Anticipatory assistance-as-needed control algorithm for a multijoint upper limb robotic orthosis in physical neurorehabilitation

Obtained results demonstrate through simulations that the proposed assistance-as-needed control algorithm is able to provide anticipatory actuation to the patients, avoiding trajectory deviations and tending to minimize the degree of actuation. Thus, the main novelty and contribution of this work is the anticipatory nature of the proposed assistance-as-needed control algorithm, that breaks with the current robotic control strategies by not waiting for the trajectory deviations to take place. This new actuation paradigm avoids patient slacking and increases both participation and muscle activity in such a way that neural plasticity is encouraged and modulated to reinforce motor recovery.