Martina R. Spiess
University of Florida, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Hocoma (Switzerland)
Papers
3
Total Citations
41
H-Index
3
About
Martina R. Spiess is a leading researcher in neurorehabilitation, specializing in the restoration of walking through robotics and spinal cord neuromodulation. Her work bridges engineering and clinical neuroscience to overcome paralysis. A key contribution is her 2012 single-case study demonstrating unexpected recovery after robotic locomotor training at physiologic stepping speed, which challenged assumptions about the limits of rehabilitation and has garnered 16 citations. More recently, her 2025 proof-of-concept study (13 citations) introduced a groundbreaking approach: augmenting rehabilitation robotics with implantable spinal cord neuromodulation to generate sufficient neural activity in paralyzed individuals, addressing a critical barrier to therapy effectiveness. Her 2016 review on the clinical application of robotics and technology in walking restoration (12 citations) synthesizes these advances, guiding future research. Spiess’s work is notable for its translational impact, directly targeting the inactivity that limits robot-assisted recovery. By combining robotic precision with neuromodulation, she is pioneering therapies that could redefine mobility restoration for people with paralysis, making her a vital voice in modern neurorehabilitation.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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