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About

Bernadette Engelbrecht is a researcher advancing the field of neurorehabilitation through robot-assisted therapy for hand function recovery after stroke. Her work centers on developing accessible, minimally-supervised robotic systems that can increase therapy dosage beyond clinical settings—a critical need given the insufficiency of conventional hand therapy. Her most-cited paper (2021, 27 citations) introduces a platform designed for robot-assisted, minimally-supervised hand therapy, including a pilot usability evaluation that demonstrates its potential for independent patient use. Engelbrecht also contributed a proof-of-concept method for monitoring muscle tone during robot-assisted therapy (2019, 14 citations), addressing the challenge of spasticity that can arise from intensive robotic regimens. By focusing on simplicity and usability, her research aims to empower patients to continue rehabilitation at home, reducing the burden on therapists while improving outcomes. Her work bridges engineering and clinical practice, offering practical solutions for scalable, effective stroke rehabilitation. Engelbrecht’s contributions are shaping the future of accessible neurorehabilitation technology.