Femke Hoekstra
Papers
1
Total Citations
30
H-Index
1
About
Femke Hoekstra is a leading researcher in neurorehabilitation, with a primary focus on the intersection of robotic-assisted therapy and cardiorespiratory health in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Her most-cited work, "Effect of robotic gait training on cardiorespiratory system in incomplete spinal cord injury" (2013, 30 citations), made a pivotal contribution by demonstrating that robot-assisted gait training can significantly improve cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with motor incomplete SCI. This study was among the first to systematically document that robotic walking can achieve exercise intensities meeting recommended guidelines for health benefits, challenging prior assumptions about passive robotic therapy. By quantifying the physiological demands of robotic gait training, Hoekstra provided critical evidence for its role not just in mobility restoration, but as a viable cardiovascular conditioning tool. Her work bridges the gap between engineering and clinical rehabilitation, offering practical insights for designing more effective, evidence-based training protocols. With her research informing both rehabilitation practice and future device design, Hoekstra continues to shape how we understand and optimize recovery after neurological injury.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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