Article

Robotic technologies have profoundly affected the identification of fundamental
properties of brain function. This success is attributable to robots being able
to control the position of or forces applied to limbs, and their inherent ability
to easily, objectively, and reliably quantify sensorimotor behavior. Our general
hypothesis is that these same attributes make robotic technologies ideal for
clinically assessing sensory, motor, and cognitive impairments in stroke and
other neurological disorders. Further, they provide opportunities for novel
therapeutic strategies. The present opinionated review describes how robotic
technologies combined with virtual/augmented reality systems can support a broad
range of behavioral tasks to objectively quantify brain function. This
information could potentially be used to provide more accurate diagnostic and
prognostic information than is available from current clinical assessment
techniques. The review also highlights the potential benefits of robots to
provide upper-limb therapy. Although the capital cost of these technologies is
substantial, it pales in comparison with the potential cost reductions to the
overall healthcare system that improved assessment and therapeutic interventions
offer.

Langue : ANGLAIS