Effects of combined robotic therapy and repetitive-task practice on upper-extremity function in a patient with chronic stroke.
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.
Rosenstein
Libby
L
Department of Occupational Therapy, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. rosensl@ccf.org
Ridgel
Angela L
AL
Thota
Anil
A
Samame
Bridgette
B
Alberts
Jay L
JL
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