Papers
4
Total Citations
81
H-Index
4
About
Assunta Riva is a leading researcher in neurorehabilitation robotics, whose work centers on restoring proprioception and motor function after neurological injury. Her most impactful contribution is the development and validation of robot-assisted training for the kinesthetic sense, demonstrating that targeted robotic therapy can significantly enhance proprioception—a critical factor for motor recovery after stroke. Her landmark 2015 study on this topic has garnered 58 citations, underscoring its influence in the field. Riva also pioneered the "pulsed assistance" paradigm, a novel approach that alternates robot support with periods of unassisted movement to promote greater volitional effort in chronic stroke survivors. Extending her work to pediatric populations, she has explored adaptive wrist robot training for children with motor impairments, and conducted pilot studies on online modulation of assistance for patients with dystonia. Through these innovations, Riva has advanced the design of patient-responsive robotic systems that prioritize active participation, bridging the gap between engineering and clinical rehabilitation to improve outcomes for both adult and pediatric patients.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Pulsed assistance: A new paradigm of robot training8 citations · 2013
- 3Adaptive wrist robot training in pediatric rehabilitation8 citations · 2015
- 4