Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40301894›Full record

SynthesisBiomedical engineering online2025

Industrial-grade collaborative robots for motor rehabilitation after stroke and spinal cord injury: a systematic narrative review.

Aisha Raji, Urvashy Gopaul, Jessica Babineau, Milos R Popovic, Cesar Marquez-Chin

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Biomedical engineering online, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Aisha RajiKITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 550 University Ave., Toronto, M5G 2A2, ON, Canada. aisha.raji@mail.utoronto.ca.
Urvashy GopaulKITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 550 University Ave., Toronto, M5G 2A2, ON, Canada.
Jessica BabineauLibrary & Information Services, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 550 University Ave., Toronto, M5G 2A2, ON, Canada.
Milos R PopovicKITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 550 University Ave., Toronto, M5G 2A2, ON, Canada.
Cesar Marquez-ChinKITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 550 University Ave., Toronto, M5G 2A2, ON, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThere is a growing interest in exploring industrial-grade collaborative robots (cobots) for rehabilitation. This review explores their application for motor rehabilitation of the upper and lower extremities after a stroke and spinal cord injury (SCI). The article highlights the inherent safety features of cobots, emphasizing their design advantages over custom-built or traditional rehabilitation robots in terms of potential safety and time efficiency.

methodsDatabase searches and reference list screening were conducted to identify studies relating to the use of cobots for upper and lower extremity rehabilitation among individuals with stroke and SCI. These articles were then reviewed and summarized.

resultsThirty-three studies were included in this review. The findings suggest that the use of cobots in motor rehabilitation is still in the early stages. Some of the cobots used were equipped with sensors to detect and respond to the movement of the extremities and minimize the risk of injury. This safety aspect is crucial for patients with motor impairments. Most training protocols implemented with the cobots engaged users in repetitive task-based exercises with an overall positive user experience. Thus far, these devices have been primarily evaluated in individuals with stroke and SCI that affect the lower extremities, with no study addressing upper extremity impairments. This initial focus serves as a preliminary step toward assessing their applicability for individuals with stroke and SCI.

conclusionsCobots may have the capacity to transform therapy and support healthcare professionals in delivering more personalized and effective rehabilitation. However, there is limited evidence on their use to support upper and lower extremity rehabilitation among individuals with stroke and SCI. Further research and development are needed to refine these technologies and broaden their applications in rehabilitation settings to enhance functional recovery and overall quality of life for individuals with stroke and SCI.

Indexed as

IndustryRoboticsSpinal Cord InjuriesStrokeStroke RehabilitationHumansCollaborative robot (cobot)Lower extremityRehabilitationRobotic rehabilitationSpinal cord injuryStrokeUpper extremity

Identifiers

PMID40301894
PMCPMC12042587

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.