Converging Robotic Technologies in Targeted Neural Rehabilitation: A Review of Emerging Solutions and Challenges
Recent advances in the field of neural rehabilitation, facilitated through technological innovation and improved neurophysiological knowledge of impaired motor control, have opened up new research directions. Such advances increase the relevance of existing interventions, as well as allow novel meth...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/6/2084 |
| _version_ | 1797541153339342848 |
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| author | Kostas Nizamis Alkinoos Athanasiou Sofia Almpani Christos Dimitrousis Alexander Astaras |
| author_facet | Kostas Nizamis Alkinoos Athanasiou Sofia Almpani Christos Dimitrousis Alexander Astaras |
| author_sort | Kostas Nizamis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recent advances in the field of neural rehabilitation, facilitated through technological innovation and improved neurophysiological knowledge of impaired motor control, have opened up new research directions. Such advances increase the relevance of existing interventions, as well as allow novel methodologies and technological synergies. New approaches attempt to partially overcome long-term disability caused by spinal cord injury, using either invasive bridging technologies or noninvasive human–machine interfaces. Muscular dystrophies benefit from electromyography and novel sensors that shed light on underlying neuromotor mechanisms in people with Duchenne. Novel wearable robotics devices are being tailored to specific patient populations, such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and amputated individuals. In addition, developments in robot-assisted rehabilitation may enhance motor learning and generate movement repetitions by decoding the brain activity of patients during therapy. This is further facilitated by artificial intelligence algorithms coupled with faster electronics. The practical impact of integrating such technologies with neural rehabilitation treatment can be substantial. They can potentially empower nontechnically trained individuals—namely, family members and professional carers—to alter the programming of neural rehabilitation robotic setups, to actively get involved and intervene promptly at the point of care. This narrative review considers existing and emerging neural rehabilitation technologies through the perspective of replacing or restoring functions, enhancing, or improving natural neural output, as well as promoting or recruiting dormant neuroplasticity. Upon conclusion, we discuss the future directions for neural rehabilitation research, diagnosis, and treatment based on the discussed technologies and their major roadblocks. This future may eventually become possible through technological evolution and convergence of mutually beneficial technologies to create hybrid solutions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:12:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fb9f0f5d9ace4534a841fde4fe3f05ef |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:12:09Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-fb9f0f5d9ace4534a841fde4fe3f05ef2023-11-21T10:45:03ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202021-03-01216208410.3390/s21062084Converging Robotic Technologies in Targeted Neural Rehabilitation: A Review of Emerging Solutions and ChallengesKostas Nizamis0Alkinoos Athanasiou1Sofia Almpani2Christos Dimitrousis3Alexander Astaras4Department of Design, Production and Management, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The NetherlandsLab of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceSchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15773 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Computer Science, American College of Thessaloniki, 55535 Thessaloniki, GreeceLab of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceRecent advances in the field of neural rehabilitation, facilitated through technological innovation and improved neurophysiological knowledge of impaired motor control, have opened up new research directions. Such advances increase the relevance of existing interventions, as well as allow novel methodologies and technological synergies. New approaches attempt to partially overcome long-term disability caused by spinal cord injury, using either invasive bridging technologies or noninvasive human–machine interfaces. Muscular dystrophies benefit from electromyography and novel sensors that shed light on underlying neuromotor mechanisms in people with Duchenne. Novel wearable robotics devices are being tailored to specific patient populations, such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and amputated individuals. In addition, developments in robot-assisted rehabilitation may enhance motor learning and generate movement repetitions by decoding the brain activity of patients during therapy. This is further facilitated by artificial intelligence algorithms coupled with faster electronics. The practical impact of integrating such technologies with neural rehabilitation treatment can be substantial. They can potentially empower nontechnically trained individuals—namely, family members and professional carers—to alter the programming of neural rehabilitation robotic setups, to actively get involved and intervene promptly at the point of care. This narrative review considers existing and emerging neural rehabilitation technologies through the perspective of replacing or restoring functions, enhancing, or improving natural neural output, as well as promoting or recruiting dormant neuroplasticity. Upon conclusion, we discuss the future directions for neural rehabilitation research, diagnosis, and treatment based on the discussed technologies and their major roadblocks. This future may eventually become possible through technological evolution and convergence of mutually beneficial technologies to create hybrid solutions.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/6/2084artificial intelligencebrain–computer interfacesexoskeletonhuman–robot interactionneurological disabilityneurorehabilitation |
| spellingShingle | Kostas Nizamis Alkinoos Athanasiou Sofia Almpani Christos Dimitrousis Alexander Astaras Converging Robotic Technologies in Targeted Neural Rehabilitation: A Review of Emerging Solutions and Challenges Sensors artificial intelligence brain–computer interfaces exoskeleton human–robot interaction neurological disability neurorehabilitation |
| title | Converging Robotic Technologies in Targeted Neural Rehabilitation: A Review of Emerging Solutions and Challenges |
| title_full | Converging Robotic Technologies in Targeted Neural Rehabilitation: A Review of Emerging Solutions and Challenges |
| title_fullStr | Converging Robotic Technologies in Targeted Neural Rehabilitation: A Review of Emerging Solutions and Challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | Converging Robotic Technologies in Targeted Neural Rehabilitation: A Review of Emerging Solutions and Challenges |
| title_short | Converging Robotic Technologies in Targeted Neural Rehabilitation: A Review of Emerging Solutions and Challenges |
| title_sort | converging robotic technologies in targeted neural rehabilitation a review of emerging solutions and challenges |
| topic | artificial intelligence brain–computer interfaces exoskeleton human–robot interaction neurological disability neurorehabilitation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/6/2084 |
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