Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• The field of stroke rehabilitation robotics is growing rapidly, with international research growing at 13.06% annually and domestic research at 20.17%, indicating a faster pace in China. • International research focuses on robot design optimization and multimodal technology integration, while domestic research emphasizes functional outcomes and integration with traditional Chinese medicine. • Key emerging technologies include multimodal fusion (e.g., brain-computer interfaces, virtual reality), advanced algorithms, and neurophysiological signal processing. • Future development should leverage complementary strengths: China's clinical big data and application scenarios combined with international core technologies and innovative methods.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In recent years, the research on stroke rehabilitation robots has developed rapidly both domestically and internationally. It involves the intersection of multiple disciplines such as rehabilitation medicine, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and sensor technology, and has become a research hotspot in the field of stroke rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: To grasp the current status and hotspots of research in this field through a comparative analysis of domestic and international studies, and to predict future development trends. METHODS: The Web of Science Core Collection and CNKI databases were selected as data sources to collect relevant literature on stroke rehabilitation robots from 2005 to 2025. CiteSpace 6.2.R3 visualization software and bibliometric methods were used to compare the annual publication volume, countries, and keywords of included studies, analyze differences between domestic and international research, and summarize and prospect frontier technologies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 3,522 English and 717 Chinese articles were included. From 2005 to 2025, 81 countries participated in research, forming a cross-continental cooperation network centered on the United States, China, and Italy. Publication trends showed a yearly increase both domestically and internationally, with an average annual growth rate of 13.06% internationally and 20.17% domestically, the latter being about 1.5 times faster. Research trends indicated that international research has gone through stages of mechanism exploration, clinical translation, and intelligent integration, currently focusing on multidisciplinary intersection and technology integration such as robot perception systems and machine learning. Domestic research started with technology introduction and clinical validation, gradually developing into intelligent integration and precise rehabilitation, with significant progress in multimodal fusion such as brain-computer interfaces and virtual reality in recent years. Research hotspots: international research mainly focuses on design optimization of robot technology and multimodal technology integration, while domestic research emphasizes the impact on functional outcomes after stroke. Additionally, international research is more advanced in neurophysiological signal fusion, advanced algorithms, and model construction, whereas domestic research shows unique advantages in combining rehabilitation technology with traditional Chinese medicine therapies. The results indicate that the field of stroke rehabilitation robots is in a rapid development stage, with technology integration and clinical translation being the core trends for future development. Although domestic and international research have different emphases, both are committed to improving the intelligence, lightweight design, and clinical practicality of rehabilitation robots. Domestic research started later but is developing rapidly, gradually building a multimodal technology system characterized by intelligent integration and precise rehabilitation. In the future, domestic and international research can complement each other, with China contributing clinical big data and application scenarios, and foreign countries providing core technologies and innovative methods, jointly advancing breakthroughs and applications in stroke rehabilitation robot technology.
1. Introduction
Stroke patients often suffer from motor, cognitive, and speech dysfunctions [1]. Rehabilitation robot technology is an important development direction in the field of stroke rehabilitation. By integrating driving, sensing, automatic control, and artificial intelligence technologies, it can provide patients with high-intensity, high-efficiency treatment, helping to improve functional prognosis and quality of life [2-3]. Currently, rehabilitation robot technology has shown significant clinical efficacy and development potential in functional training of the hand, arm, leg, and ankle in stroke patients [3].
Furthermore, research on robot technology in stroke rehabilitation has received policy support. For example, in January 2023, the national "Robot +" Application Action Implementation Plan explicitly proposed the therapeutic needs of robots in stroke rehabilitation and emphasized the importance of breaking through key technologies such as brain-computer interaction. Although the domestic rehabilitation robot industry is still in the stage of technology development and clinical translation [4], it has good development prospects and unique advantages driven by policy support and technological innovation.
This study uses CiteSpace software (version CiteSpace V 6.2.R3.64-bit) to conduct a bibliometric analysis of domestic and international research on stroke rehabilitation robots from 2005 to 2025, and to summarize and compare frontier technologies. The results are presented in the form of knowledge maps and tables, aiming to provide references for scholars in this field and promote breakthroughs and applications of stroke rehabilitation robot technology.
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WANG Xueting, YANG Wei, WANG Pengqin (2026). Post-stroke rehabilitation robotics: current research status and hot topics in and outside China. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research. https://doi.org/10.12307/2026.21366
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main research hotspots in stroke rehabilitation robotics?
International research focuses on robot design optimization and multimodal technology integration, while domestic research emphasizes functional outcomes and integration with traditional Chinese medicine. Emerging hotspots include brain-computer interfaces, virtual reality, and advanced algorithms.
How does domestic research in China compare to international research in this field?
Domestic research started later but is growing faster (20.17% annually vs. 13.06% internationally). It emphasizes clinical outcomes and integration with traditional Chinese medicine, while international research is more advanced in neurophysiological signal fusion and algorithm development.
What are the future trends in stroke rehabilitation robotics?
Future trends include technology integration and clinical translation, with a focus on intelligent, lightweight, and clinically practical robots. Multimodal fusion and personalized rehabilitation are key directions.
What methods were used in this study?
The study used CiteSpace 6.2.R3 and bibliometric methods to analyze 3,522 English and 717 Chinese articles from Web of Science and CNKI databases (2005-2025), comparing publication trends, countries, and keywords.
What are the key takeaways for clinicians and researchers?
The field is rapidly evolving, with opportunities for international collaboration. China can contribute clinical big data and application scenarios, while other countries provide core technologies and innovative methods to advance the field.
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