Cable-Driven Robots in Physical Rehabilitation

Abstract

This chapter deals with cable-driven robots when applied in physical rehabilitation. In general, neurorehabilitation is limited to physical therapy that is delivered by clinicians and potentially augmented by robotic tools to facilitate neurorehabilitation and to reduce the consequences of central nervous system injury. Among the robotic tools for rehabilitation can be considered the cable-driven manipulators. First, this chapter presents the upper and lower human limbs movements. The main rehabilitation robots are presented as exoskeletons and cable-driven manipulators. After, the cable-driven manipulators theory is introduced focusing on considerations for robot design in rehabilitation and control with safe human-machine interaction. Experimental examples with different cable-driven robot's structures are presented so that this chapter suggests that these structures can be used as a complement to conventional therapies and not as a substitute. Finally, this chapter presents the clinical evidence in cable-driven robots when applied in physical rehabilitation.