[Abstract] Efficacy of robot-assisted rehabilitation to functional recovery upper limb in post stroke patients: a randomized controlled study. – Eur J Phys Rehabil Med.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

We evaluated the effectiveness of robotic-assisted motion and activity in additional to Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM), of the upper limb in post stroke inpatients.

METHODS:

A randomized controlled trial. Fifty-four patients, 57% female (mean ± SD age: 71 ±12 years), with upper limb function defecit post stroke. The experimental group received a passive mobilization of the upper limb through the robotic device ARMEO Spring and the control group received PRM for 6 consecutive weeks (5 days/week) in addition to traditional PRM. We assessed the impact on functional recovery (Functional Independence Measure-FIM scale), strength (ARM Motricity Index-MI), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale-MAS) and pain (Numeric Rating Pain Scale -NRPS). All patients were evaluated by a blinded observer using the outcomes tests at enrollment (T0), after the treatment (T1) and at follow up 6 weeks later (T2).

RESULTS:

Both control and experimental groups evidenced an improvement of the outcomes after the treatment (Motricity Index, Ashworth and NRPS with p<0.05). The experimental group showed further improvements after the follow up (all outcomes with p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

In the treatment of pain, disability and spasticity in upper limb after stroke, robot-assisted mobilization associated to PRM is as effective as traditional rehabilitation.

Source: Efficacy of robot-assisted rehabilitation to functional recovery upper limb in post stroke patients: a randomized controlled study. – PubMed – NCBI