Abstract Summary
Robotic assistance in rehabilitation is becoming more and more popular. However, little is known about how the robot's support affects the muscular activation underlying the therapeutic exercise. To investigate the effect of robotic assistance on muscular activation 20 healthy subjects performed the same exercises with and without robotic support. Support of the end-effector-based robotic system was changed with respect to impedance of the robotic system. Muscular activation of Biceps, Brachioradialis and Triceps has been assessed by surface electromyography (sEMG). Compared to exercises performed without robotic support, the muscular activity increases when the exercise is assisted by the robot. The effect is more pronounced when the support of the robot is reduced (low impedance). From the results of the study it can be concluded, that the robot can not be regarded as only a passive system. This should be considered in the design of robotic-assisted exercises.
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