Acta Mechanica Slovaca 2013, 17(4):32-39 | DOI: 10.21496/ams.2013.043

Robotics and Assistive Technology to Improve Function in Neuromuscular Diseases

Tariq Rahman1*, Joseph Basante2, Michael Alexander3
1 Senior Research Engineer, Department of Biomedical Research, Nemours/ Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware
2 Occupational Therapist, Certified Hand Therapist, Nemours/ Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children
3 Pediatrics and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chief of Pediatric Rehabilitation

Therapeutic techniques for people with movement disorders are described along with technology that can be used to mitigate the symptoms. Disorders that affect movement include muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, cerebral palsy and others. The article discusses conventional occupation therapy techniques currently used and robotic and orthotic devices that are seen in a research and clinical setting. First the neuromuscular disease presentation is described. Next the current assistive technology techniques and devices are outlined. Finally, robots and orthoses for the upper and lower extremity are described in terms of effectiveness and cost. The robots are divided into assistive and therapeutic sections and they are further treated as passive and active devices.

Keywords: Robotics, rehabilitation, orthotics, occupational therapy

Published: October 31, 2013  Show citation

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Rahman, T., Basante, J., & Alexander, M. (2013). Robotics and Assistive Technology to Improve Function in Neuromuscular Diseases. Acta Mechanica Slovaca, 17(4), 32-39. doi: 10.21496/ams.2013.043
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