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About

Francesca Sylos-Labini is a leading researcher in the fields of neurorehabilitation, human locomotion, and robotic exoskeleton technology. Her work focuses on understanding how the nervous system controls walking and how assistive devices can be optimized to restore mobility in individuals with neurological impairments, including spinal cord injury (SCI) and pediatric gait disorders. A major contribution is her investigation of electromyographic (EMG) patterns during exoskeleton-assisted walking, revealing how robotic guidance forces influence sensorimotor interactions and muscle activity. Her 2014 paper on EMG patterns during assisted walking has garnered 146 citations, establishing a foundational understanding of neuroprosthetic technology's impact on motor recovery. She also contributed to the MINDWALKER project (59 citations), an ambitious European initiative developing a crutch-less, brain-controlled lower limb exoskeleton for SCI patients. More recently, her 2024 work evaluates EMG patterns in children using exoskeletons, addressing critical challenges in pediatric gait rehabilitation. By bridging robotics, neuroscience, and clinical application, Sylos-Labini’s research advances the design of more effective, neuroadaptive assistive technologies, offering hope for enhanced mobility and quality of life.