title: Upper limb spasticity reduction following active training: a robot-mediated study in patients with chronic hemiparesis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects on spasticity of 2 robot-mediated therapies in patients with chronic hemiparesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Groups comparison.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients, divided into 2 homogeneous groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcome measures were: motor status score, Modified Ashworth scale, and range of motion. A pattern of reaching exercises was implemented, in which the direction and length of the movements were modified with the aim of reducing activity of the flexor muscles and improving extension of the arm. A 3-month follow-up was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant improvements were found in both groups after treatment. Some differences were found in elbow motor improvement between the 2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comparison between groups confirms that active movement training does not result in increased hypertonia, but results in spasticity reduction in antagonist muscles by activating the reciprocal inhibition mechanism. Furthermore, robot-mediated therapy contributes to a decrease in motor impairment of the upper limbs in subjects with chronic hemiparesis, resulting in a reduction in shoulder pain.
authors.affiliation: Auxilium Vitae Rehabilitation Center, Volterra Italy Borgo San Lazzero 5, Volterra, Pisa, Italy. f.posteraro@riabilitazione-volterra.it
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Posteraro
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazzoleni
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aliboni
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cesqui
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.forename: Maria Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Carrozza
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dario
authors.forename: Silvestro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Micera
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity; D010291:Paresis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012371:Robotics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*