The Use of Robotics for NeuroRehabilitation

The American Heart Association, recommends robot assisted therapy for UPPER EXTREMITY rehabilitation of  severe to moderate patients.

American Heart Association Scientific Statement Published in
Stroke Miller et al. (2010); 41:2402-2448

CONCLUSION:

“Robot-assisted therapy offers the amount of motor practice needed to relearn motor skills with
less therapist assistance.

Most robots for motor rehabilitation not only allow for robot assistance in movement initiation and guidance but also provide accurate feedback; some robots additionally provide movement resistance.

Most trials of robot-assisted motor rehabilitation concern the UPPER EXTREMITY, with robotics for the LOWER EXTREMITY still in its infancy.”

Robot-Assisted Therapy is cost effective. “An Economic Analysis of Robot-Assisted Therapy for Long-Term Upper-Limb Impairment After Stroke” Wagner, Stroke october 2011 Journal of the American Heart association,

Conclusion: The added cost of delivering robot or intensive comparison therapy was recuperated by lower healthcare use costs compared with those in the usual care group