Waiming Li

About

Waiming Li is a leading researcher in neurorehabilitation engineering, specializing in the development of hybrid robotic and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) systems for post-stroke upper limb recovery. His work addresses the critical challenge of restoring coordinated, multi-joint movement in paretic limbs—a persistent disability after stroke. Li’s major contributions include pioneering an electromyography (EMG)-driven NMES robotic hand that integrates real-time muscle signals to deliver precisely timed electrical stimulation, enhancing motor recovery beyond what pure robotic training can achieve. His landmark 2017 study (68 citations) introduced a hybrid NMES-robot system for multi-joint coordination, while a subsequent randomized controlled trial (44 citations) demonstrated that EMG-driven NMES robotic hand training significantly outperforms robotic training alone in improving hand dexterity, with effects sustained at a 3-month follow-up. With over 170 combined citations, Li’s work has established a new paradigm for closed-loop, patient-responsive rehabilitation, directly translating engineering innovation into measurable clinical gains for chronic stroke survivors.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   A Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and robot hybrid system for multi-joint coordinated upper limb rehabilitation after stroke

   68 citations · 2017
2. 2
   The Effects of Upper-Limb Training Assisted with an Electromyography-Driven Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Robotic Hand on Chronic Stroke

   59 citations · 2017
3. 3
   A comparison of the rehabilitation effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation robotic hand training and pure robotic hand training after stroke: A randomized controlled trial

   44 citations · 2019
4. 4
   Robotic and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) hybrid system

   2 citations · 2019

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links