Joelle Mast

Southern Education Foundation, New York Medical College, Blythedale Children's Hospital, Boston Children's Health Physicians

Papers

Total Citations

174

H-Index

About

Dr. Joelle Mast is a pioneering researcher in pediatric rehabilitation robotics, with a career dedicated to expanding therapeutic options for children with neurological impairments. Her primary research areas include robot-assisted therapy for cerebral palsy (CP), acquired brain injuries (ABI), and stroke recovery in pediatric populations. Dr. Mast’s major contributions lie in demonstrating the feasibility and efficacy of robotic interventions for children with moderate to severe motor impairments. Her landmark 2009 study on robot-assisted task-specific training in CP showed significant gains in motor control and coordination, laying the groundwork for a new treatment paradigm. This work, along with her 2012 paper on new horizons for robot-assisted therapy in pediatrics—which has garnered 73 citations—has been instrumental in translating adult stroke rehabilitation robotics to pediatric care. She also led the first clinical trial of the Pediatric Anklebot, a novel device for training ankle function in children aged 6–10. With over 170 combined citations across her most influential papers, Dr. Mast’s research has not only advanced the science of neurorehabilitation but also directly improved the quality of life for young patients, establishing her as a key figure in the field.