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Interactive wearable systems for upper body rehabilitation: a systematic review
Wang Q, Markopoulos P, Yu B, Chen W, Timmermans A.. Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, 2017-03-11
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Results Forty-five papers were included and discussed in a new cuboid taxonomy which consists of 3 dimensions: sensing technology, feedback modalities and system measurements. Typically sensors are attachable rather than embedded in wearable devices and garments; although studies that embed and integrate sensors are increasing in the last 4 years. 16 studies applied knowledge of result (KR) feedback, 14 studies applied knowledge of performance (KP) feedback and 15 studies applied both in various modalities. 16 studies have conducted their evaluation with patients and reported usability tests, while only three of them conducted clinical trials including one randomized clinical trial. Conclusions This review has shown that wearable systems are used mostly for the monitoring and provision of feedback on posture and upper extremity movements in stroke rehabilitation. The results indicated that accelerometers and IMUs are the most frequently used sensors, in most cases attached to the body through ad hoc contraptions for the purpose of improving range of motion and movement performance during upper body rehabilitation.
Key findings
- Results Forty-five papers were included and discussed in a new cuboid taxonomy which consists of 3 dimensions: sensing technology, feedback modalities and system measurements.
- Typically sensors are attachable rather than embedded in wearable devices and garments; although studies that embed and integrate sensors are increasing in the last 4 years. 16 studies applied knowledge of result (KR) feedback, 14 studies applied knowledge of performance (KP) feedback and 15 studies applied both in various modalities. 16 studies have conducted their evaluation with patients and reported usability tests, while only three of them conducted clinical trials including one randomized clinical trial.
- Conclusions This review has shown that wearable systems are used mostly for the monitoring and provision of feedback on posture and upper extremity movements in stroke rehabilitation.
- The results indicated that accelerometers and IMUs are the most frequently used sensors, in most cases attached to the body through ad hoc contraptions for the purpose of improving range of motion and movement performance during upper body rehabilitation.
Why it matters
This review is about wearable systems for upper body rehabilitation, mostly in stroke rehabilitation, and does not address treating, curing, or preventing Alzheimer's disease. Only three of the included studies conducted clinical trials, including one randomized clinical trial.
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Study details
- Participants21
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 67/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation: journal h-index 161 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question (from PubMed type “Systematic Review”) |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 2 / 5 | 2017 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 21 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 350 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 31.8 citations a year over 11 year(s) since 2017 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 6.7× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 87 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Annick A. A. Timmermans: h-index 35 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Fudan University: institution h-index 954 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 4 institution(s) in 3 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 28284228) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 67 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
- DOI: 10.1186/s12984-017-0229-y
- PubMed: 28284228
- Original source →
- Free full text: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Wang, Q., Markopoulos, P., Yu, B., Chen, W., & Timmermans, A. (2017). Interactive wearable systems for upper body rehabilitation: a systematic review. Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-017-0229-y
Vancouver
Wang Q, Markopoulos P, Yu B, Chen W, Timmermans A. Interactive wearable systems for upper body rehabilitation: a systematic review. Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation. 2017. doi:10.1186/s12984-017-0229-y. PMID: 28284228.
BibTeX
@article{wang2017-28284228,
author = {Wang, Q. and Markopoulos, P. and Yu, B. and Chen, W. and Timmermans, A.},
title = {{Interactive wearable systems for upper body rehabilitation: a systematic review}},
journal = {Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation},
year = {2017},
doi = {10.1186/s12984-017-0229-y},
pmid = {28284228},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-017-0229-y}
}