When people’s arms are moved by a robot without seeing where they’re supposed to go, their muscles don’t work as hard as when they can see the target path—even if they’re not moving on their own.

Scientific Claim

In healthy adults, the absence of visual feedback during bilateral passive training is associated with a 40% reduction in muscle activation (0.44 ± 0.12 vs. 0.77 ± 0.13) during circular tasks, indicating that visual guidance significantly augments neuromuscular engagement even in passive movement.

Original Statement

“BPT-visual (0.77 ± 0.13) and BPT-none (0.44 ± 0.12) for circular tasks (p < 0.01).”

From study:Effective unilateral/bilateral robot-assisted training for upper limb motor function rehabilitation: a cross-sectional study

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

overstated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The authors imply visual feedback 'enhances rehabilitation effect,' but the study measured only healthy adults. The verb should reflect association, not therapeutic enhancement.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Effective unilateral/bilateral robot-assisted training for upper limb motor function rehabilitation: a cross-sectional study

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2025

When people move their arms passively with a robot, seeing what’s happening makes their muscles work harder — even if they’re not trying to move. The study proved this by showing muscles activate more when visual feedback is present.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Effective unilateral/bilateral robot-assisted training for upper limb motor function rehabilitation: a cross-sectional study

Score: 33

DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2025.1571624

Similar Assertions

When both arms are moved together by a robot while watching a screen, healthy people’s muscles work harder than when only one arm is moved, even if they’re not trying to move it themselves.

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When people get both a visual target and a gentle push from the robot at the same time, they hit the target more accurately and with less muscle strain than when they get only one kind of cue.

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When healthy people move their arm with a robot using just one kind of feedback (like seeing a target or feeling resistance), they make more mistakes and use more muscle effort than when they get both kinds of feedback at once.

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Even though both arms are just being moved by the robot, people feel like they’re working harder mentally when both arms are moving together than when only one arm is moving.

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When people try to move their arm with a robot and can’t see or feel where they’re supposed to go, they miss the target by a lot—much more than when they get visual or force cues.

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