ADVANCES AND APPLICATIONS OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN NEUROLOGICAL PHYSIOTHERAPY: A LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/levv12n30-019Keywords:
Neurological Physiotherapy, Assistive Technologies, Robotics, Brain–computer Interfaces, Virtual Reality, TelerehabilitationAbstract
This study aimed to analyze the advances and applications of assistive technologies in neurological physiotherapy through a systematic literature review. Publications investigating resources such as robotics applied to gait training, brain–computer interfaces, functional electrical stimulation, virtual reality, telerehabilitation, and wearable sensors were included. The synthesis of evidence demonstrated that robotics is one of the most consistent resources for gait training in post-stroke individuals, promoting functional independence as well as improvements in cardiorespiratory endurance and balance. In upper-limb rehabilitation, the combination of brain–computer interfaces with functional electrical stimulation enhanced cortical reorganization and contributed to motor recovery. Virtual reality, in both immersive and non-immersive versions, proved effective in stimulating neural plasticity and patient engagement, while telerehabilitation achieved outcomes comparable to face-to-face programs, improving accessibility. Wearable sensors stood out for their ability to continuously monitor motor and functional parameters in real environments. It is concluded that assistive technologies represent complementary resources with great potential to enhance the effectiveness of conventional neurological physiotherapy protocols, although limitations related to methodological standardization, equipment availability, and the need for broader clinical validation remain.
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References
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