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Upper-Limb Exoskeletons for Stroke Rehabilitation

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XV Mediterranean Conference on Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing – MEDICON 2019 (MEDICON 2019)

Part of the book series: IFMBE Proceedings ((IFMBE,volume 76))

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Abstract

Upper-limb exoskeletons provide high-intensity, repetitive, task-specific, interactive and individualized training, making effective use of neuroplasticity for functional recovery in neurological patients. Most exoskeletons have robot axes aligned with the anatomical axes of the subject and provide direct control of individual joints. Recently, novel mechanical structures and actuation mechanisms have been proposed, but still result in bulky and heavy exoskeletons, limiting their applicability into clinical practice. Technological efforts are needed to promote light and wearable exoskeletons that implement active-assistive controllers, providing “assisted-as-needed” rehabilitation therapy, towards patient’s motivation and self-esteem. An overview of upper-limb exoskeletons, including mechanical design and control algorithms, will be provided. Special focus will be put on the current evidence about the efficacy of wearable robotic technologies on motor recovery and about other therapies that can be combined with exoskeletons to improve their therapeutic effects.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. NearLab, Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy

    Emilia Ambrosini, Stefano Dalla Gasperina & Alessandra Pedrocchi

  2. NearLab@Lecco, Polo Territoriale di Lecco, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy

    Marta Gandolla

Authors
  1. Emilia Ambrosini
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  2. Stefano Dalla Gasperina
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  3. Marta Gandolla
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  4. Alessandra Pedrocchi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Emilia Ambrosini .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Jorge Henriques

  2. Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal

    Nuno Neves

  3. University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Paulo de Carvalho

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The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this contribution.

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Ambrosini, E., Dalla Gasperina, S., Gandolla, M., Pedrocchi, A. (2020). Upper-Limb Exoskeletons for Stroke Rehabilitation. In: Henriques, J., Neves, N., de Carvalho, P. (eds) XV Mediterranean Conference on Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing – MEDICON 2019. MEDICON 2019. IFMBE Proceedings, vol 76. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31635-8_209

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31635-8_209

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-31634-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-31635-8

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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