Can a Robot Bring Your Life Back? A Systematic Review for Robotics in Rehabilitation

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the world and the use of robots in rehabilitation has become increasingly common. The Fourth Industrial Revolutions has created a novel and wide range of options for the involvement of computer-guided and artificially intelligent machines to be used in rehabilitation. In this chapter we critically review some of the literature on the use of robots in rehabilitation, and emphasize the diversity of approaches in this burgeoning field. We argue that there is a need to consolidate interdisciplinary evidence on robotics and rehabilitation in a systematic way, as the alternative is to have a literature that continues to grow, following the interests of various specialists, but without offering a synoptic assessment of what is available to medical specialists and patients. A literature review using Scopus and Web of Science, coupled with the Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Tool: Checklist for Case Reports was conducted. The two databases were systematically searched using inter-disciplinary keywords in Feb 2019. An initial search of the databases produced 9,894 articles. After rigorous reviews, 35 articles were screened and selected for further interpretation. We examined the current studies on the efficiency and effectiveness of the robot interventions and produced a taxonomy of the review. An original finding of the current robotics in rehabilitation landscaping are critical presented with recommendations and concluding remarks concerning interdisciplinary impact.