Adaptive robotic assistance to improve stroke rehabilitation
Official title: SmartAssist™: Adaptive robotic assistance to maximize patient engagement with the Barrett Upper-Extremity Robotic Trainer (Burt)
Funded at Barrett Technology, LLC · NIH-10861062 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new robotic system called SmartAssist™ that helps people recovering from a stroke by making therapy more engaging and personalized, so you can move your arm more easily and see your progress along the way.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Barrett Technology, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newton, United States) |
| Project start | June 8, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $950,894 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HD109106-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10861062 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals recovering from a stroke who require assistance with upper extremity rehabilitation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not recovering from a stroke or those with severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing stroke rehabilitation through the development of SmartAssist™, an adaptive robotic system that works with the Barrett Upper-Extremity Robotic Trainer (Burt). The system aims to maximize patient engagement by encouraging voluntary movement while providing tailored robotic assistance. By utilizing a user-centered approach, the project will refine the technology based on user feedback and incorporate advanced data visualization to track patient progress. A preliminary clinical study will evaluate the effectiveness of this innovative approach in real-world rehabilitation settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve rehabilitation outcomes for stroke patients by enhancing their engagement and promoting more effective therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using robotic assistance for rehabilitation, indicating that this approach could lead to meaningful advancements in patient care.
Where this research is happening
-
Barrett Technology, LLC
Newton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdonald, Craig — Barrett Technology, LLC
- Study coordinator: Mcdonald, Craig
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.