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Robot-aided neurorehabilitation of the upper extremities

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Abstract

Task-oriented repetitive movements can improve muscle strength and movement co-ordination in patients with impairments due to neurological lesions. The application of robotics and automation technology can serve to assist, enhance, evaluate and document the rehabilitation of movements. The paper provides an overview of existing devices that can support movement therapy of the upper extremities in subjects with neurological pathologies. The devices are critically compared with respect to technical function, clinical applicability, and, if they exist, clinical outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rehabilitation Engineering Group, Automatic Control Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland

    R. Riener & T. Nef

  2. Spinal Cord Injury Center, University Hospital Balgrist, University Zurich, Switzerland

    R. Riener, T. Nef & G. Colombo

  3. Hocoma AG, Volketswil, Switzerland

    G. Colombo

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  1. R. Riener
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  2. T. Nef
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  3. G. Colombo
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Correspondence to R. Riener.

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Riener, R., Nef, T. & Colombo, G. Robot-aided neurorehabilitation of the upper extremities. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 43, 2–10 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02345116

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02345116

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