Roman Heger

Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, University of Duisburg-Essen

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Roman Heger is a researcher whose work spans the intersection of rehabilitation robotics, neuroscience, and human-robot interaction. His most recognized contribution lies in the field of stroke rehabilitation, where his 2011 study investigated Hebbian-type stimulation combined with robot-assisted motor training in stroke patients. This pioneering work explored how temporally precise transcranial magnetic stimulation of the primary motor cortex, delivered in coordination with robotic movement assistance, could harness neuroplasticity mechanisms to enhance motor recovery — a finding that has accumulated 51 citations and helped shape subsequent research in neurostimulation-augmented rehabilitation. More recently, Heger has expanded his focus toward intuitive human-robot interaction, with his 2024 work proposing a direct gesture-based control system that eliminates the need for intermediary technological interfaces, aiming to make robotic systems more accessible and naturally integrated into everyday environments. Across these contributions, Heger demonstrates a consistent drive to reduce barriers — whether between damaged neural pathways and functional recovery, or between humans and robotic technology — making his research highly relevant to both clinical rehabilitation communities and the broader field of assistive and interactive robotics.