Effects of robot-assisted upper limb rehabilitation on daily function and real-world arm activity in patients with chronic stroke: A randomized controlled trial
Journal
Clinical Rehabilitation
Journal Volume
26
Journal Issue
2
Pages
111-120
Date Issued
2012
Author(s)
Abstract
Objective: To compare the outcome of robot-assisted therapy with dose-matched active control therapy by using accelerometers to study functional recovery in chronic stroke patients.Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.Setting: Stroke units in three medical centres.Subjects: Twenty patients post stroke for a mean of 22 months.Intervention: Robot-assisted therapy (n = 10) or dose-matched active control therapy (n = 10). All patients received either of these two therapies for 90-105 minutes each day, 5 days per week, for four weeks.Main measures: Outcome measures included arm activity ratio (the ratio of mean activity between the impaired and unimpaired arm) and scores on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale, Functional Independence Measure, Motor Activity Log and ABILHAND questionnaire.Results: The robot-assisted therapy group significantly increased motor function, hemiplegic arm activity and bilateral arm coordination (Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale: 51.20 ± 8.82, P = 0.002; mean arm activity ratio: 0.76 ± 0.10, P = 0.026; ABILHAND questionnaire: 1.24 ± 0.28, P = 0.043) compared with the dose-matched active control group (Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale: 40.90 ± 13.14; mean arm movement ratio: 0.69 ± 0.11; ABILHAND questionnaire: 0.95 ± 0.43).Conclusions: Symmetrical and bilateral robotic practice, combined with functional task training, can significantly improve motor function, arm activity, and self-perceived bilateral arm ability in patients late after stroke. ? SAGE Publications 2011.
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; arm; article; chronic disease; clinical trial; cohort analysis; comparative study; controlled clinical trial; controlled study; convalescence; daily life activity; female; follow up; hemiplegia; human; kinesiotherapy; male; methodology; middle aged; multicenter study; nonparametric test; pathophysiology; prospective study; randomized controlled trial; reference value; robotics; stroke; treatment outcome; university hospital; Academic Medical Centers; Activities of Daily Living; Adult; Chronic Disease; Cohort Studies; Exercise Therapy; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hemiplegia; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Recovery of Function; Reference Values; Robotics; Statistics, Nonparametric; Stroke; Treatment Outcome; Upper Extremity
Type
journal article