title: Systematic review of the effect of robot-aided therapy on recovery of the hemiparetic arm after stroke.
abstract: A limited number of clinical studies have examined the effect of poststroke rehabilitation with robotic devices on hemiparetic arm function. We systematically reviewed the literature to assess the effect of robot-aided therapy on stroke patients' upper-limb motor control and functional abilities. Eight clinical trials were identified and reviewed. For four of these studies, we also pooled short-term mean changes in Fugl-Meyer scores before and after robot-aided therapy. We found that robot-aided therapy of the proximal upper limb improves short- and long-term motor control of the paretic shoulder and elbow in subacute and chronic patients; however, we found no consistent influence on functional abilities. In addition, robot-aided therapy appears to improve motor control more than conventional therapy.
authors.affiliation: Roessingh Research and Development, PO Box 310, 7500 AH Enschede, the Netherlands. G.Prange@rrd.nl
authors.forename: Gerdienke B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Prange
authors.forename: Michiel J A
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jannink
authors.forename: Catharina G M
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Groothuis-Oudshoorn
authors.forename: Hermie J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Hermens
authors.forename: Maarten J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ijzerman
mesh_terms: D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012371:Robotics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology