Masao Koda
Papers
12
Total Citations
244
H-Index
8
About
Masao Koda is a leading researcher in robotic rehabilitation, with a primary focus on the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) for both lumbar support and gait recovery. His work centers on reducing lumbar load during physically demanding tasks, such as snow-shoveling and patient transfers, directly addressing the high prevalence of work-related low back pain among caregivers and nurses. Koda’s studies demonstrate that the HAL for Care Support can significantly lower lumbar strain, with key papers accumulating over 50 citations each. Beyond occupational health, he has pioneered the use of HAL in post-operative neurorehabilitation for patients with spinal cord lesions and myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. His research shows that HAL-facilitated gait training can modulate muscular activity and improve walking patterns, with notable case reports and pilot studies contributing to a growing evidence base. Koda has also explored brain activity changes during HAL intervention using functional MRI, and extended robotic therapy to shoulder rehabilitation for postoperative C5 palsy. With over 200 citations across his most-cited works, Koda’s contributions are instrumental in advancing wearable robotic technology for both injury prevention and neurological recovery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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