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About

Marian Schoone-Harmsen is a pioneering researcher in the field of rehabilitation robotics, with a primary focus on developing technology-mediated therapies for stroke recovery. Her most significant contribution is the creation and validation of the ACRE (ACtive REhabilitation) robotic training device, designed to enhance upper limb rehabilitation for hemiplegic patients. Through a series of influential studies, including a randomized controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis, Schoone-Harmsen demonstrated that robot-mediated therapy can effectively stimulate repetitive, game-based training in frail elderly stroke survivors, offering a valuable complement to standard care. Her work, which has garnered over 84 citations across key publications, addresses the critical challenge of decreasing reimbursed therapy duration by introducing self-training robotic solutions. Notably, her 2008 report on robotics for healthcare, commissioned by the European Commission, helped shape policy perspectives on ICT applications in medicine. Schoone-Harmsen’s research bridges engineering and clinical practice, providing evidence that robotic devices like ACRE can improve motor outcomes while potentially reducing healthcare costs, making her a key figure in the advancement of accessible, technology-driven rehabilitation.