Functionally-based rehabilitation: benefit or buzzword?

In 1991, a novel robot named MIT-MANUS was introduced as a test bed to study the potential of using robots to assist in and quantify the neuro-rehabilitation of motor function. It introduced a new type of therapy, offering a highly back-drivable mechanism with a soft and stable feel for the user. MIT-MANUS proved an excellent fit for rehabilitation of the paretic shoulder and elbow in patients with stroke, with clinical trials showing a reduction of impairment at these joints. However, the desired outcome of rehabilitation services is reduced impairment in movement capacities, as well as improved functional abilities and participation in daily life tasks. While we have seen reductions in motor impairment, no specific attempts were made during these studies to help the person link the movements practiced during robotic therapy to motor actions during daily tasks. In this paper we are presenting our first attempt to link movements practiced in robotic therapy with distal training during functional tasks.