Junko Nakayama

About

Junko Nakayama is a leading researcher in pediatric rehabilitation robotics, with a primary focus on improving motor function in children with cerebral palsy and other childhood-onset motor disabilities. Her most significant contribution is pioneering the clinical application of the wearable cyborg Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL®) for gait training in pediatric populations. Her landmark 2018 study on robot-assisted training using HAL for cerebral palsy, cited over 50 times, established foundational evidence for the technology's efficacy. Nakayama’s work extends to demonstrating the long-term benefits of HAL training, as shown in her 1-year follow-up study, and exploring novel combinations of robotics with neuromuscular electrical stimulation for severe upper limb impairments. Her case reports, including recent 2025 findings, continue to refine protocols for younger children using specialized HAL sizes. Through rigorous clinical investigations, Nakayama has positioned herself at the forefront of translating advanced rehabilitation robotics from engineering concepts into tangible, life-changing therapies for children with motor disabilities, directly addressing critical gaps in traditional rehabilitation approaches.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Robot-assisted training using Hybrid Assistive Limb® for cerebral palsy

   50 citations · 2018
2. 2
   Benefits of a Wearable Cyborg HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) in Patients with Childhood-Onset Motor Disabilities: A 1-Year Follow-Up Study

   7 citations · 2023
3. 3
   Voluntary-assisted Upper Limb Training for Severe Cerebral Palsy Using Robotics Devices and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation: Three Case Reports

   5 citations · 2022
4. 4
   Case Report: Robot-assisted gait training with the wearable cyborg hybrid assistive limb 2S size in three children with cerebral palsy

   1 citations · 2025

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links