Facial Muscles Rehabilitation System for Paralyzed Patients Using sEMG Signals and IoT
P Sooraj, S Litcy, K Pavithra, Ahalya NK, Remya R Nair, G. Venugopal · 2024
Facial expressions are very crucial for effective nonverbal communication. The paralysis of facial muscles can severely impact an individual's ability to express emotions. Physiotherapists attempt to restore facial muscle strength by enhancing jaw and cheek movements. This work attempts to develop a remote therapist-controlled facial muscle rehabilitation system using surface electromyography (sEMG) signals and internet of things (IoT) technology. Signals are collected from the therapist's facial muscles namely zygomaticus major and masseter and transmitted to an exoskeleton placed on a head model representing the patient, to mimic the facial movement of the therapist facilitating patient rehabilitation. The system includes sEMG data acquisition, IoT integration for remote therapy, and real-time feedback mechanisms for proper monitoring of muscle activities. Results show that the proposed device is found to deliver efficient exoskeleton movement based on the therapist's input. Thus, the present invention is found to provide remote rehabilitation, reducing healthcare expenses and improving accessibility. Moreover, it offers a promising and significant advancement in facial muscle rehabilitation, offering personalized therapy for patients with facial paralysis and improving patient satisfaction and treatment effectiveness.