Acceptability of robotic technology in neuro-rehabilitation: preliminary results on chronic stroke patients.
During the last decade, different robotic devices have been developed for motor rehabilitation of stroke survivors. These devices have been shown to improve motor impairment and contribute to the understanding of mechanisms underlying motor recovery after a stroke. The assessment of the robotic technology for rehabilitation assumes great importance. The aim of this study is to present preliminary results on the assessment of the acceptability of the robotic technology for rehabilitation on a group of thirty-four chronic stroke patients. The results from questionnaires on the patients' acceptability of two different robot-assisted rehabilitation scenarios show that the robotic approach was well accepted and tolerated by the patients.
The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Polo Sant'Anna Valdera, Pontedera, Italy; Rehabilitation Bioengineering Laboratory, Auxilium Vitae Rehabilitation Center, Volterra, Italy. Electronic address: s.mazzoleni@sssup.it.
Stefano
S
Mazzoleni
Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Turchetti
Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.
Ilaria
I
Palla
Rehabilitation Bioengineering Laboratory, Auxilium Vitae Rehabilitation Center, Volterra, Italy; Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, Auxilium Vitae Rehabilitation Center, Volterra, Italy.
Federico
F
Posteraro
The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Polo Sant'Anna Valdera, Pontedera, Italy.
Paolo
P
Dario
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation; Robotics; Stroke; Technology assessment; Upper limb