ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the rehabilitation robotics, a special category of assistive technologies. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately one billion people worldwide live with a disability, of which about 200 million experience considerable difficulties in functioning. The rehabilitation infrastructure worldwide is prepared for these increasing numbers of adults with stroke and other disabilities. Rehabilitation robots can be used in inpatient, outpatient, skilled nursing facilities, or laboratory environments. Therapy robots are currently not often seen in community-based or home environments due to their high cost. A stroke or a cerebrovascular accident occurs when blood flow to the cerebral vasculature is blocked or cut off, resulting in a failure to supply oxygen to brain cells. A traumatic brain injury is typically caused by a bump, blow, jolt, or other head injuries that cause damage to the brain. Half of TBIs are caused by motor vehicle accidents, with other causes being falls and military-related causes.
