DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF A SMART ELECTROTHERAPY UNIT TO OPTIMIZE REHABILITATION: A CLINICAL TRIAL

Authors

Keywords:

Paralysis, rehabilitation, electrotherapy, remote control, functional electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

Abstract

Background of the study: Stroke survivors are at high risk of paralysis, either in one form or another. In the following context, rehabilitation has been a practical domain to cater to the challenges and limitations faced by stroke individuals. To be precise, electrotherapy has proven to be a promising solution for pain and spasticity. This project aims to take an optimistic approach by integrating TENS and FES into a single system and, concurrently, designing a Bluetooth-controlled app to enable remote control of the device's modes and parameters.

Methodology: A battery powers the SET Unit and the user operates the device through a Bluetooth mobile app. The input is fed to the microcontroller that processes the input and sends control signals to the TENS or FES unit. The selected module generates electrical pulses delivered to the patient's body through electrodes placed at the specified area. Simultaneously, feedback is provided to and from the mobile app to adjust the parameters or send real-time updates of the therapy session.

Results: The results consisted of obtaining monophasic waves and controlling the pulse width modulation (PWM) and pulse amplitude within the range of 1-50 mA for TENS and 1-100 mA for FES. These parameters were successfully varied using a smartphone application. 

Conclusion: Smart Electrotherapy Unit (SET) will bring innovation in rehabilitation and physiotherapy, providing an exhaustive solution to pain management and muscular movement.

Author Biographies

  • Adeena Zafar, NED University of Engineering and Technology, LEJ Campus, Karachi, Pakistan

    Undergraduate Student

  • Muhammad Ebaad Khan, NED University of Engineering and Technology, LEJ Campus, Karachi, Pakistan

    Undergraduate Student

  • Muhammad Danish Mujib, NED University of Engineering and Technology, LEJ Campus, Karachi, Pakistan

    Assistant Professor

  • Hafsa Muhammad Arif, NED University of Engineering and Technology, LEJ Campus, Karachi, Pakistan

    Undergraduate Student

  • Wafa Hassan Khan, NED University of Engineering and Technology, LEJ Campus, Karachi, Pakistan

    Undergraduate Student

  • Muhammad Abul Hasan, NED University of Engineering and Technology, LEJ Campus, Karachi, Pakistan

    Associate Professor

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Published

2025-01-10

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Vol. 14 No. 1 (2025): Pakistan Journal of Rehabilitation

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Original Articles

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DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF A SMART ELECTROTHERAPY UNIT TO OPTIMIZE REHABILITATION: A CLINICAL TRIAL. (2025). Pakistan Journal of Rehabilitation, 14(1), 25-38. https://ojs.zu.edu.pk/pjr/article/view/3087