Background
There
is a growing interest in exploring industrial-grade collaborative
robots (cobots) for rehabilitation. This review explores their
application for motor rehabilitation of the upper and lower extremities
after a stroke and spinal cord injury (SCI). The article highlights the
inherent safety features of cobots, emphasizing their design advantages
over custom-built or traditional rehabilitation robots in terms of
potential safety and time efficiency.
Methods
Database
searches and reference list screening were conducted to identify
studies relating to the use of cobots for upper and lower extremity
rehabilitation among individuals with stroke and SCI. These articles
were then reviewed and summarized.
Results
Thirty-three
studies were included in this review. The findings suggest that the use
of cobots in motor rehabilitation is still in the early stages. Some of
the cobots used were equipped with sensors to detect and respond to the
movement of the extremities and minimize the risk of injury. This
safety aspect is crucial for patients with motor impairments. Most
training protocols implemented with the cobots engaged users in
repetitive task-based exercises with an overall positive user
experience. Thus far, these devices have been primarily evaluated in
individuals with stroke and SCI that affect the lower extremities, with
no study addressing upper extremity impairments. This initial focus
serves as a preliminary step toward assessing their applicability for
individuals with stroke and SCI.
Conclusions
Cobots
may(What a weasel word, saying nothing!) have the capacity to transform therapy and support healthcare
professionals in delivering more personalized and effective
rehabilitation. However, there is limited evidence on their use to
support upper and lower extremity rehabilitation among individuals with
stroke and SCI. Further research and development are needed to refine
these technologies and broaden their applications in rehabilitation
settings to enhance functional recovery and overall quality of life for
individuals with stroke and SCI.
