Manabu Nankaku
Papers
3
Total Citations
50
H-Index
3
About
Dr. Manabu Nankaku is a leading researcher in rehabilitation robotics, with a focused expertise in gait recovery for chronic stroke patients. His work centers on the clinical application of the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL), a wearable robotic exoskeleton designed to restore walking function. Dr. Nankaku’s major contributions include demonstrating that HAL-based gait training can produce measurable spatiotemporal improvements in chronic stroke survivors, even years after their initial injury—a population often considered beyond the window for significant recovery. His 2019 study, which has garnered 31 citations, established key changes in gait patterns following HAL training. He further advanced the field by investigating the dose-response relationship, showing in a 2020 paper (13 citations) that the distance walked during robot-assisted sessions directly correlates with functional gains. Notably, his 2021 work (6 citations) provided evidence that periodic, long-term HAL rehabilitation over a full year can sustain and enhance walking ability, challenging assumptions about plateau effects in chronic stroke care. Dr. Nankaku’s research is pivotal for designing evidence-based, long-term robotic rehabilitation protocols that extend recovery possibilities for stroke patients.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2
- 3