Robot therapy for functional recovery of the upper limbs: a pilot study on patients after stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To verify the possibility of administering robot-aided therapy for the upper limbs in patients after stroke; to evaluate patients' degree of acceptance and compliance with the treatment; to establish if the treatment has an effect on motor impairment and functional outcome.


METHODS
Quasi-experimental, uncontrolled study.


METHODS
Fourteen patients with chronic hemiparesis after stroke.


METHODS
Patients were treated with a robotic system for the upper limbs (ReoGo; Motorika Medical Ltd, Israel). Subjects performed the following assessment, at the start (T0), at the end of treatment (T1), and at the follow-up performed one month after the end of treatment (T2): Fugl-Meyer test (FM) for upper limbs; strength evaluation; Ashworth scale; visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain; Frenchay Arm test (FAT); Box and Block test (B & B); Functional Independence Measure (FIM); ABILHAND Questionnaire; Timed Up and Go test (TUG); Euro-Quality of Life questionnaire and; a VAS for treatment satisfaction were administered to the subjects.


RESULTS
Total scores of FM, B&B, FAT and FIM showed a statistically significant improvement from T0 and T1 (FM p < 0.002, B&B p < 0.012, FAT p < 0.023, FIM p < 0.007) and from T0 and T2 (FM p < 0.003, B&B p < 0.011, FAT p < 0.024, FIM p < 0.027). No statistically significant differences were found between evaluations at T1 and T2 (FM p < 0.595, B&B p < 0.491, FAT p < 0.317, FIM p < 0.180).


CONCLUSIONS
The sample was capable of completing the treatment and demonstrated good participant satisfaction. This pilot study led to the finding of a clinical improvement and excellent patient compliance. It can be hypothesized that the results are robot-dependent and that they were learned and then maintained. However, the study is limited in that a control group was not used. As such, it is desirable to continue this study with a control group, as well as by designing a prospective longitudinal randomized controlled trial study.
Medicine Rehabilitation, NOCSAE Hospital AUSL of Modena, Via P. Giardini 1355, IT-41100 Modena, Italy. federica.bovolenta@libero.it
Federica
F
Bovolenta
Milena
M
Goldoni
Pierina
P
Clerici
Maurizio
M
Agosti
Marco
M
Franceschini
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010291:Paresis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012371:Robotics; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*