Nina Lefeber

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Papers

11

Total Citations

245

H-Index

8

About

Nina Lefeber’s research lies at the intersection of rehabilitation robotics, stroke recovery, and exercise physiology, with a focus on how robot-assisted gait training can improve both mobility and cardiovascular health. Her major contributions include systematically evaluating the metabolic and cardiorespiratory demands of walking with robotic exoskeletons, showing that these devices can provide sufficient aerobic stress to combine gait rehabilitation with cardiovascular training. Her 2016 systematic review on energy consumption during robot-assisted walking has been cited 68 times, establishing a foundational reference in the field. She has also advanced the design of wearable hip exoskeletons, co-authoring a 2017 paper on a bilateral, misalignment-compensating device that prioritizes natural kinematics to reduce metabolic cost. Notably, Lefeber’s work considers the human side of technology: she has studied motivation, expectations, and usability among stroke patients and therapists, ensuring that device development aligns with real-world needs. Her meta-analysis on energy cost after stroke (2019) and her investigations into physiological responses during prolonged robot-assisted walking provide critical evidence for clinical implementation. Through her integrated approach, Lefeber bridges engineering, physiology, and patient-centered care, making her a key voice in the future of neurorehabilitation.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

8
H-Index
11
Papers
245
Total Citations
22
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
The immediate effects of robot-assistance on energy consumption and cardiorespiratory load during walking compared to walking without robot-assistance: a systematic review
68 citations · 2016
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2019 (4 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 32
🏛 Institutions: Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Top Papers

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Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
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