Papers
2
Total Citations
37
H-Index
2
About
Viviana Ruano is a pioneering researcher in neurorehabilitation, specializing in the integration of robotics and virtual reality (VR) to restore motor function in individuals with upper extremity hemiparesis. Her work centers on a critical insight: that effective therapy must move beyond standardized protocols to address each patient’s unique sensorimotor impairments and personal goals. In her highly cited 2012 case study (32 citations), Ruano demonstrated how a robot combined with a customized VR simulation could deliver targeted, repetitive task practice for a person with hemiparesis, achieving meaningful functional gains. She further refined this individualized approach in her 2014 work, detailing a clinical decision-making framework that tailors robotic/virtual reality interventions to a patient’s specific deficits. By championing patient-centered, adaptive technology over one-size-fits-all rehabilitation, Ruano has laid essential groundwork for precision neurorehabilitation. Her contributions show that the future of motor recovery lies not in the robot alone, but in the intelligent, personalized coupling of robotics and immersive simulation to meet each survivor where they are.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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