About

Carel G. M. Meskers is a leading figure in neurorehabilitation engineering, whose work bridges the gap between robotic technology and clinical recovery after stroke. His primary research areas include robot-assisted therapy for the upper limb, motor control of movement, and the biomechanics of post-stroke impairments. Meskers’ most impactful contribution is his 2016 systematic review on robot-assisted therapy for the upper limb after stroke, cited over 629 times, which provided critical evidence that robotic interventions can significantly improve motor function in paretic arms. He also spearheaded the EXPLICIT-stroke programme, a landmark study design exploring early, intensive upper limb stimulation within the first month post-stroke, shaping rehabilitation protocols worldwide. Beyond robotics, Meskers has advanced the understanding of pathological movement disorders—such as clonus and spasticity—using system identification approaches and haptic manipulators. His work on early shortening of wrist flexor muscles after stroke (15 citations) has illuminated mechanisms behind poor recovery, while his development of a Portable Gait Lab using minimal sensing (6 citations) pushes toward accessible, real-world gait analysis. A frequent invited commentator, Meskers’ research has profoundly influenced how clinicians and engineers design post-stroke therapies, making him a pivotal voice in the quest to restore upper limb function and mobility.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

7
H-Index
9
Papers
793
Total Citations
88
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
Effects of Robot-Assisted Therapy for the Upper Limb After Stroke
629 citations · 2016
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2015 (2 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 25
🏛 Institutions: Northwestern University, Leiden University, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, Leiden University Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers

Top Papers

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Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
Content generated · 13 days ago