A robotic movement training system supports and guides a limb through movement, allowing many more repetitions of a task than can be delivered by hand. It is a tool used within a rehabilitation programme — not a treatment in itself, and not a shortcut.
Availability varies by centre. Please contact your nearest centre to confirm before you travel.
How it works
The system supports part of the body’s weight, or guides a limb through a movement pattern, while sensors track what the person is doing. This allows consistent, high-repetition practice at a volume that is difficult to achieve manually, and can allow structured practice to begin earlier for some people than it otherwise would.
Who may benefit
- People after stroke with significant weakness on one side
- People with spinal cord injury working on standing and stepping
- People after brain injury or with other neurological conditions affecting walking
- People who cannot yet achieve enough repetitions safely with hands-on therapy alone
Who it may not be suitable for
Robotic training is not appropriate for everyone. It may be unsuitable where there is unstable cardiac or respiratory disease, uncontrolled seizures, an unhealed fracture or significant bone fragility, marked contracture or joint instability, skin breakdown at contact points, or where someone cannot tolerate the required position. Suitability is a clinical decision made at assessment.
How we decide whether to use it
- Assessment of movement, strength, tone and safety
- Agreement on the functional goal — the technology serves the goal, not the other way round
- A judgement on whether that goal is better served by robotic practice, hands-on therapy, or both
- Review of progress, and a change of approach if it is not helping
What the evidence shows, and its limits
Research into electromechanical and robot-assisted training in neurological rehabilitation generally supports it as a useful addition to conventional therapy, particularly as a way of increasing the amount of practice. The evidence does not establish it as superior to skilled conventional therapy delivered at equivalent intensity, and outcomes vary between individuals and conditions.
What it does not guarantee
Robotic training does not guarantee that a person will walk, reach a particular level of function, or recover faster. Any provider promising a defined outcome from a machine is overstating what the technology can do. We will tell you what we think is realistic in your case, and we will say so if we do not think it is the right tool for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better than conventional physiotherapy?
It is not a replacement. It is best understood as a way of delivering more practice within a programme that still depends on skilled therapy and on what you do between sessions.
Does it hurt?
It should not be painful. Some muscle fatigue or soreness afterwards is common. Tell your therapist about any pain or skin discomfort at contact points.
Which centres offer it?
Availability varies. Please contact your nearest centre to confirm. See our rehabilitation technology overview for the wider picture.
Medical disclaimer: this page is general information and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See our medical disclaimer.
Find an APARC centre near you
APARC Health & Motion has 12 centres across Delhi NCR and Pune. Services, equipment and clinical teams vary by centre — please contact your nearest centre to confirm what is available there.
Where this is available
APARC's advanced rehabilitation technology is concentrated at four designated Advanced Neurorehabilitation Centres — ACNR Pitampura, Greater Noida (ShardaCare HealthCity), Janakpuri and Rohini Sector 22. Each provides specialist neurological assessment, technology-assisted rehabilitation and a multidisciplinary team, alongside the full range of APARC physiotherapy and rehabilitation services. APARC's other centres continue to provide general physiotherapy and rehabilitation. More about our neurorehabilitation service · All APARC centres.
Robotic rehabilitation for neurological impairment
Advanced robotic technology used in neurological rehabilitation at APARC.
Robotic technology for neurological impairment
Robot-assisted movement training in practice.
More videos on the Dr Dharam Pandey & Team YouTube channel.