Robotic Technology for Spinal Cord Injury: Upper Extremity

Abstract

Spinal cord injury brings a sudden change in the lives of the affected individuals and causes permanent functional motor limitations. Although this condition has been believed to be refractory to treatment for many years, the life expectancy of affected individual is comparable to that of healthy individuals with the application of new treatment methods. Upper extremity function in tetraplegic patients affects the quality of life. Currently, the use of robots has increased for different treatment alternatives. Robot-mediated rehabilitation includes robot assistance, robotic perturbation, adding virtual reality to robot-mediated therapy, and interfacing the brain with a robotic device. The effects of upper extremity robotic rehabilitation, during and following treatment, and their side effects will be discussed along with currently available literature.