{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,7]],"date-time":"2026-05-07T14:59:18Z","timestamp":1778165958819,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":44,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,2,17]],"date-time":"2024-02-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1708128000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University","award":["PSAU\/2023\/01\/29091"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PSAU\/2023\/01\/29091"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sensors"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Due to damage to the network of nerves that regulate the muscles and feeling in the shoulder, arm, and forearm, brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) are known to significantly reduce the function and quality of life of affected persons. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a considerable share of global disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) is attributable to upper limb injuries, including BPIs. Telehealth can improve access concerns for patients with BPIs, particularly in lower-middle-income nations. This study used deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-assisted telepresence robots, specifically the deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm, to provide in-home elbow rehabilitation with elbow flexion exercises for BPI patients. The telepresence robots were used for a six-month deployment period, and DDPG drove the DRL architecture to maximize patient-centric exercises with its robotic arm. Compared to conventional rehabilitation techniques, patients demonstrated an average increase of 4.7% in force exertion and a 5.2% improvement in range of motion (ROM) with the assistance of the telepresence robot arm. According to the findings of this study, telepresence robots are a valuable and practical method for BPI patients\u2019 at-home rehabilitation. This technology paves the way for further research and development in telerehabilitation and can be crucial in addressing broader physical rehabilitation challenges.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/s24041273","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,2,19]],"date-time":"2024-02-19T03:18:38Z","timestamp":1708312718000},"page":"1273","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":21,"title":["Telehealth-Enabled In-Home Elbow Rehabilitation for Brachial Plexus Injuries Using Deep-Reinforcement-Learning-Assisted Telepresence Robots"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"24","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1416-4199","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Muhammad Nasir","family":"Khan","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Electrical Engineering Department, Government College University Lahore, Lahore 54000, Pakistan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1304-3723","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ali","family":"Altalbe","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Computer Engineering, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942, Saudi Arabia"},{"name":"Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80210, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5874-3630","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fawad","family":"Naseer","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Computer Science and Software Engineering Department, Beaconhouse International College, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Qasim","family":"Awais","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Electrical Engineering Department, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,2,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"Alvi, M. (2018). Difference in the Population Size between Rural and Urban Areas of Pakistan. 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