Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Gabriele Rescio is a researcher at the forefront of combining social robotics with therapeutic movement for neurodegenerative conditions, with a primary focus on Parkinson’s disease (PD). Her work centers on the intersection of dance therapy, active aging, and human-robot interaction, exploring how non-pharmacological interventions can improve motor symptoms such as rigidity and balance problems. Rescio’s most-cited study, the "SI-ROBOTICS Study Protocol" (2021, 17 citations), laid the groundwork for integrating Irish dancing into rehabilitation protocols for PD patients. Building on this, her 2025 technical feasibility study (10 citations) provided early evidence that dance, when paired with social robotics, is both acceptable and promising for enhancing motor function and quality of life. By rigorously evaluating the synergy between artistic movement and robotic assistance, Rescio has helped pioneer a novel, engaging approach to active and healthy ageing. Her contributions are particularly notable for bridging engineering, clinical neuroscience, and the arts, offering a holistic model for future interventions. For students and researchers, Rescio’s work exemplifies how interdisciplinary collaboration can transform rehabilitation, making therapy not only effective but also joyful.