Abstract
We are applying robotics and information technology to assist, enhance, and quantify neuro-rehabilitation. Our goal is a new class of interactive, user-affectionate clinical devices designed not only for evaluating patients, but also for delivering meaningful therapy via engaging “video games”. Notably, the novel robot MIT-MANUS has been designed and programmed for clinical neurological applications, and has undergone extensive clinical trials for more than four years at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital – White Plains, NY. This paper will review results of the first clinical trial of 20 patients, which showed that:
Stroke patients treated daily with additional robot-aided therapy during acute rehabilitation had improved outcome in motor activity at hospital discharge, when compared to a control group that received only standard acute rehabilitation treatment.
This improved outcome was sustained after three years.
The neuro-recovery process continued far beyond the commonly accepted 3 months post-stroke interval.
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