Reiner Emkes

Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Reiner Emkes is a pioneering researcher in the intersection of neuroscience, robotics, and motor rehabilitation. His work centers on embodied neurofeedback, particularly using anthropomorphic robotic systems to enhance motor recovery after stroke. Emkes’s most cited study, “Embodied neurofeedback with an anthropomorphic robotic hand” (2016, 49 citations), demonstrates a key contribution: he showed that the type of sensory feedback—specifically, feedback from a robotic hand that mimics the human form—can significantly improve neurofeedback-guided motor imagery training (NF-MIT). While much of the field focused on optimizing signal processing, Emkes shifted attention to the user’s perceptual experience, arguing that embodiment matters for neural plasticity. This insight has influenced the design of more effective brain-computer interface (BCI) therapies. His work is notable for bridging engineering and cognitive neuroscience, offering a human-centered approach to rehabilitation technology. With a growing citation impact, Emkes continues to shape how researchers think about feedback loops in motor learning and recovery.