Brain on Fire is the stunning debut from journalist and author Susannah Cahalan, recounting the real-life horror story of how a sudden and mysterious illness put her on descent into a madness for which there seemed to be no cure 'My first serious blackout marked the line between sanity and insanity. Though I would have moments of lucidity over the coming days and weeks, I would never again be the same person ...' Susannah Cahalan was a happy, clever, healthy twenty-four-year old. Then one day she woke up in hospital, with no memory of what had happened or how she had got there. Within weeks, she would be transformed into someone unrecognizable, descending into a state of acute psychosis, undergoing rages and convulsions, hallucinating that her father had murdered his wife; that she could control time with her mind. Everything she had taken for granted about her life, and who she was, was wiped out. This is Susannah's story of her terrifying descent into madness and the desperate hunt for a diagnosis, as, after dozens of tests and scans, baffled doctors concluded she should be confined in a psychiatric ward. It is also the story of how one brilliant man, Syria-born Dr Najar, finally proved - using a simple pen and paper - that Susannah's psychotic behaviour was caused by a rare autoimmune disease attacking her brain. His diagnosis of this little-known condition, thought to have been the real cause of devil-possessions through history, saved her life, and possibly the lives of many others. Cahalan takes readers inside this newly-discovered disease through the progress of her own harrowing journey, piecing it together using memories, journals, hospital videos and records. Written with passionate honesty and intelligence, Brain on Fire is a searingly personal yet universal book, which asks what happens when your identity is suddenly destroyed, and how you get it back. 'With eagle-eye precision and brutal honesty, Susannah Cahalan turns her journalistic gaze on herself as she bravely looks back on one of the most harrowing and unimaginable experiences one could ever face: the loss of mind, body and self ... a mesmerizing story', Mira Bartok, New York Times bestselling author of The Memory Palace Susannah Cahalan is a reporter on the New York Post, and the recipient of the 2010 Silurian Award of Excellence in Journalism for Feature Writing. Her writing has also appeared in the New York Times, and is frequently picked up by the Daily Mail, Gawker, Gothamist, AOL and Yahoo among other news aggregrator sites.

The Physiology of the Joints, conceived and written more than forty years ago by Dr. A. I. Kapandji, deals with biomechanics, a subject until then mentioned only incidentally in textbooks of anatomy. Following his lead, every anatomy textbook nowadays has a large component devoted to the functional aspect of the locomotor system, which has become an essential scientific subject. The seventh edition of this volume deals with the lower limb and has been expanded with the inclusion of new diagrams and text dealing in particular with: Elasticity of the Achilles' tendon Barycentre of the pregnant woman Stance phase Swinging of the upper limbs Different types of gait, ordinary and military Jumping This book is intended for medical and physical therapy students; and for practising physicians and surgeons wishing to increase their knowledge of the functional anatomy of the locomotor system.

The Cambridge Workshops on Universal Access and Assistive Technology (CWUAAT) is one of the few gatherings where people interested in inclusive design, across different fields, including designers, computer scientists, engineers, architects, ergonomists, ethnographers, policymakers and user communities, meet, discuss, and collaborate. CWUAAT has also become an international workshop, representing diverse cultures including Portugal, Germany, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Australia, China, Norway, USA, Belgium, UK, and many more. The workshop has five main themes based on barriers identified in the developing field of design for inclusion: I Breaking Down Barriers between Disciplines II Breaking Down Barriers between Users, Designers and Developers III Removing Barriers to Usability, Accessibility and Inclusive Design IV Breaking Down Barriers between People with Impairments and Those without V Breaking Down Barriers between Research and Policy-making In the context of developing demographic changes leading to greater numbers of older people and people living with impairments, the general field of inclusive design research strives to relate the capabilities of the population to the design of products, services, and spaces. CWUAAT has always had a successful multidisciplinary focus, but if genuine transdisciplinary fields are to evolve from this, the final barriers to integrated research must be identified and characterised. Only then will benefits be realised in an inclusive society. Barriers do not arise from impairments themselves, but instead, are erected by humans, who often have not considered a greater variation in sensory, cognitive and physical user capabilities. Barriers are not only technical or architectural, but they also exist between different communities of professionals. Our continual goal with the CWUAAT workshop series is to break down barriers in technical, physical, and architectural design, as well as barriers between different professional communities.

The book provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the state of the art in the field of gait and balance rehabilitation. It describes technologies and devices together with the requirements and factors to be considered during their application in clinical settings. The book covers physiological and pathophysiological basis of locomotion and posture control, describes integrated approaches for the treatment of neurological diseases and spinal cord injury, as well as important principles for designing appropriate clinical studies. It presents computer and robotic technologies currently used in rehabilitation, such as exoskeleton devices, functional electrical stimulation, virtual reality and many more, highlighting the main advantages and challenges both from the clinical and engineering perspective. Written in an easy-to-understand style, the book is intended for people with different background and expertise, including medical and engineering students, clinicians and physiotherapists, as well as technical developers of rehabilitation systems and their corresponding human-compute interfaces. It aims at fostering an increased awareness of available technologies for balance and gait rehabilitation, as well as a better communication and collaboration between their users and developers.

This expert compendium surveys the current state of military psychology across the branches of service at the clinical, research, consulting, and organizational levels. Its practical focus examines psychological adjustment pre- and post-deployment, commonly-encountered conditions (e.g., substance abuse), and the promotion of well-being, sleep, mindfulness, and resilience training. Coverage pays particular attention to uses of psychology in selection and assessment of service personnel in specialized positions, and training concerns for clinicians and students choosing to work with the military community. Chapters also address topics of particular salience to a socially conscious military, including PTSD, sexual harassment and assault, women's and LGBT issues, suicide prevention, and professional ethics. Among the specific chapters topics covered: * Military deployment psychology: psychologists in the forward environment. * Stress and resilience in married military couples. * Assessment and selection of high-risk operational personnel: processes, procedures, and underlying theoretical constructs. * Understanding and addressing sexual harassment and sexual assault in the US military. * Virtual reality applications for the assessment and treatment of PTSD. * Plus international perspectives on military psychology from China, Australia, India, and more. Grounding its readers in up-to-date research and practice, Military Psychology will assist health psychologists, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and clinical social workers in understanding and providing treatment for military populations, veterans, and their families, as well as military psychologists in leadership and consulting positions.

In keeping with the aims of other books in this Series the Editors have concentrated on the practical aspects of management -in this case of the urinary tract in patients with spinal cord injury. It is well accepted that the management of such patients is best done by those with special experience in this field. Nevertheless, it is essential that urologists should be well informed on matters relating to the neuropathic urinary tract since not all patients will be managed in special centres and, whether their problems are acute or chronic, the wrong clinical decision can lead them into a lifetime of problems. The plan of this book is directed towards examining particular problems and providing definitive answers. Even in this enlightened age of medical progress there are many clinical situations where there is often a choice of treatment. Readers of this Series will be aware that, despite an apparent abundance of information on a topic, it is sometimes not possible to reach a firm conclusion on a management problem. Keith Parsons and John Fitzpatrick are to be congratulated on ensuring that for this subject there are good clear guidelines. The data in the book are up to date and the excellent approach to the subject makes it a valuable addition to Clinical Practice in Urology.

New edition of the acclaimed guide to the Bobath Concept for the management of neurological dysfunction The pioneering text by internationally renowned Bobath instructor and therapist Bente Gjelsvik is now in a revised and expanded second edition. The Bobath Concept in Adult Neurology, Second Edition, is updated with the latest theoretical insights, research literature, and clinical guidelines to provide an evidence-based, practice-oriented guide to the assessment and treatment of patients with lesions of the central nervous system. Bridging the gap between theoretical assumptions and everyday therapy practice, the book offers an understanding of the interaction between the central nervous system, the musculoskeletal system, movement, and function, and helps readers apply their knowledge to form hypotheses through clinical reasoning in the rehabilitation of adults with neurological conditions. Highlights: Completely revised case histories chapter with entirely new patient cases Key coverage of recent clinical trials and research studies Restructured and reorganized chapters for a more logical presentation of content Concise descriptions of the central nervous system and the neuro-musculo-skeletal systems, motor control, and neural and muscular plasticity Useful discussion of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health as a basis for assessment More than 200 lucid photographs and illustrations aid in quick grasp of the material The new edition of this seminal volume contains the theoretical information, clinical details, and practical examples of the Bobath Concept for the management of neurological disability. It is a must-read for physical therapists and occupational therapists at all levels who seek the best assessment and treatment outcomes for neurologically impaired individuals.

This concise and practical book provides an overview of neuromuscular disorders in clinical practice. Diagnostic approaches are covered along with patient management strategies in an easy-to-understand and introductory framework. Filling a significant gap in the literature, this resource delivers essential information for neurology trainees and practitioners, as well as anyone interested in learning the fundamentals of this important medical subspecialty.

Long recognized as an essential reference for therapists and surgeons treating the hand and the upper extremity, Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity helps you return your patients to optimal function of the hand, wrist, elbow, arm, and shoulder. Leading hand surgeons and hand therapists detail the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of virtually any disorder you're likely to see, with a focus on evidence-based and efficient patient care. Extensively referenced and abundantly illustrated, the 7th Edition of this reference is a "must read" for surgeons interested in the upper extremity, hand therapists from physical therapy or occupational therapy backgrounds, anyone preparing for the CHT examination, and all hand therapy clinics. Offers comprehensive coverage of all aspects of hand and upper extremity disorders, forming a complete picture for all members of the hand team-surgeons and therapists alike. Provides multidisciplinary, global guidance from a Who's Who list of hand surgery and hand therapy editors and contributors. Includes many features new to this edition: considerations for pediatric therapy; a surgical management focus on the most commonly used techniques; new timing of therapeutic interventions relative to healing characteristics; and in-print references wherever possible. Features more than a dozen new chapters covering Platelet-Rich Protein Injections, Restoration of Function After Adult Brachial Plexus Injury, Acute Management of Upper Extremity Amputation, Medical Management for Pain, Proprioception in Hand Rehabilitation, Graded Motor Imagery, and more. Provides access to an extensive video library that covers common nerve injuries, hand and upper extremity transplantation, surgical and therapy management, and much more. Helps you keep up with the latest advances in arthroscopy, imaging, vascular disorders, tendon transfers, fingertip injuries, mobilization techniques, traumatic brachial plexus injuries, and pain management-all clearly depicted with full-color illustrations and photographs. Enhanced eBook version included with purchase. Your enhanced eBook allows you to access all of the text, figures, and references from the book on a variety of devices.

This book comprises the proceedings of the second International Conference, AsiaHaptics 2016, held in Kashiwanoha, Japan. The book treats the state of the art of the diverse haptics (touch)-related research, including scientific research of haptics perception and illusion, development of haptics devices, and applications to a wide variety of fields such as education, medicine, telecommunication, navigation, and entertainment. This work helps not only active haptic researchers, but also general readers to understand what is going on in this interdisciplinary area of science and technology.

This expansive text offers a comprehensive mind/body/spirit framework for relieving individual patients of the debilitating effects of long-term disease while reducing the public burden of chronic illness. It introduces the patient-centered Pathways Model, featuring a robust scientific base for psychotherapy, complementary and alternative modalities, and a religious/spiritual element, in progressive levels of treatment from self-help to professional help. Chapters spotlight component skills of the model, including treatment planning, patient rapport, and choosing therapies for optimal well-being. The authors advocate for interventions ranging from lifestyle change to mindfulness, and biofeedback to pastoral counseling. In addition, in-depth case studies detail memorable patient journeys from diagnosis and referral to assessment, engagement in treatment and outcome. Among the topics covered: * Mind, body, and spirit in chronic illness. * The need for an integrative model to support comprehensive health-supportive change. * Chronic disease from a functional medicine perspective. * Mechanisms by which religious engagement and religion-based variables affect health. * Complementary and integrative medicine for the Pathways Model. * PLUS: Pathways approaches to chronic pain, caregiver stress, diabetes, mood disorders, PTSD, brain injury, heart disease, cancer, and more. Emphasizing patient individuality and clinician creativity, Integrative Pathways models a compassionate approach to lessening persistent suffering for use by health psychologists, physicians, counselors, health coaches, and other practitioners involved in complementary and integrative medicine, pain medicine, and rehabilitation. "The Pathway Model addresses what clinical researchers in the field have been calling for, a research-based approach to health and wellness that clearly explains important concepts and provides an optimal foundation from which to approach health interventions." Patrick R. Steffen, PhD, BCB, Brigham Young University

Written in a succinct format, this book presents a variety of pain conditions seen in acute or sub-acute rehabilitation hospitals and in outpatient clinical settings. Bio-medical and bio-psychosocial perspectives, as well as theory, clinical practice, and practical aspects of managing pain are offered throughout this volume. Chapters are organized by sections, beginning with an introduction to pain as well use of the multi-disciplinary treatment approach. Additional sections cover headache management, pain diagnostics, medication management, rehabilitation, injections and procedures, behavioral management, complementary and alternative medicine, neuromoduation, neuroablation, surgical management of pain, and novel techniques. Business and legal perspectives of pain medicine are also addressed. Comprehensive Pain Management in the Rehabilitation Patient is a handy resource for any medical, interventional, surgical, rehabilitative, behavioral, or allied health provider who treats pain across the rehabilitation continuum.

A volume in the Contemporary Perspectives in Rehabilitation Series, curated by Steven L. Wolf, PhD, PT, FAPTA Implement a current, evidence-based approach to the selection, application, and uses of therapeutic modalities as an essential tool for functionally based rehabilitation and as a complement to other types of interventions in a patient-centered model of care. The 7th Edition of this groundbreaking text fosters an in-depth understanding of the science behind each modality, its advantages and limitations, its appropriateness for specific conditions, and its implementation. A hands-on problem-solving approach promotes the development of essential clinical decision-making skills through a wealth of full-color photographs and illustrations, special features, and challenging cases studies. Case studies with clinical decision components feature rationales for selecting and applying each therapeutic modality. Suggested Lab Activities promote discussion and hands-on practice. Illustrations, photographs, and graphs bring the text to life and familiarize you with the equipment you’ll need to know about when you enter your clinical rotations. Important facts, highlighted in each chapter, prepare you for tests on the clinical application of the modality. “Key Word Literature Searches” and “Websites for Literature for Evidence” boxes enhance your understanding of research and evidence. New To This Edition: Updated, Enhanced, & Revised! The content reflects the most current information on the science and practice of therapeutic interventions. Updated & Enhanced! A more step-by-step approach to the application of the agents makes the procedures easier to follow and easier to understand. New! Case Studies are followed by open-ended questions that promote active discussions of clinical decision-making. New! “For Whom and When” boxes succinctly describe which patients are most appropriate for the application of a specific physical agent and when administration of the agent is most indicated and supported. “Complementary Role” sections highlight how specific agents play a complementary role to other interventions as part of the larger plan of care. Updated! References at the end of each chapter reflect timely and relevant sources of information.

This book provides a current perspective on alcohol and aging to better understand the trends, costs, benefits, and clinical and community evidenced-based strategies. This book embraces not only the physical, cognitive, psychological, and social health benefits of moderate drinking in the elderly, it also delves into the risks of excessive drinking, including physical and psychiatric morbidity, neurodegeneration, medication complications, and accidents and injuries, and loss of independence. Written by experts in the field, this book is the only current text that includes the most current scientific, research, empirical, and practice information alongside a comprehensive review of the status of the field that will help guide alcohol use management and stimulate future research. Alcohol and Aging is the ultimate resource for all researchers, educators, clinicians, and professionals working with older adults who drink.

This book examines the new knowledge that has been gained from the objective monitoring of habitual physical activity by means of pedometers and accelerometers. It reviews current advances in the technology of activity monitoring and details advantages of objective monitors relative to physical activity questionnaires. It points to continuing gaps in knowledge, and explores the potential for further advances in the design of objective monitoring devices. Epidemiologists have studied relationships between questionnaire assessments of habitual physical activity and various medical conditions for some seventy years. In general, they have observed positive associations between regular exercise and good health, but because of inherent limitations in the reliability and accuracy of physical activity questionnaires, optimal exercise recommendations for the prevention and treatment of disease have remained unclear. Inexpensive pedometers and accelerometers now offer the epidemiologist the potential to collect relatively precisely graded and objective information on the volume, intensity and patterns of effort that people are undertaking, to relate this data to past and future health experience, and to establish dose/response relationships between physical activity and the various components of health. Such information is important both in assessing the causal nature of the observed associations and in establishing evidence-based recommendations concerning the minimal levels of daily physical activity needed to maintain good health.

This book describes how assistive technology can help handicapped, elderly and acutely sick people to manage their daily lives better and stay safe in the home. It discusses how safety is understood from an ethical, technical and social perspective, and offers examples of the problems that users, their helpers and professional carers have with assistive technology in everyday situations. The book provides insights from user-centred research and uses photographs to illustrate the main topic: how users and technology can work together to ensure safety. User-focused and combining experience with research, the book will interest users of these kinds of technology, health professionals who might introduce and/or prescribe them, engineers who develop and sell assistive technological gadgets, and architects who build safe homes - as well as researchers and students who work in these fields. It provides an overview of the existing technology, examines ways to test its effectiveness from the point of view of users, health professionals and researchers from different fields (architecture, education, engineering, facility management, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, rehabilitative medicine, physiotherapy, social science and speech therapy), and lists useful addresses, websites and literature

This book represents the first interdisciplinary text on the emerging field of rehabilitative surgery, in which state of the art procedures from multiple surgical specialties are combined. It proposes a completely new framework for understanding, coordinating, and providing treatment for paralyzed or severely neurologically impaired patients and explains the potentially critical impact of surgery in creating a new baseline of functional status, thereby improving the patient's daily life. Every major aspect of reconstructive surgical treatment is considered, including anesthesia, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, general surgery, vascular surgery, and otolaryngology. The most up-to-date and evidence-based surgeries are clearly described and evaluated, with coverage of treatment of pressure sores, placement of feeding tubes, and upper extremity interventions to improve function and hygiene. Cutting-edge protocols are presented for the surgical treatment of severe nerve injuries, spinal cord injuries, and stroke or cerebrovascular accidents, and a first description and evaluation of phrenic nerve repair to assist weaning of paralyzed patients from ventilators is provided. Both surgical and nonsurgical readers will find this book to be an ideal guide and reference.

Taking a multidisciplinary approach to a common and often frustrating problem for athletes and those with an active lifestyle, this book is the first of its kind, addressing muscular injuries to the posterior leg using an in-depth and expansive style that is uniquely dedicated to ensuring all content is explicitly linked to the practical care of patients with calf pain. It is divided thematically into three sections. The first section covers underlying principles involved in these issues, including anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology of injury and neurophysiology of musculoskeletal pain. Clinical assessment techniques and imaging are covered in the second section. The third section on treatment is the most expansive, discussing acute, sub-acute and chronic posterior leg muscle injuries, as well as surgical management, rehabilitation techniques, complementary medicine and special populations. Overall, the book is designed to use muscular injuries of the posterior leg to as a means to understand the assessment and treatment of muscular injuries more broadly. Taken together, it is the consummate source for orthopedists, doctors in sports medicine, podiatrists, rehabilitation professionals and primary care physicians who treat muscular injuries in the posterior leg, though reader will gain a conceptual and practical framework for the assessment and treatment of muscular injuries in general.

This book presents current innovative, alternative and creative approaches that challenge traditional mechanisms in and across disciplines and industries targeting societal impact. A common thread throughout the book is human-centered, uni and multi-modal strategies across the range of human technologies, including sensing and stimuli; virtual and augmented worlds; games for serious applications; accessibility; digital-ethics and more. Focusing on engaging, meaningful, and motivating activities that at the same time offer systemic information on human condition, performance and progress, the book is of interest to anyone seeking to gain insights into the field, be they students, teachers, practicing professionals, consultants, or family representatives. By offering a wider perspective, it addresses the need for a core text that evokes and provokes, engages and demands and stimulates and satisfies.

This book focuses on the key technologies in developing biomechatronic systems for medical rehabilitation purposes. It includes a detailed analysis of biosignal processing, biomechanics modelling, neural and muscular interfaces, artificial actuators, robot-assisted training, clinical setup/implementation and rehabilitation robot control. Encompassing highly multidisciplinary themes in the engineering and medical fields, it presents researchers' insights into the emerging technologies and developments that are being utilized in biomechatronics for medical purposes. Presenting a detailed analysis of five key areas in rehabilitation robotics: (i) biosignal processing; (ii) biomechanics modelling; (iii) neural and muscular interfaces; (iv) artificial actuators and devices; and (v) the use of neurological and muscular interfaces in rehabilitation robots control, the book describes the design of biomechatronic systems, the methods and control systems used and the implementation and testing in order to show how they fulfil the needs of that specific area of rehabilitation. Providing a comprehensive overview of the background of biomechatronics and details of new advances in the field, it is especially useful for researchers, academics and graduates new to the field of biomechatronics engineering, and is also of interest to researchers and clinicians in the medical field who are not engineers.

This textbook integrates the classic fields of mechanics-statics, dynamics, and strength of materials-using examples from biology and medicine. The book is excellent for teaching either undergraduates in biomedical engineering programs or health care professionals studying biomechanics at the graduate level. Extensively revised from a successful third edition, Fundamentals of Biomechanics features a wealth of clear illustrations, numerous worked examples, and many problem sets. The book provides the quantitative perspective missing from more descriptive texts, without requiring an advanced background in mathematics. It will be welcomed for use in courses such as biomechanics and orthopedics, rehabilitation and industrial engineering, and occupational or sports medicine. This book: Introduces the fundamental concepts, principles, and methods that must be understood to begin the study of biomechanics Reinforces basic principles of biomechanics with repetitive exercises in class and homework assignments given throughout the textbook Includes over 100 new problem sets with solutions and illustrations

This book presents an emerging rehabilitation program for improving the reading abilities of individuals with low vision who undergo therapy for visual impairment. Its interdisciplinary framework for visual training through reading skills development aligns its goals with those of special education programs and features anatomical and psychological background chapters, diverse perspectives on rehabilitation, and empirical supporting data. Program details span theoretical bases, strategies and planning, pedagogical considerations, use of assistive technologies, and assessment of client progress and program efficacy. And by locating rehabilitation in the psychosocial experience of visual disability, the program can be used as a means of building confidence and motivation, contributing to improved quality of life. Included in the coverage: Visual impairment and its impact on development. Rehabilitation of individuals with visual impairment in the Czech Republic. Innovative vision rehabilitation system: theoretical postulates, meanings, and objectives. Reading as a main objective of vision rehabilitation. Verification of effectiveness of the reading performance experimental rehabilitation program. Reading Rehabilitation for Individuals with Low Vision is an essential resource for researchers, clinicians/practitioners, and graduate students in varied fields such as cognitive psychology, rehabilitation, literacy, special education, child and school psychology, visual therapy, and public health.

This comprehensive volume captures the latest scientific evidence, technological advances, treatments and impact of biotechnology in hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Divided into three distinct sections, the book begins with basic aspects that include history, equipment, safety and diagnostic approaches; this is followed by clinical applications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in various modalities; the last section provides an overview of hyperbaric medicine as a specialty with best practices from around the world. Integration of multidisciplinary approaches to complex disorders are also covered. Updated and significantly expanded from previous editions, Textbook of Hyperbaric Medicine, 6th Edition will continue to be the definitive guide to this burgeoning field for students, trainees, physicians and specialists.

The book reports on advanced topics in the areas of wearable robotics research and practice. It focuses on new technologies, including neural interfaces, soft wearable robots, sensors and actuators technologies, and discusses important regulatory challenges, as well as clinical and ethical issues. Based on the 2nd International Symposium on Wearable Robotics, WeRob2016, held October 18-21, 2016, in Segovia, Spain, the book addresses a large audience of academics and professionals working in government, industry, and medical centers, and end-users alike. It provides them with specialized information and with a source of inspiration for new ideas and collaborations. It discusses exemplary case studies highlighting practical challenges related to the implementation of wearable robots in a number of fields. One of the focus is on clinical applications, which was encouraged by the colocation of WeRob2016 with the International Conference on Neurorehabilitation, INCR2016. Additional topics include space applications and assistive technologies in the industry. The book merges together the engineering, medical, ethical and political perspectives, thus offering a multidisciplinary, timely snapshot of the field of wearable technologies.

This book presents the development of a new multimodal human-robot interface for testing and validating control strategies applied to robotic walkers for assisting human mobility and gait rehabilitation. The aim is to achieve a closer interaction between the robotic device and the individual, empowering the rehabilitation potential of such devices in clinical applications. A new multimodal human-robot interface for testing and validating control strategies applied to robotic walkers for assisting human mobility and gait rehabilitation is presented. Trends and opportunities for future advances in the field of assistive locomotion via the development of hybrid solutions based on the combination of smart walkers and biomechatronic exoskeletons are also discussed.