carry out a high-level design of assistive, rehabilitative and preventive devices; - orientate among the main approaches in the neurorobotic and neurorehabilitative field.

Course contents

1. Engineering for Ageing and Longevity

1.1 Ageing and Longevity. Physiological ageing. Ageing and health. Major chronic disabilities in old age: the Geriatric Giants. Focus topics: dementia, falls, osteoporosis and fractures, frailty. Determinants of active and healthy ageing.

1.2 Gerontechnology. Objectives of gerontechnologies: Prevention; Compensation; Care; Enhancement. Design challenges for solutions supporting active and healthy ageing. Enablers and barriers to the adoption of digital technologies for the self-management of chronic conditions in older adults. Digital biomarkers of ageing. Case studies: technological solutions for prevention, compensation, care, and enhancement. Possible use scenarios of digital technologies and ChatGPT in support of healthy ageing.

2. Rehabilitation Engineering

2.1 Rehabilitation Paradigms. The ICF biopsychosocial model. The biopsychosociotechnical model. Main determinants of the rehabilitation space: Theoretical models; Tools and paradigms; Outcome assessment. Challenges in rehabilitation engineering. Emerging technologies in rehabilitation.

2.2 Theoretical Models: Neural Foundations of Motor Rehabilitation. Neurophysiopathology of motor systems (overview). Neuroplasticity. The reward circuit. Mirror neurons. Neurophysiological foundations of motor learning and control.

2.3 Tools and Rehabilitation Paradigms. Prostheses, orthoses, assistive and rehabilitative technologies. The augmented feedback paradigm: biofeedback and neurofeedback systems. Sensory substitution. General architecture and main design specifications of a biofeedback system. Examples and demonstrations of biofeedback systems: sEMG, balance and gait. Unisensory vs multisensory feedback. Design of experiments based on biofeedback. Virtual reality for rehabilitation. Exergames. Functional electrical stimulation. Robotic exoskeletons. General architecture of a telerehabilitation platform. mHealth applications for rehabilitation.

2.4 Outcome Assessment. Challenges in measuring body functions and behaviors. Measurement theory for biopsychosocial sciences. The role of instrumental measures in rehabilitation. Measures and noise. Key measurement properties: Validity; Reliability; Sensitivity. Psychometric properties of common rehabilitation scales. Functional and performance tests. Balance control: neurobiomechanics, models, and measurements. Locomotion: neurobiomechanics, models, and measurements. Linear and nonlinear Kalman filter models for sensor fusion.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory

Lecture notes, ppt slides and articles provided by the lecturer.

Suggested

• David J. Reinkensmeyer, Laura Marchal-Crespo, Volker Dietz (Editors) Neurorehabilitation Technology. Third Edition, Springer, 2023
  
• Alberto Pilotto, Walter Maetzler (Editors) Gerontechnology. A Clinical Perspective. Springer, 2023

Further readings

• A. Cappello, A. Cappozzo, P.E. di Prampero (Eds.), Bioingegneria della Postura e del Movimento, Patron Editore, Bologna, 2003.
• A. Bonfiglio, S. Cerutti, D. De Rossi, G. Magenes (Eds.), Sistemi indossabili intelligenti per la salute e la protezione dell’uomo, Patron Editore, Bologna, 2008.
• J. Thomas, J. Nelson, S. Silverman, Research Methods in Physical Activity-7th Edition, Human Kinetics, 2015.

Teaching methods

During the lessons the general problems associated with the design, development and analysis of bioengineering systems for rehabilitation and ageing are presented and discussed.

The course will be complemented by experimental sessions involving data measurement and analysis carried out at the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, problem-solving activities using the MATLAB environment, various specialized seminars, and possible field visits to companies or rehabilitation centers.

A relevant fraction of time will be dedicated to project work, carried out in teams. This will allow students to investigate theoretical aspects of the course through a first-hand experience, under the supervision of an academic tutor.

In consideration of the type of activity and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this training activity requires the prior participation of all students in modules 1 and 2 of the training on safety in the study places [https: //elearning-sicurezza.unibo.it /] in e-learning mode.

Assessment methods

The learning process will be assessed:
1) during the lessons, by means of Q&A, short presentations, tasks and exercises solved by the lecturer interacting with students;
2) in the lab, by means of practical exercises solved with Matlab;
3) by means of self-conducted team projects (mandatory);
4) by means of the final exam (written test and oral presentation of the projects).

In the written test students will be asked to solve 3 exercises and to answer 3 multiple-choice questions.

The presentation of the projects will be arranged for groups on a different day than the dates of the written test. It will be scheduled in January or February, before lessons resume. The evaluation will be individualized and will concern: overall quality and consistency of the work done in relation to the objectives initially assigned; group autonomy; presentation effectiveness; individual contribution to the project.

The final mark will be the average of the evaluations obtained in the written test (50%) and in the project presentation (50%).

Teaching tools

Power Point Slides

1 instrumented treadmill with biofeedback facilities

1 Stereo-photogrammetric system (6 cameras)

2 force platforms

1 Multichannel EMG wireless system

1 EEG system

Wearable sensors (IMUs)

Mobile devices (smartphones and smartwatches) with Android

PCs with Matlab

Chat-GPT

Any other materials needed for carrying out project activities (e.g. development kits)

Office hours

See the website of Lorenzo Chiari