Rehabilitation robotics is a rapidly growing field that offers new and innovative solutions for physical therapy and rehabilitation. As technology advances, rehabilitation robots are becoming increasingly sophisticated and capable of helping patients recover from injuries and disabilities.
But what do professionals in the field of physical therapy and rehabilitation think about the use of these robots? Are they seen as a helpful tool or a hindrance to the healing process? In this blog article, we’ll explore the professional views on the use of rehabilitation robotics and the potential benefits and drawbacks of robotics technology in the realm of physical therapy.
Rehabilitation Robotics in Therapy
Rehabilitation robotics is a field that utilises robotic devices to aid in therapy and recovery. From its early beginnings in the 20th century to the current day, this field has undergone tremendous growth and development. In recent years, the introduction of powered exoskeletons and other novel rehabilitation robots has opened up new opportunities for patients to recover from injury and improve their quality of life.
As technology advances, the potential for rehabilitation robotics to positively impact patients’ lives is immense. From improving physical function and mobility to reducing the need for invasive procedures, the benefits of rehabilitation robotics are numerous and far-reaching.
The Growth of Rehabilitation Robotics
Since the clinical testing of the first rehabilitation robot, MIT-MANUS, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, there has been a surge in the development of rehabilitation robots for both upper and lower extremities. These robots can be classified into grounded exoskeletons, grounded end-effector devices, and wearable exoskeletons, and are now widely used in therapy and rehabilitation centres.
H Robotics, a leading manufacturer of rehabilitation robots, has recently partnered with the University of Houston and TIRR Memorial Hermann as they conducted research on stroke patients with the goal of exploring new ways to induce neuroplasticity and boost recovery.
This research is a significant step forward in the growth of rehabilitation robotics, as it will provide valuable data and insight into the potential impact of these devices on the rehabilitation process. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the wider adoption of rehabilitation robots and further drive the development of this rapidly growing field.
The report states that the global rehabilitation robotics market is expected to reach US$ 3,178.77 Million by 2028, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.8% from 2021-2028. It also notes that the market was valued at US$ 798.92 Million in 2021. The report covers the market size, market share, and growth rate of the rehabilitation robotics market for different types, end users, and regions.
The rehabilitation robotics industry has seen tremendous growth in recent years, driven by factors such as increasing investments in research and development, the growing demand for advanced healthcare solutions, the rise of the geriatric populations, the increasing prevalence of disabilities and lifestyle diseases, and the need for cost-effective treatments.
Rehabilitation robots are being increasingly used in physical therapy and rehabilitation centres because they provide accurate therapy and improve patient outcomes. In addition, the use of robots in rehabilitation has been found to reduce costs and improve patient satisfaction. This is expected to further drive the growth of the rehabilitation robotics market in the coming years.
Varying Views of Rehabilitation Robotics
While the growth of rehabilitation robotics has been rapid, and the potential benefits of this technology are numerous, not everyone in the physical therapy and rehabilitation community has fully embraced it. Some professionals view rehab robots as a promising tool that can help patients recover faster and more effectively, while others see them as a barrier to the personal touch that is essential in the therapeutic process.
The study from Frontiers in Medical Technology suggests that the main objective for using robots in stroke rehabilitation is to increase the amount of therapy that patients receive. This is important because the quality of recovery is related to the amount of therapy received. The use of rehabilitation robots was thought to improve patients’ motivation and engagement with therapy and make it enjoyable.
Additionally, using a robot enabled the patient to practise movement independently or autonomously, although some participants were concerned about using the robots without professional supervision. Improving function and functional carry-over were also important objectives, but some noted that the transfer from practising movements with the robot to functional activity in everyday life could not be assumed. Finally, robots were seen as useful in broadening the range of therapy options available to patients.
However, there are several requirements for a rehabilitation robot to be feasible and acceptable for use in clinical practice. A rehabilitation robot must be user-friendly, safe and intuitive to set up, administer, maintain, transport, and store, and it should be operable as either an active or an active-assisted device to eliminate the effects of gravity during three-dimensional movements. The high cost of rehabilitation robots was a major barrier to their implementation into practice in both clinical and home-based settings.
It’s important to note that the professional views on rehabilitation robotics are diverse and constantly evolving, as new research and data emerge. However, one thing is clear: the use of rehabilitation robots has the potential to impact the physical therapy and rehabilitation field significantly.
To learn more about H Robotics’ rebless robotic therapy device, visit our page at bmec.asia/my/h-robotics
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Eliot Kim, H Robotics
