RehaBricks: An Electronic Modular Pegboard for Improving Upper Limb Exercise Adaptability

Abstract

Pegboards are commonly used in occupational therapy for upper limb rehabilitation. However, conventional pegboards do not allow for automatic tracking of training sessions. Additionally, although several electronic pegboards are currently available, they are all limited in the set of rehabilitation exercises that can be executed, due to their fixed planar shape. To address this issue, we introduce a novel electronic modular pegboard system, Rehabricks, which is composed of basic module units and can be assembled into curved shapes. By offering more complex patterns and shapes, Rehabricks can provide more adaptable exercise arrangements, suitable for each patient’s needs. Experimental results suggested that Rehabricks can be used to stimulate more rotational movements than conventional pegboards, while also creating a more fun and engaging experience.