Rehab

Robotic arm helps improve range of motion

Rehab Regs, May 19, 2005

A robotic arm that can be worn at home is being developed to help stroke survivors regain the ability to reach and grasp objects and perform basic tasks like feeding themselves, according to Nursing Home & Elder Business Week. The device was built by a research team from Arizona State University and Kinetic Muscles, Inc., a start-up biotech firm. It can also assess the effectiveness of a patient's physical therapy so adjustments can be made to the treatment he or she receives. Recent research suggests that stroke survivors can recover signficant use of their arms by performing repetitive motor function exercises over a period of time, but this labor-intensive therapy is expensive and many health insurers may limit or deny coverage before stroke survivors achieve best results, reported Nursing Home & Elder Business Week.

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