About this Research Topic
Modern technological advances in wearable technologies in health care have made it possible to augment patient clinical outcomes, create an effective continuum of rehabilitation, and promote independence for persons after neurological injuries. Recently the use of assistive technology in neurorehabilitation has been under the spotlight, gaining popularity.
A growing literature supports the feasibility and safety of wearable and robotic technology, i.e., wearable upper and lower limbs exoskeletons to facilitate neuromotor and functional recovery in persons with sensor-motor impairments and disability. In particular, wearable soft sensors are being developed to monitor human physiological data and assist disease diagnosis and event prediction. Moreover, integrating robotics and wearable sensors could further provide a unique opportunity to enhance human performance in healthy individuals and persons following neurological and musculoskeletal injuries.
Currently, the focus of technological research is dedicated to device discovery and development. For example, soft and lightweight wearable exoskeletons are being developed to improve usability and user comfort. Wearable soft sensors have improved wearability and their ability to provide accurate kinematics and kinetics of human movement, physiological signals, and biomarkers from saliva or sweat. Few clinical trials investigate the effectiveness of technology-assisted rehabilitation compared to conventional therapeutic approaches and implementation in rehabilitation settings. The clinical efficacy and effectiveness of technology-assisted rehabilitation are, however, still inconclusive.
This Research Topic aims to provide an inter-and multi-disciplinary overview of research dedicated to rehabilitation technologies’ study, focusing on robotics and sensors designed for rehabilitation and daily activity assistance in neurological patients with sensory-motor impairments
We welcome article focusing on:
• Design and experimentation of novel wearable sensors or robotics
• Evidence of clinical trials using robotics and sensors
• Neuromuscular adaptation mechanisms using wearable robotics and sensors
• Assessment and comparison of conventional rehabilitation techniques versus technology-assisted techniques
• Clinical and administrative experience in the clinical implementation of wearable robotics and sensors in healthcare settings
A growing literature supports the feasibility and safety of wearable and robotic technology, i.e., wearable upper and lower limbs exoskeletons to facilitate neuromotor and functional recovery in persons with sensor-motor impairments and disability. In particular, wearable soft sensors are being developed to monitor human physiological data and assist disease diagnosis and event prediction. Moreover, integrating robotics and wearable sensors could further provide a unique opportunity to enhance human performance in healthy individuals and persons following neurological and musculoskeletal injuries.
Currently, the focus of technological research is dedicated to device discovery and development. For example, soft and lightweight wearable exoskeletons are being developed to improve usability and user comfort. Wearable soft sensors have improved wearability and their ability to provide accurate kinematics and kinetics of human movement, physiological signals, and biomarkers from saliva or sweat. Few clinical trials investigate the effectiveness of technology-assisted rehabilitation compared to conventional therapeutic approaches and implementation in rehabilitation settings. The clinical efficacy and effectiveness of technology-assisted rehabilitation are, however, still inconclusive.
This Research Topic aims to provide an inter-and multi-disciplinary overview of research dedicated to rehabilitation technologies’ study, focusing on robotics and sensors designed for rehabilitation and daily activity assistance in neurological patients with sensory-motor impairments
We welcome article focusing on:
• Design and experimentation of novel wearable sensors or robotics
• Evidence of clinical trials using robotics and sensors
• Neuromuscular adaptation mechanisms using wearable robotics and sensors
• Assessment and comparison of conventional rehabilitation techniques versus technology-assisted techniques
• Clinical and administrative experience in the clinical implementation of wearable robotics and sensors in healthcare settings
Keywords: Robotics, Wearable robotics, Wearable sensors, Soft sensors, Rehabilitation, Neurorehabilitation
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