Neurorehabilitation From a Distance: Can Intelligent Technology Support Decentralized Access to Quality Therapy?

• DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2021.612415
• Publication Date: 2021-05-05T08:25:09Z
• Authors: Olivier Lambercy; Rea Lehner; Karen Chua; Seng Kwee Wee; Deshan Kumar Raje...; Christopher Wee K...; Wei Tech Ang; Phyllis Liang; Domenico Campolo; Asif Hussain; Gabriel Aguirre-O...; Cuntai Guan; Christoph M. Kanzler; Nicole Wenderoth; Roger Gassert
• Keywords: Neurorehabilitation

Current neurorehabilitation models primarily rely on extended hospital stays and regular therapy sessions requiring close physical interactions between rehabilitation professionals patients. The current COVID-19 pandemic has challenged this model, as strict distancing rules a shift in the allocation of resources resulted many neurological patients not receiving essential therapy. Accordingly, recent survey revealed that majority European healthcare involved stroke care are concerned lack will have noticeable negative impact functional outcomes. highlights an urgent need to rethink conventional develop alternative approaches provide high-quality while minimizing visits. Technology-based solutions, such as, robotics bear high potential enable paradigm shift. While robot-assisted is already established clinics, future challenge physically assisted assessments minimally supervized decentralized manner, ideally at patient’s home. Key enablers new devices portable, scalable equipped with clinical intelligence, remote monitoring coaching capabilities. In perspective article, we discuss technological requirements for development deployment supervized, technologies homes. We elaborate key principles ensure feasibility acceptance, how artificial intelligence can be leveraged embedding knowledge safe use personalized adaptation. Such likely beyond COVID-19, by providing broad access sustained, high-dose maximizing long-term