Review of control strategies for robotic movement training after neurologic injury

Books

This book provides a wealth of information regarding the theory and practice of evaluating joint motion and muscle length. Chapters are arranged into five sections: 1 - history, basic principles and relevance of joint motion and muscle length assessment, 2 - the upper limb, 3 - the head, neck and trunk, 4 - the lower limb, and 5 - appendices, which contain sample data recording forms and a summary of the research on normative range of motion. Each chapter in sections 2 to 4 is focused on an anatomical area. These chapters provide detailed information on how to evaluate joint range of motion (or muscle length), as well as the anatomy and kinesiology theory that underpins these assessments. For example, chapter 3, ‘Measurement of ROM of the shoulder’ contains information regarding the anatomy, osteokinematics and arthrokinematics of the glenohumeral, sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular and scapulothoracic joints. Limits to motion are discussed and research is presented regarding the motion required to undertake functional activities. Techniques used to evaluate shoulder range of motion are described in detail, and include the patient position, stabilization, examiner action, goniometer alignment, alternative starting positions, and documentation procedures. Photographs are provided to increase the clarity of these descriptions. The chapters on muscle length assessment follow a similar format and all chapters are exhaustively referenced.

Skill generalization relevant to robotic neuro-rehabilitation

Upper limb extremity rehabilitation practices are increasingly involving robotic interaction for repetitive practice, and there is increasing skepticism whether such systems can provide the relevant practice that can be generalized (or transferred) to functional activities in the real world. Most importantly, will patients be able to generalize in three critical ways: (1) to unpracticed directions, (2) to unpracticed movement distances, and (3) to unpracticed weight-eliminated conditions? Rather than presuming that patients could generalize in three conditions, this study tested whether there was any evidence of such generalization ability in healthy individuals. We found that there was some evidence in all conditions except for the ability of healthy subjects to generalize to large movements after practicing small. Such results suggest that larger robotic systems are advantageous for training the functional motions that can include large actions.

The exoskeletons are here

It is a fantastic time for the field of robotic exoskeletons. Recent advances in actuators, sensors, materials, batteries, and computer processors have given new hope to creating the exoskeletons of yesteryear's science fiction. While the most common goal of an exoskeleton is to provide superhuman strength or endurance, scientists and engineers around the world are building exoskeletons with a wide range of diverse purposes. Exoskeletons can help patients with neurological disabilities improve their motor performance by providing task specific practice. Exoskeletons can help physiologists better understand how the human body works by providing a novel experimental perturbation. Exoskeletons can even help power mobile phones, music players, and other portable electronic devices by siphoning mechanical work performed during human locomotion. This special thematic series on robotic lower limb exoskeletons and orthoses includes eight papers presenting novel contributions to the field. The collective message of the papers is that robotic exoskeletons will contribute in many ways to the future benefit of humankind, and that future is not that distant.