DEBUNKED: 5 Myths about rehabilitation robotics
Rehabilitation robotics, a dynamic interdisciplinary field aimed at restoring motor function through robotic technology, has existed for more than a century. Theodor Büdingen, a pioneering inventor, created a “movement cure apparatus” in 1910, which incorporated an electric motor to facilitate patients with heart disease in practising stepping (Büdingen, 1910). Despite this early progress, it was not until 1989 that commercially available rehabilitation robotics entered the market with the introduction of MIT-MANUS, an upper limb robot. Since then, the market has expanded significantly, and numerous companies have developed an array of robots currently available to assist with a range of human movements and support motor relearning.
Rehabilitation robotics offers numerous benefits, which include, but are not limited to:
- Providing consistent and quantifiable facilitation of movement to patients, thus aiding in accurate assessment and evaluation of recovery progress.
- Filling the unmet need for therapy and therapist time, resulting in increased patient access to treatment.
- Supporting both therapists and patients to reduce physical and, to an extent, mental strain, thus improving the quality of care.
- Motivating patients to participate in their therapy with integrated gaming features increases patient mental engagement with the exercise.
- Collecting data to assess recovery progress and identify the appropriate therapy enhances the customisation and effectiveness of rehabilitation treatments.
These benefits illustrate the potential of rehabilitation robotics to transform the field of physical therapy and offer hope for individuals with impaired motor function.
While rehabilitation robotics offers numerous benefits, adoption rates of this technology vary worldwide. This article aims to debunk five common myths about rehabilitation robotics, which may contribute to the hesitancy to adopt this technology.
Myth 1: Robots are here to replace a therapist
One common myth about rehabilitation robotics is that the technology aims to replace human therapists in treatment. This misconception may arise from the lack of awareness and exposure towards rehabilitation robots. However, the reality is that robots are tools to support therapists in various aspects of therapy. The principle of neuroplasticity, which underpins rehabilitation, requires high-intensity therapy, constant feedback, monitoring of the patient’s psychological consequences, and variation in therapy delivery. Robots can aid in achieving these objectives by providing consistent and quantifiable facilitation of movement to the patients. Moreover, rehabilitation robotics can help fill the unmet need for therapy and therapist time, support therapists and patients to reduce physical and mental strain, and motivate patients to carry out and participate in their therapy with integrated gaming features, potentially increasing patient cognitive engagement with the exercise. The use of rehabilitation robots also allows for data collection to assess the recovery progress and identify appropriate therapy. By delegating the repetitive, labour-intensive, and dull therapy task to the robot, therapists can focus on the patient’s progress, plan for therapy, and provide verbal and human feedback that keeps the patient engaged.
Myth 2: Exoskeleton robots are only in Sci-fi movies
The perception of rehabilitation robotics and exoskeletons among the public is often associated with science fiction movies and is considered cool. However, there is a common misconception that exoskeletons provide superhuman abilities to the pilot. While the reality may be disappointing, studies have shown that gait robotics can provide some human augmentation capabilities by reducing the metabolic cost of walking for those who use an exoskeleton. This is evidenced by the growing number of individuals completing marathons and walkathons with the assistance of exoskeletons worldwide. The London Marathon now allows participants who require robotic exoskeletons to participate. The CYBATHLON competition, a new sort of Olympics for people with disabilities competing in various races with assistive technologies, further proves that exoskeletons are becoming more widely used and accepted.
Myth 3: Robots are challenging to use
Rehabilitation robotics serve as a tool to augment a clinician’s therapy delivery; thus, robots aim to maximise therapy efficiency and user-friendliness. These devices, like basic tools such as screwdrivers or hammers, must be easy to set up, understand, and use. Cross-disciplinary research teams that include clinicians, engineers, and users have emerged to facilitate information exchange and collaboration. This approach promotes an increased understanding of clinical rehabilitation problems, enabling engineers to design products that are better suited and easier to use. Consequently, the clinician and user’s needs and preferences are considered during development, leading to improved clinical usability and adoption. Rehabilitation robotics manufacturers such as Fourier Intelligence bring together passionate engineers and clinicians to build useful robots to provide the best therapeutic experience for patients.
Myth 4: Robots are expensive
In rehabilitation robotics, the development of robots as automated machines involves a complex and lengthy process of research and development, resulting in a higher cost. However, there has been a shift towards more compact, user-friendly, and portable rehabilitation robots. This shift is partly due to manufacturers designing modular systems that save on space and eventually lower the cost of these devices. With the advancement of technology and the expansion of applications, adopting robots in rehabilitation will contribute to economies of scale, resulting in a gradual reduction in production costs. As a result, rehabilitation robots are expected to become more affordable, making them more accessible to a broader population needing this technology.
Myth 5: Robots are dangerous
Rehabilitation robots are designed to operate in close proximity to the human body to facilitate exercises and rehabilitation. Some individuals may feel uncomfortable with the idea of having machines in such proximity. However, rehabilitation devices are typically lightweight, compact, and low-powered and are not capable of causing physical harm. For more powerful machinery, such as exoskeleton robots, multiple safety protocols are employed to ensure user safety, including software, electrical, and mechanical safety features. Rehabilitation robots are classified as medical devices subject to strict medical device regulations. Regulatory bodies establish essential requirements and coherent standards for these robots’ manufacture, design, and packaging, ensuring that they are designed and manufactured without compromising patient health and safety. Although the regulatory process can be lengthy and hinder the adoption of technology, it serves the purpose of ensuring that such devices do not pose any harm to patients.
The field of rehabilitation robotics is rapidly growing and dynamic, offering numerous opportunities for researchers, clinicians, and patients. This field involves using robotic devices and other new technologies to assist individuals in regaining their functional abilities after injury or disability. Over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in research momentum in rehabilitation robotics, which has led to promising new insights and more efficient options for therapy. Robotics can potentially reduce the global burden of disability and diseases and improve the quality of life for patients and therapists alike. Rehabilitation robots can be used for many applications, such as improving mobility, restoring arm and hand function, and aiding in the recovery of speech and cognitive functions. These devices can also help individuals with conditions like stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. As technology continues to evolve, the potential for rehabilitation robots will continue to grow, leading to new avenues for research and application. Researchers are working to make these devices more accessible and affordable, allowing more individuals to benefit from this technology.
Zen KOH
Executive Director, MotusAcademy
Incoming President, IISART
Co-Founder & Global CEO, Fourier Intelligence
Zen is a visionary and pioneering influencer in the field of MedTech and Robotics for Rehabilitation. He has been involved in several successful start-ups and businesses in Singapore, Switzerland, and China for over two decades, providing medical devices, healthcare solutions, and services for people with disabilities and neurological patients. He was nominated as one of the 40 under 40 most influential industry leaders in MedTech in 2012.
Zen holds multiple leadership roles, including the incoming president and ambassador of the International Industry Society for Advanced Rehabilitation Technology (IISART), General Chair for RehabWeek 2023, co-founder and Executive Director of the Swiss-based MotusAcademy Association, Managing Editor of the Journal of Rehabilitation Methods and Technologies (JRMT), and co-founder and Global CEO of Fourier Intelligence Group. Under his leadership, Fourier has raised over USD100 million, notably in 2022, from renowned investors such as Saudi Aramco Prosperity 7 venture and Softbank Vision Fund 2.
