Rehabilitation Technologies for Sensory-Motor-Cognitive Impairments

Abstract

Technological devices and systems are important tools to be used in all aspects of medical healthcare, namely, diagnosis, prognosis and cure, and this is also true in rehabilitation, especially for children with neurological pathologies whose impairment is always characterized by a combination of sensory, motor and cognitive factors. The technologies adopted for rehabilitation may be derived/adapted from industry, consumer electronics or may be specifically designed for the paediatric age group. In all instances, this is a field in very rapid transformation with few standards and accepted framework of reference. Thus, the first and most important message for the therapist is to be careful in adopting these techniques, filtering with great prudence the claims of vendors but avoiding also an opponent attitude of refusing such innovations.

As regards the functions that may be carried out by technological tools in the rehabilitation field, three main areas can be distinguished: (1) assistive technologies, (2) assessment technologies and (3) training technologies. Frequently there is some confusion among professionals about the differences between them, and this chapter will focus on these main distinguishing aspects, from a theoretical and practical point of view. At the same time, it should be clear that, in many cases, the same system, e.g. a haptic robot, can be used in each area, combining the different functions in different phases of a rehabilitation plan.