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About

Volker Dietz is a pioneering researcher whose work sits at the intersection of neurophysiology, rehabilitation robotics, and sensorimotor recovery following central nervous system injury. Over a prolific career, he has made foundational contributions to our understanding of locomotor control and the application of robotic technologies to neurological rehabilitation, particularly for patients recovering from spinal cord injury and stroke. Dietz's most influential work has shaped the development and clinical deployment of robotic gait training systems, most notably the Lokomat exoskeletal orthosis. His early investigations into patient-cooperative robotic strategies (717 citations) and automated locomotor training for incomplete spinal cord injury (475 citations) established evidence-based frameworks that transformed rehabilitation practice. His 2014 multicentre randomised trial on three-dimensional robot-assisted arm therapy after stroke (525 citations) further demonstrated his commitment to rigorous clinical validation. A recurring theme across his research is the neurophysiological rationale for technology design — arguing compellingly that rehabilitation robots must align with principles of motor learning and central pattern generator activity rather than being purely technology-driven (439 citations). Through contributions spanning biofeedback, swing-phase resistance training, and locomotor adaptation strategies, Dietz has profoundly influenced how clinicians approach sensorimotor rehabilitation, leaving an enduring legacy across both laboratory science and clinical practice.