Abstract
In this review, we give a brief outline of robot-mediated gait training for stroke patients, as an important field emerging in rehabilitation. Technological innovations are allowing rehabilitation to move towards more integrated processes, with improved efficiency and less long-term impairments. In particular, robot-mediated neurorehabilitation is a rapidly advancing field, which uses robotic systems, often coupled with virtual reality haptic interfaces and emerging theories in neuroscience, to define new methods for treating neurological injuries such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. The use of robots in gait training can enhance rehabilitation, following neuroscientific principles that justify the use of the robot. The field of robot-mediated neurorehabilitation brings challenges to both bioengineering and clinical practice. This paper reviews the state of art (including commercially available systems) and perspectives of robotics in post-stroke rehabilitation for walking recovery. A critical revision, including the problems at stake regarding robotic clinical use will also be presented.