title: Effects of combined robotic therapy and repetitive-task practice on upper-extremity function in a patient with chronic stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article describes the effect of a robotic device combined with repetitive-task practice (RTP) on upper-extremity function in a patient with chronic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  The client was a 32-year-old woman, 11 months after stroke, with minimal wrist and finger movement. She received approximately 48 hr of intervention split evenly between a robotic device (Hand Mentor) and RTP during 3 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Favorable scores in the Wolf Motor Function Test were observed from pre- to postevaluation. Active range of motion, from pre- to postintervention, increased by 35 degrees in the shoulder, 65 degrees in the wrist, and 70 degrees in the thumb. Kinetic analysis of a bimanual dexterity task indicated improved specification of grasping forces for both limbs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improvements in upper-extremity motor functioning and functional performance in daily tasks followed this client's engagement in distal initiation of movement during an RTP exercise regimen that was robotically reinforced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. rosensl@ccf.org
authors.forename: Libby
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rosenstein
authors.forename: Angela L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ridgel
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thota
authors.forename: Bridgette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Samame
authors.forename: Jay L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alberts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015915:Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive / Q000379:methods*; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D012371:Robotics; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014953:Wrist