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Robotics in Neurorehabilitation: Beyond the Hype—Understanding What It Can (and Cannot) Do

Dr. Rishabh Pathak
Over the past decade, robotic neurorehabilitation has become one of the most discussed innovations in neurological recovery. Robotic gait trainers, upper-limb rehabilitation systems, exoskeletons, and AI-assisted rehabilitation devices are increasingly being adopted by hospitals and rehabilitation centres worldwide. However, an important question remains: Are robots the future of neurorehabilitation—or are they simply another tool in the rehabilitation toolbox? As clinicians and researchers, we must move beyond marketing claims and focus on scientific evidence, patient selection, and clinical reasoning. What is Robotic Neurorehabilitation? Robotic neurorehabilitation involves the use of electromechanical devices that assist, guide, resist, or augment movement during therapy. These technologies include: • Robotic gait trainers • Wearable exoskeletons • Upper limb robotic rehabilitation devices • End-effector robotic systems • Sensor-based rehabilitation platforms • AI-assiste...
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Glossokinetic Artifacts

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Dr. Rishabh Pathak

Glossokinetic artifacts in EEG recordings are a type of artifact related to movements of the tongue muscles. 

1.     Description:

o    Glossokinetic artifacts are artifacts caused by movements of the tongue muscles, which can introduce electrical activity that contaminates the EEG signal.

2.   Characteristics:

o Location: Glossokinetic artifacts typically affect electrodes near the mouth or tongue region where the muscle movements are occurring.

o Amplitude: The amplitude of glossokinetic artifacts may vary depending on the intensity of tongue movements and the proximity to the recording electrodes.

3.   Identification:

o Glossokinetic artifacts can be identified by their association with specific muscle movements in the tongue region and their distinct waveform characteristics.

o These artifacts may manifest as sudden changes in the EEG signal coinciding with tongue movements.

4.   Clinical Relevance:

oRecognizing glossokinetic artifacts is important for distinguishing them from genuine brain activity during EEG interpretation.

o  Failure to identify and differentiate glossokinetic artifacts can lead to misinterpretation of EEG findings and incorrect clinical assessments.

5.    Artifact Mitigation:

oStrategies to mitigate glossokinetic artifacts include minimizing movements in the tongue region during EEG recordings and ensuring proper electrode placement to reduce artifact contamination.

oSignal processing techniques, such as artifact removal algorithms, can also help in reducing the impact of glossokinetic artifacts on EEG data quality.

Understanding the characteristics and implications of glossokinetic artifacts is essential for EEG technologists and clinicians to ensure accurate interpretation of EEG recordings and reliable clinical assessments. Proper identification and management of glossokinetic artifacts contribute to obtaining high-quality EEG data for effective diagnosis and treatment planning.

 

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