Learning to suppress tremors: a deep reinforcement learning-enabled soft exoskeleton for Parkinson’s patients

IntroductionNeurological tremors, prevalent among a large population, are one of the most rampant movement disorders. Biomechanical loading and exoskeletons show promise in enhancing patient well-being, but traditional control algorithms limit their efficacy in dynamic movements and personalized int...

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Main Authors: Tamás Endrei, Sándor Földi, Ádám Makk, György Cserey
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Robotics and AI
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frobt.2025.1537470/full
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author Tamás Endrei
Tamás Endrei
Sándor Földi
Sándor Földi
Ádám Makk
György Cserey
György Cserey
author_facet Tamás Endrei
Tamás Endrei
Sándor Földi
Sándor Földi
Ádám Makk
György Cserey
György Cserey
author_sort Tamás Endrei
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionNeurological tremors, prevalent among a large population, are one of the most rampant movement disorders. Biomechanical loading and exoskeletons show promise in enhancing patient well-being, but traditional control algorithms limit their efficacy in dynamic movements and personalized interventions. Furthermore, a pressing need exists for more comprehensive and robust validation methods to ensure the effectiveness and generalizability of proposed solutions.MethodsThis paper proposes a physical simulation approach modeling multiple arm joints and tremor propagation. This study also introduces a novel adaptable reinforcement learning environment tailored for disorders with tremors. We present a deep reinforcement learning-based encoder-actor controller for Parkinson’s tremors in various shoulder and elbow joint axes displayed in dynamic movements.ResultsOur findings suggest that such a control strategy offers a viable solution for tremor suppression in real-world scenarios.DiscussionBy overcoming the limitations of traditional control algorithms, this work takes a new step in adapting biomechanical loading into the everyday life of patients. This work also opens avenues for more adaptive and personalized interventions in managing movement disorders.
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Robotics and AI
spelling doaj-art-c2f0f361a6504c4d8b973d3ee1fa047b2025-08-20T02:33:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Robotics and AI2296-91442025-05-011210.3389/frobt.2025.15374701537470Learning to suppress tremors: a deep reinforcement learning-enabled soft exoskeleton for Parkinson’s patientsTamás Endrei0Tamás Endrei1Sándor Földi2Sándor Földi3Ádám Makk4György Cserey5György Cserey6Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, HungaryJedlik Innovation Ltd., Budapest, HungaryFaculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, HungaryJedlik Innovation Ltd., Budapest, HungaryAndrás Pető Faculty, Semmelweis University, Budapest, HungaryFaculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, HungaryJedlik Innovation Ltd., Budapest, HungaryIntroductionNeurological tremors, prevalent among a large population, are one of the most rampant movement disorders. Biomechanical loading and exoskeletons show promise in enhancing patient well-being, but traditional control algorithms limit their efficacy in dynamic movements and personalized interventions. Furthermore, a pressing need exists for more comprehensive and robust validation methods to ensure the effectiveness and generalizability of proposed solutions.MethodsThis paper proposes a physical simulation approach modeling multiple arm joints and tremor propagation. This study also introduces a novel adaptable reinforcement learning environment tailored for disorders with tremors. We present a deep reinforcement learning-based encoder-actor controller for Parkinson’s tremors in various shoulder and elbow joint axes displayed in dynamic movements.ResultsOur findings suggest that such a control strategy offers a viable solution for tremor suppression in real-world scenarios.DiscussionBy overcoming the limitations of traditional control algorithms, this work takes a new step in adapting biomechanical loading into the everyday life of patients. This work also opens avenues for more adaptive and personalized interventions in managing movement disorders.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frobt.2025.1537470/fulldeep reinforcement learningsoft exoskeletonParkinson’s diseasetremorphysics simulationhuman–robot interaction
spellingShingle Tamás Endrei
Tamás Endrei
Sándor Földi
Sándor Földi
Ádám Makk
György Cserey
György Cserey
Learning to suppress tremors: a deep reinforcement learning-enabled soft exoskeleton for Parkinson’s patients
Frontiers in Robotics and AI
deep reinforcement learning
soft exoskeleton
Parkinson’s disease
tremor
physics simulation
human–robot interaction
title Learning to suppress tremors: a deep reinforcement learning-enabled soft exoskeleton for Parkinson’s patients
title_full Learning to suppress tremors: a deep reinforcement learning-enabled soft exoskeleton for Parkinson’s patients
title_fullStr Learning to suppress tremors: a deep reinforcement learning-enabled soft exoskeleton for Parkinson’s patients
title_full_unstemmed Learning to suppress tremors: a deep reinforcement learning-enabled soft exoskeleton for Parkinson’s patients
title_short Learning to suppress tremors: a deep reinforcement learning-enabled soft exoskeleton for Parkinson’s patients
title_sort learning to suppress tremors a deep reinforcement learning enabled soft exoskeleton for parkinson s patients
topic deep reinforcement learning
soft exoskeleton
Parkinson’s disease
tremor
physics simulation
human–robot interaction
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frobt.2025.1537470/full
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