title: Ethical considerations in providing an upper limb exoskeleton device for stroke patients.
abstract: The health care system needs to face new and advanced medical technologies that can improve the patients' quality of life by replacing lost or decreased functions. In stroke patients, the disabilities that follow cerebral lesions may impair the mandatory daily activities of an independent life. These activities are dependent mostly on the patient's upper limb function so that they can carry out most of the common activities associated with a normal life. Therefore, an upper limb exoskeleton device for stroke patients can contribute a real improvement of quality of their life. The ethical problems that need to be considered are linked to the correct adjustment of the upper limb skills in order to satisfy the patient's expectations, but within physiological limits. The debate regarding the medical devices dedicated to neurorehabilitation is focused on their ability to be beneficial to the patient's life, keeping away damages, injustice, and risks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology, Iuliu-Haţiegawnu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 2-4 Babeş Victor Str., 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Neurology, Rehabilitation Hospital of Cluj-Napoca, 46-50 Viilor Str., 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Adriana E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Bulboacă
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Iuliu-Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 6 Louis Pasteur Str., 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Electronic address: sbolboaca@umfcluj.ro.
authors.forename: Sorana D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Bolboacă
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Rehabilitation Hospital of Cluj-Napoca, 46-50 Viilor Str., 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Neurology, Iuliu-Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 46-50 Viilor Str., 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Angelo C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bulboacă
mesh_terms: D004992:Ethics, Medical; D000067190:Exoskeleton Device; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D000066530:Neurological Rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Exoskeleton ethical consideration; Neuro-rehabilitation; Stroke; Upper limb exoskeleton