EETAC team participates in Dron-Clínic, a drone-based stroke patient neurorehabilitation project

A team from the School of Telecommunications and Aerospace Engineering of Castelldefels (EETAC) at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) is taking part in the Dron-Clínic project, a pioneering initiative exploring the use of drones in the neurorehabilitation of patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and frontal dysfunction. This innovative study aims to enhance rehabilitation processes for patients with neurological conditions through the use of small drones, enabling more personalized and efficient therapies tailored to each patient’s individual needs.

Strokes are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. These patients often require interdisciplinary rehabilitation programs to regain motor, cognitive, and emotional functions. In this context, introducing drone technology could prove to be a groundbreaking tool.

Drones designed for indoor use can act as motivational tools in the rehabilitation process, as their flight dynamics and control mechanisms stimulate the motor and cognitive systems of patients. This promotes eye-hand coordination, boosts motivation, and enhances self-confidence—essential factors for successful rehabilitation.

The selection of the drone and the software tool design were carried out by Alejandro Boadellla, a student in the master’s program in Applications and Technology for Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones) at UPC, under the direction of the TIC Salut Social Foundation team and the supervision of EETAC professors Óscar Casas and Miguel Valero.

+Info: UPC Press Room