Validation of a 3DOF parallel manipulator for robotic forelimb training with rats

Spinal cord injury patients undergoing clinical treatment using robots to deliver rehabilitation have seen mixed functional gains. As a result, researchers have begun exploring combinatorial treatment options in an attempt to promote greater functional recovery. Since these treatment methods are in their nascent stages and would be difficult to apply in the variable injury types found in the human population, rodent models have been proposed for initial investigations. In an attempt at elucidating the impacts of rehabilitation, robotic devices have recently been created for rodents. These devices have primarily focused on rehabilitation in hind limb functional recovery at the thoracic level; however, the majority of human spinal cord injury patients exhibit injury at the cervical level, adversely affecting hand function and severely impairing total mobility and independence.