Markus Puchinger

About

Markus Puchinger is a leading researcher in neurorehabilitation engineering, specializing in restoring upper-limb function after stroke. His work centers on hybrid robotic systems that integrate passive exoskeletons with electromyographic (EMG)-triggered functional electrical stimulation (FES). As a key contributor to the European RETRAINER project, Puchinger developed a novel rehabilitation platform that combines a lightweight, passive arm suspension exoskeleton with an EMG-controlled neuroprosthesis. This system enables stroke survivors to perform task-specific arm training by using their own residual muscle activity to trigger electrical stimulation, thereby promoting neuroplasticity and motor recovery. His most cited paper (2021, 59 citations) presents a randomized controlled trial demonstrating the clinical efficacy of this approach, while his earlier work (2019, 48 citations; 2017, 34 citations) established the system’s concept and feasibility. Puchinger’s contributions bridge the gap between assistive robotics and neuroprosthetics, offering a scalable, patient-driven solution for upper-limb rehabilitation. His research has been instrumental in advancing hybrid therapy paradigms, with cumulative citations exceeding 140, underscoring its impact on both engineering and clinical practice.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   A Robotic System with EMG-Triggered Functional Eletrical Stimulation for Restoring Arm Functions in Stroke Survivors

   59 citations · 2021
2. 2
   A Hybrid Robotic System for Arm Training of Stroke Survivors: Concept and First Evaluation

   48 citations · 2019
3. 3
   The combined action of a passive exoskeleton and an EMG-controlled neuroprosthesis for upper limb stroke rehabilitation: First results of the RETRAINER project

   34 citations · 2017

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links