Innovating With Rehabilitation Technology in the Real World: Promises, Potentials, and Perspectives

Abstract

In this article, we discuss robotic-assisted therapy as an emerging and significant field of clinical rehabilitation and its value proposition for innovating rehabilitation clinical practice. Attempts to achieve integration among clinicians' practices and bioengineers' machines often generate new challenges and controversies. To date, the literature is indicative of a sizeable number and variety of robotic devices in the field of clinical rehabilitation, some are commercially available; however, large-scale clinical outcomes are less positive than expected. The following main themes related to integrating rehabilitation technology in real-world clinical practice will be discussed: the application of current evidence-based practice and knowledge in relation to treatment in the rehabilitation clinic, perspectives from rehabilitation professionals using robotic-aided therapy with regard to challenges, and strategies for problem solving. Lastly, we present innovation philosophies with regard to sustainability of clinical rehabilitation technologies.

FIGURE 1

Locomotor gym (left to right: multi-terrain walking surface, Neurocom SMART balance master, Lokomat).

FIGURE 2

Upper limb robotic suite (left to right: inmotion II, Armeo Boom, Armeo Spring, Dynavision).

FIGURE 3

Technology-aided circuit training (left to right: Meditouch 3D Tutor wearable sensor for single-limb movement training, Jintronix Microsoft Kinect-based virtual reality platform to train full body movements, gait, balance and endurance capacities, ReJoyce to train upper limb functions focusing on prehension skills with proximal control [bilateral and unilateral training]).