Opportunities of Collaborative Robots in the Rehabilitation of Upper Extremities

Abstract

Stroke is one of the most common and most lifealtering diseases worldwide. However, due to technical and economical restrictions, therapy times are often limited, obstructing the rehabilitation outcomes. In fact, therapy is subject to prioritization. While lower extremities usually receive more therapy and have more technical rehabilitation systems available, upper extremities are treated less frequently and lack flexible, accepted, and economically viable devices. We analyze opportunities of collaborative robots to be used as highly flexible upper extremity rehabilitation devices with practitioners, and derive requirements for their implementation in neurorehabilitation. Collaborative robots offer improved flexibility compared to market-available systems, are well suited for therapy due to the internal safety and sensory systems, and relieve economic burden to adopt rehabilitation robots.