A Kottink

Northwestern University, Roessingh Research and Development

Papers

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About

A. Kottink is a leading researcher in neurorehabilitation engineering, specializing in wearable assistive technologies for restoring hand function after stroke. Her work centers on developing and validating soft-robotic glove systems that integrate daily assistive support with home-based therapeutic exercises. In her landmark 2018 feasibility study (54 citations), Kottink demonstrated that a soft-robotic glove could effectively support impaired hand function in chronic stroke patients, marking a significant step toward practical, wearable solutions for upper extremity rehabilitation. She further advanced this field with a 2019 kinematic analysis (7 citations) quantifying how such gloves improve movement duration and execution in elderly patients with decreased hand function. Kottink’s research uniquely bridges engineering innovation and clinical application, providing objective evidence that soft-robotic assistance can enhance real-world performance. Her contributions are particularly notable for addressing the critical gap between laboratory-based rehabilitation and everyday functional use, offering hope for more independent living among stroke survivors and aging populations. Through rigorous feasibility studies and kinematic assessments, Kottink continues to shape the future of wearable neurorehabilitation technology.