2.2 Rehabilitation robotics
With new computational approaches and more sophisticated electro-mechanical components, rehabilitation robotics has been remarkably developed in recent years (Packel, 2013). This advancement in technology has made robotics available for rehabilitation practices.
Research into rehabilitation robotics has been growing rapidly, and a number of studies have described the efficiency of robot-assisted therapy for patients with stroke. In fact, there are only a few well-organized comprehensive reviews of robot-assisted therapy.
Rehabilitation robots could be divided into two categories: devices that enable the mobilization of a limb from a distant application point without the control of the various joints, and automated exoskeleton that move the limbs by controlling each segment (Morone, Bragoni, 2011). They could…show more content… (A) End-effector type. (B) Exoskeleton type. Data retrieved from www.j-stroke.org
We assume that the fear of replacing rehabilitation therapists help by technologies could be the valid reason for that as well. Presumably the future development of those devices might give a better effectiveness and improve the situation in a future. To do that, proper studies with large numbers of participants will be necessary to establish robot-assisted therapy as an integral part of stroke rehabilitation. The improvement of the robotic technology may increase the efficacy and reduce the cost of such devices and one day such practice will become standard therapeutic method in stroke rehabilitation.
2.3 Functional electrical stimulation
Functional electrical stimulation is increasingly used in medical practice to improve mobility functions. Unfortunately, strokes can evoke the paralysis of many muscles and affect different parts of the brain. Some functions of stroke patients gradually return, but often the muscles remain weak and are difficult to