Modern Intervention Tools for Rehabilitation - Chapter 6: Neural prosthesis in rehabilitation

Authors: 
Meena Gupta, Dinesh Bhatia, Prakash Kumar

Neural prosthetics (NPs) are employed to restore lost limb function due to neural damage and work as an assistive device. They are playing a vital role in rehabilitation of persons effected with stroke or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). These devices can be used in implantable or external mode by developing an interface with the human brain to artificially control limbs, spasticity, and human locomotion. The neural prosthetics can substitute motor, sensory or cognitive functions that have been impaired due to an injury or nerve disorder. With advent of research in neural prosthetics, they are being employed in several animal research studies to understand the diseased condition and monitoring of daily activities for the advancement of the field of science and technology. Cochlear implants, prosthetic devices, neuro-musculoskeletal devices, epidural stimulators, and vision devices are a few examples of neuroprosthetics. With the advent of haptics, touch, and sensory prosthetics the role of neuroprosthetics has increased further.